I know that Forest Gump gets credit for the line, “Life is like a box of chocolates…” but the line I’d like credit for is, “Screen time is like potato chips…” and here’s how that math works. We’re a family of four, 2 adults and 2 teenagers, and we’re pretty normal. We like to do… Continue reading Screen Time Equals Potato Chips
Tag: parenting
Weekly Meal Plan and No Paid TV
Every Friday morning during football season, my teenage son heads straight for the sports section of the newspaper to see if his favorite NFL team is being televised on network TV. His team is the Washington Redskins and with us living on the west coast and without paid television (think bunny-ear-antennae here), our chances of… Continue reading Weekly Meal Plan and No Paid TV
Pumpkin Spice Cake
The thing with recipe testing is that you have to have people other than yourself make your recipes before you hit publish and send it out to the world. When I say “people” I mean the people in my family. So, this past Saturday, I ever so sweetly asked our 15-year-old son, “Do you want… Continue reading Pumpkin Spice Cake
The Winner Announced and a Food Waste Survey
The winner of the giveaway book, “Fed Up with Frenzy” by Suz Lipman is….. Cara – with comment number 10 - Congratulations, Cara! Cara says, “Our family enjoys spending time on our boat fishing, reading books, napping, and talking.” Those are some of my favorite family activities, also. Although I like to nap by myself… Continue reading The Winner Announced and a Food Waste Survey
Fed Up with Frenzy Book Review and Giveaway
I have a special treat for Go Gingham readers today – a giveaway for a newly released book by author Susan (“Suz”) Sachs Lipman. The book is "Fed Up with Frenzy," and will surely be dogged-eared and marked-up by parents everywhere who are looking for ways to slow down and reconnect with their families. Suz… Continue reading Fed Up with Frenzy Book Review and Giveaway
How to Make a Reusable Mop Cover
There’s only one area of life I want to make easier for my teenagers and that’s when it comes to chores. I want chores to be simplified so that they can finish them and then do more chores! “You’re learning life skills,” is what I remind them often and then I add, “It’s my job… Continue reading How to Make a Reusable Mop Cover
These Pots and Pans Need to Soak
I live with people who like to soak pots and pans. Even though my kids are supposed to clean up the kitchen after they each make dinner every week, there are numerous mornings when I find a pot or a pan sitting in the sink when I get up. Sometimes, I even spy a pot… Continue reading These Pots and Pans Need to Soak
Vacation Rules: According to Teens
For the record, I didn’t agree to these rules before our home exchange trip to Spain. These rules were just announced to me by my teens and put into place once we arrived. I can see why the first one came to be but the other two – come on! A girl's got to live,… Continue reading Vacation Rules: According to Teens
Helping Kids Remember a Vacation
When we travel as a family to spots near and far, I want my kids to remember the trip. Sometimes they need a little help, especially if they’re young. The first home exchange we did to Paris when our kids were 5-years-old and 7-years-old was when I realized they may not remember the trip unless… Continue reading Helping Kids Remember a Vacation
Let Your Kids Cook Dinner Each Week
When someone hears that my kids each cook a dinner every single week and clean-up the kitchen after the meal, they’re intrigued. They want to know details. Questions like: How did you get started? How do you do it? Do your kids still need help in the kitchen? These are all good questions and even… Continue reading Let Your Kids Cook Dinner Each Week