First, take a breath. Then, repeat after me: Your job is not to homeschool. Homeschooling, after all, is a decision that parents make. What is happening right now is not a choice we made. Many of us were thrown into this situation in an effort of social distancing. Schools were called off, many for “indefinite” periods of time. Teachers scrambled to get some eLearning put together. Parents were … [Read more...]
7 Tips to Help You Begin Toddler Chores Successfully
This article first appeared on Self Sufficient Kids in March 2019. Toddler chores are a great way to introduce kids to chores and begin to raise natural helpers. Below are seven tips to get you started and be successful. “I need to sweep. Where’s the broom?” my daughter asked as she came downstairs. My first reaction was one of shock. “Excuse me?” I blurted out, still … [Read more...]
3 Life Lessons from Frozen 2
Frozen 2 was all my daughter could talk about after we saw it. Now, weeks later, we’re well on our way to memorizing the songs, but you know what? I’m actually okay with that, because my whole family adored the movie, including the songs. Warning, spoilers ahead. (Affiliate links may be included). Little miss recently asked me, “Will you and daddy leave forever?” “What do you mean … [Read more...]
Gift Guide: Encourage Creativity and Imagination with these Gifts for Kids
"Look mom!" my two-year-old declared. "Paw patrol tower!" He pointed to his latest creation: a very tall stack of duplos, complete with what he said was a "slide" at the top. It was not, in fact, a slide, but more Duplos. (Affiliate links included). His creativity astounded me and almost convinced me that he didn't need a Paw Patrol tower for Christmas (but his obsession has been so long … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Taking a Road Trip with Kids
My family and I recently got back from a two-week vacation up in northern Michigan - my happy place! It’s a trip we make often since my family owns a rental home there. While we always have a wonderful time, it’s not a quick road trip by any means: we’re looking at a minimum of 4.5 hours, and that’s if there’s no traffic… or tantrums from the kids along the way. Over the years, I've … [Read more...]
