A few days ago my toddler coughed and I realized that she made no effort to cover her mouth. This may not be unusual for a toddler, but it really stood out to this mama who was a nurse and public health professional before stepping out of the workplace to be a stay-at-home mom. I can’t believe I failed to teach her this simple … [Read more...] about Manners and Common Courtesies Toddlers Should Learn
7 Ways to Honor Your Mother-in-Law
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, many of us are thinking about the moms in our lives, especially our own mothers and our mothers-in-law. While many of us know our own mothers quite well and can think of numerous ways to honor them, sometimes it’s more challenging to think of ways to honor our mothers-in-law. We definitely … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Honor Your Mother-in-Law
A Strategy for Helping Young Kids Learn to Assemble Jigsaw Puzzles
Toddlers and preschoolers typically grasp how to assemble peg puzzles pretty quickly. This is because, in general, these puzzles have large, easy-to-grasp pieces that fit into obvious slots on a puzzle board. My toddler has grown bored with most peg puzzles because they are too easy for her. However, jigsaw puzzles are still a little too … [Read more...] about A Strategy for Helping Young Kids Learn to Assemble Jigsaw Puzzles
10 Really Cheap Foods that Are Also Really Nutritious
Keeping the grocery bill low is a challenge. It seems like this is especially true when I’m trying to purchase nutritious foods for my family. However, the reality is that healthy foods aren’t always expensive. By purchasing several unprocessed or minimally processed foods and cooking with them at home, we can save a lot of money and feed … [Read more...] about 10 Really Cheap Foods that Are Also Really Nutritious
Fostering Friendship with Your Spouse
One of the things I appreciate most about marriage is having a good friend who I see and speak with every day. Back when we first got married, my husband and I found it easy to cultivate our friendship. However, as the demands on our time and energy have increased—particularly since becoming parents—we’ve found it challenging to invest … [Read more...] about Fostering Friendship with Your Spouse
7 Tips for Keeping Your House Tidy Between Cleanings
One of the most frequent questions I get asked here on Of The Hearth is if my cleaning schedule really works. The answer is simple: Yes, it absolutely works. Every room in my house gets cleaned on a regular basis. However, once I clean a room, several days will pass before I clean it again. Due to the activities of everyday life, things … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Keeping Your House Tidy Between Cleanings
Tips for Tempering Toddler Tantrums
Young children often throw tantrums. Though this is challenging for parents, it’s a normal part of development for children between the ages of one and four. I love this definition of tantrums from the Mayo Clinic: “A tantrum is the expression of a young child's frustration with the challenges of the moment.” I’ve found this … [Read more...] about Tips for Tempering Toddler Tantrums
15 Recipe Ideas for Spring Brunches
When the weather warms up and the flowers bud, I start craving the flavors that I associate with spring—strawberry, lemon, carrot, egg, blueberry, almond, orange, coconut, etc. I’m eager to try some new breakfast and brunch recipes that feature these flavors. If you’ll be making a special brunch at any point this spring, then you may want … [Read more...] about 15 Recipe Ideas for Spring Brunches
