How can I get my 11 yo (ADD) daughter and 5 yo son to clean their rooms? Not squeaky, just clean floors, no trash, laundry away? Jennifer, in WA Is it worth it to make our kids keep their rooms clean? Yes, most days. But it still often feels like trying to teach your dog…
Are you a morning person? I’m not! As my kids have hit elementary school, they too struggle with mornings. As much as I love being with them, I dread waking them. Know what I mean? Make a list. Kids and teens do better when our expectations are clearly communicated. So work with your child to…
In my forty years on this planet I have never met a woman who dislikes chocolate. Have you? I did not think so. Even health and fitness guru Bob Greene has said that “Any sane person loves chocolate.” It seems like we females are hard-wired to love chocolate, regardless of the preferred variety. For me,…
My mom taught me the power of pausing to enjoy family meals. She taught me that you don’t need a huge and glamourous kitchen, despite what the media says. Her theory was a wooden spoon, a fridge of fresh food, and some passion was all it took. I remember discovering that Martha Stewart’s kitchen was…
When I was eleven, I was at the mall with my friend, Allison. After lunch I went to use the restroom and there I saw blood. Despite some nerves I did not say a word and we went on with our day. That evening at home it happened again. I had absolutely no idea what…
Life with a pet is filled with love. Dogs snuggle with you when you’re down. Cats are always up for playful fun. Watching fish swim is relaxing. Pet birds add music to your life. But with all the benefits pets bring to our lives, they also come with a great deal of responsibility. Pets are…
Every summer, my daughter goes to her grandparents for three weeks. One week each month of summer break. Sometimes they stay home and just chill. I mean, come on. They have a great house only 10 minutes from the beach and a pool in their backyard. Can’t ask for a better combination, right? Plus, they…
