Our home is a home in which we read aloud. Every day. Even to the teens and tweens. It wasn’t always this way. In fact, there was a time in my parenthood where I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to read aloud to a teenager. After all, they could just read the bookContinue reading “Read Aloud to Your Kids (even your tweens & teens!)”
Category Archives: Quality Time
What They Really Need…is a Mud Kitchen?
You don’t need that fancy mud kitchen, Mama. They can love playing outside just as much with some old pots and pans. It’s true, we might someday purchase a mud kitchen. But right now, it’s not in the budget. Nor is a bigger backyard, or many of the other beautiful outdoor toys I see hearContinue reading “What They Really Need…is a Mud Kitchen?”
Gathering ‘Round the Table
Who’s gathering around your table today, Mama? More important than decorations, or perfectly matching cups and dishes, are the souls that gather there. What kinds of words are being spoken? What stories are being told? Who among those gathered there needs a word of encouragement that only your lips can provide? Who needs to knowContinue reading “Gathering ‘Round the Table”
Simple Valentines Celebration with Kids
Hey Mama, We had a simple Valentine’s breakfast this morning. Steve and I gave each kid a new (to them) book, and the kids gave valentines to each other (and gave each other long envied Pokémon cards from each other’s collections—now THAT’S love). Breakfast was food we had on hand. Bananas. Walnuts. Chocolate croissants fromContinue reading “Simple Valentines Celebration with Kids”
February Picnics
Hey Mama, Yesterday and today the temperature is in the 60’s—almost unheard of here in mid-February in Northeastern NJ. And so we put some of the chores aside to make time for a picnic (the first of 2022!) and lots of outside play in the sunshine. Remember why you do what you do—and take timeContinue reading “February Picnics”
Elevate the Everyday
Want an easy win, Mama? Invite your kid(s) to a homemade sundae bar. Fill a muffin tin with whatever leftover odds and ends you have on hand. (I used crushed cookies, mini marshmallows, M & Ms, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips and broken pretzels). Scoop some ice cream into mason jars or drinking glasses,Continue reading “Elevate the Everyday”
Slow Afternoons
Hey Mama. How are you doing as we head into the colder months? Here’s a gentle reminder that some days are for finishing All. The. Things…and some days, it’s ok to snuggle on the couch and just read aloud The Grouchy Ladybug or whatever your family’s current favorite is. Because some days, they need snugglingContinue reading “Slow Afternoons”
Stop Watching & Start Living
Sometimes we spend so much time looking at what others are doing that we never get to the “living” ourselves. How’s your week going, Mama? Are you living the life you’re called to, or are you watching others live theirs while you scroll and wish things were different? Here’s a gentle nudge to start livingContinue reading “Stop Watching & Start Living”
How We Celebrate Birthdays
How do you celebrate birthdays in your home, Mama? As the years have gone by, we’ve gotten simpler and simpler in our celebrations, and I’ve come to really appreciate the rhythm we have now. And with 5 kids, it’s been good to keep it simple! We start the day with a simple birthday breakfast, chosenContinue reading “How We Celebrate Birthdays”
One Thing Well
You can’t do it all, Mama. But you can do one thing well today. Sometimes in the rush to get everything done, attend to all the needs, put out all the fires, check off all the boxes, we come to the end of the day and can’t even for sure say what we did. TheContinue reading “One Thing Well”
Next Door Hope 