This week's radio show is all about seeing the humor in the moment and learning to laugh through the craziness of motherhood. (Because isn't it more fun to laugh than to cry?)
We love the idea of saying yes: taking more opportunities to have fun with our children, even when that fun is messy and inconvenient. But how often do we actually say yes? Nicolette, of the blog How Does She?, devoted one day to saying yes.
I want my kids to feel a sense of belonging. I want them to believe deeply that they are a part of a whole and that they will never be alone in this sometimes lonely, disconnected world. I suppose I could laminate this sentiment on a piece of paper and stick it on the...
With Spring right around the corner, I knew I needed some ideas for how to have fun in the outdoors. This book is just what I needed to help incorporate the outside world into our day--it is easy to read, has lots of great ideas for every season, and perfect for families with children of...
My children all love books. I suspect some of that might be genetic—both my husband and I are avid readers—but I’ve worked hard to cultivate their love for literature. April asked me to share my insights; here are the five strategies I recommend.
Author and mother of five Catherine Arveseth reviews her favorite children's books from 2012.
I was facing a particularly stressful day. I realized I had faced too many morning like this lately, and so I decided this time, things would end differently. Today was going to the start of a brand new me.
Is your house ever full of crazy little people running around? Does the noise level ever escalade above “comfortable?” Do you ever send your kids outside to play, just to get some peace and quiet? “Little Boy Energy” is full of great ideas for helping your little crazies focus their energy! ...
A couple of years ago, my children started saying, “Last one up is a rotten egg!” as they headed up the stairs to get ready for bed. I’ve never liked name-calling of any sort, so I suggested they change it to, “Last one up is a beautiful flower,” but that didn’t catch on. But,...
As parents, we are often expected to be the “leader.” But what would happen if we followed the lead of our child for a day? What would we learn? What treasures would we find? What truths would we discover? And what fun would be ours?
How often do you prepare a “fun” activity and get upset when it doesn’t turn out exactly as you had planned? How many moments of fun do you fail to enjoy because you are trying to keep your house clean? If these scenarios sound familiar you are not alone.
Do you ever feel like your kids don’t see you as the “fun” parent? Terri-Ann Gawthroupe did, so she planned a 10-mother, 47-children campout. NO DADS ALLOWED!
This year we had a do-it-yourself Halloween. By that, I don't mean that I got all crafty with Pinterest-inspired stuff. I mean the kids did it THEMSELVES. And it worked out just great.
Is it important to be in photos with our kids? Isn't it important to capture our motherhood as well as our children's childhood? Check out the great insights in this article and join our "Get in the Picture" Challenge!
Step into their world. See it through their eyes. Leave your “to-do” list behind. Author Danielle Taylor Porter declares “Kids’ Day” a family holiday.
What does "home" mean to you? Beauty and peace and harmony - that's home (in a good moment like this one).
Is Halloween getting a little out of control? Do you love or hate Halloween? Check out this article for great ideas about how you can maximize the fun and minimize the frightful aspects of Halloween in your family.
As mothers, we do not need to burn ourselves out with expectations that we will plan outrageously fun and magical activities for our children every single day of their lives...We can thoughtfully and deliberately decide which days are worth a little more time and energy and plan ‘highlight experiences’ for our children to spice up...
Do you find yourself embarking on a new phase of mothering, such as your oldest child entering junior high school? Author Lori Gard reflects on the ways she has tried to build strong relationships with her children, so their relationships can serve as a bridge during times of transition for the family.
The only thing more annoying than eating with a family that has rude children is being the family with the rude children. Learn a fun and easy game we can teach our children to reinforce good manners. This is one you do not want to miss!
if you’re feeling a little stale these days and not at all like the fun mom you used to be or thought you would be, maybe you just need to get out of your workplace (the home) and start living like a tourist.
It never fails: somewhere between the sugar and the butter, I begin to question my choice. It's been yet another crazy day and was roping my small children into making cookies really the best way to combat the mess?
Do you ever worry about the influence friends will have in your children’s lives? Rachel Sullivan shares cheap and inspiring ideas on how to keep the family tight and the fun alive with Family Fun Night!
