One of the wonderful things about having kids who are close in age is that they grow up as best friends. My daughters, who are currently ages 7, 5, and 3, are a great example of this. They spend a lot of time acting out stories with their dolls, coloring pictures, building cities out of blocks, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes I’ll be listening … [Read more...] about How to Help Siblings Work Out Their Own Conflicts
school-age children
Is Motherhood Harder Today Than It Used to Be?
When I speak with other moms, there appears to be a growing consensus that motherhood is harder today than it used to be. Of course, it’s impossible to say for certain because many of today’s moms weren’t mothers 20-30 years ago, nor were any of us alive 200 or 2,000 years ago. Interestingly, it’s not just moms who feel that motherhood is more … [Read more...] about Is Motherhood Harder Today Than It Used to Be?
8 Realistic Ways to Help Picky Eaters Try New Foods
When my mother-in-law was visiting us a few weeks ago, we had a good laugh at an article I read that contained a list of foods to try for picky eaters. The first recipe on the list was for broccoli stir fry. The next was for calamari. We looked at each other, laughed, and wondered if the author understood the concept of picky … [Read more...] about 8 Realistic Ways to Help Picky Eaters Try New Foods
10 Benefits of Engaging in Family Traditions
Yesterday, my daughters completed a gratitude activity that we complete each year before Thanksgiving. In the coming days, they will help me prepare traditional Thanksgiving foods. Then, I’ll recount stories of past Christmases as we hang ornaments on the Christmas tree. We’ll place our handprint tree skirt under the tree after adding this … [Read more...] about 10 Benefits of Engaging in Family Traditions
14 Family-Friendly Gratitude Activities
I wrote a post several years ago about gratitude activities for the whole family. At the time, I didn’t have kids who were old enough to participate in most of the activities. However, my two eldest are now capable of engaging in these activities and my youngest can get the gist of some of them. I’ve taken the gratitude activities described … [Read more...] about 14 Family-Friendly Gratitude Activities
Kids and Cookbooks: A Strategy for Getting Kids to Try New Foods
Like many of their peers, my kids are picky eaters. They love some foods that are generally well liked among kids including pizza and chicken fingers. However, when it comes to other foods, they often don’t want to eat a single bite! The funny thing with them is that they often decide they don’t like a food even though they’ve never … [Read more...] about Kids and Cookbooks: A Strategy for Getting Kids to Try New Foods
15 Bible Verses to Encourage Kids as They Go Back to School
The summer has flown by and it is already back-to-school season. Kids experience numerous emotions as they get ready to head back into the classroom—excitement, anxiety, enthusiasm, unease, etc. This emotional roller coaster may be especially intense this year given that last year was so unusual and this year is cloaked in uncertainty because … [Read more...] about 15 Bible Verses to Encourage Kids as They Go Back to School
How to Help Kids Willingly Get Rid of Old Toys
Regardless of how many toys my kids have or how much they mature and no longer need toys designed for babies and young toddlers, they almost always resist the idea of getting rid of their old toys. However, they can’t hang on to all of their toys forever! When it’s time to get rid of some toys, there are a couple of approaches I can take. One … [Read more...] about How to Help Kids Willingly Get Rid of Old Toys
