parenting

parenting challenges, joys, wishes, lessons

get organized with 1Thrive

It’s always a good time to get your family organized. We, as humans, thrive with habits, systems, and predictable processes. We do better …

how to talk to kids about politically-charged violence in dc

Today, January 6, 2021, has been a devastating, embarrassing, confusing day in our nation’s history. How do we wrap our heads around what …

get siblings outside, thinking, and working together

This free Get Out & Move in the ‘Hood activity will get kids–siblings, even!–outside, thinking, and working together. …

how our first week of homeschooling REALLY went

Week One of School at Home is officially in the books. Kids have been here, all up in my “office”, every day this week. They saw …

homeschooling schedule during coronavirus school closings

Here is our official homeschooling schedule during the current Coronavirus school closings. School at home. Here we go! Since we are in an official …

back-to-school eye exams: get kids ready for the school year

This post was written as part of a partnership with MyEyeDr. Did you know that kids should have their eyes examined each year before school …

two must-have freebies for families: books & more!

Books, a craft kit, and more–all bonus freebies for you! When I see a good deal, I want to share it, and this is one I must share. I’m …

what can you do about gun control? start here.

Friends, it’s time to stop talking and start doing. No matter which political party you stand with, the gun violence in our country has gotten …

Highlights State of the Kid Report 2017 #WorldKindnessDay

Have you heard of the Highlights State of the Kid Report? You can find the 2017 State of the Kid Report on the Highlights for Children website. The …

strategies for handling sad, tragic news–as a family

Originally published on Dec 15, 2012 in response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School but republished today because it’s a message …

walmart grocery pick-up: grocery shopping made easy

I’m a sucker for anything that makes my busy life easier. So when I was asked to try Walmart’s new Grocery Pick-up service, you better …

say NO to teen smoking: Right Decisions, Right Now

When I was asked by the good people at Right Decisions, Right Now and We Are Teachers to share information about teens and smoking with my readers, I …

make summer learning ROCK with free bookmarks and Summer Brain Quest

Oh, friends. You know that I am obsessed with continuing the learning for my kids over the summer, right? Every, single spring I do a little happy …

what I told my children the day after the election

Today’s weather–rainy, grey, and cloudy mirrors the way that many of us are feeling the day after the 2016 election. What do we tell our …

life lessons from nana

My Nana passed away last week. It’s been so hard, so sad. And if you follow me on Instagram, you know that she’s been ill for some time …

talking to tweens about drugs: it’s time to start now

Sometimes when I actually stop to think about the fact that we have a 12, 11, and 9 year old in the house, I cannot even believe it. I absolutely …

show your kids: michelle obama’s full speech on trump

Friends. Watch this. And watch it again. And show your kids. And then? Please share it.

for all the tired moms out there: here’s your lifeline

I realized that I was stretched too thin when I showed up for Maddy’s orthodontist appointment a week early. I realized that I was stretched too …

a must-see for working moms (only if you’re stretched too thin!)

Oh, friends. Whether you’re working full-time, working part-time, working some of the time, being a working mom is not easy. Heck, being a mom …

make free ICE [In Case of Emergency] cards for your kids

Friends. I’ve shared that this month is National Preparedness Month. Have you checked it out? Have you created your Emergency Prep Kit? Your …