LadyPens » Kids

Good Parenting: Stop Losing It With Your Kids

Adina Soclof — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:09:52 +0000

Being a Mom is the best job out there. At least I think so. I didn’t think I would love it as much as I do. Even before I had kids I knew that being a Mom requires a tremendous amount of work and patience. Full Article

When Loved Ones Hit the Road: How to Handle it When Someone You Love Can’t Handle Your Child’s Illness

Kimberly Ehlers — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:17:35 +0000

My 12 year old son, Seth, was born with multiple congenital heart defects. His second (and, hopefully, last!) open-heart surgery took place almost 2 years ago. During the whole process of getting Seth through his surgery and recovery, I was deeply hurt by a person I love. This person hadn’t called or visited during his hospital stay even though they lived near by. I felt abandoned and shocked that they of all people would hit the road when they were needed most. It was around 2 weeks after surgery before they finally called to see how Seth was, and it was a strange call – something had come between us. Full Article

The Words a Mommy Never Wants to Hear – Something is Wrong with Your Baby

Kimberly Ehlers — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:53:48 +0000

My husband and I have one child, a boy, now 12. There are a couple of reasons I remember his birth like it was yesterday. First, it was the most incredible life changing experience I’ve ever had. Yes, even bigger than getting married. After all, I knew the man I was marrying well. On May 29, 1998 I met my baby boy for the first time. He was no longer the mysterious baby I carried everywhere with me for 9 months. He made his entrance into the world full of personality. A little one I had to get to know. The second reason I remember his birth so well is because it was the day I heard those words, “Something is wrong with your baby.” Full Article

The Importance of Spending Time with Your Children

Stephanie Martin — Fri, 28 May 2010 23:40:40 +0000

How many times a day do you catch yourself saying, “not now” or “I don’t have time”? Now, how many times a day do you catch yourself saying this to your children? Too many times we, as busy moms, get caught up in the daily grind of our family’s lives and trying to get everything done that needs to be done, but we forget the real reasons why we’re trying to bake 4 dozen cookies, schedule a doctor’s appointment, make out a grocery list and go to the store, make sure our child’s soccer jersey is clean and ready to go for the game that is scheduled at 5 p.m., have dinner ready before leaving for said soccer game, and squeeze in homework – all before putting our children to bed. Then, we take the next few hours to get caught up on housework such as dishes, laundry, and general tidying up when one of our children, or even your spouse, comes up and reminds you that you have a family get-together the next day that you are supposed to cook 3 dishes for! So, you stay up half the night preparing for the next day knowing that you are going to be completely exhausted but expected to put on a happy face. Full Article

How to Keep Your Children Occupied Once School Is Out

Stephanie Martin — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:51:33 +0000

I do know that I am very fortunate to be able to work from home and, in turn, be home with my children and not have to worry about childcare. I am very blessed to be able to be involved in my children’s lives on a daily basis like I am. However, they are still kids and will still “get bored” and “have nothing to do”. But, I do not plan to let boredom turn into watching TV all day or playing on the computer/Wii all day while they are home from school. I do not allow that during the school year and I definitely will not allow it during the summer months. So, what do I do to keep my children occupied? We do have season passes to a local amusement park and a local aquarium, but we do not plan on spending all of our time inside. Full Article

Teaching Your Children to Start Saving Their Money

Angela Wenke — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:38:31 +0000

Most children these days do not understand the concept of saving or earning money. This has never been a major priority in their lives, or a necessary way of living for them. But as parents, it is absolutely crucial that you teach your children the importance of saving their earned money. Full Article

Family Time at Dinner Time

Peggy Baron — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:54:06 +0000

These days, many families struggle to find time when they can all be together.Â Sometimes it’s because both parents work long hours and sometimes it’s because of the kids’ many extracurricular activities. Full Article

