August 8, 2016 These days, it’s infinitely easier to outfit your kids for dorm life than it was when you and I went to college. Before the dawn of online shopping, I remember how my parents searched for extra-large boxes and an old-fashioned steamer trunk large enough to hold bedding, lamps, wall decorations, posters, and…
August 23, 2016 Summer break seems to start off slow—and then suddenly it’s over. As the dog days of sleeping in wind down and the early morning alarm clocks start ringing, it’s enough to make any mom get a little overwhelmed. Take a deep breath. Slow down and remember these five tips to help deal with…
September 7, 2016 As the season starts to turn and the leaves begin to fall, it’s a great time to do a little home fall cleanup. Where do we get all the stuff that clutters our homes, and why do we hold on to it, anyway? Experts say if a possession is not useful, beautiful, valuable,…
September 20, 2016 Instead of sending your kids to school with the same snack day after day, why not let them create their own healthy, homemade trail mix? Who know—if they make it themselves, maybe they won’t trade it away! What to Buy Head to your local wholesale food store or a place like Sprouts or…
September 15, 2016 For nearly two years, we thought maybe my daughter was possessed. It felt like every interaction consisted of a sneer and a critical comment. Our family started to wonder if she’d somehow swapped bodies with an angry badger. Then it happened. She started her period. And everything changed again. Here’s the weird…
June 5, 2021 Life is short—yet many of us spend time wondering what we should do with our lives, rather than actually going out there and trying. As hockey legend Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” It’s important to actually strike out and follow your heart—even if…
September 29, 2016 A few days ago, I drove by my grandfather’s old house. He passed away quite a while ago and another family member lives there now. But the house made me think of him. I smiled over specific memories: the way you could always hear him coming because he whistled when he walked, how…
October 19, 2016 A few weeks ago, when some friends and I were venting about the chaos of raising kids, dodging hormones, and generally just surviving until their eighteenth birthday, my friend told us about her easy-going child who occasionally sits on the couch and melts down. What struck me about her comments wasn’t that…
October 24, 2016 On any Monday, you can find us shuttling off to swim where my daughter has been on the team for over a year. She settled on swim after two disastrous seasons of soccer, a few dance classes, a hula class, boot camp, and several other failed attempts to find a form of exercise…
November 15, 2016 With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving right around the corner, the time to embrace autumn is rapidly coming to an end. I admit I’m kind of a purist. I love the season and want to savor it until December, despite the fact that Christmas decorations started appearing even before Thanksgiving this year. But…
November 25, 2016 This fall season passed with all the subtly and speed of a runaway train. I can’t believe that we are staring the holiday season in the face. I recently found myself thinking about all of the things I have—and haven’t—accomplished in the last two months. Then it occurred to me: Thanksgiving hasn’t even passed and…
December 5, 2016 It’s the holiday season again. Deck the halls. Hang the stockings with care. Roast the chestnuts. Traditions are everywhere. You probably have a variety of activities you do with your kids. Our family has several traditions: everyone gets new pajamas on Christmas Eve, for example, and we always go out to see the Christmas lights. I was…
December 3, 2016 This article is sponsored by Mattel. It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time to buy gifts for all the kids on your list! Barbie® is a toy that never goes out of style. Kids, young and old, love Barbie and her ever-growing line of clothing, accessories, and products. Our Social Moms…
December 6, 2016 This post is sponsored by Mattel. With the holidays nearly upon us, I keep begging my children to put together their gift lists. I like to get my shopping done early, but I never know what’s popular now and what gifts are going to stick through December and into the new year!…
December 9, 2016 This post is sponsored by Mattel. The holidays are here, and it’s time to buy those last minute gifts. My favorite age to shop for is preschoolers; younger children aren’t picky about their clothes or electronics. They just want bright wrapping and toys to have fun with! Our Social Moms are very…
January 12, 2017 In the last round of parent-teacher conferences last year, I heard my daughter’s teachers use the term growth mindset. You may have heard your children’s teachers (or your children themselves) talking about this approach as well. But what exactly is a growth mindset? It refers to psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on how people…
January 10, 2017 Typical science textbooks or programs will tell you that Einstein received the Nobel Prize. That Marie Curie was the first woman granted a physics degree from the best college in France. Traditional education focuses on the achievements and accolades of famous scientists. Meanwhile, it’s a general trend that as students advance through middle…
August 19, 2011 Most children entering middle school are facing major changes as they get ready for back to school. Lockers, fashion, the opposite sex, academics … all of these things can stress your child and make that transition to middle school harder. As a parent, we want to help our children make the transition…
August 18, 2011 Every parent wants their child to use their creative side to create crafts, especially on those rainy days. But what to do with all the drawings, paper boats, clay animals and popsicle stick people? Instead of shoving these projects in a drawer, why not have your children make practical crafts that can…
September 6, 2011 Once the excitement of the new back to school year begins to ebb away; the new supplies become used; the clothes and uniforms all become worn how will you keep your child focused? How will you keep things from becoming too habitual? Here are some tips that will keep the excitement in…
September 8, 2011 It’s back to school time, the book bags are packed, the clothes or uniforms are ready to go and you actually managed to get the kids to bed on time. You’ve already met the teacher at orientation and you’ve made sure all their homework is done. Why a Parent/Teacher conference when there…
September 30, 2011 Nothing impacts a child’s life more than the ability to read. According to UNICEF, the statistics are frightening, “Nearly a billion people will enter the 21st century unable to read a book ….” As your child’s first teacher, you are well positioned to give your child the early reading skills he or…
September 9, 2011 Time outs are a part of nearly every parent’s discipline arsenal as we strive for a peaceful home … but honestly, do they really work? Many experts say no. Time outs may work in the short term, they say, but in the long run don’t help children learn to make better behavioral…
June 7, 2021 We all know the last year has taken a hit on finances. Are you deciding to return to the classroom this fall? Perhaps you are taking a course online, working toward a certificate, or going to school full-time for a degree. This can pose quite the challenge for mothers of young children….
