Last fall our chickens kept pecking each other. My two youngest kids were worried about the chickens losing feathers. We changed one thing and it changed the situation. We gave the chickens “something to do.” Of course, we gave them their usual scratch and crumble in the morning. Then part way through the day when […]
Summer Ideas for Fun, Learning, and a Bit of Order
It is beneficial to have a plan going into summer. Below are links to some of our top ideas that will lead to a memorable summer break: Reading and Learning (Links) Family Reading Goal –work together towards a goal. This is great for a family with all different reading levels. Book Bingo –printable bingo sheets […]
There’s No Place Like the Kitchen Table
Much of what I do as a mom is centered about the kitchen table. I decided to let the table help me teach without saying a word. We have done variations of this in the past, but it has turned into something more. I have a large cereal box on my table that has become […]
Game Date!
Kids need one-on-one time. Sometimes going out on an official “date” with each child isn’t optional. Hence, this idea emerged during a time of my life when I had six little kids running around and when my husband was gone to church meetings a couple nights a week. I found that a “Game Date” was […]
Job Jar –a way to change kids’ focus
“Mason, quit bothering Lynsie. Run and find something else to do.” Well, a lot of times the pestering persists. What then? “Mason, do you need to draw a job?” At that point, Mason either heads off in a new direction or draws a five minute job out of a jar. The “Job Jar” is an […]
Salt Dough Ornament Craft
Are you looking for a children’s Christmas craft that lets kids create, uses items you already have, and requires only minimal supervision? Then salt dough ornaments may become your new tradition. Salt Dough Ornament Recipe 4 cups flour 1 cup salt 1 ½ cups hot tap water Combine the salt and the flour in a […]
Books at Bedtime
“Please, one more chapter, Dad!” “Not tonight, you need to go to bed.” “We will be nice tomorrow, if you read one more!” “Sorry, we will read more tomorrow night.” “I hate it when you do that. You always stop at the best part.” “Good night. Love you,” I say with a smile. Often the […]
Job Search?
My kids got used to me assigning them certain tasks to do and, to my horror, it appeared that they couldn’t see what needed to done without direction. In an attempt to change, we started “Job Searches.” A job search is looking for something in the house or yard that needs to be cleaned or […]
Step by Step Cleaning –motivating pictures
Let your child take a “before” picture and then clean for ten minutes. Take another picture. Look at the pictures together. What progress was made? Is there still work to be completed? Let them work on cleaning for another ten minutes and take another picture. Before, during, after…. Picture taking can be a fun incentive […]