As always seems to be the case, fall sped by so quickly that it is hard to believe we accomplished as much as we did during the last few months. Now we’re about to welcome winter. My 5-year-old keeps asking each family member to identify his or her favorite season. Though I have told her that fall is my favorite, I’ve also reminded her … [Read more...] about The Most Wonderful Things About Winter
holidays
How to Keep Unbelieving Kids from Ruining Santa for Kids Who Believe
My kids know who Santa is, but they don’t believe he is a real person. They enjoy him as a fictional character, just as they do fairy tale princesses and superheroes. This isn’t the case for most of our friends and family members. The children in these families believe that Santa is real, and this is an important part of their Christmas … [Read more...] about How to Keep Unbelieving Kids from Ruining Santa for Kids Who Believe
8 Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions
Since the very first year we were married, my husband and I have set aside time to set goals before the start of each New Year. This has worked well for us in general, but it has become difficult to find time for this—and we’ve had a more difficult time achieving our goals—as our family has grown. In an attempt to make sure we … [Read more...] about 8 Alternatives to New Year’s Resolutions
30 Questions to Ask Around the Christmas Dinner Table
Our everyday lives are so busy that I find it increasingly important that we use the time we have with our families strategically. Holidays are times that we can really slow down and enjoy being with each other. However, on Christmas, it’s not unusual for things like presents and baking to commandeer our focus away from family and … [Read more...] about 30 Questions to Ask Around the Christmas Dinner Table
Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
One of the things my kids really enjoyed doing this past fall was going on a scavenger hunt. We used a printable that I created a couple of years ago (find it here). They had so much fun walking through our neighborhood in search of the items pictured on the printable. I’ve made a similar printable for a Christmas light scavenger hunt! … [Read more...] about Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
Why to Eat Pie the Night Before Thanksgiving
Pie is the traditional dessert to eat after Thanksgiving dinner, but the best time to eat pie may actually be the night before Thanksgiving. I don’t know what it’s like in your house, but we tend to be pretty full after Thanksgiving dinner. It’s common for us to not even be hungry for dessert after eating turkey, sweet potatoes, … [Read more...] about Why to Eat Pie the Night Before Thanksgiving
Should We Celebrate The Thanksgiving Holiday?
When I was a young child, my teachers taught me a whitewashed version of the “first Thanksgiving.” We learned about a harmonious celebration between the Pilgrims and “Indians.” I remember one year we even dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians to reenact the first Thanksgiving feast. Thankfully, most Americans are now aware that this … [Read more...] about Should We Celebrate The Thanksgiving Holiday?
How Gratitude Improves Our Lives
November is a month during which psychology experts and laypeople alike laud the benefits of gratitude. They say that gratitude benefits our mental and physical health (improved sleep, decreased pain, fewer illnesses, etc.). Numerous researchers have identified these benefits in the studies they’ve conducted on gratitude. I’m super … [Read more...] about How Gratitude Improves Our Lives
