The Gift of Giving

  ‘Tis the season to … be running from store to store to get that one hot item for our kids for Christmas. Sadly, gift-giving has come to focus on gift-getting. Everywhere we take our children they are asked, “What do you want for Christmas?” I wonder what people would think if a six-year-old said,
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Hey Mama Monday: What Are Your Family’s Christmas Traditions, Mama?

  Hey Mama,   Enjoy this season. Stop and look at the lights. Drive through the city or town if you can at night with your family and just make it a point to slow down and take it all in. It’s so pretty right now. Really. Slow down. It will all get done. It
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Immersion

  Experts in teaching foreign languages insist that immersion is the best way to encourage second language proficiency. In fact, they tell me that as a Spanish teacher, I should be speaking in Spanish for about 90% of each class period. Speaking from experience, this is extremely difficult. While we do speak a lot of
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7 Ideas for an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

  Are you looking for ways to keep your kids active, busy, and engaged even when the weather is a little bit chilly? Here are seven ideas for outdoor scavenger hunts to help keep your children entertained even throughout the cooler months. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of nine natural elements that you can
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Hey Mama Monday: Pause. Adore Him this Christmas, Mama

  Hey Mama,   Twelve days until Christmas? Is it possible to slow that down a bit? I wish it were. But the count goes on, and I must fit everything in. This season can be stressful as it adds to our already full lives, but it sure helps if I would remain in a
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Christmas Life Skills

  With Christmas being America’s most-celebrated holiday, there are expectations and responsibilities that come along with the festivities. This is a perfect time to teach our teens and children life skills! Things we adults do like budgeting, scheduling, cooking, baking, menu planning, communicating, and showing hospitality can all be passed on to our sons and
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Your Child’s Four Least-Favorite Words

  I saw the look on my granddaughter’s face when I asked her to perform an unexpected, undesired task. It’s the same slit-eyed stare my mother saw a thousand times before the one-word challenge—“Why?”—tumbled from my lips, my hands on my hips. Mama’s retort was as rapid, “Because I said so.” Sting! Those words would
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Hey Mama Monday: Are You Gearing Up for Christmas, Mama?

  Hey Mama,   Kids love to give gifts and make something special for those they love. Sometimes as adults, we forget how special creating gifts can be (and budget friendly–grin!).  Whether you feel like you’re “crafty” or not, you’ll find some great ideas here: -The Old Schoolhouse® holiday supplements here and here -Pinterest for The
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