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Parenting Styles: Competitive Sports for Kids? Not in Our House.

October 4 by Jessica Timmons

Having trouble navigating the busy, busy world of kids and sports? This is a great read!

Ah, kids and sports- who knew before becoming a parent they could become so all-consuming so early on?! If there's one thing I've learned, though, it's that there are flexible options to be found. For example, in the spring we are all in with Little League- my second grader will have 90 minute practices twice a week along with a game every Saturday that will take up several hours. Because I know this is coming, I like to keep a lighter schedule the rest of the year. That means we look … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jessica, Parenting Tagged With: kids and sports, parenting styles, when should kids start competitive sports, when should kids start league sports

Parent Hack: The Secrets to Streamlining Your Toddler’s Bedtime

September 27 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Parent Hack: How to streamline your toddler's bedtime routine - Great info. here that I hadn't thought about!!

Image Credit: © Suzette – www.suzette.nu | jumping | CC by 2.0  I'm so excited to have our guest poster, Hadley, with us today because I know if there's one thing all parents universally struggle with- it's sleep! Hadley is a certified sleep consultant who works with exhausted moms and dads across North America and Europe to get their kids' sleep back on track.  The tips she provides below could not come at a better time for me, as we have seriously let our 2-year-old's bedtime routine … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting, The grown ups (that's you!) Tagged With: bedtime tips, getting kids to go to sleep, getting kids to sleep, getting toddlers to go to sleep, help with bedtime

A Perfect Way to Volunteer with Young Kids (And Help New Moms in Need!)

September 23 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

An Easy Way to Volunteer with Kids - Learn all about Diaper Need Awareness Week and how to get your family involved. #HuggiesCouncil #NoBabyUnhugged #spon

We talk a lot here about doing our best to raise kids who aren't entitled. Yet, one of the things I struggle with most is finding good ways to get my young children involved in volunteering. From soup kitchens to neighborhood road clean-ups, there just aren't a lot of opportunities that my kids (ages 2, 6 and 7) are old enough for yet. If you find yourself in the same predicament, I've got some great news. Next week is Diaper Need Awareness Week (September 26 - 30, 2016) so we’ve … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting, Simple Ideas Tagged With: #huggiescouncil, #nobabyunhugged, diaper need awareness week, huggies no baby left unhugged, volunteering with kids

Our Favorite (Quick!) Breakfast for Fall

September 18 by Kristin

Healthy Breakfast: Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal with pecans and cinnamon. Yumm!

*This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, all opinions are 100% our own. With my kids back in school, I've made wholesome breakfasts a priority. I try to switch things up throughout the week so my kids aren't eating the same cereal every day. I want them to feel fueled as they head out to a full day of school.  But, let's be honest...I often don't have the time to cook a big breakfast. I need a quick breakfast for my kids that's also delicious and satisfying. Oatmeal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Kitchen, Kristin Tagged With: easy breakfast for kids, easy school breakfasts, quaker oatmeal, Quaker Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal, sponsored

Halloween Dinner the Kids Will Love: Jack-o-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

September 16 by Kaley

Halloween Dinner Recipe: Cheesy stuffed peppers that the kids will love!

We have been blessed to find ourselves in a neighborhood that really goes above and beyond on Halloween. You know the one- the houses decorations are over the top, at least a few give out full candy bars, and parents drop kids off by the van load. Last year we started, what I hope will be, an annual tradition of having a few families over to our house for dinner and trick-or-treating on Halloween night. I've been brainstorming filling dinner ideas to serve to all the kids before heading … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday, In the Kitchen, Kaley Tagged With: Gluten-free Halloween treats, Halloween, halloween dinner, halloween dinner recipes, halloween food, halloween ideas, Halloween kids food, Halloween recipes, halloween stuffed peppers, jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers, kid-friendly halloween dinner ideas

Nutritious Kid Eats: Apple Pie Smoothies

September 13 by Kristin

Apple Pie Smoothies - an easy and nutritious breakfast the kids will love!

Who needs a new nutritious breakfast for the kids that's a snap to whip up? That's what we thought. Our contributor, and mom of two hungry high schoolers and a middle schooler, Kristin is teaming up with our sponsor Juicy Juice to bring you guys another genius recipe.  At our house, school is in full swing.  We were longing for schedule and daily disciplines toward the last weeks of summer and now we are missing those sleep-in mornings and lazy breakfasts.! Therefore, I've decided I have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Kitchen, Kristin Tagged With: apple pie smoothie, easy breakfast for school, healthy smoothie, healthy smoothie recipe, simple smoothie, smoothie breakfasts, sponsored

Parenting Styles: When You Know You’re Done

September 12 by Jessica Timmons

parenting styles, how to know when your family is complete, family planning, three kids, four kids, two kids, should I have another child

Last night, we went to the tenth anniversary bash of some old friends. One of the other guests had her baby in tow, a classic Gerber baby but with no hair and no teeth. She was all drooling smiles and wide eyes and baby perfection. I rubbed her warm, silken little head and played peekaboo, and then I watched as she turned the full force of her attention to my husband. He smiled and wiggled his fingers and did all the things that come so naturally to the guys who have been there, done that, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jessica, Parenting Tagged With: family planning, four kids, how to know when your family is complete, parenting styles, should I have another child, three kids, two kids

Back-to-School Must-Read: The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic

September 8 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Preventing Entitled Kids: Stopping the "Me, Me, Me" Epidemic - So great - should be required reading for every parent!!

