While my husband and I were house hunting we never took the children with us. When we did select a house, we waited until the contract was accepted before showing the children their new home. Then we has to sell our old house. We packed away the messiest toys and when someone called to see the house, we’d play the “pick-up game”. I’s race the children to see … Continue reading From Moms to Moms: Moving
Fall is a great time to go outdoors and LOOK. Teach your children to notice things- patterns on the ground, the sun shining through the leaves, the many shades of leaves, various bark trees. A nature walk could include taking a book along to identify birds, trees, leaves, and bugs. Best medication for TEETHING TODDLERS crushed ice! Give child spoon and little dish of ice. Really … Continue reading This Works for Me!
Remember how you felt in September when you were child getting ready for school? The newness, the excitement. Were you eager to see your friends again? Did the excitement wear off by the end of September as you look forward to June again? Recall buying new clothes, new shoes, pencils, erasers, rulers, copybooks with blank pages waiting to be filled. I was always full of … Continue reading See you in September….
For some, learning is something we are forced to do. It is a chore- a sentence. For 12 years we must go to school. I hear parents say to little ones, “Get used to it.” Yet, a “grin and bear it” attitude takes away from learning. Most of us believe that learning should be fun; that learning is growing; that each year should be like kindergarden- lots … Continue reading Homeschooling: An Option (part 1)
For variety, make sandwiches using hamburger buns, hot dog buns or whole wheat bread. Include one chocolate “kiss”. Adds a little sweetness and lots of love. Make jello with lots of fresh fruits (add when jello is partially set.) Sen to school in thermos. Add fun stickers or holiday stickers to sandwich bags. Warm soup in the morning and send in a thermos. Add a … Continue reading Lunch Box Delights
Trade Skills with another mother. Swap lessons in cooking, arts and crafts, sewing, make-up. You teach her children and she’ll teach yours. Straws: Use “fun” straws, bendable or looped ones, to encourage kids to drink more fluids. Save popsicle sticks and make planes, crosses, photo frames. Use your imagination! Use baking soda to remove skid marks on floors, stove tops. Works great! Play CD’s during … Continue reading This Works for Me!
When you get home from the grocery store with fresh fruit and vegetables, cut them up and store them in individual containers for easy to grab snacks. Fill up reusable water bottles and store in the refrigerator for easy to grab cold water. Keep a drawer, at children’s height, full of healthy snacks for them to grab when they want something to eat. This makes … Continue reading Kitchen Kapers
When it’s time to think about finding new schools for the children. Knowing what you expect and want from a school is crucial to satisfying your children’s needs. Visit and gather information about the area schools. Remember visits should be exchange of information rather than an “interview”. The following suggestions will help with your search. Meet the Principle What is his/her philosophy about education? What is … Continue reading Finding a New School
I have a laundry basket for each child that I put their clean clothes in. To encourage them to put them away I put a TREAT at the bottom of the pile! (Connie Nokes-Roberts) NIGHTMARE BEAR- a sutffed teddy bear, names by her children, is used when they need comforting. (Connie Nokes-Roberts) Have “DATES” with your children. Make it a point to spend extra time with the … Continue reading This Works for Me!
Oldie but goodie. Place a drop of oil in the pot when boiling potatoes or macaroni to keep from boiling over. Steam vegetables instead of boiling. Save water from steaming and use that liquid for adding to soups, gravies or rice. It is vitamin rich. The sturdy package inside your cereal box is great for shake and bake items. Crumbs from the cereal can be used … Continue reading Kitchen Kapers
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 