Traveling with littles is equal parts magic and logistics. Portugal makes the magic part easier: short distances, kind people, parks and squares everywhere, and food that kids actually eat. The logistics side needs a plan that respects naps, cobblestones, and the sudden snack emergencies that are always a part of life with kids. If you
Portugal with Kids Made Easy: Travel Hacks that Work Read More »
For those of us who live in places where school takes an extended break over the summer, attending summer camp is a rite of passage for many kids. For working-parent households, day camp and overnight camp provide a crucial part of their family’s summer childcare plans. Summer camp offers kids the chance to stretch their
Day Camp vs. Overnight Camp: Which is Best for Your Child? Read More »
Have you traveled with your kids much yet? If not, what’s holding you back? Especially when the economy is rocky, finances are a top hurdle for families who want to travel together. I’ve written elsewhere on specific ways to save money traveling with every age from infants to teens, but this post is going to
How to Travel on a Budget (With Family!) Read More »
With so much in flux in the economy these days, I know lots of families who are finding themselves suddenly on a different career track or life path than they had expected. Which means a lot of them are looking at packing up and relocating, often to a new state. Besides all the hassle of
Family Services Available for Families Moving to Alabama Read More »
Perfect Jobs for Parents With Some Spare Time So you’re a busy full-time parent, but you want to help grow the “income” side of your family budget. Or your youngest has just entered kindergarten. Or your pre-parenthood job is no longer viable, and you’re on the hunt for a new career. Whatever the reason, you’re
The BEST Side Hustles for Parents (That Actually Make Money!) Read More »
Family Camping Essentials to Make Family Camping More Comfortable: Now that summer’s in full swing, have you been camping yet? Or are you still gearing up for your first family outdoor adventure? My hubby and I used to go camping several times each summer, until the girls entered our lives. While he wasn’t game for
100 Genius Hacks to Make Family Tent Camping Easier Read More »
Seasonal Splendor: Best Cruise Destinations for Families During School Breaks When school lets out, families finally get a shot at real adventure together—no homework, just ocean breezes and new places. For families cruising from US ports during school breaks, top picks include the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and even the Mediterranean. The Caribbean’s tough to beat
Best Family Cruise Destinations When School’s Out Read More »
Keep Your Kids Comfortable and Your Car Clean: As any parent knows, car rides with kids can be a mix of fun, chaos, and messes. Between snacks, spills, and the occasional muddy shoes, your car seats take a real beating just in the course of day-to-day travels. Whether schlepping your kiddos to and from school
Why Personalized Car Seat Covers Are a Mom’s Best Friend Read More »
Raise your hand if day-to-day life often seems overwhelming. Raising kids in the 21st century is not for the faint of heart. Wouldn’t it be great if there were an easy button to make things simpler? If you can relate to this, maybe this summer is the time to try minimalism with a family. A great
Minimalist Family Homes: Incorporating Minimalism With a Family Read More »
17 Simple Ways to Sort out Your Chaotic Family Home Every busy mama knows how stressful it is to walk into an untidy, disorganized, chaotic household. There’s nothing more unsettling than feeling like your home is falling apart at the seams. Whether you’ve been out at work all day or running errands, staying on top
Stay On Top of Home Projects With This Checklist Read More »
Oh, the warm days of summer! When everyone gets lots of fresh air in the out-of-doors, and our family’s three-season porch is our dining room for evening meals most nights. When we get to go on family camping trips, and the kids return to the happy places they’ve found at summer camp over the years.
How To Make Your Home Cozy For Winter Read More »
Tips on How To Fall Asleep In The Heat: As longtime readers know, I am obsessed with getting a good night’s sleep. As a result, I’ve hunted down every sleep hack I can over the years, both for myself and for my sleep-challenged offspring, all in the quest of a decent night’s sleep. But sometimes
How to Sleep When It’s Hot Read More »
High School Back to School Made Easy: It’s only July, it seems as if school just let out yesterday, and yet already I’m trying to figure out how and when we’re going to squeeze in back to school shopping. I am NOT a big fan of schlepping from one store to the next, often over
Your Back To School Clothes Shopping List (High School Edition) Read More »
Kids LOVE to move. From babies who’ve just learned to crawl, to preschoolers and school-age kids enjoying the playground at recess, to older kids playing their favorite sport, children’s bodies thrive on activity. All this movement helps children become stronger and more agile, while also honing their balance; but the ability to control those movements
How Coordination Exercises Help Kids Improve Motor Skills Read More »
How Do I Know If My Child Is Dyslexic? My brother Evan was in the second grade when his teacher, Miss Shaw, changed his life by reaching out to my parents. Miss Shaw was fresh out of college, and noticed signs of a learning difference called dyslexia in my brother’s struggles with basic reading. It
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Dyslexia Symptoms in Children Read More »
So much of the world has gone more casual in the past decade – from Michelle Obama’s famous pantyhose avoidance, to the athleisure “workwear” that became ubiquitous during the pandemic and subsequent work-from-home era – that it’s easy to forget how to dress up. (Or, for that matter, that choosing the perfect dress is even
Special Occasion Dresses: 5 Tips for Formal Dress Shopping Read More »
How to Start Selling at Kids Consignment Sales Are you tired of all the outgrown baby stuff cluttering your attic/your spare room/your basement? Wishing you had a way to get rid of it all at once? Or maybe, in this world of skyrocketing prices for everything under the sun, you’re looking to get a little
Your Children’s Consignment Sales Quick-Start Guide (Free Printable!) Read More »
Caring for Quartzite Countertops Made Easy: Whether you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen sometime soon, or you’re in the market for a new home, chances are good – if you’re a busy parent, like I am – that family-friendly features are top on your list of must-haves. You want a home that’s functional and easy
Caring for Quartzite: How to Clean Quartzite Countertops Read More »
Leaving the hospital with your newborn feels surreal. I can still remember how strange it felt when we were discharged after Kimmie’s birth. Were they really letting us take home this tiny little infant? Were they really entrusting this little creature to our care? The fact that we’d just moved a month before Kimmie’s birth
Bringing Home Baby: Preparing for Bringing Baby Home from Hospital Read More »
I don’t know about you, but I rarely sleep well the night before I travel. It’s darn-near impossible to get up in the middle of the night and drive to the airport, and many times worse if it’s a regional carrier hub that’s several hours away. The only thing worse than having to do this
Booking Advice for First-Time Airport Hotel Customers Read More »