Parenting

The Bucket List Life Manifesto

Filed Under: Books, Bucket Lists, Choice, Hopes, Parenting, Time Tagged With: bucket lists, busy, family, family adventures, family bucket list, family bucket lists, priorities, purpose

You are an adventurer. You know that, right? If you are a parent, then you signed up for a life of thrills and chills, unexpected turns of events, situations that test your wit and courage, and unparalleled moments of joy. Don’t miss the adventure of life with kids. Because every day is an opportunity to…

What if You Could Succeed More By Changing Your Attitude?

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: Books, bucket lists, expectations, family bucket lists, goals

As a child I admired those with talent. Nadia Comaneci was my hero for her amazing abilities as a gymnast. Marie Curie’s story stuck with me for her example of what one woman could do for science. Young violin and piano prodigies captivated me with their skill. At first these gifted people inspired me. I…

The Secret to Fewer Regrets

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Choice, Parenting, Planning Tagged With: bucket lists, Children, family bucket lists, fears, priorities

Parenting requires so many decisions, it can sometimes become mind-numbing. How to respond to discipline issues, what to do about kids’ friendship struggles, which sports to encourage them toward and what other activities to enroll them in. We have so much information and so many opportunities at our fingertips, it can be hard to sort…

Junior High “Graduation” and Post-Achievement Depression

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Parenting, School

I find myself holding my breath often this past week, choking back tears. At times a wave of sadness will roll up from the depths of my stomach into my chest and across my lungs, constricting them. I want to weep. On Thursday my husband and I joined the other eighth-grade parents in the school…

Coming on May 13th: Family Bucket Lists, the e-book

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Parenting

What is on your bucket list? Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? How do you want to spend the years before your children grow up? Answering those questions can be both exhilarating and perplexing. It’s fun to think of all the exploits we’d like to undertake in our lifetime….

Family Bucket Lists: Forming a lively family identity (Reason #4 to Make Yours)

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Hopes, Parenting Tagged With: bucket lists, family bucket lists, future, goals, tradition

“All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”…

Family Bucket Lists: Let’s Land That Helicopter, Mom

Filed Under: Bucket Lists, Parenting Tagged With: expectations, family bucket lists, future, goals

My breath caught at the sight of the bright flags piled near the gym wall. A few girls were already spinning and tossing the aluminum-poled silks. Instinctively my body reacted to the sharp thwap of fabric slicing air, hands itching to join the movements. Suddenly I was 15 again, standing in the early morning haze…

Staying Organized as a Mom

Filed Under: Life Hacks, Parenting, Planning

“I’m sorry, but we can’t groom your dog today,” the technician said as I reached to hand her my schnoodle’s leash. “Why not?” I replied. “I have an appointment.” She tapped a few more keys on her computer before answering. “It says here that your dog was due for rabies shots last month. But his…

Wish Lists

Filed Under: Hopes, Parenting Tagged With: Children, expectations, future, goals

It’s that wonderful time of year – those weeks where we head to the stores or our craft rooms or kitchens to buy/create an item from a loved one’s list of wishes. Our goal now, and in the weeks ahead, is to fulfill a wish (or wishes) for every person on our shopping list. But…

Why Do I Do This?

Filed Under: Choice, Crafts, Parenting, Relationships Tagged With: Children, family, Good food, love, treasure

Three times a year I put myself through the finger-numbing task of creating and decorating my daughters’ birthday cakes and treats. It’s often a four- or five-hour process, during which my shoulders cramp up high around my ears as I hunch over my masterpiece. My tembles throb from the effort of concentration. And my hands…