There are many things that I want to teach my children before they leave the house. While the most important of these have to do with character, perspective, and attitude, there are quite a few academic skills and also a good number of life skills that I want to be sure they master. I want my boys to grow into self-sufficient adults.… Continue reading
family
Preparing for a Family Road Trip
This week we’re heading out to California to visit my family. For us, that means a family road trip over the course of which we’ll drive about 2500 miles.
Many people recommend making lots of stops along the way in order to break up the trip for kids. We actually find that tackling the drive in one long day with lots of bathroom and stretch-our-legs breaks but no touristy stops works well for us.… Continue reading
Get Moving: Play in the Rain
We’ve had a very wet spring here in the Colorado Rockies. It’s rained and rained and snowed and rained. My boys love to be outside, no matter the weather. But when it’s hovering in the 40s and wet, it feels really cold to me, and even my two boys get chilled more quickly than usual.
That said, things go more smoothly in our house if everyone gets outside every day.… Continue reading
Gender Stereotyping in Boys Clothing
My boys wear used clothing almost exclusively. I haven’t bought them any new outfits; the only new items I’ve bought are underwear, socks, and shoes. Everything else they wear now or have worn is either used or has been a gift. We’ve been fortunate enough to receive a great many clothes as hand-me-downs from family and friends. My boys have also received, especially when they were babies, gifts of new clothes.… Continue reading
Teaching Kids to Work by Working Together Around the House
My boys love to help out around the house. I think kids instinctively want to contribute to a family, and to love to engage in tasks where their efforts are valued. In order to encourage these sorts of behaviors, my husband and I try to have the boys work beside us whenever we can.
When I cook, I try to find simple tasks for my boys that are appropriate for their skill and coordination levels.… Continue reading
Home as Child’s Art Gallery
My 6-year-old makes art almost every day (you can read about it HERE). He has open access to a wide array of project supplies, a space to work, and full creative control over his art experience. His making art on a daily basis generates a lot of art. So much art, that we specifically set time aside to declutter his completed art projects (you can read about it HERE).… Continue reading
How to Have a Healthy Day at a Ballgame
Every year one of my dear friends throws an Opening Day party for the Rockies home opener at Coors Field. He invites lots of friends, and we all have a terrific time. I’m not a big sports fan, and I still have a lot of fun. There’s something about being a part of a huge group of people all cheering for the athletes to do well that feels exciting.… Continue reading
A Spring Picnic
We make it a priority to at least spend some time outside every day. We all enjoy it, unless it’s super cold, then my boys still want to go out, but I’m usually longing to stay inside (you can read about it HERE).
However, once spring arrives we’re all ready to spend time outside in the sunshine and fresh air.… Continue reading
Decorating Spring Eggs (+ egg dye recipe)
With Easter on its way next weekend, we’ve been seeing eggs, bunnies, and chicks everywhere (not to mention a plethora of goods containing huge amounts of sugar, and even more insidiously lots of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, unhealthy oils, genetically modified soy, and chemical preservatives).
We avoid bringing unhealthy sweets into our celebrations, including our celebration of the rebirth of the natural world around us in the Spring.… Continue reading
Family Dinner Table
Eating dinner together as a family is a vital part of our family life. Food is so central to our lives, and I love stopping at the end of the day and enjoying each other’s company as we sit down and eat a meal together. From the time my 6-year old was born, we’ve worked to implement this. As an infant, he sat in my lap or in a baby seat ON the table, so he could be at eye-level with everyone.… Continue reading