Your child says, “I’m hungry,” you grab her a snack. She says, “I’m bored;” you find a way to entertain her. But when should the master-servant roles end? When is it time to give your child some responsibility and let them do things for themselves? Believe it or not—now’s as good a time as any! It turns out, kids can handle more than most grown-ups give them credit for: Your two-year-old can help you do the laundry; your six-year-old can brush her own teeth; your 10-year-old can hang at home alone while you walk the dog. And, no matter how desperately they cry, “Watch me!” young kids don’t always need you right there next to her (being just nearby is...
During the summer, it can be challenging to find ways to keep your kids entertained and learning without having to add more to your already busy schedule. As a mom of three with one on the way, I'm always on the hunt for educational and exciting activities for my kids that involve minimal prep work. Don't get me wrong—I love a good Pinterest craft. But they usually require supplies I don't have on hand and extra time for preparation and setup. As a former preschool teacher with an education in early childhood development, making sure my kids are engaged in their learning activities is a top priority. So in a day and age when anything and everything is delivered straight...
Have you ever just sat and watched the clouds? I remember as a kid just lying on the grass, watching the clouds go by and pretending they were intricate shapes, people, places, or characters. It’s funny because I always saw a bunny. I imagined that she was hopping on by, so swiftly because she had to travel the entire world before she dissipated and turned into something else; such was her energy. Like everything else in the world and beyond, the bunny cloud was temporary. As a kid this made me sad. I didn’t have the words for it at the time-I didn’t really fully understand why I was sad while simultaneously in awe. I notice that the idea of...
Although our kids will hopefully be able to participate in more activities this summer thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine and other recent health and safety protocols, many summer camps and activities are being held with reduced capacity, making them difficult to get into. And for families who rely on camp during the warmer months, this can mean not being able to send your kids to their activities despite them being open. If traditional summer camps aren't happening for your kids this summer, there are plenty of virtual options that will keep children of all ages entertained. Whether they're looking to keep their academics sharp (hey, no one likes that pesky summer slide, right?) or just want some good, old-fashioned fun,...
This story has been produced in partnership with Enfamil, makers of the award-winning Enspire, the closest formula to breast milk.It's easy for the way a holiday is celebrated to overshadow the reason for celebrating in the first place. Turkey and football can take up so much time and energy on Thanksgiving that giving thanks becomes an afterthought. Enjoying a cookout and a day off of work on Labor Day can obscure the original labor movement-celebrating significance of the holiday. And Father's Day can easily become a day that's about restocking dad's tie rack and not a true celebration of all of the things he does for the family.Enfamil is doing its part with a special Father's Day Sale, offering a...
