Lucky Charms and Donuts for Breakfast
I've accepted that my in-laws consider "spoiling kids" with sugary treats part of their grandparent job description.
The Milestones That Don't Make Baby Books, Like Smart-Assery
First steps, successful potty training, emerging teeth- all milestones worthy of the baby book. But maybe we should make room for some new ones.
I Was Rejected by Sub Pop in 1993 – But My Kids Think I’m a Rockstar
I bet you didn’t know I used to be a rock star. In my suburban bedroom. Beyond singing into a hairbrush, I spent my teenage years with an acoustic guitar, a black and white composition book, and ...
Audio Stories for Family Road Trips and Back-to-School
We've previously mentioned how much we love Sparkle Stories. They produce wonderful original audio stories full of non-preachy life lessons, happiness, and humor for kids up to about third grade. B...
When You Think Your Kids Aren't Listening, Read This
This week I had a daily gift. For the first time in nine months, I had a few hours to myself each day. You might think this is a small gift, but I don't. I’m a parent of young kids, a full-time tea...
Try This Next Time Your Kids Ignore You - And Before You Start Yelling
As parents, most of us will ask our kids to get dressed, or brush their teeth, or go get their homework so we can get in the car. As kids, they typically ignore that first request. We then follow...
Food Shopping With Kids – Fantasy Versus Reality
It starts with thinking "?I just need a few things. I’ll take the kids to the local market. It’ll be fun." This is magical thinking, really. You see…
Tips for Helping Kids (And Parents) Enjoy Family Roadtrips
A quick video of tips for less annoying family roadtrips - including how to answer "are we there yet?" for the 1000th time.
8 So-Called Life Lessons Learned On "Fun" Family Roadtrips
There's still time to load up the Wagon Queen Family Truckster and hit the holiday road before summer ends. You'll definitely learn something on this trip.
As the parent of a little girl, I can say for certain that raising her to be a strong leader is an everyday consideration. Yet in reviewing the research of Harvard Graduate School of Education's ...
Our obsession with safety is harming our kids - Salon.com
In this age of parenting, it seems one of our main objectives is "keeping our kids safe." But safe from what? Is the fear that guides our need to hover even logical? And what sort of people will ...
A Day in the Life of a New Mom: Live-Tweeted
5:02 a.m. Holy cow, its five a.m. 5:05 a.m. hey, where my early risers at? The baby is hungry and I need entertainment!
Another summer, another year, another collection of days caught like fireflies in a jar and let go again. It’s nothing we planned. It’s everything we hope for. Light slanting, days shifting, circad...
Helping Your Child Develop Resiliency Through Healthy Social Interest
The healthiest human beings are those with the highest social interest. If we want to ensure that our children are emotionally healthy, we must raise them in a home where parents demonstrate social...
Parents on Social Media: Pew Research Findings
According to a new study by Pew Research Center, 75% of parents use social media and while mothers may be more engaged, both tend to lean on their online networks for parenting advice. Read t...
I cant think of any photos of just me since my son was born. I cant think of any at all. I take pictures of Robin and I together, a duo framed. We look straight into the sun. We show our hands to...
5 New Affirmations for Parents
All parents need a little positive thinking and self-empowerment about the excruciating, uh, beautiful job of parenting. Here are some quotes that sum it up.
The easy guide to explaining truly scary geopolitical events to your kids without freaking them out
We have long debated how much our children should actually know about the world around them, including the unpleasant stuffIslamic State, Charleston, and so on. It seems time for a broader set of...
Take This Quick Survey About Screen Time and Kids
We're asking real parents to share their family tech habits in this 60-second survey. We'll publish results on July 17.
7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Parents
"Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" translated into less-than-steller parenting moments that were all guilty of.
As a parent, it's likely that your number one concern is your child's health. But recent studies suggest that perhaps we're seeing what we want to see when it comes to the lives they're actually l...
The 9 Circles of Parenting Hell, Illustrated
Limbo. Hoarding. Wrath. Scabies. Just a few of the nine circles of parenting hell, illustrated by Sarah Woodard.
How to encourage self motivation in your kids
Thoughtful encouragement is a powerful way to rid you and your family or your classroom of sticker charts, bribing, and reminding forever.
(Questionable) parenting tricks that work like that a charm
Over the years, I've picked up some really effective parenting tricks, thatas a generous fellow parentI feel obligated to share with you now.