The First Stage of Letting Go: Sleepaway Camp
As painful as it is to set our kids free and lose control over them, in the long run they'll only grow from the time spent away at camp (and beyond.)
How to Adapt Egg Hunts for a Child With Special Needs
If you are the parent of a child with special needs or just want to shake things up a bit this Easter, try out these ideas and start some new family traditions.
10 Rules for Sharing Every Sibling Should Know
Helping kids learn about sharing is no easy feat. Sharing with grace is a long process, and might seem like an impossible goal. Here are ten ways to start.
April Fools' Day Pranks For Kids to Play on Grownups
Last night when he should have been in bed reading, my son and I huddled under his covers, bathing in the light of my iPhone while we googled the perfect April Fool's prank to play on his dad.
6 Educational and Mess-Free Activities That Entertain Traveling Kids
While traveling long distances is not a part of every family's summer plans, for some families who live far away from grandparents and extended family, this is peak travel season. A useful, thrifty...
Holiday STEAMcation: Activities for Kids During the Holiday Break
Holiday break is a great time for both you and the kids to get some much needed R&R, but without schools open, life can quickly become boring without its usual stimulation. That’s where the joy...
How to Salvage Holiday Birthdays and Make the Celebration Feel Extra Special
People with winter birthdays report being the most dissatisfied with their birth dates. The reasons are many. If a child has to have their big day smashed in between all the other big days, there ...
Reflections on the Emotional Complexity of Getting a Dog
A puppy just came into my life. This was not expected, not planned for. I have a lot on my plate already.
Why Time Outdoors Can Increase Kids' Ability to Focus
Researchers recently conducted a study exploring how green spaces surrounding children’s homes impact their cognitive development.
33 No-Tech, Super Fun Activities to Keep Kids Busy on Winter Break
It's time to get (modestly) creative with cheap, tech-free activities for elementary school-aged kids.
What We're Listening To: Ear Hustle Podcast
I don’t say this lightly: Ear Hustle is the best podcast of 2017. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s warm. It’s sincere. It’s gripping. It’s nuanced. It horrifying.
Practicing Reverence for the Wild
Rows and rows of pansies. Blue, yellow, red. Tulip swirls, concentric circles of prim rose bushes.
Yes, It Was a 16th Birthday Party, But "Sweet" Isn't How You'd Describe It
Wild at heart, wild animals, Wild Thang, walk on the wild side … holy moly COW, you ain’t seen “wild” until you host your 16-year-old’s surprise party.
What We're Listening To: "Heaving Bosoms" Podcast
Yes, this podcast is called “Heaving Bosoms.” If you find that endearing and hilarious, then more than likely you will find this podcast to be the same.
What We’re Listening To: Story Pirates
What do whoopee cushions, dino bank robbers, and dogs’ rights have in common? They’re all subjects of the hilarious podcast Story Pirates.
What We're Listening To: Circle Round Podcast
While I'm a huge fan of podcasts for adults, there's a special place in my heart for kids’ podcasts.
What We’re Listening To: "By the Book" Podcast
Each week we suggest a new podcast to add to your playlist. Up this week: the half reality show, half self-help podcast "By the Book."
How to Shop for Kids with Insufferable Hippie Parents
If you have hippie-ish parents in your life, and you're panicking about how to shop for their kids, you aren't alone.
The Toys That Have Captured Kids' Imaginations For Decades
For 100 years, toy manufacturers have challenged themselves to produce the next great…cardboard box. These, which have stood the test of time, come close.
This Orchestral Playlist is a Sleigh Ride Without the Whining That Everyone is Cold
These orchestral music pieces will evoke the feeling of a magical winter ride and excite your imagination of gliding on a sparkling snow-covered landscape.
"Oprah's Favorite Things 2017" - the Reality Edition
I took a look at some of these items and, no offense to Queen Oprah, but I beg to differ.
Why Blocks Are the Ultimate Toy for Kids of All Ages
Knowing block play has cognitive benefits that extend beyond the toddler years, how can we encourage kids to stay engaged and interested in them?
I’ve tried everything to get my own kids to turn off the lights. I’ve been stern, threatening to take away their prized possessions.
Teaching Kids to Explore Through Play Instead of Literacy
Could it be that learning to read at a later age could have benefits, both for children now and the adults they become?