Ways to Embrace the Ordinary

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Jen Thorpe

All of us spend our free time doing little things that we find amusing. We take a break and watch a funny video on YouTube. Or we spend time browsing through Facebook or Twitter and passing along whatever caught our attention. At the end of the day, this often leaves people feeling unfulfilled. One way to bring meaning to your life is to find ways to embrace the ordinary. You’ve got five minutes left on your break. Which would you rather do: watch a funny video, or read about a random conversation you had a month ago? Amie M. Gordon, … Continue reading →

Oh The Ways That They Play

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Sara Berthiaume

As your toddler grows, he or she can learn to play in different and more challenging ways. Teaching toddlers basic games like tag or hide and seek is a fun way to play together and help your toddler learn new things. The other day, I laughed so hard as I started teaching Dylan how to play hide and seek. First of all, it is so cute to hear him counting, even though the numbers are not quite in the right order. Also, since it takes time to learn how to play a new game, he was having a little trouble … Continue reading →

Toddlers And Sharing

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Sara Berthiaume

Sharing is one of those things that every parent wishes would come naturally for their child. Of course, sharing does not come naturally to toddlers. The ability to share grows in a person as the ability to empathize develops. Empathy is the ability to recognize and understand what another person is feeling, and empathy is a complex emotional skill that develops slowly throughout childhood. In other words, expecting a toddler to share is not realistic. That does not mean that a toddler should be allowed to hog all of the toys at play group, or to snatch toys away from … Continue reading →

Talking To Toddlers About Major Storms

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Sara Berthiaume

It seems as though it has been weeks since reports about Hurricane Sandy first started to appear all over the news and all other forms of media. In reality, it has only been about a week since coverage of the storm and its anticipated path started. If you are a parent of young children, you may certainly be concerned about keeping your family safe. However, you are probably equally concerned with keeping the kids calm. When everybody is preparing for a storm like Sandy, things look and feel different wherever you go. Little ones can see and feel the differences … Continue reading →

A Not So Funny Thing Happened Today

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Sara Berthiaume

As difficult as being a stay at home mom to a toddler and an infant can be, I would not trade it for any other set of circumstances in the world. On days where things are not going so well, it is easy to day dream about what my life might be like if I were working and the boys were at day care. Today, something happened that made it absolutely clear to me that home with my boys is really where my heart is. We were in the car, going home from the grocery store. Dylan was munching on … Continue reading →

When Teen Siblings Don’t Get Along

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Stephanie Romero

Things in my home have gotten a little out of control lately. I think it’s a combination of hormones and the typical teenage angst that has my preteen and two teens going at it. At one time it used to be that at least two of my children would be on good terms but lately all three have been on the outs. It has been very frustrating to hear one yelling at another, one telling the other to “shut up,” slamming doors in each other’s faces and protesting to me how unfair life is because of their sibling. At times … Continue reading →

Dr. Seuss Quotes for Scrapbooking

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Richele McFarlin

Dr. Seuss books are among the most purchased and beloved children’s books of all time. I never tire of reading these books and my children never tire of hearing the books. Dr. Seuss books open the door of imagination for both children and adults. Who can forget “Green Eggs and Ham” or “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”? I think I can recite many of the poems or lines from the poems from memory. I love thinking about wishing a wish on an Ish Wish Dish! Bring this imagination to your scrapbook by using Dr. Seuss quotes to … Continue reading →

Ignoring the Syllabus – Personal Peril

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Kyle Conway

Remember how important the syllabus is? Remember my frustration as an instructor with students who don’t follow the syllabus? Before you start thinking I’m going to yell at you I’d like to make an admission: I ignore the syllabus too. I don’t mean to, but I do. It happened this week. I showed up to class having read a great deal of material and having a freshly printed response paper to the readings in hand. Then I saw it: other students with other papers. “What’s due today?” I asked. The response stopped my heart. “A two to three page review … Continue reading →

Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Wife

Posted on October 29, 2008 by Courtney Mroch

A couple of months ago I confessed that I was a stay-at-home wife and I explained how that had happened. I also admitted I was embarrassed about it, and laughed at an article that suggested stay-at-home wives were a new “trend.” Oh yeah, for a while there I was on a stay-at-home wife kick. I plan to revisit the issue briefly with some confessions about my life as a stay-at-home wife. As usual, comments are welcomed. I’ll be curious to hear what some of you have to say about this blog. Confession #1: Sometimes I Feel Guilty It’s not like … Continue reading →