When I was expecting my second son, I spent some time preparing for my mother-in-law and mother to visit after the birth. They were mostly coming to help care for my older son who was two and a half years old at the time. However as they both lived abroad and rarely visited, they really had no idea… {read more}
Parenting
How to Reduce Stress When Expecting a Baby
When you are expecting a baby, you are going through so many changes both emotionally and physically. There are a zillion things to think about and get ready for, plus the vast (and sometimes unexpected) changes in your body, the extra appointments that fill your schedule, and all the hormones in play as you prepare for the… {read more}
10 Easy Screen Free Activities
After several months of morning sickness, four weeks of international travel, and some pretty intense work load overwhelm, I was feeling very low on energy to prepare activities for my kids. We were watching DVDs more often than ever before and yet I still felt exhausted. Yes the kids naturally enjoyed lots of free play – as kids do… {read more}
Create Your Own Quiet Time Basket
When I was expecting my second child, I read somewhere that it would be useful to have a basket of toys near your nursing chair – so that the older child had some special things to play with while you were busy feeding the new baby. Since then, I have made various versions of a Quiet Time Basket… {read more}
Planning for Family Picnics
Ahh the beautiful image of a family sitting down for a picnic: talking, laughing, eating their food with joy… I don’t know about you, but our family picnics have not always gone this way. Maybe we’ve forgotten the drinks, or the kids don’t like the new dish I thought would be fun to make. Sometimes by the… {read more}
How to Make Your Own Boo Boo Basket
Bumps and bruises are just a part of life. To children, however, they can be a really, really big deal. In general my kids aren’t very fussy after falls or tiny scrapes. I have always had the rule that if it’s not bleeding, it does not need a bandaid. However that does not mean I… {read more}
Tips for Families Expecting a New Baby
Expecting a baby is such an exciting time for families, but it can also be a time of uncertainty and anxiety about the new stage of life to come. Many mothers wonder: What will life be like with this new little one in our home? How will my other child(ren) respond to the new baby?… {read more}
4 Ways To Foster Family Connection With a Camera
This is a guest post by Beryl Ayn Young. “Family Hugs!!!” I shout the words and am immediately embraced by the two people in the world that matter most. The ones who center and ground me, and bring me back home… always. We try to begin each weekend morning with hugs (and a heaping cup… {read more}
