Parenting Wisdom

I am sure you have seen an article or two about how smart phones, iPads and tablets are highly addictive for kids, teenagers, and adults. The reality is that devices have become a problem for all of us. I have witnessed this often first-hand, as a middle school teacher in a school where each student has an iPad. They often cannot control themselves, turning it on subconsciously. The average adult checks their device 50 times a day!  And what's worst: studies have found that phones and tablets are as addictive as cocaine, activating the same areas of the brain, resulting in children and young adults who are literally addicted to technology.

My children spent our mini-holiday finding excitement in everything we’d done or hadn’t done. They focused on the experience.

Everyone knows Wisconsin is the Dairy State, but our food selections go far beyond the dairy aisle. In fact, coming to Wisconsin and only tasting our cheese is like ordering a hot fudge sundae and eating only the cherry on top.

I currently am a momma of two little ones. I have a son who just turned 2 and a 6-week-old little girl. I realize I am in the thick of it, and most people would understand if I did...

If you are already in a rut packing lunches or are just looking for fresh ideas, here are some foods to send with your child!

What if, instead of being so quick to call out the parenting choices we don’t agree with (and we KNOW there are plenty!), we try to bring back the Village?  What if we say, “I don’t agree with your choice to leave your child in the car/let them walk by themselves/stay home alone while you’re at work, but I WILL do my best to help your child remain safe on my watch.”?  After all, aren’t we all really on the same team?  

Over the years, I've seen different ideas of where to hide the gifts.  Attics, trunks of cars (this doesn't work with a van or SUV), cleaning or kitchen closets and more. But through our own ideas and ideas from family and friends, I've come up with my TOP THREE places to hide the gifts!  And hopefully these ideas last for years for you! (I did know where my parents hid their gifts once I was about eight, sorry Mom!) 

  Terrible twos? Two years old.  I feel like I get a look of sympathy and understanding every time I say my son is two.  We all know and have heard about the 'terrible twos'.  Is two that terrible? Sometimes yes. ...

Most mornings, we all need to be out of the house by 7:15.  Many  mornings I am solo while my husband is already at work. That means I need to get 2 kids to 2 places and myself to work by 7:45. (serious kudos to parents who do this single handedly 5 days a week).  I feel like I’ve conquered a marathon by the time I pull into the parking lot at my work!

Honestly, do any parents feel balanced more than 10% of the time?