Technology is a Poor Substitute for Social Interaction

Are your kids addicted to the internet? How much time do your kids spend looking at a screen instead of interacting with family? Parents might want to consider taking steps to limit the amount of “screen time” that their kids are getting. The New York Times has an article by Jane Brody in which she discusses the negative affects that countless hours of playing video games can have on children. It’s not just teenagers, either. Younger kids can also behave as if they are addicted to “the internet”. How does this happen? There is a Kaiser Family Foundation study that … Continue reading

Tiger Mother Parenting Can Lead to Problems

What’s your parenting style? Many parents use the same parenting style that they were raised in. It is comfortable, familiar, and fits their cultural background. Parents also strive to raise their children in a way that will teach them to become successful, self-sufficient, adults. Sometimes, it turns out that a particular parenting style is not as advantageous as people might assume. A study found that the “Tiger Mother” type of parenting is not helpful (and might do more harm than good). What is a “Tiger Mother”? The Macmillian Dictionary defines it as: a very strict mother who makes her children … Continue reading

Going to School with Kids

I have been asked several times over the last year how I could possibly manage to continue going to school with a child all while parenting alone. “How do you have time to do homework?” “Who watches your son for you?” “How do you find time to study?” “How do you keep your grades up?” All questions that have continued to come up time and time again. For the record, it hasn’t been an easy task, but here are some things that may help you attempt the college journey as a single mother. First off, don’t forget to check out … Continue reading

Handling Your Child’s Questions About Your Divorce

It’s bound to happen; sooner or later your kids are going to start asking questions about your divorce. It’s only natural. Even if they were very young when the event took place, they are going to have questions about why their family is different than their friend’s. As a parent, this can be scary. Their questions likely don’t have easy answers and it can be hard to decide how to approach such a sensitive topic with them. Remember to keep your answers appropriate for your child’s age and maturity. When they are younger a simple answer such as, “Mommy and … Continue reading

Preschool Primer Part 3 – Making The Choice

Yesterday, I described some of the types of preschool curricula that parents may encounter when they are going through the process of choosing a preschool for their toddler. Curriculum is important because it gives you an idea of what your child will be doing all day and whether there is a comfortable balance between free, creative play and structured activity. Of course, choosing a preschool is about more than just the curriculum. Today I will discuss the other factors that are a part of the preschool choosing process. Basic items like cost, location, transportation, and pick up/drop off times as … Continue reading

The Couple that Does Chores Together, Stays Together

On a recent episode of the sitcom “Raising Hope,” the married couple in the show clash over the division of their chores. They each make the other person do the chore they hate most, but by the end of the episode they’ve started doing those tasks together. They find that the jobs they hate most aren’t really so bad when they do them together. It struck me just how true to life that is (which is a rare thing to find on television). If I really don’t want to do something around the house, I’ve found it’s a lot easier … Continue reading

How do you do it?

“How do you do it?” “I could never do everything you do!” “You amaze me.” I have heard it all. I have heard how amazing I am to how I must be a master of time management. My friend told me that she could never do everything I do. I responded with, “that’s okay, I cannot either.” I am a mom, homeschooler, wife, freelance writer, blogger, and business owner. Among those aspects of my life come other “hats” and responsibilities. However, I am here to tell you that I am not amazing. I am not a master of time management. … Continue reading

How Insurers See Santa Claus

On Christmas Eve, there will be lots of children who are excitedly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. Kids tend to think of Santa as magical, and generous, and an all around nice person. Insurers, however, don’t see Santa in quite so positive a light. Instead, they see risk. Christmas Eve is, undoubtedly, Santa’s big night. This is the one night a year when he will carry a huge bag, stuffed with heavy presents, for hours at a time. He will walk on ice covered roofs, and slide down snug, (and dirt encrusted), chimneys. All of this is in an … Continue reading

Why Faith Makes All the Difference to Your Teen

Faith or religion may not be anything you talk about in your home or with your teenagers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think about it. Teenagers are in the midst of asking important life questions, such as “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” These are spiritual quests, regardless of whether they’re thought of in a traditional religious sense. I believe that every person, whether self-identified as religious or not, has these spiritual thoughts. It’s why my counseling philosophy is called ‘whole-person’ – emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual. When you treat the whole person and address each of … Continue reading

Family Game Night: Zero

Game: Zero Made by: University Games Ages: 12+ Game Synopsis: If you have always wondered what it feels like to be a complete Zero, then Zero Game is for you! Zero is the exciting family game that asks players to search their minds for the “least popular” aspects of pop culture. More than 450 people were surveyed in the US, UK, Australia and Mexico and University Games tabulated their answers to hundreds of questions. Now, you and your friends can match wits with them to see who comes up with the “least” likely answer. Each Card lists all of the … Continue reading