Category Archives: Parenting

Grouchy Children

By Elise | Published: February 16, 2012

The thing about kids is that they are people too.  They have many of  the same needs as everyone else, which include: Needing much more sleep than they get  (Check to see if your kids are getting enough sleep here.) Needing many more hugs than they get Needing people to me much more patient with [...]

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Pacifier Intelligence ???

By Elise | Published: February 13, 2012

When I was pregnant with my first child, an co-worker of mine told me a story.  It went something like this: My friend just had a baby, and when she was at the doctor last week for the baby’s 2 month old checkup, the doctor told her that the way the baby was sucking on [...]

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Peaceful Child

By Elise | Published: January 25, 2012

My daughter came home from school last night in a tizzy.  She got in a tiny bit of trouble with her teacher, and it hurt her feelings.  On top of that, there was the mountain of homework.   The poor child was freaking out about getting it done so much so that she was practically [...]

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The world is ending

By Elise | Published: January 3, 2012

Last week, my daughter attended a birthday party for a friend she doesn’t see too often.  She came home in tears. Apparently, upon arrival at the restaurant, all the attendees (5th grade girls) got out their phones and started texting each other across the tables. Of course my daughter does not have a phone.  She’s [...]

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Peace at Home

By Elise | Published: December 19, 2011

There is something about the holiday season that is sweetly melancholic for me.  It’s hard to look at my children and not realize how fast they are growing up.  While I am mostly overjoyed each day watching them bloom into wonderful people, there is a place in my heart holding deep sadness that the time [...]

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I believe in Santa!

By Elise | Published: December 7, 2011

Every few years, I have discussions with my momma friends about whether or not our kids still believe in Santa.   Most people are shocked to find out that my oldest – now 11 – still believes. It shouldn’t really surprise them of course, since her momma does as well. A few years ago she told [...]

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A Holiday Tale

By Elise | Published: December 4, 2011

Once upon a time, we decorated our home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but this year everyone was just too tired.    So, in an effort to compromise, last Sunday we hung the outside lights, and the kids decorated their own rooms. Yesterday was finally the day our sweet daughter had been waiting for all year, [...]

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Halloween Harmony

By Elise | Published: October 20, 2011

My daughter has sketched her desired Halloween costume – vampire lady in scary evening gown. I am in no way an expert seamstress, and yet it seems possible.  I made her costume in Kindergarten myself, and it involved sewing.  Maybe it’s the helicopter parent in me, but I feel like making the costume gives me [...]

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What do perfect mommas do? And peaceful mommas?

By Elise | Published: October 17, 2011

I am still shocked at how often I unconsciously compare myself to an idealized perfect momma who: Lives in an eternally clean and orderly home. Always has freshly baked, homemade cookies on hand for her own and any visiting children. Volunteers in her children’s classrooms once a week. Cooks wonderful, from scratch, dinners every night. [...]

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Deciding to Enjoy It All

By Elise | Published: October 10, 2011

I heard a parenting expert speak last week.  His name is Robert Holden, and his specialty is “being happy.”  Pretty sweet – right?  He also speaks in an adorable Australian accent – so I liked him a lot.  Ha! I haven’t read any of his work, but the subject of this speech was Deciding to [...]

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