childhood

5 things I wish I had known about children’s vision correction

1. Even without signs of vision delays, your little one may still need sight correction.

I’m so proud of my childrens’ growth—but it also breaks my heart

Maybe this is why we cringe at the passing of time and their growing maturity—because it forces us to grow, too.

How I kissed my mommy guilt goodbye

And focused on what REALLY matters.

How to help turn your kids’ business ideas into reality

These kidpreneurs are seriously inspiring us.

Bedtime is the one thing I’m strict about

Bedtime is what keeps me going. ?

Please, if my kid’s out of line, tell him what to do

We’re failing our kids if they think we’re the only ones who will ever correct them in life.

I’m not letting ticks ruin our summer

At a certain point of my tick-research, I think I have become so pissed at these ticks that I just decided to started living.

Raising kids away from family is hard, but you can do it

By growing our family away from extended family (and their help), we’ve learned that there is nothing more valuable than creating a strong network of friends who are like family.

My 3-year-old does these 7 tasks for himself—because they empower him

And because it’s teaching him self-sufficiency and responsibility. (Plus, it’s helpful to mama!) 

My child, when I see a mess—you see a masterpiece

I see a mess. You see a masterpiece. I see trash. You see independence.

Why I’m raising my child wild

You can't teach the fun of “getting down and dirty." It must be experienced.

You’ll never be 3 again…

Your fourth birthday is coming and we will celebrate another year—but I will mourn the passing of the days, too.

11 creative gift ideas for children—that aren’t toys

After much thought and deliberation, I had to find a polite way to put a stop to all the toys and—believe it or not—our family and friends thought it was the best idea ever.

My family’s big summer plans: Do nothing

After realizing I’m in my third trimester, have a 3 year old and an 18 month old *and* don’t want to go broke this summer—I decided to take the perfection-planning-pressure off completely.

Our carefree summer: Why I’m not worrying about my kids getting messy

I don’t want them to worry for a second about the pizza sauce on their face or the ice pop stain on their shirt or the dirt on their feet.

15 ways you can show your kids you love them—every day

When they are trying to talk to you, or you’re trying to tell them something—stop what you’re doing, focus on them, get on their level and look them in the eyes.

To my daughter: I don’t just want you to think you can be anything. I want you to see it’s true.

I want to help pave the path to your destiny, whatever that may be, by teaching you to kick aside the preconceptions that will clutter it along the way.

10 things my mom told me as a kid that continue to give me confidence

I grew up believing that I could be proud of myself. And I am.

Don’t worry about whether the kids will remember your vacations—because you will

Of course the kids aren’t going to remember in infancy or as a toddler, but you will. You will remember the smiles on their faces...

Your children don’t need perfect baby books or photos. They just need you.

I decided my time and energy are not well spent dwelling in the past or being anxious of the future. My time is best spent being fully present today.