We Review Weighted Blankets So You Don’t Have To! Weighted Blanket Pros and Cons: One Neurodiverse Family’s Unbiased Weighted Blanket Review As long-time readers know, I am obsessed with getting a good night’s sleep. I am obsessed with my kids sleeping well. I am especially obsessed with overcoming all the hurdles mamas face to a
Are Weighted Blankets Worth It? (Weighted Blanket Review) Read More »
Getting kids to do their homework can sometimes seem like pulling teeth. Getting neurodiverse kiddos to do their homework is more like trying to sprint up Mt. Everest. Yes, setting up a designated homework station can help. So can setting limits on non-learning screen time, and postponing their first cell phone for as long as
Best Fidgets to Help Kids Stay Focused With Schoolwork Read More »
Does your child know how to write a thank you note? Writing a thank you note may seem like an outdated skill. But sending a thanks message never goes out of style, and sending a thank you message for a gift is a basic common courtesy every child (and grownup!) should master. Writing a thank you note or a heartfelt
How to Write a Memorable Thank You Note (and Why It Matters!) Read More »
Small Space Storage: Organizing Small Spaces Cheap The New Year is here; perhaps you’re cleaning house as part of some New Year’s resolution. If so, or even if you’re still just dealing with the aftermath of holiday gift-giving, you may be on the hunt for more (or better) storage in your home. Whether you need small
Clever Storage Ideas for Small Spaces (Hint: Look Up!) Read More »
Tips on Building a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids: As regular readers know, I am a huge fan of saving money. Especially when it comes to things you have to buy anyway. Between rising grocery costs and skyrocketing energy bills, most families – including ours – are really feeling the pinch these days. Which is all the
Creating a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids (On a Budget!) Read More »
Looking for a pediatrician? Not sure if a pediatrician is even the right doctor for your child? If you’re a new parent – or moving to a new area – there’s a lot to consider. You want the best care for your child, but you don’t have endless amounts of time to devote to the
How to Choose a Pediatrician: Your Essential Checklist Read More »
Dealing with Chickenpox: What to do if my child has chickenpox? Between the recent global chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and all the disruption to daily life it caused, many of us have gotten off schedule with our basic preventive health care. One of the unfortunate side effects of this is a decline in
Dealing with Chickenpox (The Parent’s Survival Guide) Read More »
Looking for easy campfire desserts for kids for your next family camping trip? Campfire Unicorn Horns are super-tasty campfire foil desserts that are an easy alternative to smores. They are easy to make as gluten free campfire desserts. And because they’re a banana campfire dessert, you could even argue that they’re a healthy alternative to smores! We
Best Campfire Desserts: Campfire Unicorn Horns Read More »
How Can Parents Support Learning At Home? 10 Proven Ways Parents Can Help Educate A Child: Most parents want the best for their kids in life. We worry about what they eat, how they spend their free time, and improving school performance. But educating a child, or hearing that parents make the best teacher, can
Want the Best Education For Your Child? 10 Tried-and-True Steps Read More »
Some of us seem to be born with a high metabolism that keeps going no matter what. (Not me.) Many of us only put on weight gradually as we get older. And then there are people like me who’ve struggled with maintaining a healthy weight for their whole lives. In my case, chronic knee problems
Which Weight Loss Method is Right For You? Read More »
If your family is far-flung (as ours is), the upcoming holiday season means at least one trip away from home with your kiddo(s) in tow. But are you ready? Do you know how to pack like a pro? If you’ve never done an extended trip by car or plane with your offspring, the thought of
Packing Hacks for Families: 5 Family Travel Pro Packing Tips Read More »
Few things are more cathartic than clearing out the old at year’s end. Taking a little time to declutter before the holidays makes a stress-free Christmas so much easier to attain. Whether you’re trying to get ready for Christmas, or just hoping to declutter for the new year, this step-by-step “declutter home checklist” will help
Declutter For Christmas: Your Step-By-Step Guide Read More »
Let’s face it: Kids like playing in the dirt. Toddlers are fascinated by making mud puddles. Preschoolers and school-age kids like to make them, then play in them. And older school-age kids take this love of mud to a new level: they play soccer, baseball, softball, or football. Which means that at some point in
How To Get Mud Out Of Clothes Read More »
So you’ve got the Halloween costumes ready to go. And you’ve bought out the candy section of your local store. But have you checked trick-or-treat safety off your list yet? Think about it: Little people are tiny. A lot of creepy Halloween costume ideas (vampire, witch, spider, etc.) are dark. And in many places, trick-or-treating
Halloween Must Haves: Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips for Parents Read More »
Now that we’re moving past the worst of the pandemic, are you ready to hit the road again with your kiddos? Or perhaps even take to the skies with them? Or maybe you’re just getting out and about in taxis more. Whichever of these scenarios fits best, having the best travel carseat will make your
Best Travel Carseat Ever (Hint: it’s not a carseat!) Read More »
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a parent. And chances are good you’ve already acquired some earplugs. I’m talking maximum-decibal-blocking earplugs. If not, you need some. ASAP. I’m typing this post as I work from my temporary home office in the living room, because my regular home office is currently full of stuff that
Why All Parents Need Earplugs (In Bulk!) Read More »
Does your child help around the house? No matter what their age, if a kid can walk, they can help. (And even infants can “practice” things as a game.) Unless you have a maid or a cleaning service, getting help around the house from family members is essential. However, it’s also easier said than done,
How To Get Kids to Help Around the House: 21 Hacks Read More »
> Those of you celebrating Easter in the weeks to come (or at least taking part in Easter egg hunts) may find yourselves inundated with hard-boiled eggs soon. Deviled eggs are a definite kid-pleaser, in my house at least. And this recipe makes the YUMMIEST deviled eggs I have ever eaten. Moreover, deviled eggs are a
Julia Child-Inspired Dijon Deviled Eggs (Easter Appetizer) Read More »
As I sit down to write this post, it’s a cold and dreary January in our corner of the northern hemisphere. We’re barely back from our latest visit with family, and I haven’t even had time to unpack, let alone get to the supermarket. So I’m snacking on cheesy toasts. Correction: WAS snacking on – I polished
Recipe: Cheesy Toasts Read More »
Give Your Kids’ Closet A Makeover This Weekend With DIY Shelving: Looking for kids’ closet makeover ideas? Wondering what to do with a small closet? The best DIY closet makeover ideas don’t have to be expensive, take forever, or require the pros. This DIY kids’ closet makeover is a low-budget weekend project that’s easier than you’d think, and is great
Weekend Kids’ Closet Makeover With DIY Shelving (Easy Weekend Project) Read More »