- Awareness, Culture, Family Travel, Lifestyle, Love, Parenting, Play, Reflections, Relationships, Slideshow, Travel
Creating Childhood Memories – Invest in Experiences, Not Things
What do you remember most about your childhood? What experiences stand out the most? Have you ever seen, heard, smelled, or felt something as an adult that brought you back in time – a memory so vivid that you could swear you were a child again, if only for an instant? For me, the fondest and most vivid memories of my childhood were created during years of camping trips with my family. I can remember in great detail the excitement of packing up the van and trailer, my dad, free from his work clothes and stress, laughing and joking as he drove, and the sounds of “Take Me Home,…
- Awareness, Creativity, Laugh, Life Management, Lifestyle, Love, Parenting, Plan, Play, Reflections, Relationships, Slideshow, Wellness
Have Courage and Be Kind ~ Cinderella
Have courage and be kind. Such wise words from Cinderella’s mother! As moms we are constantly bombarded with a million and one things to do every day, week and year. It almost feels like we are on a long windy road sometimes and we don’t really see an end in sight. And many of the things we are doing every day are for our family. The kids need our attention 24/7 and if we want to keep our marriage healthy – our husbands need some of that attention! I’ve heard that marriages are work – and need to be given attention to. It is so important to spend time each day just talking…
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Musings :: Beware the Stage Mom
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” ~ Angela Schwindt Last week I was reminded of how important it is to instill confidence in our children. I mean the kind of confidence that allows them to navigate in the world from a place of kindness but also a place from which no one can disrupt their sense of self. Building up my daughter’s self-esteem has been at the forefront of my parenting. “Healthy self-esteem is like a child’s armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who know their strengths and weaknesses and feel good about themselves…
- Awareness, Culture, Family Travel, Lifestyle, Love, Parenting, Play, Relationships, Slideshow, Travel
Important Life Skills Kids (and Parents!) Learn While Traveling – Part 2
Hello Again! As I sit in Israel enjoying my family’s 7th week exploring the Middle East and our 21st month of traveling around the world, I am bursting with hundreds of memories, stories, tips, and ideas I would love to share with you. That’s why I am so thrilled to have the chance to share our adventures here as the Travel Contributor/Traveling Mama! Here is a continuation of my last post, Part 1, on the incredible skills kids and parents learn while traveling. COMMUNICATION This is a biggie! Effective communication skills are essential for success in all areas of life. While traveling, kids meet new people everyday, hear new languages,…
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The Seat Belt Safety Campaign Aims to Keep our Tweens Safe
Last week I was driving with my daughter and I happened to look over at the car next to me while waiting at a stoplight. I was so shocked to see a child no more than 6 years old moving around in the back seat, obviously not buckled in. It took moment for me to register this. I looked to the driver with shock on my face. I was ready to say something (not sure what) but then the light changed and I lost my chance. It really isn’t my business, I know, but when it comes to seeing a child potentially in a dangerous situation, mama bear comes out…
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Parenting :: Is it Ever Okay to Lie?
In our family we call my daughter’s little white lies “Kate’s Tall Tales” a take on Mater’s Tall Tales! Sometimes I have to admit that I think her stories are a little funny and figure she is using her imagination. But then there are other times when her “tales” could do some harm to others in that I might have to talk to another parent about it. In these situations I will sit down with her about whether this is a “tall tale” or did it really happen. You know, the stories that kids come up with! So I am wondering on our journey as parents how do we go about explaining the…