Sweet Spots in Kansas City
Ice cream and cookies and cakes, oh my! If you've lived in the KC metro for long, you know we're not short on places to...
Read Article
Summer Olympics, Family Style
The beginning of the Olympics lends itself perfectly to breaking out creative and unique ideas for your family to get in the Olympic spirit!
Read ArticleShop Local
KC is home to many delightful things-including a football team with back-to-back Super Bowl wins-and you won’t be disappointed when it comes to fun, eclectic, local shops either.
Read ArticleOne-on-One Woes?
I am here to share some ideas that can work with just about anybody’s crazy schedule!
Read ArticleChildren’s Mementos
Ever feel inundated? Papers, art projects, cute mementos, sweet baby clothing, awards, favorite toys and more have a way of accumulating as the years go by.
Read ArticleProblem Solving Know-How
As parents, our primary responsibility is to explicitly teach skills that don’t come naturally to children, and one of those is problem solving skills and strategies.
Read ArticleUntangling Entitlement
The good news is parents and caregivers can take an active approach to prevent the entitlement trap and raise grateful and responsible children with a strong work ethic.
Read ArticleThanksgiving Without a Thank You Bite
I always tell my kids it is a great time of year to try the foods that make up some of our family traditions.
Read ArticleMaking Memories in the Kitchen
Did you know that children are more likely to eat a meal they have helped prepare?
Read ArticleMama Needs a Night Out!
Scope out these fun and unique KC ideas for your next moms night out.
Read ArticleEight Ways to Squash Sibling Rivalry
Let’s take a look at eight ways to help squash the sibling rivalry in your household ¦ although it is never going vanish completely!
Read ArticleTrimester To-Do List
It is important to rest as much as you can and accept that you probably won’t accomplish much during this first trimester.
Read ArticleDining Out with Kids
Dining out with kids actually has great benefits for the entire family.
Read ArticleFun Once the Bell Rings
Once the bell rings and your children rush out of school, there are only a few precious hours before sports, activities, homework, dinner, showers and bedtime.
Read ArticleDitching Diapers!
Children need to be ready for potty training to stick and be successful, so here are a few tips to help get you on your way.
Read ArticleLife Lessons Kids Learn From Playing Sports
Here are 10 life lessons kids can learn from playing sports.
Read ArticlePreparing Happy Campers
Whether you are looking into single day or weeklong camps, or even overnight ones, the best place to start is by figuring out what interests your children.
Read ArticleRainy Day Rescues
With a smidge of creativity and determination to dig deep, you can keep your sanity and keep your children entertained!
Read ArticlePregnancy Nutrition
Proper nutrition during your pregnancy is not only essential to your baby’s development, though, but also your continued health.
Read ArticleIndividualized Parenting
Individualized parenting, also called personalized parenting, simply means giving each of your children what he or she needs.
Read ArticlePostpartum Nutrition
While you may be tempted to slack off a bit on your nutrition regime, postpartum nutrition is just as important.
Read ArticleDining Out with Kids
Dining out with kids actually has great benefits for the entire family.
Read ArticleLiar, Liar, Pants on Fire
annaannaannaanna Remember the old 1940s Disney character Pinocchio? I’m sure you can recall that every time the little wooden boy lied, his nose grew. I...
Read ArticleBack to School for Mom!
Back to school can be a stressful time for children and moms alike, but no matter which side you find yourself on, find a way to make going back to school fun for you, too, not just the kids!
Read ArticleTeach Your Child to Play Independently
Have you ever stopped to think how we might want our kids to be independent when it comes to play too?
Read ArticleBye-Bye Crib, Hello Bed!
If you decide to make the move, a few steps can help your little one to ease into things:
Read ArticleFun Food Experiences
Did you know KC also offers some fun food experiences for kids and families? Read on to find a new place to try with your family!
Read ArticleTips to Save on Your Grocery Bill
Everything seems to cost more these days, and your grocery bill more than likely reflects that. Though it may feel as costs are mostly out of your control, there are a few simple tweaks you can make that could help save you money.
Read ArticleChoosing the Right Camp for Your Child
Even though it may not feel like it, summer is right around the corner here in Kansas City! We certainly are blessed with a plethora of choices for our children, but deciding can feel quite overwhelming.
Read ArticleSecrets of Less Stressed Parents
There are some simple and fairly easy ways to not only destress yourself, but also to lessen the stress in your life!
Read ArticleIndoor Fun to Beat the Winter Blahs!
Discover new ways to beat the winter blahs and help you keep your sanity too!
Read ArticleSensible Enough to Stay Home Alone?
Regardless of what age your family decides to leave your child home alone for the first time, consider some crucial things.
Read ArticleTeaching Kids About Personal Safety
Keeping our kids safe and protected is one of our top priorities as parents.
