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co-sleeping
Ok, so this might sound really bad, but I've been bed sharing with my baby. We have a okay pen for ...
How Social Media is Changing Kids
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 by Stef Daniel
Social media. The internet. Smartphones and tablets. Laptops.
If you look in the average child’s book bag, from 5th grade on up, you are apt to find one of these technological devices hidden beneath an archaic folder or school book. Today’s kids have access to nearly everything online - and with such social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - they are having an effect on our children.
But is this effect positive? As a mother of 4 girls, who regularly patrols my kids’ online presence, I am not so sure.
8 Easy Gifts and Treats for Teacher Appreciation Week
Friday, May 03, 2013 by EverydayFamily
Teachers are the people that help shape our kids into the people they will be. They educate our children, but they also nurture their well being, encourage them to be the best they can be, and push them to reach for their fullest potential. Teachers work endless hours beyond their work days and give their hearts and souls to their classrooms of children – so with that in mind, as we think forward to Teacher Appreciation Week next week, we wanted to offer you 8 Easy Gift and Treat Ideas that you can make with (or without) your kids. Each idea is affordable, unique, and a lovely gesture to show your favorite teachers your thanks for a year of hard work.
Meditation for Sanity (Seriously!)
Wednesday, May 01, 2013 by Stef Daniel
"Oh just meditate," people tell me.
And I am always like, "MEDITATE? Really? Are you serious? How do you expect me to meditate when I have sooooooooooooo much to do, and sooooooooo many people talking to me all at once?" Plus, if I close my eyes and meditate - chances are pretty good that I am going to fall asleep, or that my mind is going to wander to the far corners of worry and stress and I will have a full blown panic attack."
Meditation requires calm, peace, and quiet. Three things hard to come by in my life. Meditation requires me to NOT think, which is like telling me to NOT breathe. Meditation. HA! Despite the fact that I believe I was a hippy or a monk in a previous life, meditation is NOT part of my life plan at this point. You feel me, right?
Wrong!
Celebrating the Earth With a Bit of History and a Scavenger Hunt!
Sunday, April 21, 2013 by Marlena Antonucci
The era was the late 1960s; the flower child had cultivated a flourishing counter-culture with the Vietnam War at the apex of opposition. Students around the country united in protests to produce one large voice against the conflict.
Fast forward to 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson took inspiration from the rallying with a plan to expand the public discourse. It was risky, but he partnered with politicians across the party spectrum to bring the environment to the foreground of American’s concerns by celebrating Earth Day.
Today, it is nearly impossible to imagine an environment where our children would have to breathe air polluted by carcinogenic fumes billowing from chemical plants or drink water contaminated by toxic dumping. But without the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, it’s quite possible that this insanity would be our reality.
Internet Safety: Easy Ways To Keep Younger Children Safe Online
Tuesday, April 02, 2013 by Natalie Hoage
My almost-6-year-old is getting to the age where he wants to get on our desktop computer to play games and look things up by himself. He’s learning about how to use computers at school, and is gaining confidence in learning about the magic of what they can do. While I love that he wants to learn and explore, the Internet can also be a very dangerous place for kids, even though they don’t realize or understand the dangers out there. A few months back, fellow EverydayFamily writer Amanda Rodriguez wrote a post titled 5 Easy Ways To Keep Kids Safe Online. She gave some great tips that all parents should read.
My son is a bit younger, and although I don’t plan on allowing him to get on the internet alone anytime soon, I know it’s not too far off before he starts asking for his own Club Penguin account or wanting to spend more time on YouTube, so with that in mind, here are three tips for keeping younger kids safe on the internet.
Monday, March 18, 2013 by Natalie Hoage
One of my favorite things about spring is that I get to start planting herbs and veggies. Throughout our small backyard, we have a plum tree, white peach tree, avocado tree, lemon tree, and lime tree. There’s mint that I planted years ago that still pops up as well as blackberry vines that we can’t seem to get rid of. And now that I’m gardening with the kids, I look forward to our annual planting even more.
I don’t have a reserved area for planting – we plant wherever we can find the room. So you’ll find onions growing in a container that holds our hibiscus bush. There’s garlic growing with the Crown of Thorns. There are peppers in with the camellias…wherever there is room, we plant!
The kids always want to help, and so I make sure to plant lots of “kid friendly” items. Here are some tips that I’ve picked up that will help if you are going to be gardening with kids this spring and summer.
4 Sanity Saving Shortcuts That You Can Start Using TODAY!
Monday, March 11, 2013 by Natalie Hoage
Now that I’ve been sharing my words here at EverydayFamily, I think that you might know that I really like tips. I’ve given you tips on easy healthy living, tips for how to make mommy friends, and tips for streamlining your morning routine…not to mention tips for getting rid of the pacifier, potty training, and bath safety tips for kids. Now I’m going to share four sanity saving tips that will make life a little more bearable when you’re having one of those days!
Serve a “Homemade” Frozen Dinner
During the week, the kids’ schedules make it hard to find the time and energy to cook from scratch, though I absolutely love to cook. So I tend to take lots of shortcuts.
Yes, I do buy frozen meals at the grocery store, but then I dress them up to taste homemade. For example, grab a frozen lasagna or other meal that your family enjoys, and top it with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Make garlic bread and a salad (use the bagged salad and add fresh tomatoes) for the sides, and you just saved yourself lots of prep and clean up time.
I’ve made some meals that my family didn’t even realize weren’t homemade! Be creative with it.
5 Board Games The Whole Family Will Enjoy
Monday, March 04, 2013 by Natalie Hoage
It’s family date night, and everybody has decided to play a board game or two while sitting around the kitchen table. You’ve gotten everybody’s favorite drinks, a bowl full of popcorn, and now you just have to decide what games to play.
Sometimes it’s hard to find games for all ages that the little kids will enjoy just as much as the big kids (and parents!) Whether you are looking for a new game to play or are ready to dig out the old family classic board games, here are five games that the whole family is sure to have fun with.
Friday, March 01, 2013 by Tracy Morrison
Every parent remembers when their child begins to read on their own. We sit on couches and snuggled on laps as our children first start to sound-out small simple words until one day, they can read a full book.
As the years pass their reading progresses and the love of books becomes a bond between parent and child...until finally your child reaches an age where you realize you are sharing books, looking for the book you were reading because somebody else has borrowed it, and giving each other book reviews and book reading ideas.
Now that my oldest daughter is a tween, I find we share not only a love of books - but a love of enjoying many of the same authors.
I asked my daughter to give me a list of her FIVE current favorites. She actually made me a list of 25 books. I wish I could include them all!
Family Vacation Time! Consider An All Inclusive Resort Or A Cruise
Monday, February 25, 2013 by Natalie Hoage
I am looking forward to going on our first “big” family vacation within the next year or so, and I am already researching our options. I have a couple of different ideas in my head – I know I want to hang out as a family, but I would also like to find a place that will allow my husband and I some couple time without the kids. But where to go? I’m thinking either an all-inclusive resort or a cruise.
All Inclusive Resorts
If you aren’t familiar with all-inclusive results, let me explain. You pay one price and everything is included: your room, airfare, food, drinks, and activities at the hotel.