How do we handle the hyped-up but somewhat meaningless holiday of Halloween? Saren shares what works for her family when it comes to costumes, sugar, parties, and pumpkins.
When silly doesn’t come naturally, finding fun can be a challenge. Author Mary Jenkins shares the joy of turning a simple idea into a lasting family memory.
Being a mom and being with children can be fun, at least some of the time. But I've had a a few experiences lately that have shown me the value of pure fun, just for myself.
Would you categorize yourself as a “to-do” mommy? Are you motivated to accomplish one more check mark on that never-ending to do list? Here are some ideas to help you add a bit of fun and spontaneity to life when your children want to Stop, Sit and PLAY!
As a teenager, I was certain I would grow up to be the “fun” mom. Boy, have times changed! The realities of motherhood and the weight of responsibility can sure put a damper on things. Hanging out and having fun with my kids (or even my own friends) just doesn’t always make it onto my...
Do you ever feel like it’s impossible to fit a workout into your mothering schedule? Does the task of loading up the kids for a trip to the gym fill daunting? Seth Bigelow, a husband and father, shares some workouts that work for the whole family!
I wanted to be the farm-mother I envisioned—up early, making a hearty breakfast, children doing all of their chores cheerfully, all before 5:00 A.M. Laying down the railroad tracks of habit was harder than I anticipated. But, it's made a huge difference in our lives!
Families can form some of the best trip memories from small traditions. Keep in mind it's just not the fun you’ll have at your destination, but the fantastic memories you can make before you even get there! Read on for some great ideas for fun on the road.
Sometimes you’ve got to have a little imagination to get you through the trenches of motherhood. And, if we remember to let some imagination in every once in a while, motherhood is just more fun!
I was attending my first Power of Moms Retreat! Would I find answers to the question:Why am I a mean mom and what can I do to stop? The idea hit my mind. The idea was this: I'm not mean. I'm stressed! This discovery has helped changed my life.
Last year we finally got summer right. We decided to forego regular summer camps and the kids and I came up with our own plan for a "Loosli Learning Adventures Camp" including some required activities to keep our bodies and brains active and our house clean and plan for getting to our "bucket list" of...
Amidst all the tasty treats and heart-shaped crafts our family enjoys for Valentine's Day, we've designed a special tradition that incorporates some real quality time together. We call it our, "We Love to Be a Family" Day. It's one of the best traditions we've started!
Life really is short and we shouldn't need to be reminded that it's meant to be enjoyed. Just ask my sister.
One of my children asked what I was doing, and when I told them I was searching for some chocolate, my innocent child suggested, “Why don’t you just magic some?” I wish it worked like that.
You’re probably asking yourselves what in the world we are doing…well, glad you asked.
It was Columbus Day and I had somehow let this important holiday slip my mind. My kids were appalled that I didn't have any plans on how we were going to celebrate this day. So, I quickly threw out: "Let's go exploring like Columbus!"
If our lives are so crammed full of soccer games, music lessons, and social functions how can we expect to have fun together? Great experiences don't happen by accident. While you can't force family fun, you do have to make a place for it.
Sometimes it feels like implementing quality traditions into our homes is "just one more thing" to do. In this podcast, you'll be reminded that traditions don't have to be "big" or stressful in order to be magical.
Fun housework? Isn't that an oxymoron? Creating order and cleanliness isn't always a party at my house, but for those who are committed to getting the family involved (while having some fun along the way) here are some ways great ideas.
When I took the Color Code personality test back in my single days, I discovered I seek fun, enjoy fun, and am motivated by fun. As a mother, this has influenced my children as well. They've learned they can create fun from any situation.
As a mother to three, the task of dressing my children has gone from “fun” to “daunting” each morning. Thank goodness my definition of "fun" has evolved over time!
In my last post I tried to convince resistant moms suffering from MMS (Martyr Mommy Syndrome) that not only can they still have fun after having children, but that they should. In this post I want to talk about how to make that happen.
While unpacking some boxes, I came across my school journals from fifth grade. With my son starting fifth grade, I decided to share a few entries with my son. Best part was hearing "You were a fun girl. I would have been friends with you!"
So why don’t we do it more often? Every mom has her reasons. Well, I have a little secret to share with you: You have to make and take your fun.
