If you've been following me for long, you know I'm a huge proponent of giving kids household responsibilities and teaching them to manage money at an early age. I've done a lot of research on the topic and even developed some pretty slick tools to help parents get started.I'll be the first to admit, though, that even the best routines need shaking up every once in a while, and my Kids' Responsibility and Money Management Kit is no different.In our house, the system was still working beautifully … [Read more...]
How to Make a “Sibling Appreciation” Advent Calendar
This "Sibling Appreciation Advent Calendar" is an idea our elf came up with last year and worked really well. On the first day he appeared, always the day after Thanksgiving in our house, he arrived with this Advent Calendar (only $15!) and an explanation. The idea is simple. Our elf asked the kids to take a minute each day to write something nice about each other and place it in that day's pocket. The next morning the kids wake up to find the notes they wrote about each other and a small … [Read more...]
My New Book! Plus an Exclusive Bonus for MPMK Readers!
I've got some big... HUGE news to share today! After a LOT of hard work behind the scenes for the past several months, I'm so excited to finally announce that I have a picture book coming out and it just became available for pre-sale! Trains Coming Through! My First Big Book of Trains is the book every little train lover you know should have!I was inspired to write it by all three of my kids' fascination with trains, pretty much from birth through their early elementary school years. While there … [Read more...]
Parents: 4 Tools for Keeping Your Calm Right Now
With everything going on in the world right now, I'm finding myself with less emotional reserves to be patient and gentle with my kids (who really need it right now!). If you're feeling the same way, we've got a great guest post today from Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., the Executive Director of The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Psst - For additional tips on managing stress and trauma, please consider registering for Dr. Pulido’s upcoming webinar “Stress Management for … [Read more...]
A Positive Parenting Approach for Changing Kids’ Challenging Behaviors
Image Credit: © Suzette Pauwels (text & graphic added) | 01.01.11 | CC by 2.0 As we all continue to deal with shelter-in-place, I thought it would be the perfect time to re-post a piece written by one of my blogging buddies, Amanda from Not Just Cute. She shares a wonderful method for dealing with problem behaviors in a positive and effective manner... And make sure you don't miss the extra-helpful printable for trying the techniques out in your home. If you've been a … [Read more...]
I Just Signed My Kids Up for Camp Invention- Here’s Why
*This post is sponsored by Camp Invention®, all opinions are 100% my own.Like many parents, I've got a number of concerns bouncing around my head these days. One of the big ones is whether my kids will actually go back to school at all this year- and what that could mean for them academically. I'm worried about all the learning they're missing out on while their schools are closed. Every summer we talk about guarding against the infamous "summer slide". Will there be a much larger Coronavirus … [Read more...]
My Kids’ Schools Have Been Shuttered for Almost Two Weeks- Here’s What I’ve Learned
Did you know my kids' school district was the very first to be shut down in the country? Today is our 9th day of no school and we've got a minimum of 6 weeks to go.There's still a long haul ahead of us all, to be sure, but I've learned some things since we've been stuck at home and I have one big piece of advice I'd like to share with any of you who aren't as far down this road as we are...Take a little time to throw together a general daily schedule- you'll thank … [Read more...]
My Glamour Article on Our Coronavirus Forced Homeschooling
Earlier this week I shared my experience living at the center of the coronavirus outbreak in America. It's only been 4 days and the situation has elevated quite a bit.Late Wednesday night word came from our school district's superintendent; effective immediately, all schools in our district are closed for up to 14 days. Teaching will continue, at home, via the internet.For the foreseeable future, I’m a working mom with no childcare, overseeing the daily lesson plans of a kindergartner, a third … [Read more...]
Rainy Day Play: Gum Drop Engineers
With cold days persisting and school breaks coming up, I thought now would be the perfect time to share one of my all-time favorite indoor play ideas...Have you noticed the big emphasis on both creativity and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills for kids lately? At first glance these two things may seem to be in opposition, but in reality creative thinking and innovation are necessities to scientific and technological advancement.So how do we foster these skills in our kids … [Read more...]
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