Did you ever build a fort as a child? Some of my favorite memories are with my siblings, as we built forts in the living room with every blanket we could find in the house. As a mother, I initially had a hard time allowing my children to do this because it just meant a mess for me to clean up later. Do not make the mistake that I did in being afraid of messes. Mom has told me over and over, "Life is messy, and it's ok." Well, it turns out that she is right. I have grown as a

Ah, spring! This is probably my second favorite season next to fall. By the time spring rolls around, I am tired of the snow and the cold and ready for some good, strong sunshine! My children love to be out in the spring with all the rain and mud. Quality rainboots and umbrellas are probably some of the best investments that I ever made for my children, mostly because the children use both items DAILY during the spring season. Aside from splashing in all the mud puddles, thes

Oh, the fall! Such a cozy season! While we spend much time reading by the fire, I like to make sure we still get our daily outing. In truth, fall is my favorite season; so, it does not take much convincing to get me out of doors. Aside from yard clean-up, vegetable harvesting, and spontaneous games of "mom-ster" where I am chasing and capturing my kids, here are a few activities that we really enjoy and might even do multiple times in the same week: Nature Scavenger Hunt —Thi

Baby, it's cold outside... and the motivation to go out is hard to find. I give myself goals for getting my children outside because it is incredible for their physical and mental health, and mine as well. Typically, I try to have us spend at least an hour outside in snow, rain, or shine. It is always well worth it! But what are you to do once you are out there? Here are some of our go-to winter activities: Food Coloring in the Snow —Purchase condiment bottles from the grocer

We love being outdoors! Whether it is in the mountains or in our own backyard, I love finding something creative for my kids to do! Here are some fun summer activities that take little to no preparation and have kept my children busy for hours: Butcher Paper Painting —String out a long section of butcher paper (however long you think your children will use.) Lay it on the ground or tape it to the fence and let your children go wild with washable kid paint and brushes. To make

I became a mother relatively late in life. My first daughter was born when I was 28, and I continued to have children close together in my early to mid-thirties. I noticed that, as a consequence, I seemed to be a lot more controlling than my friends who had had children in their 20s. Perhaps I had already seen much of life's risks, or maybe it is just my personality, but letting go of parental control was really, really tough for me. It was only when my six-year-old started t

My mother called me the other day, and I was in a whirlwind of frustration. Many things had gone badly that day, and I could not seem to...

I put on a light cotton dress the other day and beautified myself more than I usually do. My three-year-old son walked into the room and said, "Wow, Mom! You look beautiful. (Pronounced: be-U-tee-ful) I began to think about the perception that my kids have of me because I tend to prioritize cozy over fashionable. I am not saying there is ANYTHING wrong with that, but I did like the thought that my kids would remember me at times looking lovely. After all, I am my children's f

My mom and I love to walk and talk. We have been walking the same loop for over twenty years now, and it is awesome. It is my most frequent way of de-stressing myself, especially after a long day. However, it is a hard thing for me to stop and take care of myself; that is just the way I am. Somewhere in my brain I associate production or progress with success, and that is not always true. Often, I end up completely overwhelmed and exhausted before I realize that I just need t

It's been a struggle lately. I keep clashing with one of my children. No matter what I say, she does not listen until I am shouting. Not to mention that her sassy attitude mirrors that of a 13-year-old, and she is only six! I never wanted to be a shouting parent, and the dynamic between her and me only causes me to dislike myself... Time for another chat with my mom. On one of our frequent "walk and talk" outings, I brought this issue up to her. Pretty soon I was crying. I di