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!

4th of July Finds for Everyone

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The 4th of July is just around the corner, have you made your plans yet? The holiday is said to mark the unofficial start of summer here in Seattle (as in the sun is actually supposed to start making a regular appearance afterwards) so I'm more than a bit excited. To celebrate I've rounded up two collections of treats: an adult version, which in my world means some cool summer spirits, and a kid collection. Hope you enjoy! … [Read more...]

The Best Summer Blog Series for Parents and Their Kids

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We started off this week talking about making a mindful summer and I find I still have a few more thoughts on the subject.  I love this post, 18 Summers - How Many Do Yours Have Left?  It makes my heart beat a little faster just thinking about it, but I love it.   How many summers do you have left with your kiddos?  However many it is, I'm sure you want to make the most of them.  So here I am, your own personal assistant, ready to help.  If you have young kids, check out two posts by my … [Read more...]

Improving Your Everyday

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Today is the start of a new MPMK series highlighting doable ways to simplify your life. It was born from my desire to share the many basic, yet inspired, tidbits I find around the web.  I truly believe it's the little things that make life great and I'm excited to start talking with you about exactly that on a regular basis.  I hope you enjoy this inaugural collection!   A lovely little tutorial on Kokedama, a Japanese practice of creating hanging gardens that was originally an … [Read more...]

POYEL: Summer Schedule

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Now that summer has officially arrived, are you prepared for it?  While most of us hope our summers will be filled with long days languishing in the sun, the reality can often be quite different.   Since my kids are still small, I've yet to experience the abrupt change of pace that can accompany school being out for the year.  This post from the New York Time's Motherlode blog has opened my eyes a bit as to what awaits me:   "the need to suddenly create and manage a different structure … [Read more...]

There are Only Two Types of Toys

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Did you guys know that along with her expertise in communication and play, our new contributor Kim also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to toy organization?  Today she's sharing some of her know-how with a quick and easy 3 step plan to corral your deluge of toys.  I can't wait to put this system into place in our house!    I write a lot about play, toys, and rotating toys.  It seems as much as we all want to harness our inner minimalist and have beautifully simple and organized … [Read more...]

Creating Art with Nature

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I've been really inspired lately by a concept known as "invitations to play".  The steps involved are about as simple as they come:   Find some interesting materials Lay them out in an appealing and accesible way Watch the children be drawn in like moths to a flame Recently I decided to try the technique with a mix of art materials and found nature objects.  To add to the fun, I set everything up in our playroom while the kids were napping and just left it there for them to … [Read more...]

Brilliant Moments in Organization

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I want to start off today with a big congrats to the lucky winner of a Babbabox jammed full of kid activities.  If you didn't win but would still like to have your own box-o-fun delivered monthly and directly to your doorstep, I've still got a deal for you.  Get 33% off your first Babbabox just for being an MPMK reader.  Simply enter the code MP33OFF at checkout.I also want to say that I know it's been a seriously long time since we had an Organize Your ENTIRE Life post around here. I was all … [Read more...]

Play: DIY Body Paint

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A few weeks ago C finished up his first year of preschool and they had a little carnival to celebrate. (I'm not even going to talk about the mini panic attack I had at the realization that my baby will be heading off to real school in a couple of years - nope, not gonna talk about it.)     Anyway, a few of C's beloved teachers offered up their face painting skills at the festivities and I asked the kids if they'd like something painted on.  At the time they only had eyes for the … [Read more...]