It can be a challenge to give equal focus to the “job” of being a mother and having fun being a mother. The balance is particularly challenging when work and fun occupy the same office space. The trick for me is to make that mental shift from work to fun while remaining in the workplace...
While most of this book is a handy guide of age-appropriate books for boys, it also contains great information on, as the cover says, “how to engage boys in reading in ways that will change their lives.”
When I first became a mother, I never planned on looking like a mother. Reality set in after two or three weeks with my first child, but I have still tried to keep a relatively clean appearance--just so I still feel like a person.
“Fun moments” are the fleeting ones that creep up on us. One of my best memories was watching our girls run through a field while waiting for AAA to bring us gas.Maybe it was special because it was after whining and before throwing up occurred.
Does that apply to disciplining children? Is it possible to have fun and discipline at the same time? Well, it's happening at our house (sometimes!), and I'm excited to share.
How the example of my neighbor has changed the way I think of motherhood.
The other day, my three-year-old, Spencer, asked if we could get out the Playdoh. In my mind, I was screaming, "NO! It will end up all over the kitchen. As I was about to verbalize these feelings, however, I thought a little deeper.
My mom always knew how to bring our family together to enjoy ourselves. We have a number of traditions to help us remember the fun times, big and small. And, now I know how to hold on to the magic.
“There’s (a) wonderful Italian expression: l’arte d’arrangiarsi – the art of making something out of nothing. The art of turning a few simple ingredients into a feast, or a few gathered friends into a festival. Anyone with a talent for happiness can do this…” Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love. I once bought ‘idea cards’ listing...
Have I told you that Ray and I have five boys? Yes indeed we do, count them, five. In the summer of 1974 their ages were 5, 7, 10, 12, and 13. With the following words “Please, please, oooh pleeease”, three girls ages 7, 12, and 13 were added to our household for the summer. ...
If you haven’t been Boo’d, you’re missing out on a fun Halloween tradition. This is a great way to start off the holiday season and strengthen ties with neighbors. A Boo-Gram is a mysterious note you leave on a neighbor’s door with a bag of treats. The note is usually a poem. You also leave a large...
Meal and study time at our house can definitely be a rowdy, rambunctious event! Our dining room, where food is consumed and most projects are accomplished, is a tight squeeze for the seven (soon to be eight) of us – especially with a vaulted ceiling that extends straight up to the top floor’s roof. Such...
Yesterday I was talking to the mother of three young children about how her summer was going. Listening to her description of their fun, lazy adventures made me wistful for the days when all my children were “little” and the only thing I had to think about was how to keep them happy all day....
I love love love summer. I am always a little flabbergasted when I talk to moms who dread summer. Usually it’s because they feel overwhelmed at the prospect of so much free time. They feel it’s a bit of a chore to keep their kids busy. But that’s why I like summer. I cast aside...
I need to face it. My kids are going to grow up. And that’s already happening way faster than I feel ok about. I guess that’s why I latch on with all my heart to ideas I hear or come up with that will help me cherish the moment while they’re young. Some of them...
One of those things I remember was the way my Dad would sometimes tuck us up onto his lap as kids and talk to us about what we were good at. He’d ask us what we thought our talents were and each time we suggested something he’d wholeheartedly agree, and write the first letter...
April Fools pranks are so... pointless? fun? I don't know but I just love the chance to do silly stuff and get a rise out of my kids.
We are all princesses, right? Because of that fact I believe every woman should own a tiara.A simple headpiece, you say? Oh no, my dear, a tiara holds power!For instance, the other day I woke up and didn’t want to do a thing, but my house needed cleaning. As I walked past my dresser, I...
Sometimes you’ve got to have a little imagination to get you through the trenches of motherhood. You’ve also got to enjoy the imagination your kids are naturally full of. There’s nothing that brightens a dreary morning like walking in on your three-year-old daughter after the breakfast chaos to find her in the midst of a...
For many mothers, the home is the “workplace”. You could say my work office is divided between the kitchen and laundry room. The balance is particularly challenging when work and fun occupy the same office space.
Making time for fun is an essential ingredient to deliberate motherhood.
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