Kids Cooking For A Cause

Peggy Baron — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:48:12 +0000

How can we combine kids, cooking, and charity?Â This was a question that popped into my mind the other morning.Â There must be a way to blend these three together in a way thatâ€™s good for the kids and good for the charity.Â The answer came in a totally unrelated email the next day.Â The Ronald McDonald House!Â What better way for kids to practice their cooking and organization skills, and build confidence and caring than to provide a meal for an organization like the Ronald McDonald House? Full Article

For Kids Only – How To Read A Recipe

Peggy Baron — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:08:51 +0000

Sometimes you get tired of mac and cheese, don’t you?Â Frozen burritos, cheese sticks, and sandwiches can get pretty boring too if you eat them all the time.Â Hey, how about taking out one of your mom’s recipes, that one you really like, and make some real food?Â Problem is, you donâ€™t know how to read a recipe.Â Of course you know how to read, you just don’t know how to follow a recipe because it’s different than following microwave directions on the side of a box.Â So you don’t starve, here are some tips on how to read recipes and make some good food: Full Article

Sidewalk Chalk – My Favorite Learning Tool

Peggy Baron — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:01:26 +0000

When the weather is nice, the kids (and Mom) are itching to get outside and play.Â I personally like the playing to learn approach.Â Did you know thereâ€™s an outdoor world of math and reading fun that awaits you and all you need is sidewalk chalk, dice, and your imagination?Â Anything we can do inside on paper can be done outside on the driveway or sidewalk, as long as we donâ€™t care if it eventually gets â€œerasedâ€ by rain or sprinklers.Â Not only do the kids and I get to exercise our brains but we also get to exercise our bodies.Â I get to stretch my hamstrings and quads as I bend over to draw game boards or numbers, and the kids get to hop, skip, and jump around.Â Here are a few favorite sidewalk games Iâ€™d like to share.Â You can adapt any of them to the abilities of your children, and multiple ages can play together. Full Article

Homeschooling – Learning Through Recipes

Peggy Baron — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:52:56 +0000

There are so many wonderful packaged Unit Studies available to homeschoolers that you don’t know where to start.Â Instead of buying something pre-packaged, how about starting with an idea and let your children’s interests decide where to go with it.Â Have you thought about starting a unit study in the kitchen… with a recipe? Full Article

Math Games for the Active Child

Peggy Baron — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:45:32 +0000

To put it in a nice way, my son is rather squirmy.Â He doesnâ€™t like to sit still for very long unless heâ€™s playing a video game, then itâ€™s just amazing.Â So instead of constantly telling him to sit down and do his math, we take it outside or up the stairs, literally.Â Iâ€™d like to share some of ways we like to â€œdo mathâ€ when sitting still is too much.Â Try these games with your child and I think youâ€™ll agree that math and exercise can go hand in hand. Full Article

7 Tips For Kids Learning To Cook

Peggy Baron — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:34:38 +0000

It is said that cooking is an art.Â Like most art forms, a person can have some natural talent, but there’s a whole lot of learning and experiencing that has to happen before they’re any good at it.Â Cooking is no exception.Â First, children need to be exposed to good cooking, so they can appreciate the differences, then they need to be given the chance to try cooking themselves. Full Article

More Math Games For The Active Child

Peggy Baron — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:13:00 +0000

Math games are the perfect way for the squirmy child to learn math. Some kids don’t learn as well when trying to concentrate all their efforts on sitting still. These kids do better when allowed to actively partake in math games – and what could be more fun? Full Article

Protect Your Children With a Password

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:09:59 +0000

When we think of password protection, we think of bank accounts, computers, or even voice mail phone systems. Full Article

Kids and Secrets

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:08:25 +0000

As parents we have so much to worry about in regards to our children. We want to protect them from all of lifes dangers, yet we want to accomplish this without putting unnecessary fear into their lives. Full Article

Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:07:42 +0000

When my children were young, we had so much fun with birthday parties. Each year we did something different from the year before. Some years our themes allowed us to invite several children and some years our themes allowed us to only invite a small amount of other children. Full Article

Does Your Child Forget His Homework

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:07:16 +0000

I used to get at least one phone call per week from my daughter. She was just frantic. She had left her homework at home and needed me to rush it over to her at school. Full Article