Read ArticleDeveloping Healthy Habits
As life gets busy, it can be easy to let the healthy aspects of your lifestyle slide. Here are 10 ways to develop healthy habits early on:
Read ArticleKindness Counts
Parents, teachers and caregivers have daily opportunities to foster, develop and strengthen children’s kindness skills over time.
Read ArticleTeaching Kids to Manage Risks
As parents, our natural instinct is to keep our children safe. In fact, it’s not just our instinct, it’s part of our job. But another part of our job as parents is to not only allow but encourage our children to take risks too.
Read ArticleCut the Clutter
If clutter drives you nuts like it does me, read on for a few tried and true mom tips, plus a few from a professional organizer too!
Read ArticleDad’s Day!
No matter what the dad in your life is into, I’m sure anything you do will be well received because it is from the heart!
Read ArticleBroken Bones 101
Broken bones are scary—for kids and their parents. But broken bones, or fractures, are surprisingly common in young children. According to NationwideChildrens.org, as many as 50 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls experience broken bones.
Read ArticleTouring KC’s Sweet Treats
Ice cream and cookies and cakes … oh my! If you’ve been in the KC metro for long, you know we are not short on places to grab a yummy sweet treat. The area is filled with fun and unique sweet spots to keep you smiling all summer long!
Read ArticleHealing Homesickness
Being homesick is totally natural, normal and can happen at varying ages. The good news? With a few simple steps, your child will be prepped and ready for camp in no time!
Read ArticleBaby Skin Care 101
Let’s take a look at some common baby skincare issues and what can be done to help.
Read ArticleGet Real Resolutions
Wouldn’t it be great if we could set New Year’s resolutions and actually stick to them?
Read ArticleNo More Naps? No Problem!
Naps are crucial for development and a necessary part of any baby and toddler’s day.
Read ArticleKids Collections
Children can benefit greatly from starting and managing their own collections.
Read ArticleLessons Learned from the Kids
Multitasking is great, but not when it gets in the way of enjoying our life and what’s happening right in front of us.
Read ArticleThe Art of the Apology
I think teaching children the art of apology comes from modeling it yourself.
Read ArticleTrail Games
If your family is getting bored with “just another walk,” read on for a few ways to spice it up the next time you are out
Read ArticleDance, Tumbling and Music Lessons, Oh My!
How exactly do you go about choosing something for your child?
Read ArticleHack Your Home
Believe it or not, you can take the stress off your plate and tame the chaos!
Read ArticleA Kansas City Barbecue Road Trip
From brisket to burnt ends to ribs and pulled pork, the tantalizing meat flavors are bound to make your mouth water. Here are just a few fan favorites:
Read ArticlePreparing Happy Campers
Camp registrations start soon (some probably already have), so let’s take a look at how to tackle this sometimes overwhelming process.
Read ArticlePostpartum Nutrition
Postpartum nutrition is just as important. Proper nutrition is crucial for healing your body and, if you are breastfeeding, your milk supply as well.
Read ArticleSensible Enough to Stay Home Alone?
For many, leaving children home alone is not only an “earned” convenience of sorts for parents, but also a rite of passage for children.
Read ArticleMemorable Museum Outings
As the weather turns colder, parents start looking at various indoor activities for their children, especially fun ones that won’t break the bank.
Read ArticleWhat’s App-ening?
Staying on top of the latest technology should not be added to your list. Here are some trending apps you may want to check out!
Read ArticleCreative Ways to Thank Teachers
When it comes to teacher appreciation and end of year, teachers are not expecting gifts, so anything you do is considered thoughtful and greatly appreciated.
Read ArticleBaby Talk
Even though babies communicate in many different ways from a very early age, every parent anxiously waits for those first real words to come tumbling out.
Read ArticleSpring Clean Your Calendar
When it comes to your calendar, keeping a balance is hard when you look at your own personal calendar, your kids’ calendar and a family calendar.
Read ArticlePreparing Kids for Another Sibling
No matter what is going on around you though, a few tips and tricks can make the introduction as painless and fun as possible!
Read ArticleCreative Ways to Stay Connected with Your Spouse
We nurture our relationships with our kids, our extended families and our friends. So why should the relationship with our spouse be any different?
Read ArticleBust Toy Boredom
As a culture, we often give in to the more, more, more idea, the idea that if our children are complaining about being bored, well then, they must need more or different toys.
Read ArticleBringing Home Baby
Bringing a baby home from the hospital is a wonderfully amazing and joyful experience, but an overwhelming and stressful one as well. Too bad there isn’t a definitive parenting manual because bringing home Baby is no easy task! With a few p…
Read ArticleDance, Tumbling and Music Lessons, Oh My!
