When I asked my five-year-old how we could improve the transition of our new baby into our family, I was surprised by his thoughtful response.
Book Summary: 30 Days of Sex Talks
One of the most difficult challenges parents face is how to talk to their kids about sex, and so I am beyond thrilled that a resource like this book exists! I love that I can empower my children with knowledge and understanding that will build their self-worth and give them the confidence they need to ask questions and gain a healthy respect for their bodies.
Book Summary: Parenting with a Story
Author Paul Smith firmly believes that everyone has a story to tell and that children learn best from stories, not lectures. He gathered more than 1,500 personal stories from around the world and selected the very best to create Parenting with a Story, a collection intended to aid parents as they teach their children important values.
How To Survive Potty Training for Two Years
If you’ve ever potty trained then you know it’s not for the faint of heart. Read one mother’s honest account of survival. Warning: This article contains equal amounts of humor and nitty gritty details.
Spiritual Sundays: Climbing Mother
Motherhood reveals a person inside you didn’t know was there. One that scares you some days. But mostly, one that is stronger, steadier, more compassionate. One that knows sacrifice. One that knows real needs. One that knows a love impossible to describe.
Favorite Children’s Books from 2013
Looking for some fantastic books to share with your children? There were a number of excellent picture books published in 2013. Catherine Arveseth’s list this year includes some old books, some new-ish, and a bunch that are brand new.
When It’s Okay to Ignore Your Children (Video Included)
We’re all about looking our children in the eye, validating their feelings, and helping them feel important and heard. While I agree that it’s absolutely vital to acknowledge and validate a child’s feelings, I actually think there are times when the best thing you can do for them is to simply ignore them.
Book Summary: Simplicity Parenting
Author Kim John Payne asks if we are building our families on “the four pillars of ‘too much’: too much stuff, too many choices, too much information, and too fast.” Then he discusses four layers of simplification: 1) environment; 2) rhythm; 3) schedules; and 4) filtering out the adult world.
Growth Means Growing Pains for Child–and Parent
Because we expect “progress” to mean “improvement,” we sometimes forget that growth means “growing pains” both physically and emotionally for both parent and child. Just as my son’s joints ached as he grew four inches over a summer, so too do we hurt sometimes as we stretch to new heights in our lives together.
The Baseboard Dilemma
Does a never-ending to-do list nag on your mind? Do you feel guilt, or even agitation, when voices call you away from your tasks? Sometimes it’s in the battle of “The Baseboard Dilemma” we find the parenting truths we are looking for.
Introduction to July’s Value: Honesty
This will help small children realize that feelings are caused by what has happened — and that it is okay to feel things and okay to tell others honestly how we feel.
Baking Bread and the Importance of Patience
Fresh homemade bread is one of the best things in the world. But, it takes time and patience to achieve a great loaf. Join author Heather Hale as she uses her culinary skills to teach patience to her son, and remind herself of a few important things in the process.