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child raising

Summer Plans Part 3: Contracts and Checklists

This is the final installment of our summer planning series.  We’ve already talked about dreaming big to ensure that our summer meets our goals, and we’ve made lists of all the necessary activities.  Now we need to make all that practical. I used to write out a contract for each child. First I’d list the […]

Summer Plans Part 2: Necessary Activities

Dreaming is the best part of planning for the summer, and a summer filled with dreams will leave a lot of happy memories.  I posted about our Dream Lists last week. However, to avoid regrets when the fall comes, it’s also important to plan the necessary activities: Obviously, there are daily chores.  Summer is a […]

Review: Summer Survival Guide

“Years ago when my three oldest were just little guys, I realized that I wanted to mark the passing of summer in some really fun ways.  Since we had chosen to homeschool, the line between life and learning has been very faint.  But, I wanted them to make special summer memories that made that season […]

Summer Plans Part 1: Dream Lists

Summer happens.  Days pass, one by one.   Some are memorable and enjoyable.  Some are boring.  And then, suddenly, it’s all over for another year, and all we’re left with are memories. We want those memories to be happy, so every year our family plans the summer. The first step is to brainstorm our dreams.  It’s […]

Review: MomSense by Jean Blackmer

I took careful notes when a nurse showed me how to bathe my first baby, over 18 years ago.  Nervous and uncertain, I pestered all the nurses with questions about everything to do with babies. Finally one nurse turned to me, smiled with her dark brown eyes and said, “Don’t worry.  Your baby will tell […]