Modern Parents Messy Kids

We're all about finding ways to make family life better while keeping our sense of humor. Check out our famous MPMK Top Toy Awards, already viewed over 7,000,000 times!

Tips for Talking to Kids About a New Baby

by

In other news, I've been having lots of fun writing about my pregnancy for eHow's Mom Channel lately.  My latest post, Talking to Your Kids About a New Baby, is no exception. Check it out for all my ideas on prepping my 5-year-old and 3-year-old for our impending arrival. Be sure to read to the end to find out their suggested name for the new baby - it'll make you smile, I promise. Question of the Day What's the best advice you received about prepping your kids for a new baby? … [Read more...]

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes – Our Favorites for Everyone

by

A good St. Patrick's Day recipe contains one of three things: a rainbow theme a green theme classic Irish ingredients Let's face it, a little Bailey's can go a long way towards greatness too.  Today I've gathered up 17 of my all-time favorite St. Patrick's Day treats. Some are perfect for making with the kids (might I suggest the Rainbow Bread, Rainbow Pudding Pops, or Green Velvet Cupcakes?).  Some are great for celebrating with adults - the Boozy Thin Mint Milkshake is calling my … [Read more...]

Getting Kids to Listen While Staying Calm

by

I’ve got some very good news to share today.  Parenting guru, Today Show expert, and MPMK favorite Amy McCready is once again offering up UPDATE: New Date A FREE Positive Parenting Webinar to MPMK readers next Monday, September 29th at both 10am PST/1pm EST and 6pm PST/9 pm EST.   I’m such a fan of Amy that I try to host these free training sessions about every 3 months.  But with the baby prep, I haven’t hosted one since … [Read more...]

Top 10 Reads for Every Expectant Parent

by

I'm over at eHow's Mom Channel this week talking about my top 10 books for every expectant parent.  The list spans reads on everything from picking the perfect baby name and helping dads to prepare to books on mindful parenting with young children and preparing kids for a new sibling.  Come check out the full list here. P.S. Did you know that facebook has recently drastically changed the way pages like MPMK can share with their followers? Even if you’re a fan of the MPMK facebook page, only a … [Read more...]

Valentine Photo Bookmarks

by

When the folks at eHow's mom channel asked me to come up with a Valentine photography project that kids could make for their parents, I knew I wanted to it to be something parents could actually use. Check out my super simple DIY bookmark tutorial here and have a great weekend watching the olympics with the kiddos this weekend!  The hubby and I are both sick with the flu so that's it from for today. P.S. Did you know that facebook has recently drastically changed the way pages like MPMK … [Read more...]

Edible Homemade Peanut Butter Play Dough

by

Since our post on homemade play dough made of Jell-O remains one of our most popular posts of all time, I thought you guys might enjoy another food-based play dough recipe. Once again, this is a recipe that results in a silky soft and incredible sweet smelling dough. I'm over at eHow's craft channel with a completely edible peanut butter play dough recipe that your littles are sure to love.  Go check it out and make yourself a batch this weekend. P.S. Want some more sensory play ideas? … [Read more...]

My Simple Plan for Saving Our Memories This Year

by

We're talking memories today as part of our month long mission to find ways to eat better, parent better, organize better and just generally live better this year.  Before S arrived, I was actually pretty good about recording memories for our little family.  At the end of each month I would use the photos we'd taken to create 2 - 4 new pages in an iphoto book, along with a few paragraphs with family anecdotes, accomplishments, etc.  The idea being that at the end of the year I would have a … [Read more...]

Elsewhere: Top 10 Meal Planning & Kitchen Organization Ideas

by

We're soldiering on today with our goal of posting ideas for a better 2014 all throughout January... One of my big goals for this year is to re-address our family's meal planning strategy.  One of the things I talk about in my eBook, Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life: The Quick Start Guide, is the importance of continually re-evaluating your routines as your family (and it's schedule) changes. With baby #3 arriving in March, I know our family is going to be in need of an even more … [Read more...]

5 Step Guide to Eating for Energy

by

Yesterday we recapped our very favorite MPMK ideas for living and parenting better in 2013, today I'm bringing back another favorite - my two favorite nutritionists, Megan and Katie, from Prescribe Nutrition - to give us all a crash course on how to quickly get in the habit of eating to look and feel better this spring. Here's Katie with her... 5-step plan to jump starting a better eating routine for spring... … [Read more...]