You guys know I've been a long time fan of positive parenting expert Amy McCready. My family has used her positive parenting eCourse for years and we've collaborated several times to offer free webinars on positive parenting topics like getting kids to listen without nagging or yelling (look for our next free webinar coming next month). Last year Amy released a brand new book: The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting, The Book Nook Tagged With: dealing with spoiled kids, how to stop entitlement, how to stop entitlement in kids, parenting

A Simple Hairstyle for Girls that Every Mom Can Pull Off

September 7 by Kristin

Simple twist braid - a simple hairstyle for girls that any parent can pull off!

Now that school is back in session, are you feeling the pressure to come up for fun new hair styles for your daughter? We've got one for you today that's so incredibly easy, ANYONE can do it and it will quickly become your go-to 'do whenever you're in a hurry to get out the door. If you find yourself overwhelmed with fancy french braids, this is the hairstyle for your daughter. There is no braiding involved, just a simple twist.  Plus, it works on girls with both thin and thick hair … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kristin, Simple Ideas Tagged With: 5 minute hair styles, easy hair ideas for girls, easy twist braid, hair diy, hair styles for girls, simple hair dos for girls

Parenting Styles: The Sex Talk

August 30 by Jessica Timmons

How to Talk To Kids About Sex - One mom's story and a great resource

How and when to have the sex talk with your kids is a very personal parenting decision- one I wouldn't dream of trying to tell you how to make for your family.  What I will say from my own experience is that two things really help: Answering questions directly, using proper terminology, without going into any more detail than is necessary. High quality books that you can read and look at with your kids during the discussion- for that, I highly recommend these titles from author Robie … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jessica, Uncategorized Tagged With: It's not the Stork, parenting styles, talking to kids about sex, talking to kids about where babies come from

7 Ways to Ensure a Great First Day of School

August 29 by Janssen

7 Tips for a Fabulous First Day of School - Lots of great ideas here for heading back-to-school, esp. #3!

*This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, all opinions are 100% our own. The First Day of School is right around the corner. It's time to squeeze in the last pool trips and get ready to trade in the goggles for backpacks. And since that first day and week can make a big difference in setting a good tone for the rest of the year, we've rounded up our top tips for making sure it's a success. After all, who couldn't use a little help easing the family back into a routine? Here … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Janssen, Parenting, The grown ups (that's you!) Tagged With: back to school, back-to-school tips, first day of school tips, going back to school, Quaker, school hacks for buys moms, sponsored

6 Things Your Child’s Teacher Wants to Know

August 24 by Kristin

A few years ago I found out our contributor, Kristin, had been hiding a very big secret from me - although she currently works as a professional photographer, she used to be a 1st grade teacher! You guys, you cannot imagine how psyched I was when she let this little gem slip in an email. All the possible posts just started piling up in my head. The very first thing I wanted her to write for us was a back-to-school post on all the critical things your child's teacher wants to know about … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kristin, Parenting Tagged With: back to school, beginning of the school year tips, quaker up for schools, school success, teacher tips, things to share with your child's teacher

Do You Know The “Right” Way to Hug Your Child?

August 18 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

The Scientific Benefits of Hugging Your Kids (and the right way to do it- yes, there is a right way!)

One of the things I have loved, loved, LOVED about being momma to baby M are the pre-nap snuggles. My third baby is the only one who truly loves to snuggle with me. Even as infants, S and C would wiggle in my arms as I rocked and sang to them before nap. They weren't upset, they just wanted to look around - at the room, at the fan, even at me. They were never fully relaxed enough to snuggle up as I had envisioned they would. Eventually I came to terms with it, figuring that's just how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kristin, Parenting, Simple Ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: Huggies, positive parenting, sponsored, the importance of hugging, the right way to hug, the right way to hug your kids, the scientific benefit of hugs

Free Printables Pack: First Day of School Signs

August 17 by MJ at Pars Caeli

I'm so excited to have our resident graphic designer, MJ, back today with an ENTIRE FREE PRINTABLE PACK that I just know you're going to love! The idea of these printables are to use them to start a new 1st day of school photo tradition that allows you to document not only the kiddos' super cute new outfits and excited grins, but also their changing dreams and aspirations. Great idea, right?! You could do some really interesting things with these photos - a coffee table book, a hallway … [Read more...]

Filed Under: MJ, Photography & Memory Keeping, Printables Tagged With: back to school, first day of school printable, first day of school sign, free printable, kid photography, MPMK first day of school sign, printables

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