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
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
30 Resources for a Safe and Fun Summer
When I was growing up, summer meant going on family vacations, playing outdoors for several hours each day, and eating frozen treats. It also meant lots of bumps and bruises, fights with my sister, and an occasional sunburn. With today being the “unofficial start to summer,” I thought it would be nice to look at some resources that will … [Read more...] about 30 Resources for a Safe and Fun Summer
Dear Mom, I Didn’t Really Understand
Dear Mom, On occasion I hear you make self-deprecating comments about your abilities as a mom (e.g., “I know I wasn’t that great of a mom,” “She’s the mom I wish I could have been,” “I could have done so much better”). Before I became a mom, I brushed off these comments because I didn’t really understand their inaccuracy. Before I … [Read more...] about Dear Mom, I Didn’t Really Understand
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
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
