It's hard to tell what group a specific toyline is really targeted at. You can watch a PG-13 movie about a superhero and then see him in a children's cartoon geared towards 10 year-olds, then find a toy at the store for ages 3 and up. For example, let's take the recent glut of Marvel superhero movies, … [Read more...]
Weekly Allowances For Your Kids: Per Chore Or Set Rate?
June 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
When I was growing up, my dad gave us an allowance of $1 every Friday. Sure, it doesn't seem like much, but at the time, it might as well have been $100. In the 80s there were still corner drugstores with penny candy and other childhood indulgences, like Garbage Pail Kids trading cards.We loved our allowances, … [Read more...]
Prevent Baby Product Clutter By Concentrating On Quality Essentials
June 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
When my oldest son came along, we went nuts buying everything we just knew we'd need. Between our purchases and gifts from family and friends, visitors would have thought we had eight children. It's mind-boggling how much stuff one little person, who can't even roll over yet, can own and how fast all … [Read more...]
Mommy and Me Moments: Take a Class Together and Connect
May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My sons have a lot in common, like the movies they enjoy and the foods they like to munch. Still, they have interests that are as individual as they are and we want to celebrate and nurture those differences to help them grow up to value themselves and the things that make them their own little men. As … [Read more...]
Be On Your Best Behavior; Your Children Are Watching
April 28, 2011 By 1 Comment
Children learn from the world around them, especially their parents and siblings. Your daughter (or son) is like a tiny sponge, soaking in everything she sees and hears in her environment. She's easily influenced by the example you set, and will start to process your behavior and use it as guidelines … [Read more...]
Chore Lists Help Parents Gauge Kids’ Level of Responsibility
April 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Yesterday, my husband and I had errands to run and my 5-year-old had no interest in going. He knew from experience that he wasn't exactly going to have a blast paying bills and getting the family grocery-getter an oil change, so he suggested he just hang out at home. Um, yeah. That was a whole bowlful … [Read more...]
Mamas, Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
April 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I often think about the future for my children and what they are going to be when they eventually grow up. I think every parent sees a spark of natural talent during their little one's childhood and envisions their baby scoring the winning touchdown or saving the world from some strange disease. The … [Read more...]
Arranging Play Dates for Young Children
March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Once your child is in school, he will start making friends, and will naturally want to play with them outside of the classroom. Setting up play dates with children and families you're unfamiliar with can be a little stressful, but with these simple tips, you and your child can have a great play date … [Read more...]
