No Christmas Spirit: A Holiday Story
Fin stared deeply into his brother’s eyes. "… And you are going to ruin Christmas… And you are going to ruin everything!"
The Countless Distractions of the Work-From-Home Parent
Working from home seems like an ideal setup. Except, of course, for the millions of distractions. Many parents are juggling full-time jobs and countless life responsibilities, all with kids at home...
Holiday STEAMcation: Activities for Kids During the Holiday Break
Holiday break is a great time for both you and the kids to get some much needed R&R, but without schools open, life can quickly become boring without its usual stimulation. That’s where the joy...
Just One More Time: How One Kid’s Dreams Came True at the Local Skate Park
There is a skate park in our town, built sometime in the decade before we moved here. It’s steep concrete bowls are confined to a space that could park a half dozen cars. It’s because of this park ...
Trying the Brutal Honesty of Kids on For Size
Imagine if we had the same types of rules for honesty and story-telling that our kids do. How bad could it really be?
In the Midst of Your Own Struggles, Give
It’s easy to get stuck on how messy life feels for us right now, so the simple act of helping others comes as a joyful distraction.
The Art of Essentialism: How to Do Better by Doing Less
Embrace the idea of "less but better" and accept trade-offs as an inherent part of life. We can't do it all.
Dear Holiday Shoppers: Thanks for Nothing
Seriously? How could you? Honestly, I've never been so disappointed in a collective group of people in my life. My faith in humanity may never be the same.
To be grateful is to live a full life. It is to know worry and accept worry.
The Unexpected Blessing of a Less-Than-Perfect Grandma
It wasn’t until I had kids that I began to wonder what it might have been like to hug a grandparent who returned affection with shining, loving eyes.
How I Found Myself Through My Son's Autism
When my son turned six, I found myself in a doctor’s office hearing words like autism, sensory processing disorder, and sensory integration disorder.
The No-Stress Holiday Tradition That Saved Our Christmas
You do it for work parties all the time, so why not family? It would turn gifts into a kind of game and who doesn’t like games? Save your Christmas and bank account with the gift that really keeps ...
To any mother out there who has in the past or is experiencing the slump – or any mental health challenges for that matter – let’s talk about it.
One Interesting Factor That Could Impact Future Family Size
Do you have kids? When are you having kids? How old are your kids? There's no need to ask a family member when they are planning to have more kids.
How to Live a Life of Lagom (and Prosper) Like the Swedes
Still obsessed with the Scandinavians, people are now moving onto the Swedish lifestyle word: lagom.
5 Ways To Think STEAM This Thanksgiving
Here are some simple ways to encourage curiosity and creativity with your family this Thanksgiving.
How to Empower your Kids to Give Back to their Community during the Holidays and All Year Long
If you feel weighted down by your parental responsibilities, check out the ideas below to help set you on the path towards service.
5 Simple Thanksgiving Activities to Teach Gratitude
Thanksgiving Day itself comes and goes too fast, but we can celebrate the beauty of the season all month long. Here are five ways to focus on gratitude with your family.
What the Experts Say About Keeping Babies Warm in Winter
The benefits to heading outdoors in the winter mean bundling up and heading out. But how do you properly dress an infant for the winter elements?
Reflections on the Emotional Complexity of Getting a Dog
A puppy just came into my life. This was not expected, not planned for. I have a lot on my plate already.
30 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of "How Was Your Day?"
The question "How was your day?" is a conversation killer, especially for kids. Here are 30 alternatives that will inspire more than a grunt in reply.
Seven Ways to Handle School-Night Halloween With Ease
Odds are, Halloween is often going to fall on a school night. Because we all know what a disaster that can be, it's beneficial to be prepared.
How to Help Your Kids Love Their Bodies, Flippy-Floppy Arms and All
There’s a difference between not saying negative things about your body and actually embracing the parts that aren’t always considered to be beautiful.
From Chaos to Connection: How Routine Can Transform the Energy of Your Home
Returning to school and work can be even more challenging when there’s no routine or structure to fall back on. Here are some ways to add gentle structure.