Having a preschooler has opened my eyes to how quickly children can learn new concepts. It also taught me how fast a bad example can develop into bad behavior. This crash course in child development: preschool will help us navigate parenting preschool aged children. This stage is the time to be sure you have a strong sense of what your parenting philosophy is, and have … [Read more...]
6 Tips for Teaching Children Money Managment
Teaching children money management is one of the great skills I learned from my parents was money management. Lessons such as how much money it takes to buy certain things, how to set up a budget, being mindful that what goes out better not exceed what comes in, and self-esteem from inside, not from accumulating ‘stuff’ on the outside. These are linked, but separate skills, … [Read more...]
Teaching Through Tantrums
Do your children throw tantrums? Do you try disciplinary strategies and feel that they make little headway in teaching your child how to get over a mood swing? There is a great resource for us! It is easy to work into your days, teaches children to learn about why they are having emotional swings and engages them in moderating their own behavior. Crabbie Masters, is an … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Use Daycare
After working in three different child care centers across the country and as my first child grew, I understood more concretely how my decision to leave my child in the care of others would impact him. It is the personal choice of my husband and I to not use day care. This choice does not mean that we think that parents who send their children to day care in homes or centers … [Read more...]
Discipline Is Not a Dirty Word
We were at a playgroup with a few children. It was not a large group. My son-at that age-was a total follower. He wanted to follow the big kids. They made him laugh and looked like fun. The problem was, he was about 16 months old. He was not at a stage where he could think about his actions. He only saw the big boys running and making messes and thought since they looked … [Read more...]
DIY Car Wash Toy for Kids
For any child who is a car lover, the imagination is limitless about where the cars drive and what they do. My son used to think cars got cold and needed a blanket...in his imagination, of course! He acted out the Cars movie (and Cars 2) while watching. This boy has loved them since he was 13 months old, and they are still not old yet. He is amazing at creating play … [Read more...]
Confessions and Clarifications of A Stay-at-Home Mom
I don’t write this blog because I think my life is perfect, or I am the perfect wife, or perfect mother. I write because despite all of my imperfections, I am happy, and will make every effort to be happy every day. I don’t always like doing what I do each day: Who wants to drag a screaming, kicking almost-4-year old out of Library story time? Who wants to … [Read more...]
Turkey Burgers with Vegetables Inside
Often when I set out to make dinner, I find that I am missing one or two items from the recipe list. Other time I have ground turkey versus tenderloins or some other variation that just doesn't quite match a recipe. This scenario tends to help me create new recipes of my own through improvisation. (All the time I used to spend watching Food Network comes in … [Read more...]
Moms are Leaders
Did you make the list of most powerful women of the last year? Every year Fortune magazine lists the 50 most powerful women, in business, but of course this is only one sector of powerful women. I noticed a blog out there that targets busy working moms also had their own list late last year. Women such as major cable channel news reporters were on it. Where is the … [Read more...]
Patterns for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool
Creating patterns can be taught to infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Clapping your hands and encouraging your infant to mimic your claps is exposing him/her to patterns. If your toddler falls down, stands up and does not cry, and you applaud them saying, "Yay!" (and they do it again to get the same response), they have recognized a pattern. Children are never too young to … [Read more...]
Easy Art Exploration Tools for Kids
Three simple art exploration tools you probably have at home spice up a kids art project. These are easy art exploration tools for kids from toddlers to preschoolers. Kids love hands-on learning. Art is a great way to give children freedom to create and express themselves. You do not need to buy expensive art exploration tools. Use what you have at home to keep … [Read more...]
How Parents Teach Socialization
Socialization is the most over-used term in the parenting world-and early childhood education world-these days…and often the most misinterpreted. We stay-at-home moms are not depriving our children of proper socialization, we are actually providing the best form of it. The definition of socialization, from dictionary.reference.com is: … [Read more...]
Books on CD Recorded by You
My husband deployed for a year back when my oldest son was 6 months old. It was a job of mine to teach my son about his dad. Without the daily interactions of a parent and an infant, that memory of "dad" would not be established. It is a reality for families whose breadwinner travels a lot. Our solution was to do a few things to keep my husband present in our daily life and one … [Read more...]
DIY Sensory Bottles from Baby Bottles
{This activity was previously shared on the Infant Activities page in October 2011.} I was first introduced to DIY sensory bottles when I worked in a daycare center. These sensory toys are very easy to make, are great for older kids to help make, and can be made in a variety of sizes. If you do not drink bottled water, you can use baby bottles. I have both … [Read more...]
Bath Time Activities
I have heard from some parents that the less toys they have in the tub the better they like it, because they just want baths to be quick. I think giving kids some fun bath time activities can make bath time time that I get to sit for a bit. How often in your day do you get to take a load off while the kids stay busy? In my house the second I sit, my kids have some radar … [Read more...]