Our Thanksgiving meal has been eaten. My lesson plans for December are complete. Our Christmas tree is decorated. Everything about the holiday season is in full force.
Let’s Enjoy Every Moment This Holiday Season
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Family
Caring for infants, children, teens or pets? From pregnancy to grandparents, we’re here to support you and your loved ones at every life stage. Find age-specific advice and honest stories from those who understand firsthand just how challenging and rewarding the journey can be.
And We’re Back to Co-Sleeping
About a year ago, I wrote about transitioning my daughter into a “big girl bed.” At the end of the post, I wrote that she now sleeps in her bed in her own room by herself. Well…not anymore!
The Volleyball “Fatheads”
The other day, I received a quick text from Granddaughter #2. “Remember those fatheads from last year’s state volleyball tournament?” My first thought was, “Is she calling me a fathead?”
We Need to Stay Present in Our Kids’ Lives
Drugs. Sexting. Alcohol. Dating violence. One online search would find a plethora of articles discussing high school students and these dangers. And right there, I stopped myself.
Should Kids Write Thank You Notes?
Growing up, I was required to write thank you notes for all my birthdays. My grandma would always call after my birthday and ask if I’d gotten her card in the mail. I always felt awful if I didn’t acknowledge her with a phone call or note.
Pickleball Lessons from My Granddaughter
Our granddaughter stopped by after school the other day. I asked her how her classes were going, and of course, she said “Fine.” I followed up by asking which class was her favorite. And that’s how I learned pickleball…
We Learn From Our Failures, Not Our Successes
Failure. A word most of us cringe at and try to avoid. Who wants to fail? Normally, I would believe many of us are not actively seeking to fail. However, I have come to realize that failure is an integral part of the learning/growing process.
I Have My “Bundle of Joy,” So Why Am I So Sad?
If you’re feeling sad, anxious or depressed either while pregnant or after having your baby, you are not alone! Nearly 1 in 7 women experience difficult emotions during pregnancy or after giving birth. It’s important to discuss this common yet treatable condition called postpartum depression.
Community Service with My Grandkids
During the summer months, volunteers are more apt to be on vacation, so we frequently find ourselves in need of additional help. Occasionally, one or all of my grandkids will help out, and their support is always greatly appreciated.
Realizing You’re Not the Fun Parent
This weekend, I realized I’m not the fun parent. I try to do fun things with the kids, but when my husband is involved he’s like a big kid himself. Our children’s faces light up when Dad’s around.
10 Dos and Don’ts for a Healthy Pregnancy & Baby
Being pregnant is a very exciting and happy time in a women’s life! Before your little bundle of joy arrives, you are responsible for helping him or her grow in a healthy environment. This list of dos and don’ts can shed some light on what you should focus on.
Grandma’s Day Out at the Movies
On a recent Saturday morning, John was golfing, and I was not. The grandkids were busy, and I was not. I was bored and went through the different options I had. After some consideration, I decided to walk to the neighborhood theater and take in a movie.
What We’ve Learned Together This Year
This marks the last week of our oldest daughter’s freshman year. While at a graduation ceremony this past Saturday, I couldn’t help but think…in three short years, she will be walking across the stage receiving her diploma.
13 Reasons Why: A TV Series About Suicide & An Important Reason to Talk to Your Child About Suicide Prevention
On March 31, 2017, Netflix launched 13 Reasons Why, a TV series based on a popular novel of the same name. The series is a fictional story and cautionary tale of a young girl’s suicide.
Sleepover at Grandma & Grandpa’s House
As our grandkids have gotten older, there have been fewer and fewer times we’ve had the pleasure of hosting overnight stays. There was a time when their parents would attend evening events, so the kids would spend the night.It was always a really special time when all four grandkids would join us for a sleepover.
Social Media Parenting: How to Raise Responsible Digital Users
With the ever-changing technology, the topic of digital citizenship is being brought up day after day with our children. This is a topic that my generation was never taught.
How Can I Help My Teen Deal with Stress Effectively?
What happens when stress becomes too much? How do we deal with stress? How can we help our teens deal with the stress that occurs in their lives?
Interview with My Granddaughter
Not long ago, our oldest granddaughter called requesting an interview with me for a school project. Before I even thought about it, I said yes. We are notorious for saying “yes” to our grandkids without first getting all the details.
Helping Kids Understand Saving vs. Spending
Can I just say I get annoyed constantly being asked for money? Yet, with this frustration, my husband and I have had opportunities to teach our children about the value of money.
Are We Done Having Kids?
Growing up everyone always asked you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer: I wanted to be a mom. Sure, I went to college, graduated and got a full-time job, but I knew I was put on this earth to become a mom.
Lessons from the Passenger’s Seat
Our daughter recently got her school learner’s permit, and on these beautiful Nebraska days, she wants to learn to drive. I have spent three days in the passenger’s seat as she practices driving for one to two hours at a time.
How My Grandkids Prepared Me for My Mission Trip
Being a grandma and being retired offers many perks. This past month, however, I challenged myself to take on an opportunity I’d thought about doing for some time: a mission trip.
Meet Shelly
I am chasing a dream, a dream that is bigger than I am qualified for. When the dream of becoming a writer was placed on my heart over three years ago, I put my lifelong learner qualities into action of reading and writing on a daily basis. Through a crazy social media connection, I am blogging for CapitalMOM.
Taking Advantage of Fleeting Family Time
I am a planner. I know what our family is having for supper for the next seven days, what I am buying for Christmas gifts, where we are going on vacation the first week of June and what laundry I will do each day of the week.
Grandma’s Movie Theater
I love sharing and watching a movie with the grandkids. Some of the time, the grandkids are thrilled. Other times, they wondered what planet I just came from.
It’s Time to Think About Colleges
If you have a junior in high school, it’s time to start seriously thinking about colleges. Yes, I’m serious. It isn’t like it used to be when we parents were younger and started thinking about what colleges we were interested in around Christmas time of our senior year.
I’m Giving Up the Word “Hip”
I’m the grandmother of four teenage grandchildren. I’m having a wonderful time watching them explore the ins and outs of high school and college. I feel I still have a great connection with them as I try to keep myself “hip and very with it.”
It’s Time to Transition to a Big Girl Bed
One day after my two-year-old daughter Collyns was “napping,” I found her in her hamper next to her crib. I realized it was time to transition her crib into a toddler bed.
24 Ears of Corn, 1 Grandson, and a Happy Grandma
I always love the fall season. The smells of burning wood in the fire pit. The sounds coming from the high school marching band. The tastes of apples and sweet corn always bring back lots of childhood memories.
Summer with the Grandkids
Grandparenting during the summer months is always enjoyable and always changing. Why would I expect or want anything else? Between the sporting practices/events and working, our grandkids are a blessing to have around.
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