It seems like just yesterday that my oldest child was born. However, she’s about to become a three-year-old! I’ve noticed that many children her age are beginning preschool programs. Some of these are very formal programs, while others are traditional childcare with a special focus on school readiness skills. Does my child need … [Read more...] about Is Preschool Necessary?
Raising an Inheritance
Can Busy Moms Really Find Time to Spend with God? (Part 1)
Moms are busy. It doesn’t matter how many children they have, if their kids are young or grown, or if they work or stay at home. Given this reality, is it really possible for moms to find time to spend with God? I first considered this question a couple of years ago when I was struggling to find time to spend with the Lord while … [Read more...] about Can Busy Moms Really Find Time to Spend with God? (Part 1)
Why I’m a Singing Mom
If you were to eavesdrop on my household at random times throughout the day, it’s likely you would hear me singing more than once. This isn’t because I’m particularly fond of singing and it’s certainly not because I’m gifted at it. I began singing to my children before they were born. When I was pregnant with my first, I would sit in … [Read more...] about Why I’m a Singing Mom
50 Fun Activities for Fathers and Their Toddlers
According to the Pew Research Center, mothers spend about twice as much time with their children as fathers do. Regardless of the reasons for this statistic, one consequence is that many fathers feel uncertain about what sort of activities to share with their toddlers—curious creatures who are notorious for their mercurial moods, short … [Read more...] about 50 Fun Activities for Fathers and Their Toddlers
Helping Kids Understand that True Beauty is on the Inside
When I look at my daughters, I see the two most beautiful girls in the world. However, the older they get, the more I realize that I need to help them understand that the beauty that truly matters has nothing to do with how a person looks. Our culture teaches the exact opposite. If we listen to the messages conveyed by most TV shows, … [Read more...] about Helping Kids Understand that True Beauty is on the Inside
Easy Handprint Bouquet Craft for Young Kids
I recently came across the idea of using a child’s handprint to make “flowers” for a bouquet. This seemed both cute and simple, so I decided to help my daughters make a variation of it to send to their grandmothers for Mother’s Day. Here’s how we made each bouquet. Supplies Construction paper in various colors Crayons and … [Read more...] about Easy Handprint Bouquet Craft for Young Kids
Manners and Common Courtesies Toddlers Should Learn
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
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
