In our transitional society, children tend to slip in and out of friendships quite easily.  With relocating being the “norm”, children are constantly falling in and out of social situations, such as school, clubs, church and other organizations.

Every once in a while, though, children will make a connection with a peer that seems to be something deeper than just your classmate-friendship.  These close relationships are ones that tend to stand the test of distance and time and are most notable from about fifth grade and up.  Long distance friendships require work, though, to keep them up.  Here are some pointers to helping your older child keep those friendships that mean so much to him or her: Read more…

Our next door neighbors are preparing to move in a couple of months.  It is a fabulous opportunity for them, but it is a very sad prospect for us.  We couldn’t have chosen better neighbors.  Their children are right around the same age as ours, and we spend the majority of our afternoons in our front yards, watching the kids ride bikes or scooters back and forth, playing make believe games and trading off houses fo sleepovers with the older ones.  When they leave, it will be a huge adjustment.

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The holidays can be crazy-busy times.  That makes it even more important to take a moment each day to do things together.  It helps keep yourself centered in what is truly important right now - your family.  One of the best locations for “family time” is the kitchen.  Creating, baking, cooking - whatever it may be, doing it together brings children and parents, grandparents, even good friends and neighbors closer together.

 As a gift to you, I am offering some of our family’s favorite “together” recipes.  These are sometimes messy, consistently good, terrific for gift-giving and always a great tool for spending time together.  Stock your pantries, gather your supplies, and get ready for some good eating and fun.

And don’t forget (the mom in me says): Wash your hands! Read more…

Back when my older son was really little, my husband and I realized just how precious our Saturdays were.  The weekdays were filled with work and meetings, appointments and chores.  Sundays were spent at church and with family.  Saturday was essentially our only day together, just us.  So, we instituted Special Saturdays.  It is our one day each week to plan (or in some cases) not plan anything…well…special. Read more…

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
         Than a house full of feasting with strife.
Proverbs 17:1

There is something to be said for practicing what you preach.  This past week, I began facilitating a parenting class based on a book by Tim Kimmel, Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right.  The title is a bit misleading.  There’s no guarantee that your children will grow up to be independent, fulfilled, happy, well-adjusted, gifted, powerful individuals.  What it does do, though, is equip parents with strategies and ideas to improve the core family values and rethink the way we interact with our children. Read more…

We all know how this question gets answered most often - with the standard “fine” response.  My son was no different from most kids last year; he would not offer up any insight into his day at school without a little prodding.  So, I have a little activity we do each day this year to help him recall exactly how his day went.  It works whether I’m picking him up in the car, walking him home or he rides the bus. Read more…