Children Love Routines

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:06:42 +0000

One of the reasons children will sing the same song over and over again is because they love routine. Full Article

Choosing Your Child’s Pediatrician

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:06:13 +0000

When the time came for me to choose a pediatrician for my children, it was very important that the man or woman I chose would be a person willing to answer my questions and address my concerns. I was so fortunate to find men and women in two cities who did indeed care enough to spend the 5-10 minutes needed to speak with me about my questions and concerns. Full Article

Preparing to Go Back to School

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:05:49 +0000

By the beginning of August my kids are usually asking to go to Staples to start looking at and buying back to school supplies. Full Article

Gift Ideas For Teachers

Audrey Okaneko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:05:25 +0000

Each year we all struggle with what to get our children’s teachers both in December and again at the end of the school year. Here are 8 ideas that I have used over the years with the teachers of my own kids. Full Article

The Heart of a Humble Parent

Rachel Paxton — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:21:53 +0000

Do you ever talk to your children about your failings? About your sometimes unenlightened decisions? I was raised with a distorted view that life is just something that happens to you, and not a reality that is formed, in part, by your everyday decisions. Full Article

A Child Can Make a Difference

Rachel Paxton — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:21:33 +0000

Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th – 11th, 2000, my daughter and I traveled to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, because of a dream my daughter, Amanda, has to make a difference in this world. Amanda (then a 6th grader) entered McDonald’s Millennium Dreamer contest and told them about her contributions to the humane society and her dream of making the world a better place for animals. Amanda’s dream is to help homeless pets find homes, and she makes this dream a reality by writing a newsletter and donating all her profits to the humane society. Her entry won her and a parent an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World to meet with other Millennium Dreamers from all over the world. 2,000 kids were chosen in all–1,000 from the U.S., and 1,000 from 90 other countries. The kids’ accomplishments were recognized in an awards ceremony where Christopher Reeves and the CEO of McDonald’s corporation were among the key note speakers. Each congratulated the kids on all they have done and encouraged them to continue their efforts, emphasizing the fact that their contributions are the key to our future. One of the most exciting parts of the trip was trading pins with the kids from other countries. Amanda came home with pins from Germany, South Africa, Israel, Korea, U.K., and Indonesia, just to name a few. The kids were given free passes to all the theme parks and treated to firework shows, parties, and lots of other entertainment. It was quite an event! Fun as well as inspirational. Full Article

Time Management for Kids

Rachel Paxton — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:21:12 +0000

Do you ever feel like there’s not enough time in the day? You’ve just realized it’s time for bed, and you still haven’t accomplished all you set out to do today? Full Article

Timely Thank-You’s

Rachel Paxton — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:20:50 +0000

When I was growing up there was an unwritten rule at our house: “Thou shalt write thank you notes.” And in a timely manner. You could beg, plead, and hope mom would forget, but she never did. Full Article

The Giving Jar

Rachel Paxton — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:20:27 +0000

Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child to give with a happy heart you will raise a child who will never hesitate to lend a helping hand. Children enjoy helping others, especially if they see their parents doing the same. When a child’s basic physical and emotional needs are met, they are willing to share almost anything they have with someone in need. Full Article

Helping a Child Overcome a Fear of Dogs

Rachel Paxton — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:20:07 +0000

It seems inevitable that at one time or another a child will have
an unpleasant run-in with a dog. When my twin boys were about 18
months old, their first encounter with a dog was not pleasant for
them. The dog was fairly small, but very energetic and ran
straight over to them and started jumping up on them. After that
experience it was months before they could even look at another
dog again. Full Article

Create A Story Book With Your Child

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:53:10 +0000

A fun way to build your child’s imagination Full Article

Fun Things to do with Your Kids this Summer

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:52:27 +0000

10 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Children this Summer
that Won’t Break the Bank Full Article

Lions and Tigers and Zebras â€“ Oh My

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:51:42 +0000

Spend a Fun Day at the Zoo Full Article

Does your child need a bedtime routine? – Yes!

