Backseat driver
Posted by G.I. Jane
Recently, I wrote a post about avoiding technology to promote communication in my family. I often correlate using technology to time spent at home, but in reality that’s not always the case. A friend recently sent me a survey from U.S. News & World Report, noting that many parents admit to being distracted while driving their kids. Possible distractions included: phone calls, texting, surfing the Web, grooming, eating, attending to their child, using a navigation system or map, and engaging with their vehicle’s entertainment system.
When I initially read the survey, I was judgmental. Aren’t most of these distractions against the law anyway? But as much as I hate to admit it, I’m guilty of partaking in most, if not all of these distractions.
Just the other day my daughter shouted from the backseat, “slow [...]
Tell me about it!
Posted by G.I. Jane
Like most working parents, I savor every moment with my children. But let’s face it – those precious moments are usually few and far between during the work week. You only have your children’s full attention for so long, so why not make the best of it?
It wasn’t until my two-year old enthusiastically yelled one day, “watch me Mommy!” that I realized… (gasp) that I wasn’t watching her. This realization didn’t occur because she asked me to watch her; it was because she asked me four times before I noticed that she wanted my attention (I was checking email).
The next day I made a promise to my family that I would make a change to enhance our communication. But how can we keep traditional communication going in today’s super- cyber-society? Here are [...]
Thrift Store Shopping Tips for Families
Posted by Martha
I have a confession to make – I am a thrift store addict. I don’t want help to overcome this addiction. Actually, I’m recruiting others to this cause.
Some of my friends don’t understand my fascination with stopping at every thrift store I see. And I can’t comprehend their reluctance to buy stuff cheap. Quite simply, I can’t resist the thrill of the hunt, and the joy of discovering a bargain. For example, I’ve found Ralph Lauren sheets for $3, my sofa and loveseat for $100 and antiques for far less than eBay bids. I rarely have to buy clothes for my kids at retail prices, and I’ve built a great library of children’s books.
In addition to saving a ton of money, I support the idea of [...]
10 Family-Friendly Earth Day Activities
Posted by Auntie Em
Looking for ideas for celebrating this year’s Earth Day with your family? Here’s a list of 10 eco-friendly family activities compiled by the Kiddie Academy education team:
- Involve your children in finding ways to repurpose things you already own before you purchase new items.
- Ask your children to help you gather gently used items and donate them to charity organizations.
- Turn packaging items like cartons or plastic sleeves into new art projects – instead of sending them to a landfill.
- Sew an old pillowcase into a new tote bag; use it to replace plastic bags when you shop.
- Take a nature walk together and discuss what you see along the way – like streams or flowers.
- Walk – don’t drive – to the neighborhood playground.
- Shop at your local thrift stores with [...]
Rainy Day Craft Tutorial: Broken Umbrella to Indoor Parachute
Posted by MarthaLooking for a fun rainy day activity? Here’s an easy way to re-purpose a broken umbrella into a mini-parachute game.
This fun, eco-friendly kids craft project also allows you to sneak in a little education. What better way to illustrate the laws of gravity? Follow these simple instructions, and you’ll have a 5 foot mini-parachute that folds up for easy storage.
Supply List:
Broken umbrella – the larger the better.
Scissors
Optional:
Low temp glue gun or hand sewing needle and thread
Small piece of feltI just happened to have a broken Ikea umbrella that was perfect for this craft. However, if you don’t have a broken umbrella, you can easily pick up a used umbrella at a thrift store. [...]
Lessons Learned on Tantrums
Posted by G.I. JaneAbout a year or so ago I posted about how my life was nothing but a series of pre-meditated actions and routines since I had a toddler. At the time, I was still calculating my moves, reflecting on my failures and above all else trying to determine why this was becoming second nature to me. And recently it hit me: tantrums.
In the last two years, I have been in mental and physical training for tantrums. I have learned to squash my fear of her meltdowns, to recognize I am the boss and will not be embarassed of her tantrum, and to repeat the mantra “her attitude is not a reflection of my ability to parent.”
Here are my lessons learned regarding tantrums:
1. Stay calm and in control of your actions. I like to pretend I’m a prisoner of warfare and am being interrogated for my knowledge on the latest mission. [...]
Top Five Lies Said to My Toddler
Posted by G.I. JaneI don’t even know how I got myself into these lies; they just happened. I think they appeared somewhere between trying to get through the day and knowing what’s best for my daughter. Not a good excuse, I know.
This past weekend I was consciously aware of the lies, or little fibs as I now like to think of them, that I repeatedly made. Here are my top five:
- Have one more bite and I’ll…fill in the blank with whatever sounds enticing to a kid. My toddler is going through the grazing stage and forgets to eat. Therefore, I’ll nudge her to take a bite every now and then…just so I know she’s getting some food. My “one more bite” is a lie. It’s usually three or four before I’m caught not doing what I promised.
- It’s broken. In an effort to not change the DVD every minute, or giving her my phone, or letting her wear my nice [...]
Pinterest in a box? Genius!
Posted by G.I. Jane
I won’t speak for every parent out there, but I think many moms (especially of young children) have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest. I have hundreds of thousands of ideas for everything from a complete ensemble for a getaway to Fiji to how to tile a bathroom to recipes for a five course meal and extravagant table settings for that meal.
However, I spend the majority of my spare time with Pinterest searching, evaluating and repinning. Wherein lies the rub. I don’t have time to do any of my pins! I’m too exhausted after a full day of work, taking care of my two year old (and husband for that matter), cooking, cleaning, tending to the miscellaneous items and searching all 400 of my pins to actually accomplish anything.
I came across this [...]
“The Moment I Knew…” Photo Contest!
Posted by Kiddie Academy
There is a moment in every parent’s life where she witnesses her child displaying the behavior she’s been so desperately trying to teach them, such as an act of kindness or patience or appreciation. All of these also happen to be the values Kiddie Academy teaches through our Character Education program. This “moment” is the foundation behind our official Kiddie Academy Facebook Photo Contest, called “The Moment I Knew…”
The contest, which begins on January 2 and ends on February 28, encourages our [...]
Even More Thankful for Her…
Posted by G.I. JaneI’m not alone with this post. I’m one of many, millions. All saying the same thing. All feeling the same thing.
Thankfulness for our children. Appreciation for their silliness and smiles and sweet voices. Newfound patience for their tantrums and mistakes. Overwhelming, overflowing love for their very existence. And, now a paralazying fear that something could happen to them at any moment.
Bloggers, journalists and just about everyone are writing about “The Newtown Effect…” and how we’re all hugging our children a bit tighter these days. I find myself overpowered by emotion for the Newtown parents and community; unable to stop the tears at work as I think of my own 2-year-old daughter.
I don’t have words of wisdom or expert advice on talking to children about violence or world events, but I do know this event will live in my heart forever and, therefore, so should the gratefulness of all [...]
