My first attempt at canning resulted in strawberry jam and grape jelly. My sons weren't as interested in the process until they were licking the foam I scooped off the top of the strawberry jam, but my daughters loved helping. I think they may have eaten as many strawberries as we used for the jam.... Continue Reading →
When I first heard of Katrina Kenison's book, Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry, I mentally brushed it off. With such a title, I expected the book to proselytize religious beliefs. When the book showed up in my mailbox from the publisher, I picked it up with apprehension, and found I was... Continue Reading →
If I could only recommend one book about homeschooling to someone, it would be Laura Grace Weldon's Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything. There is something for everyone in this book, whether a homeschooling veteran or someone who is contemplating whether or not to homeschool their children. While the book is unschooling-lite, families of all styles will... Continue Reading →
I decided to try canning. After posting thast I was looking for some affordable used canning equipment, a wonderful friend asked if I would be interested in trading some of my sewing skills for her unused canning kit. I couldn't pass up that deal. Great friends are wonderful to have.
When I was a child, my mother stressed the importance of writing thank you notes. If someone was thoughtful enough to spend their money and time thinking about you, shopping for or making a gift, she explained, the least the recipient could do was take a minute and write a thank you note. I took... Continue Reading →
My daughter has an atypical form of eczema known as dyshydrotic eczema. It presents as small bumps underneath the skin on the palms (and sometimes feet) that itch horribly. It is generally connected to food allergies and intolerances. Oddly enough, she never had the problem before we began cutting foods out, and we have yet... Continue Reading →
Learning language is a natural process for children. However, the rate at which that process is mastered varies with each individual. In a society which is increasingly focused on end products, parents often feel pressured to push their children to attend speech therapy. While such programs may be beneficial for some children, it seems odd that an entire... Continue Reading →
Photo by Benjamin GrayThere is something magical about band-aids, as any parent can tell you. When our children cut or scrape themselves, a band-aid seems to make it all feel better. It's not really the bandage, of course. The fact that we take the time to listen to our child's woes is what really matters.... Continue Reading →
Millions of Americans suffer from a host of afflictions, never realizing that what they eat could be the cause. After struggling with cutting numerous allergens from my diet in order to heal many of the problems afflicting me, a naturopath suggested going on a yeast cleanse. Suddenly, after just a week, I could feel a... Continue Reading →
Please join us for a monthly blog carnival focusing on families and creativity. Families, Create! is a blog carnival with a purpose: we want your family to get creative and have fun! Read below for details on the August carnival, and check out the main carnival page for upcoming themes in 2011. (Check out January,... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 