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Playing with Toys

I stepped out of my comfort zone today. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’ve been seeing a therapist to work through some of my issues regarding my divorce and the men in my life. I fought against it for months, but finally gave in because I knew I needed the help to get past these fears. We usually go into a room, talk about my hopes, my dreams, my fears, talk about some solutions, and then I’m on my way until the next week. So when she told me we’d be meeting in the play room today I … Continue reading →

Playing With Dolls

When I was a little girl I loved my dolls. I would make up elaborate scenarios for my babies and had the best time playing house and being mommy. I gave all my babies names and my mom made doll clothes for them. Many of them had stays at the doll hospital and I was anxious until their return. I would save my allowance and any other money that came my way so I could buy more dolls. I loved to brush their hair and even taught myself to French braid on a doll’s head. My toddler is obsessed with … Continue reading →

Does Your Daughter Like Dolls?

My young daughter owns a Barbie. A single sneaker clad Barbie that sits untouched in the corner of our family room. The reason the iconic doll is even in our home is that she came with a trio of peeing and pooping puppies. My 5-year-old doll-loathing daughter happens to love dogs and went gaga when she discovered that she could get her hands on a bunch of potty training pups. The only problem: In order to get a family of urinating dogs, my daughter would have to (gulp!) buy an actual (gasp!) Barbie (gag!) doll. Barbie’s Potty Training Pups are … Continue reading →

Playing Santa

There is a lot of Secret Santa’s running around this year but also some not-so-secret. (This photo by Jacob Windham is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License ) If you remember, famous secret Santa Larry Stewart died almost two years ago, but not before giving out an estimated $1.3 million dollars. He used to give out $100 bills on the streets of Kansas City to anyone who looked like they needed it. Ill and knowing his end was near, Stewart told a friend how much he would miss his anonymous giveaways. The friend, whose name has not been revealed, … Continue reading →

Things Your Preschooler Learns While Playing Part 2

Are you concerned that your preschooler is too busy playing to learn anything? It seems to be a constant theme for homeschooling moms who want to see some measurable progress in their child. Well, do not worry, your child really is learning. In part 1 of things your preschooler learns while playing. I wrote about the importance of playing with Lego’s and driving toy cars, among other things. Here is Part 2 of things your preschooler learns while playing. Playing with dolls: Roll playing with dolls can teach preschoolers many important life skills. The natural lesson for many children is … Continue reading →

The Importance of Playing with Your Child

Many parents work and have busy lives. Because of all of the activities and chores that must be completed, most parents spend very little time actually playing and talking with their children. Many parents would like to spend more time playing with their children but simply are unsure how. Adults are set in the fast pace of the world and have a hard time slowing down to do much of anything, including taking the time to listen to what children need and want. I am guilty of this myself. It can be difficult to sit down to play dolls or … Continue reading →

Muslim “Barbie” Dolls Coming To A Store Near You… Maybe

If you have ever left a toy store frustrated because you were not able to find a modestly dressed doll I have good news for you. An Indonesian mother who couldn’t find a Barbie-like doll dressed in conservative fashions finally took matters into her own hands. Sukmawati Suryaman spent months designing the Salma Muslim doll for parents out there looking to inspire the virtue of modesty among young girls. The 28-year-old mother-of-one’s new creation exploded on the toy scene and now the Salma doll is the latest must-have toy for girls in Indonesia. The name Salma is derived from the … Continue reading →

Playing In The Kitchen

If you are like me you spend plenty of time in the kitchen. This includes making meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. Then there is the clean up time, washing down the cupboards and stove, and putting the dishes in the dishwasher. (I love my dishwasher! My parents didn’t get a dishwasher until my sister and I were both out of the house in fact it was just a week after my sister got married. My dad’s reasoning: “Why buy a dishwasher when you already have two?” So I grew up doing my fair share of dishes by hand.) … Continue reading →

Babies are not Baby Dolls

My 5 year old is very eager for us to have a second child. For two years, she has asked us repeatedly about when we were going to give her a little brother or little sister. While I recognize her desire to expand her family and to have more people to love, it’s important to recognize that just because your older child wants something, they may not know exactly what they are asking for. Older Sister in Training My nephew is 11 months old and will celebrate his first birthday in September. It hardly feels like a year since he … Continue reading →

Ways to Practice Gender Neutral Parenting

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Many of us grew up with the idea that certain toys and activities were only for one gender of child. There were toys for girls, and toys for boys, and our parents may have steered us towards one or the other. Today, things are very different. Now is a good time to practice gender neutral parenting. When I was a little kid, I was taught that girls were supposed to play with dolls and enjoy kitchen sets and playing dress up. The boys in my kindergarten were taught that boys were supposed to play with trucks and blocks. Today, things … Continue reading →