Kids love to dress up and play pretend games. Having dress up clothes around your home is an easy way to encourage that type of play. When the “Harry Potter” books started being read out-loud in our family, our kids were smitten with the characters and all of their adventures. Who doesn’t love Harry, Ron,… Continue reading How to Make a Harry Potter Cape
Tag: parenting
Strawberry Picking Adventures
This was to be a post about my famous strawberry freezer jam. Unfortunately, the strawberries at the organic farm where we went to u-pick were slim pickings. The strawberries were in desperate need of sunshine to ripen them. Our family usually heads to Sauvie Island, just outside of Portland for our fruit and vegetable picking… Continue reading Strawberry Picking Adventures
Do Kids Really Need Cell Phones?
“The Family Plan” marketing strategy for cell phone users is impressive. Cell phone companies make it sound like each person in your entire family must have a cell phone. My kids would probably be thrilled if we (their not-smart-in-the-least-bit-parents) bought into this marketing-mayhem, but we just can’t. This question has yet to be answered: Do… Continue reading Do Kids Really Need Cell Phones?
Funeral Etiquette
We had to attend attend a funeral recently. Funerals are sad, but they are also a celebration of life. Funeral etiquette is something that no one talks about and you don’t really learn about it until someone close to you dies. This past week got me thinking about how no one really talks about funeral… Continue reading Funeral Etiquette
Piano Lessons
Music lessons for kids is a major financial and time commitment. Piano lessons at our house are a big indulgence in our financial budget. Money to pay for the lessons, time for practicing, and the actual lessons themselves all take effort. Piano lessons mean piano practicing. Our kids spend a lot of time practicing here. … Continue reading Piano Lessons
Kids and Cooking
Parenting is a big job. Along with everything else in life, we’re supposed to teach our kids how to be responsible and have good life skills. That’s no easy task. One program that we’ve tried and had success with is having our kids cook dinner. Each child gets to cook a dinner once a week,… Continue reading Kids and Cooking
Catalog Choice: To Receive or Not To Receive
Receiving catalogs in the mail used to cost us money. Even though I wasn’t actually purchasing anything from the catalogs, just looking at the non-tattered, cord-free, cleaned-up pictures made me think about how our gently used, well loved furnishings were showing a little wear and tear. When looking at catalogs, everything is so shiny and… Continue reading Catalog Choice: To Receive or Not To Receive
Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior
Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior - WSJ.com This article caught my eye. It seems to have caused quite a stir. I agree with some points (piano lessons, limited screen time) and not so much with others (does it really help to call a kid fatty?). It's interesting, if you haven't read it. I would like… Continue reading Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior
Parenting: Children’s Allowances
Paying kids an allowance is always a hot topic among parents. To pay or not to pay? We pay allowances at our house and it actually resembles a little micro-economy! Being paid an allowance is a privilege and with that privilege comes responsibility. The ultimate goal in paying an allowance is teaching kids to be… Continue reading Parenting: Children’s Allowances
The “Like” Jar – Avoid Using the Word Like
Years ago I developed a bad habit. I found myself using the word "like" a lot. As far as bad habits go, it is not the worst (I could be a chain-smoking-heroin-addicted-internet-gambler which would be infinitely more interesting in terms of bad habits). When I heard myself speak, I knew it wasn't good form or… Continue reading The “Like” Jar – Avoid Using the Word Like
Go Gingham 