Back in the day when I was in college, I was in love with routines. Each time there was a big exam, I would head straight to the library, lay out all my pens and notepaper, do exactly three neck stretches, and set my coffee within arm’s reach but far enough to keep it from killing my textbook should a spill occur. Because…yeah…laptops [...]
Showing all results for: independent play
The Big Problem With Over-Praising Kids – And What to Do Instead
“Mom, mom, MOOMMMMMMM!!!” This is how every other minute of my day went. Kids live completely in the present moment, and it’s elegantly beautiful, but it can also feel very emotionally draining to a parent. Before I knew It, I fell impatient with stopping the whining and started using a lot of empty praise. I wanted to raise a [...]
15 Awesome Listening Activities for Kids
It's no secret that mothers are exhausted. You spend so much time worrying about how to make kids listen that it feels like carrying sandbags on each shoulder, sinking you deeper and deeper into the parenting trenches. It feels like there is no fun in parenting anymore. Turns out, listening activities for kids can help lighten [...]
How to Stay Absolutely Miserable in Military Life
Military life is one of those things that will take all the life plans you jotted on a piece of paper, crumple them up and throw them in the shredder. Gasp. Military spouses and significant others, you might feel a little discouraged hearing this. I certainly did at first too. Growing up in the Midwest, I never envisioned leaving my [...]
3 Ways to Teach Your Child to Listen in Unsafe Situations
One of the most common requests I get from readers is how to make kids listen quickly in an unsafe situations. This could be your child running into a busy street and not knowing how to stop them. This could be your child pushing another child and catching it after someone is already hurt. Or maybe it involves seeing your child climb [...]
The Tantrum Taming Tip Most Parents Don’t Know
My strong willed toddler was enthralled with a simple penguin stairs toy. It probably only cost a few bucks, but to him it was magic. I watched him play as his eyes lit up like a bright star on a clear summer night. The toy reminded me so much of my own childhood. Again and again, he watched the penguins go up the stairs and down [...]
The Parenting Tip You’re Missing to End Power Struggles
It all started with the elevator buttons. We were leaving the house. I was in a hurry to get my strong willed toddler off to school, and I pushed the elevator button. This was the beginning of toddler power struggle number one. He wanted to push the elevator button. He was super frustrated. Pushing the button makes him feel [...]
The Magic Way Military Families Stay Connected Across the Miles
I heard the phone ringing and the feeling of pins and needles immediately rippled from my shoulders down to my fingertips. I was right in the middle of giving my son a bath. With urgency in my voice, I told my son, “Hurry daddy’s on the phone. It’s time to get out.” I scurried to pull my son out of the bath, grab a towel, and run to the [...]
7 Parenting Hacks for an Easier Bedtime with Kids
Inside: If you are struggling with toddler tantrums at bedtime, these are easy, yet effective tips to help for a smoother bedtime with toddlers! Plus, tips for an earlier bedtime! Sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, my forehead pressed against my hands which clenched the wheel beneath them. My sweet baby girl wailed in [...]
5 Awesome Tips for Leaving the House on Time with Kids
You are on your third attempt to run errands with two kids. Two kids. That’s it. Everyone makes it seem so easy, then you actually try it first hand and it feels like you’re on minute to win it—except the minute takes more like an hour. It goes something like this… You fed the baby, changed the diaper, asked your toddler to go [...]