I dropped my 2nd grade daughter off at a birthday party a few weeks ago. Over 40 kids were invited to the party. They enjoyed a wonderful time together, but I immediately felt guilty about the birthday parties WE throw. Ours are significantly more understated affairs. We will allow 7-8 good friends, and play a few games and open a few presents. Our parties have all been at our house. We haven’t rented out the theme park, or the pizza arcade.

I was encouraged to see this story on WCCO last night. An increasing number of parents are beginning to use the birthday parties as a chance to teach social responsibility, and to focus on God’s gifts. (Besides… we REALLY don’t need another Polly Pocket set in our basement!!).

From “book-swap” parties, to trips to Feed My Starving Children, kids are finding ways to celebrate God’s gift of life, by making a difference in the lives of others.

Have you found a creative way to simplify the Birthday Party, or use it as a teaching experience for your children? I’d love to hear it!

Posted: March 2nd, 2010 under Carl Bliss, Parenting.
Comments: none

Kids are very tech savy these days and as parents, we often assume that the inernet has self-policing built into it.  No so.  Check out this interview from abc about how kids are gaining access to inappropriate sites and what you can do about it.

Posted: February 4th, 2010 under Busy Moms, Lisa Barry, Parenting, Technology, Video.
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Here’s a helpful list of cyber safety items written in a contract form for parents and children. Click here.

Posted: February 4th, 2010 under Busy Moms, Lisa Barry, Parenting, Technology.
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I found this post from “Sesame Street”.

Helping Children Understand Natural Disasters

It includes guidance such as:

• Encourage your child to ask questions
• Offer comfort
• Respect concerns
• Think about ways you can help together

In addition to the suggestions they offer, I would guess your worldview plays an important role in how you work through this.

How do you help your children process disasters? How do you explain it in the context of God and His Creation?

Posted: January 22nd, 2010 under Carl Bliss, Parenting.
Comments: none

My 16 year old daughter wrote a letter to my husband and me in honor of our 20th wedding anniversary today.   Here’s what it said:

It’s your 20th wedding anniversary!  To help you celebrate 20 years in one day, I am enrolling you in my brand new 3R’s program (and I don’t mean reduce, reuse and recycle).  The steps are:  1.  Reminice   2. Replenish  3. Remap

Read more »

Posted: October 21st, 2009 under Home, Parenting.
Comments: 12

If you have a bunch of digital pictures taking up space on your computer and no one is enjoying them, try Blurb.com.  You can make virtual photo albums to share with others for free!   Or for grandma with no Internet access, you can have a copy of your custom photo album with prices starting at $4.95.  Click here to take a look!

Posted: October 20th, 2009 under Parenting.
Comments: none

If you’re looking for a way to keep track of your child’s homework from week to week, so you can help them stay organized, here are a couple of forms that you can download and print.

Posted: September 9th, 2009 under Busy Moms, Parenting.
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Laurie Spartz posted this on my Facebook today and said…

Smiling to think of all the post 1st day conversations to be had later today! Just heard the school bus pick up our teeny tiny 5-yr-old neighbor, who was quite uncertain as of last night. Made me remember to dig up an old prayer I found about 5 yrs ago:

Dear God, please bless our little girl
She’s starting school today;
She’s half afraid, yet wants to go,
And yet she wants to stay.

Protect her, Lord, and keep her safe,
And still that trembling lip.
And shield her from all other eyes
In case a tear should slip.

And help her make new little friends;
Be brave throughout the day.
And have her teacher understand
Her gentle little ways.

Oh Lord, please bless our little girl
And calm those anxious fears;
She is so precious and so young
Just a few short tender years.

Posted: September 8th, 2009 under Parenting, Quotes.
Comments: 2

How do you keep everything organized from backpacks, to shoes, to permission slips?  It’s not easy, but here are a few ideas that might help!

Posted: September 8th, 2009 under Busy Moms, Home, Parenting.
Comments: none

It’s time to pack lunches again and if you’re like me, it’s a dilemma to decide between what our kids WANT to eat and what they SHOULD be eating.  Is there a happy medium?  I think so.  Click here for some delicious, AND healthy lunch choices!

Posted: September 8th, 2009 under Busy Moms, Parenting, Recipes.
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