Search Results for: do you put your children to bed early

Learn to Read with the Berenstain Bears

I love the Berenstain Bears. I have enjoyed watching the bear family on tv or reading about them in books since I was a child. Anytime I can share innocent and family focused stories and shows with my kids I jump at the chance. Most families on tv show no parental involvement with the children in the stories. The Berenstain Bears are a wholesome family with sweet stories that reinforce family values. Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Berenstain Bears, is the release of early reader books featuring the bear family. The Berenstain Bears early reader books … Continue reading →

Sibling Rivalry

Either sisters behave differently than brothers do, or my mom has conveniently developed a sort of amnesia about what she witnessed between my sister and I when my sister was a baby. As many parents do, I sometimes ask my mom about what my sister and I were like as children. I’m not sure if she is afraid to offend or if time has faded the memories of any early rivalry but according to my mom, there was no drama when she brought my sister home from the hospital or in the months that followed. The rivalry that eventually developed, … Continue reading →

Do You Allow Your Kids to Watch TV News?

After reporting and anchoring local TV news for more than decade, I never considered tuning out the events of the day after giving birth. I’ve watched the evening news religiously since I was in high school and never dreamed there would come a day when I would be forced to wean myself from my 6 o’clock fix. However, that day has come. A few weeks ago, I was in the kitchen making dinner with the TV news on in the background when my 7-year-old came waltzing in. Typically, she’ll sit on a stool at the counter and try to snag … Continue reading →

Summer Reading Series: Penny and Her Song

You won’t be seeing my daughter on American Idol any time soon. Make that, ever. My 7-year-old possesses a litany of incredible talents; however, singing is not one of them. I know. I know. How dare I make such a stinging comment about my own flesh and blood. Calm down. It’s called reality. And it doesn’t mean that I don’t allow her to exercise her vocal chords. Nor does it mean that I cringe whenever she feels the urge to make like Miley Cyrus or the kids on Curious George. Rather, I am simply not a parent who is disillusioned … Continue reading →

My High School Graduate

I am now officially the mother of a high school graduate. It is hard to describe that feeling of watching your son walk across the stage to accept their diploma. A chapter in his life has closed and a new one begins. The past few days I have been doing a lot of reminiscing in my mind. I can still clearly remember the day we brought him home from the hospital. My husband and I couldn’t get enough of him. We took hundreds of pictures and videos. Try to explain to your third child why there are so few of … Continue reading →

Is Procrastination Worth Your Time?

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I’m a procrastinator, I always think things are going to take so long, so I put them off, and off and off. This is probably truer of housekeeping than anything else in my life. Vacuuming takes too long. I’ll do the dishes tomorrow, they’ll take too long tonight. Making the bed takes too long. We pass these habits on to our children as well and before we know it, the house is out of control. In an effort to stop procrastinating I’ve decided to time everything I do. I’m not going to rush through each job, just do it at … Continue reading →

The Night Owl

I am a night owl. Being a night owl always served me well when I was in college and as I became a mom. I could easily stay up late to study and still have a productive next day. There was no staying up for 2am feedings since I was already up. Giving kids medicine at midnight or staying up with little ones never bothered me. I was up anyway. My night owl was very content. Often I planned my children’s school during the late night hours. I would sometimes just watch TV or read a book. I enjoyed my … Continue reading →

Wrestling A Baby To Sleep

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Last night, I certainly felt like I was in a wrestling match. Since we are currently co-sleeping (and not entirely by our choice, but more so our baby’s) it is always a little tricky with three people in the bed. But, this morning, I woke up feeling like I had literally been wrestling all night. That is not a good feeling! My five-month-old is as precious as it gets. He smiles all day long, even when sick, and has a great temperament these days, unlike those early ones. But, the nights are long. They are a battle. They are tough … Continue reading →

Mother’s Day as a Single Parent

As a single mother we are forced to celebrate Mother’s Day a little differently. Our children are far too young to recognize and appreciate the little things we do for them day in and day out and we no longer have a husband to dote upon us for this special holiday. It becomes much like any other day; we still have to cook, we still have to clean, we still have to take care of our children, simply because there is no one else to do it for us. But just because we don’t have anyone to make us breakfast … Continue reading →

FHE with Small Children-Setting Goals

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Have you ever thought about teaching your little ones about setting goals? I don’t think I ever really learned the value of goal setting until I became a missionary. I’m sure in my life up until that point, I had set goals and achieved them, but until my mission, I didn’t appreciate how setting goals can be life changing. We decided to have a family home evening with our little ones on how to set goals. It was a VERY simple lesson. We have been working with our oldest daughter, who is almost 6, on encouraging her to stop sucking … Continue reading →