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:50:54 +0000

Do you struggle to get your child to bed at night? We sure did with our daughter. She would refuse to go to sleep in her bed and wanted to hang out with us until we were ready for bed and of course then she would want to sleep in Mama’s and Daddy’s bed. Full Article

Letâ€™s Eat Outside â€“ Great Kid-Friendly Picnic Ideas

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:50:14 +0000

Summer is finally here and with the kids home all day this is the perfect time for a picnic. Pack up some food, cool drinks and a blanket and head for the park, playground or even just the backyard. You can even entertain your little ones with a picnic on the kitchen or living room floor on a rainy day. Full Article

Fun Winter Crafts And Activities For Kids

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:49:31 +0000

Wintry Landscape. Full Article

Are You Helping Your Child Form Good Studying Habits?

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:48:36 +0000

When your kids first start school, they are very excited and enthusiastic about doing their homework and studying. Unfortunately this doesn’t last and it will be up to you, the parent to help your child form good studying habits. Full Article

How Much TV Should My Child Be Watching?

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:47:56 +0000

What did we ever do before the boob tube? Television has taken the “family” out of family time. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the television set and no one is talking. By setting a few guidelines, you can keep your kids from becoming strangers in their own home. Full Article

Simple Science Projects You Can Make With The Kids

Susanne Myers — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:47:14 +0000

You want your kids to have fun, but also want to expand their minds. What’s a parent to do? How about a few easy science projects that are simple to recreate? Your kids will love the hands-on experience and you can feel good about getting them involved in an activity that will have them learning (without the kids even realizing it). Here are five easy science projects for you and your kids. Try one of them on a rainy afternoon or anytime the kids are looking for something fun to do. Full Article

Chaos, Children and Chores

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:22:31 +0000

Of course we all love our children dearly, but who knew they’d be so messy? When you have children, you can never count on how long your house will actually stay clean after you’ve cleaned it. A day? An hour? Less? Cleaning up after your kids does not have to take on a life of its own. By making a clean and organized home a priority for the entire family and by setting and sticking to household standards, you can avoid feeling more like Maid than Mom. Full Article

Encouraging Your Child to Write

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:21:36 +0000

How in the world do you get your child to write? This is the battle cry of many parents. A lot of imagination, with a little bribery (or praise) is all you need to get your child writing. We’ll supply the imagination. The praise and bribery is all up to you. Full Article

Poolside Safety for Children

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:10:01 +0000

The best way to cool off during the summertime is in the water. Whether your children relax at home in the pool or at a public pool, they need to follow safety measures to avoid serious injury. Help your kids to beat the heat and have fun. Full Article

Summer Sun Safety for Children

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:08:36 +0000

Everyone wants to be outdoors when summertime arrives. The warmth of the sun makes people happy, but it can also harm you and your children if you are not careful. Play it safe this summer. Prepare ahead of time to protect your kids while they have fun in the sun. Full Article

Ways to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Your Children

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:06:23 +0000

The largest growing section of the population fighting obesity is children. This country is becoming an overweight nation. We consume too many fats and carbohydrates that are bad for our bodies. By and large, our children will experience more health problems sooner if we don’t do something to turn things around. Full Article

Activities to build Self-Esteem in Children

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:05:39 +0000

Children have trouble establishing their self worth just like adults. They wonder if they are good enough for friends, teachers, and even their parents. Work with your child to help them create a healthy self portrait for a healthy life. Full Article

Bike Safety for Children

Nicole Dean — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:04:59 +0000

Riding bikes is a good way to pass a Saturday afternoon in the park or along trails in your neighborhood. It is fun for the entire family. Keep your children protected while they ride their bikes with you or with their friends. Full Article

Quick tips for a great Teddy Bear Party!

Annette Yen — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:59:37 +0000

A great teddy bear party is not a difficult thing to pull of with a little creativity and some things that you can find round your house! Here are some quick ideas for making the party “beary” fun! Full Article