By the time evening rolls around, you can tell from my toddler’s behavior if we were able to go outside and play that day or not. She’s full of energy, quick to roughhouse, and sometimes irritable on days when the weather or a busy schedule keeps us indoors. On the other hand, she’s generally calm and easygoing on days when we are able … [Read more...] about 8 Indoor Activities that Get Toddlers Moving
health and safety
How to Keep Your Cool When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying
If you’ve ever had a newborn, then it doesn’t surprise you to hear that babies cry. Sometimes they cry quite a bit. In fact, sometimes they cry inconsolably for hours with no apparent reason for the crying. There are many great articles out there that suggest strategies to calm fussy newborns (see a couple examples here and here). That … [Read more...] about How to Keep Your Cool When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying
What to Include in a Care Package for a Loved One with a Chronic Disease
Living with a chronic disease means facing many challenges. These challenges go beyond the physical consequences of the disease (which are significant enough) and include financial hardships, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. My husband and I are quite familiar with these challenges because I suffer from an autoimmune disease. One of … [Read more...] about What to Include in a Care Package for a Loved One with a Chronic Disease
The Best Low-Tech Toddler Toys
Toddler toys that are embellished with flashing lights and blasting sounds abound in toy stores. Like most toddlers, my daughter is drawn to these. However, despite her initial interest, they don’t hold her attention for very long. She favors battery-free toys that are simple and versatile. I love these toys, too, because they allow her … [Read more...] about The Best Low-Tech Toddler Toys
Is Rinse Aid in Your Dishwasher Really Beneficial?
Dishwasher rinse aid is a relatively new concept to me. I don’t recall seeing or hearing about rinse aid products when I was a child, nor do I recall there being a special spot in the dishwasher where you were supposed to deposit one of these products. I’ve ignored the rinse aid reservoirs in the dishwashers I’ve had access to during my … [Read more...] about Is Rinse Aid in Your Dishwasher Really Beneficial?
Practicing Hospitality When Your Guests Have Food Allergies
Today we are going to tackle another question from a reader. Her question is highly relevant to me and I think many of you will find it relevant, too. Rosie in New Jersey asked the following: "It seems that everyone today has food allergies and intolerances. How do you safely welcome these folks into your home for dinner?" The … [Read more...] about Practicing Hospitality When Your Guests Have Food Allergies
How to Get Toddlers to Enjoy Vegetables
By the time most children enter toddlerhood, they’ve tasted enough flavors to realize that some foods taste a lot better than others! This, combined with their inability to sit still for long periods of time, often turns toddlers into picky eaters. Vegetables are frequently the first foods toddlers reject. These are so important for … [Read more...] about How to Get Toddlers to Enjoy Vegetables
Dare to Prepare: Innovative Disaster Preparedness Tools and Equipment
Do you ever come across a tool or piece of equipment that is so innovative that you think it is pure genius? As I’ve done research for my own family and for these Dare to Prepare posts, I’ve come across some of these products. I’m going to share a few with you today. You can roll up your sleeves and tackle some as DIY projects, but … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: Innovative Disaster Preparedness Tools and Equipment