October 6, 2011 Looking for something fun and unique to do with your kids? Consider splitting up and spending precious one-on-one time with your child by taking her on a date. My kids just GLOW when they get a parent all to themselves. It doesn’t even matter what you do, it’s the time together that’s…
October 5, 2011 Autumn is one of my favorite times of year, the smells, the changing of the weather are truly glorious! In the busyness of a new season of school activities and sports and prep for the holidays, sometimes it is hard to remember what Autumn really brings. Here are our top ten ways to…
October 17, 2011 When my daughter began Kindergarten last year I was beside myself with excitement. As a former First Grade Teacher, with my Master’s Degree in Reading and Language Arts, I felt I had prepared her well. I was shocked to get a call a few weeks into the new school year from her…
October 4, 2011 Ever heard of the Candy Fairy? You may want to incorporate this into your Halloween traditions. With the welcome arrival of cooler temperatures and the month of October, our thoughts turn to planning Halloween festivities, choosing costumes, and trick-or-treating with our children. Do you know how trick-or-treating got its start? Its beginnings…
October 9, 2011 Congratulations to Kiboomu: the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! It’s no secret that children love signing. Whether it’s crooning to the songs on the radio, or chanting a nursery rhyme, kids learn and absorb a wealth of information via music. One site that brings music together with a variety of different printable…
October 21, 2011 Sometimes it’s more fun, feasible, and less-expensive to make your own art supplies, rather than running to the local store and stocking up again when your kids use the last bit of finger paint. Recently I hosted four little boys at my house and had to rely on my make-it-from-scratch skills. I…
November 3, 2011 Why do I like the classics? My favorite era for authors is the mid 1800’s to mid 1900’s. To me it seems as though the writing is stronger and more detailed. When you read an author such as J.R.R. Tolkien, CS Lewis or Louisa May Alcott and compare the writings against a…
January 6, 2012 Every parent can attest that having young children means more messes, and more clutter. The increase in housework can cause parents to stress about the chores, and they start to miss out on personal time or playtime with the kids. However, once your kids reach the age of mobility and following simple…
January 11, 2012 As I approach the due date of my second child I finally got my hospital bag packed and it sure looks different than my first one. What’s the difference? Well, I have a lot less packed this time around, that’s for sure. When I packed my hospital bag the first time, I…
October 27, 2011 Halloween night is only a couple days away. This means our children are getting excited and anxious to put on their new costumes and fill up those candy buckets. But, before setting out on your Trick-or-Treat journey, make sure you follow a few simple steps to help ensure the safety of our…
October 12, 2011 Not only is it less expensive to create homemade Halloween costumes for your kids, it gets your creative juices flowing and the kids can help with the preparations. Here are ten fun ideas for homemade costumes this year…. Scarecrow This is always a family favorite. For the makeup, paint small circles on…
October 14, 2011 Brushing kids’ teeth can be extremely challenging. One of the most important things you can do as a parent is establish a routine with brushing your children’s teeth. Here are some things to do, and not do, when it comes to keeping your child’s teeth healthy and clean. DOs Use distractions. When…
May 28, 2012 Potty training is one of those trials all parents face. Some parents start as early as 18 months to potty train their kids but I personally waited until my daughter was 2 years old to start. Here are some of the tips that worked for us. Be patient. Patience is a must…
October 23, 2011 Congratulations to 2 Wired 2 Tired: the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! With so many parenting blogs out there, its hard to know who to pick. What I liked about the 2 Wired 2 Tired blog is that Tésa and her team give a good mix of personal blogging, parenting blogging, travel…
October 31, 2011 Children and teens exposed to profanity in television and video games are more likely to show aggressive behavior, according to research published in Pediatrics. The study looked at how kids viewed profanity and measured their aggression. They evaluated physical aggression, i.e. kicking or hitting others, as well as relational aggression. An example…
October 30, 2011 Congratulations to Momnificent: the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! Being a mom can be stressful and amazing and difficult and fun all at the same time. I enjoy how Lori Radun keeps it all in perspective on her website, Momnificent. I especially appreciated her recent post, 5 Ways to Zap Mommy Guilt…
November 1, 2011 As kids grow up it can be more and more difficult to find unique and fun ways to connect with them. I work with teens and tweens, and even as a 26-year-old, they are often more honest with me than most of their parents. I asked them what kinds of things they…
November 17, 2011 Raising kids is hard work. And the only thing harder then raising kids, I think, is being a kid. Our children are bombarded with messages from the media, and their peers, about what they are supposed to like, how they are supposed to dress and what opinions they should have. It is…
November 2, 2011 WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutritional programs) can be an awesome resource for parents on limited incomes. However, you get a lot of baby cereal. After a lot of research I opted to skip the traditional white rice baby cereal phase of feedings and go straight for single ingredient baby foods and…
November 2, 2011 WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutritional programs) can be an awesome resource for parents on limited incomes. However, you get a lot of baby cereal. After a lot of research I opted to skip the traditional white rice baby cereal phase of feedings and go straight for single ingredient baby foods and…
January 23, 2012 There is a theory that it is harder to potty train boys than girls. But as a mom of two boys and my closest friends having boys, I can say that our boys were potty trained by the time they were two. In other words, six boys were potty trained between the…