Naming feelings is a really important part of a child's development, no matter the communication level of the child. I promise you that your kiddo can benefit from this at home, too. Check out this exclusive content from education.com.
Parenting and Kids
How to Teach your Kids Real-Life Social Skills
As this years summer winds down, I am in awe at how little we have accomplished this year. We went into the summer with grandiose plans and everyone made a list. Similar to our bucket lists of past summers. However, we never really focused on checking anything off! But you want to know what they really gained this summer? It was something I didn't plan on, but I am so glad I noticed it in action. My Kids Gained Valuable, Real-Life Social Skills.
Brave Mom at the Pool, You are an Inspiration.
When my kids were younger, I barely went to the pool because I was a) ashamed of my body (for heaven's sake I birthed 3 children in the span of five years, that should be celebrated, not shamed by society standards...but that is a different post for a different day) and b) I was outnumbered 3 to 1. You better believe that I was only going to the pool if another friend was braving it with me or I dragged my husband along. But that is where looking back, I was so wrong. I should have gone to the damn pool. Today, I will celebrate the brave mommas everywhere that are doing the hard job. Suiting up and going swimming with their kids.
The Surprising “Last Time” That I Wasn’t Expecting
As she turned away I thought, things will never be like this, again. I know that growing up is inevitable and I know that there are wonderful opportunities in front of her. Logically, I totally understand that. But my heart. My heart is not ready to let THIS go.
Tweenager in the Kitchen: No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
My oldest daughter loves being in the kitchen. She also LOVES to sing and perform, create new things with fabric, glue and paint, and design fashions fit for a runway. Over the weekend, she decided to make a variety of different items.
From a Child’s Eyes: A Mom’s Duty When her Child is Sick
Our family had a busy Sunday. Our oldest daughter had a rock concert through her local School of Rock. They had an awesome show and she had her best show yet! We were on our way home when our son started complaining of a headache and a sore throat. I had a mean mom moment and told him he couldn't have a sick day since I had to go into work the next day.
Heartache Before 8 a.m.
My oldest daughter is struggling. She is struggling with all the normal things of being a tall, ten year old girl in the fifth grade, mostly involving living in her own skin and being comfortable in it. Those conversations are hard and body image has been a struggle of my own since I was about the same age. I was just like my own daughter- a tall, ten year old girl in the fifth grade, and I'll never forget the names people called me or the references they made around me.
Love YOUR Summer!
My kids have not even been out of school a full week yet and they are already bored, fighting, and expecting big plans daily. There was a time when I wanted to schedule "fun" things for them everyday or at least a few times a week. Then last year we made an End of Summer Bucket…
50% Mom- An Ugly Lesson From One Touch
During an extremely challenging week our household was a hot mess. Everyone was busy, emotional, and needed extra attention. Plus we had our regular "life" duties and all of the above activities. Everybody needed a break, but we kept trucking on. During a hectic afternoon, I was getting an after school snack ready for my three kiddos and answering an email on my phone. Since busy for me looks a lot like me being on my computer or phone, my kids associate my phone with me being too busy for them. Which of course is not the case, but having access immediately to emails and job related activities in a very virtual world, means that I can be efficient and multi-task. But my oldest set me straight on this crazy day.
You Miss 100% of the Shots you NEVER Take!
My 9 year old daughter took on some new extra-curricular activities this school year, and that meant putting some other activities on "hold." She determined that she was just too busy to do it all and needed some time to adjust to life as a 4th grader. She had been playing travel soccer, but right as the season was revving up, she panicked. When she came to us and said she needed downtime, we were surprised, but ultimately we understood and allowed her to step back from the team and gave her the space she needed to grow and figure things out.
no happy accidents 