Christmas and kindness kinda’ seem like they should go together. But in the bustling business of Christmas traditions it can be hard to go out of your way for someone else. Don’t get me wrong, I love decorating the tree,
The Christmas Kindness Game
Hope for the Slippery Slope
Can we put our toes in the water mom? We all knows what happens next. First the toes, then one child slips and their pants get wet, and all manner of giggling ensues. Then, “somehow” the slippery slope claims each
A New Stage
“Mommm, Can you leave please?” This weekend my oldest attended 4-H camp for the first time. It was fun to see her giggling with her friends and learning new skills. As odd as it sounds, I love hearing my daughter
Top 10 Secrets for Stepping Out of your Comfort Zone
I teach my kids a lot of things, but I never considered teaching them hatchet throwing until today. And, for the record, no, I did not faint dead away, although I considered it. We had a fantastic time with the
Keeping Toddlers Busy – Matching Children’s Stories with Toys
Having a preschooler in the house can be a challenge during my older kids’ school time. I have found that one of the easiest ways to keep my little girl occupied is to capture her imagination with a great children’s
Striving Toward Successful Failure
How many times have you seen this? Your toddler happily pulls out a coloring book but after only a few strokes they crumple their paper and leave the table deflated. An older child sits it in front of a sheet
The Value of Friends who Hate my Choices
We all like to have friends who believe as we do. It is something you can see everywhere. Christians hang out with Christians, Democrats socialize with Democrats, and homeschoolers enjoy spending time with other homeschoolers. We feel included and validated
How to Mentor Your Own Child
I wrote last week about how watching adults at work provides children with wonderful learning opportunities. Unfortunately, despite my belief in mentorship, I have to admit that I tend to get in my own way in the implementation stage. Here are
Don’t Expect What You Won’t Inspect
I’ve written many times about my favorite parenting quote, Powerful words. If mom can’t stay focused, why would we expect our kids to. I found these words years ago, and quickly adopted them as the standard of my parenting style.
Embracing the Ebb and Flow
Can I be honest? My laundry is currently taking over the upstairs hallway, I have spent the last few weeks in a series of time consuming doctor appointments, and I really have no desire to sit with my 4 year