naming feelings

Naming Feelings for Kids with an “I Feel” Meter

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.

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.

last time for everything

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.

no bake chocolate chip cookie dough recipe, tweenager in the kitchen

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.

new years resolutions and lessons

Lessons From a Tough Year: My 16 Lessons from 2016

As this year comes to a close, I have come to the realization that although parts of 2016 totally sucked. Not all of it did. Before the promise of a new year rolls around, I wanted to take some time to reflect on what I learned from 2016. You better believe that my New Years Resolutions will include fun and fewer hospital stays than 2016 permitted!

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.

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.

What Would YOU Notice?

We are constantly in awe of our children, but sometimes we need reminders to see them.. I mean really see them. It is in the long days that I stop noticing all of their quirks, special qualities, and gifts. And it is in moments like today when I am reminded to slow down and pay attention. Today was a good wake-up call.

Gimme 5, oh my!

Early on, we made a conscious decision to change some words in our house. We always make sure to say our kids have "strong legs" that help them cartwheel, run, and kick. And we are especially careful about saying the "F" word- fat. That is a banned word in our house. I used to say it a lot, but as soon as we heard the kids say it, we realized that the word fat needed to be exiled from our home. It's not that I don't want them to know the word, but rather I don't want them to associate themselves with the word.

Six Decades on Earth~ Lessons from my Dad

Today, my dad turns 60. I don't know why it's hitting me so hard, but 60 just seems so old and my dad acts anything but old. I guess it's just shows me how fast life can be lived! And boy, has he lived life! I am not sure he could pack any more into…