We are fortunate to live in an area where opportunities abound for our children: sports, art activities, classes, camps and more. Although having so many choices and opportunities is nice, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. How exactly do …
Read ArticleBeat the Back-to-School Worries
While heading back to school can seem super exciting to us parents (hello, sanity!), the start of school often can bring a lot of anxiety, worry and stress for children-no matter their age.
Read ArticleCommon Postpartum Pains
Most pregnant moms expect to be a little sore after delivery, but you might be surprised to know you may experience weeks-or even months-of these discomforts. Hang in there-remember, these possible pains will pass, and you are beginning a l…
Read ArticleKids Collections
A great thing about collecting is that it naturally provides some fun teaching opportunities, without your kids’ realizing they’re learning.
Read ArticleWhat’s Up with Dirt?
According to a recent report from the National Wildlife Federation, letting kids play in the dirt not only allows them freely to explore their surroundings, burn off energy, gain strength and gross motor skills, but actually can make childr…
Read ArticleNumbers, and Shapes and Signs—Oh My!
If you have a child in school, you likely have encountered fights and moments of frustration over homework, specifically math homework.
Read ArticleWhat’s App-ening?
Apps are an extremely useful tool for everyday life, as well as for first-time parents. Check out what you might be missing!
Read ArticleTake It or Leave It
When I was pregnant with my first, I had my hospital bag loosely packed somewhere around 35 weeks. With my second, I had very little packed at 38 ½ weeks. (What a shame since a surprise home delivery left no one time to pack anything else!)…
Read ArticleBye-Bye Crib, Hello Bed!
It never occurred to me that when our son was 2 ½ we’d spontaneously be switching him to a big boy bed—it wasn’t even on my radar! We had no time to prepare, set it up, talk it through or build it up. In short, that transition was one of my…
Read ArticleBring Boredom Back
By this time, summer is in full swing, and I’ll bet you’ve heard the infamous “Moooooom, I’m bored” whine more than once. Am I right?! While this phrase often can feel like fingernails on a chalkboard, some good actually comes from allowi…
Read ArticlePink or Blue…If You Only Knew!
While my husband and I have not found out the gender of our babies prior to birth, many expectant parents do. The Internet and Pinterest are full of fun and creative ways to announce not only a pregnancy, but more recently, Baby’s gender. I…
Read ArticleChoose Your Hats Wisely
Moms are constantly challenged and bombarded with things to do, places to be, committees to help with, meetings to attend, roles to take on. As if being a mother isn’t enough, all these “extra” tasks and commitments get added to the list. T…
Read ArticleMaximizing Small Spaces
If you’ve ever lived in an apartment or other small space with children, you know how tricky managing all the “stuff’ that comes with having kids can be. Life in close quarters has been a challenge for us, but in some ways, living in our ap…
Read ArticleWhen Will My Baby…
As a new parent, I remember “mourning” the loss of various stages and milestones as we passed through them. I was lamenting to a friend one day about this, and she reassured me that just as we miss one stage, there is another equally fun an…
Read ArticleIt’s the Little Things: 26 Parental Triumphs
From A-Z, these are the parenting moments to celebrate.
Read ArticleHome Alone: Ready or Not
Does the idea of leaving your child home alone evoke images from the 1990s movie Home Alone? No need to panic! For many, leaving children home alone is not only an “earned” convenience of sorts for parents, but also a rite of passage for ch…
Read ArticleMistakes New Moms Make
After our son was born, I made a classic new mom “mistake” when we had our first pediatrician visit at a mere 5 days old. He wee’d as I was getting him dressed, soaking his outfit. Feeling totally prepared, I whipped out a diaper and wipes,…
Read ArticleTurn an Ordinary Walk into an Adventure
Put a little SPRING in your step because warmer weather is here to stay! You are no longer stuck inside, prisoner to your own home because of bitter cold Kansas City winters. Being confined indoors for what feels like months (oh, wait…it …
Read ArticleMilestones That Make You Go “UGH!”
As I reached for the bathroom door only to find it locked (with my 2-and-a-half-year-old IN IT), I had visions of calling 911, sheepishly having to explain the situation. I tried coaxing my son to unlock the door because, by golly, if he lo…
Read ArticleStarting Solids
Starting solids is a huge milestone for you and your baby, albeit a messy one-so don’t say you haven’t been warned! For some, starting solids is an exciting new adventure to look forward to. For others, this milestone is nerve-racking, ov…
Read ArticleTerrific Transitions
In our household, we find ourselves constantly transitioning…to a big boy bed, from a bottle to a cup, to more finger and table foods, as well as to self-feeding. Change is difficult no matter the age, but there are a few things you can d…
Read ArticleSanity Saving Tips for New Moms
We ate a light lunch and rehashed the events of the last 48 hours while our new baby slept peacefully in the Pack n Play next to us. Soon after, we bid farewell to my parents (because apparently my husband and I thought it was a BRILLIANT …
Read Article