Our boys are movie lovers. They must get it from their Dad because I’ve said on more than one occasion “Life is too short, and movies are too long!” Don’t get me wrong, I do watch movies. Sometimes it’s nice to snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and popcorn and get lost in a really good story. I just don’t love movies as much as most people. Admittedly, I haven’t seen a lot of the most popular movies, like Stand By Me and Top Gun. Friends of mine were recently appalled by this!
It’s all good to have the little kiddos in day camp for the summer, and the teenagers all have jobs (or they SHOULD!) but I always find that summer time is awkward for the tweens (I’m talking the 8 to 12 crowd). Many of them feel too old for day camp, but they’re still too young to work (legally, anyway!)
It’s no doubt that our children become our world and we want the best-of-the-best for them. But what happens when the best happens to be just mediocre? Many times our expectations will fall short, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make adjustments to course correct. My daughter is 3-going-on-13 (I mean, about to turn 4) and we have switched her preschool 3 times already. I’ve learned a lot in my search for the perfect preschool, so take a lesson out of my book. These are the top things to consider when picking a great preschool for your little one.
Has your child been selected (or is thinking of trying out) for a “rep” team? Also called “travel” or “club” teams, these programs offer a more competitive experience than a local “house league.”
Is your baby up all day? Up all night? Is “napping” a word that left your vocabulary ages ago? Is “sleeping through the night” just a phrase you think someone made up to drive new parents crazy? Here are nine signs you need a little help with your little one’s sleep habits!
I came across this image on a few Facebook mom groups recently. A new mom wrote this set of rules for anyone visiting her newborn in the hospital and it went viral. The public reaction to it seems to be generally similar: Good for her for defining her boundaries and setting expectations.
My reaction, however, was not as warm and fuzzy as that of other mamas. Why? Well, frankly the letter made me react like this:
I’m a big believer in thank you gifts at the end of the school year. And not just because I used to be a teacher. I’ve given gifts of appreciation to coaches, babysitters, and swimming instructors, too.
Self-love and self-care are hot topics on the social scene right now. And they sound so similar, but how are they different? If you’ve pondered this question, I’m going to explain the key differences between the two. I am a huge advocate for BOTH and love to incorporate them into my life as much as possible. Self-care may not happen on the daily, but I sure to try to squeeze in a little self-love every day. Here’s what each means:
Have you ever been at a play date or at the park and someone has mentioned a new product to you? What started innocently as an informal chat between parents becomes somewhat of a sales pitch: “Oh, you should try this!” or “I know someone who can help with that!” Finding out about new products and services on the playground is something I never envisioned as a first-time parent, but it seems that this new and direct way to generate income on the side has become hugely popular. Although you may not have experienced a sales pitch like this yourself, chances are, you know someone who has. Perhaps on a Facebook or Instagram post you’ve seen an old high school acquaintance or distant cousin posting about amazing business opportunities selling essential oils or fake eyelashes, natural skin care products, make up and more. It seems particularly popular with those of the female persuasion. So what is this new retail phenomenon taking stay-at-home moms by storm anyways? Welcome to multilevel marketing!
At some point or another, most of us have yelled at our kids (and yes – we all know it doesn’t help!). As Steven Marche from the New York Times points out bluntly, “Yelling may be the most widespread parental stupidity around today.”
It feels awful. The guilt is real. After our anger has erupted, what comes next? How do we recover, and conduct ourselves afterward?