Make a resolution to give more of your time...

"Make a memory with your children,
Spend time to show you care;
Toys and trinkets can't replace those
Precious moments that you share.
Money doesn't buy real pleasure,
It doesn't matter where you live;
Children need your own attention,
Something only YOU can give."

-Elaine Hardt

What's your Mommy Resolutions this 2013?

Happy 2013 Hands on Mommy friends! We hope you all have had a wonderful holiday with your family and friends, soaking in every bit of quality time with your loved ones and squeezing in a little rest and relaxation for you too. 

So to ask the traditional question of the New Year, what are your Mommy resolutions? Do you want to cook more for your family? Do you want to take more pictures? Organize your home or get in a better routine?

As we celebrate a new beginning, let's try to set some goals, to better ourselves and our family. At the dinner table tonight, sit down with your kids, talk about all the things that they accomplished last year, pointing out what they couldn't do the year before and what they can do now. For example, riding a bike, writing their name or learning how to skip. Then, talk about what kind of things you would like to do or learn in the New Year. 

The important thing is to not be too preachy or tell your children what they should do. Encourage them to set goals. Then, be a good role model in keeping your resolution. If you are going to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk. 

a little teacher love today...

Making Good Memories by Managing Yourself

Do your kids pick up on your holiday stress? You bet they do! 
Today we are sharing a great article from Laura Markham from http://www.ahaparenting.com/ that gives some sound suggestions from keeping things real at the holidays.
You can read the article here and sign up for the newsletter here.
We aren't affiliated with Aha! Parenting--we just think they are great, and bet you will, too.

A cardboard box turned into a sleigh ride and more...

With a little help from the UPS man, and the cardboard box from Pottery Barn Kids, my girls were entertained for at least an hour, while I prepared dinner tonight. Amazing what a plain ole cardboard box can do to keep your kids busy and productive.

In our past posts, we have talked about the importance of keeping your child's toys simple and how the more simple they are, the more your child is encouraged to use their imagination, social, language as well as critical thinking skills. For example, tonight, my girls pretended their beat up Pottery Barn Kids box was a sleigh, and then after they had their fun on their sleigh ride, they imagined they were at the beach and their cardboard box, was their "boat." So while I was preparing dinner, and the girls were having fun on their sleigh ride or in their boat, they were laughing, talking, and having fun thinking of so many ways or things they could turn this ordinary box in their latest adventure.

Lesson I learned? Don't throw away every box you get in the mail. You never know what this box can teach your child as well as you!

Tis the Season to Reading Aloud

As you know, we strongly encourage reading aloud to your children at least 20 minutes every day. It is the perfect way to bond, as well as teach your child pre-reading skills. So let’s take advantage of the great holiday stories, old and new, and read to our children every night. This is another way to create a holiday family tradition.

Our favorite holiday books:

Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Polar Express

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Merry Christmas Curious George

Merry Christmas Biscuit

Merry Christmas Mouse

Olivia Claus

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

Room for a Little One

B is for Bethlehem

The Nativity

The Little Drummer Boy

the importance of traditions...

When I think of my childhood Christmas memories, I immediately think of my Grandparents and how they made this special holiday so memorable. I remember baking and decorating cookies with my Aunt and cousins at my Grandma’s house. Then, I used to always look forward to riding around with my mom and dad, looking at our town’s gorgeous Christmas lights and decorations, while listening to fun holiday tunes. I also remember the cozy feeling of getting into my holiday pjs after a warm bath and curling up on the couch with hot cocoa, to watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Then, as I got older, I looked forward to the traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service at my church, and then having a yummy meal afterwards, with my whole family.

It is really the simple things that we remember and cherish, even as adults. So when you are thinking about creating family traditions in your home this holiday season, remember it doesn’t have to be elaborate. You don’t have to go, go, go all the time to entertain your child. It is your time and what you believe is special.

We would love to hear what your favorite childhood memories are or what kind of family traditions you have created with your family? I know for me, I have carried the tradition of baking with my girls every week, and then just snuggling up with them each night to read them a Christmas book or watch their favorite holiday show, like Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph.

There are other ways to create family traditions like doing holiday crafts together, like Christmas cards or ornaments, setting a certain date and time to decorate the tree, or maybe even volunteering somewhere to really encourage your child and teach them about giving and not just receiving.

We look forward to hearing about your traditions and how they are special to you.