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A Very Chocolate Christmas

Just because the CDC issued a warning not to allow kids to consume raw cookie dough, doesn’t mean you should put the kibosh on holiday baking with your little ones. My 7-year-old loves to help out in the kitchen, especially this time of year when she can fine-tune her cookie-creating skills. In addition to fostering your child’s creative side, baking also allows kids to sharpen their math skills. By giving them the chance to assist you in the kitchen, youngsters also get schooled in time management, teamwork, and depending on how well the recipe turns out, you will likely see … Continue reading →

Get Kids Involved in Christmas Prep

As the days dwindle down to Christmas, kids can do more than just sit around and look cute. Since the countdown to Christmas is typically a chaotic period, why not channel your child’s creative energy to help lighten your load? The following hands-on activities are ideal for moms, dads and kids to bond. What’s more, the projects give youngsters the gift of inclusion. Kids love feeling like they are part of the hoopla surrounding this hectic time of the year, so get them started on these seasonal decorations: Popcorn Wreaths: Cut out a large circle from a piece of heavy … Continue reading →

How to Make Christmas Entertaining Fun for Kids

Rather than letting them sit in front of the TV while you run around like a decapitated chicken preparing for your annual holiday party, get your kids involved in the process. Children are great helpers, especially if you give them specific tasks to accomplish. To keep them engaged, have them work on age appropriate jobs. For example, if you have a preschooler, task him with creating colorful homemade placemats made from construction paper, markers and glitter glue. (You can laminate their masterpieces when they are done.) Likewise, you can get your teens involved in party prep by having them make … Continue reading →

Family Christmas Gift Wrapping Party

A gift-wrapping party is a lot of fun. It also helps gift-wrapping go by quickly. Everyone lends a hand and has a good time doing so. Of course, you’ll have to stash presents that are for your spouse and children, but the gifts you purchased for grandparents, other family members, friends, and teachers, can all be piled up in one place for the party. Select a nice assortment of wrapping paper and collect plenty of packages of tape and some extra pairs of scissors (suitable for children). Gather nametags, bows, ribbons, and decorative items or candies that you would like … Continue reading →

Why Pets Aren’t Good Presents

This goes without saying, but you can never say it too often because it happens every year: don’t give pets as presents.  If you’re thinking about gifting a pet to someone you love this year, consider very carefully.  Pets are lifelong commitments and responsibilities, not fun presents. Now, I can think of one context in which it could be OK to give a pet for a present: if the person receiving asked for it, knew that’s what they were getting, and understood the responsibilities involved.  That means in most cases, it’s not appropriate to get pets as gifts for children: … Continue reading →

Embrace Your Mistakes + Snow Globe Sugar Cookie Recipe

Many parents feel uncomfortable appearing less than perfect around their children.  Ironically, childhood experts maintain that moms and dads, who unabashedly show their children that making mistakes is part of life, give their kids a priceless gift and a leg up in the real world. Well, Hallelujah!  I’ve finally done something right in the eyes of so-called parenting experts. My kid sees me mess up all the time.  Okay, maybe not all.the.time.  Still, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes… and then some.  However, in making my litany of blunders, I’ve learned another important lesson.  By embracing your imperfections you … Continue reading →

Family

Ever feel like a chicken with its head cut off? That’s what December does to me. I’ve always gone a little bit crazy at Christmas and as a single mother I kept all those crazy traditions, the difference now is that I have to do everything myself. As stressful as it can be at times I love every minute of it. And there is a little selfish part of me that’s glad I don’t have to share the fun stuff with someone else. Yes, putting the tree up alone is kind of a pain sometimes but making hot chocolate and … Continue reading →

Encouraging Your Teens to Eat Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day… so the saying goes. But try telling that to your family! My younger brother used to hit the snooze on his alarm clock until the last possible second, then throw on some close and rush off to high school without eating. There are lots of “good” reasons for skipping breakfast: I wanted to sleep in. There’s nothing good to eat. It takes too long to make something. I’m not hungry when I first wake up. I want to lose weight. But research has shown that eating breakfast can help boost concentration … Continue reading →

Author Interview: Sandra Grey, the Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for our third and final installment of our interview with LDS author Sandra Grey. If you missed parts one or two, click here to get caught up. Sandra, you just released your first novel, “Traitor.” How long did it take you to write this book? I wrote the first draft in six months. But of course the first draft is not the entire process. I began writing in the middle of September 2005 and “Traitor” was finally ready for publication (including several months of rewrites, edits, waiting for cover design, title decisions, and reviews, etc.) … Continue reading →