With Halloween just around the corner have you ever wondered where our modern day tradition originated from? It is said that it dates back to the All Souls Day Parades in England. During this time, poor citizens would beg for food, and families would give them pastries called soul cakes in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The tradition of dressing up has both European and Celtic roots. During this time winter was often thought of as a scary and uncertain time of year. Food sources often ran low and the shorter days were a constant worry for those afraid of the…

Fall is here and there is no better time to start some family fun traditions! Cooler temperatures, warm apple cider and the crunching leaves beneath our feet create a full sensory experience for the young and old alike. It never ceases to amaze me how we can hear an old song on the radio, and in an instant, we are taken back to the first moment we heard that same song played just years before. Who were you with? What were you doing? Or so often we smell something cooking and a memory of our past is so quickly triggered: how old we were, how we felt and who was cooking. Our memories come …

Oh, how I love the cool breeze blowing through the windows in the morning, the smell of sweet apple pie, and all the adorable fall decorations. I love this time of year! However, I have also come to realize it brings about something not quite as enjoyable. That’s right, “squabbling siblings.” School, cooler days, and inclement weather all prevent those little ones from releasing some of that pent up energy outside. They are tired from new schedules and new routines. And who better to take it out on but their siblings. I despise whining - even though all kids do it - and yes, gasp, even we did…

There is little doubt that the schedules of most families today are overflowing with extra-curricular activities: dance practice, soccer and football just to name a few. The options are endless for organized activities in our society. Every second of everyday could virtually be filled if you so desired, but what if you are yearning for some balance? How do you choose what your children participate in? A wise family friend of mine gave me some advice on this, and I thought I would share with all of you! When the kids are in bed sit down with your significant other and make a list of goals for …

When is the last time you and your significant other enjoyed a date night without children? As parents we frequently are consumed with our children’s needs, wants, and desires. Our own identities and the ability to maintain our personal relationships often times can take a back seat to child rearing. Now I’m not suggesting a fancy date night where you leave the kids with a sitter until the wee hours of the night. Although I do recommend an occasional 24 hours without your children which is like a mini-vacation and undoubtedly will energize your parenting spirit.   My husband and I recommend …

Whether you are in need of a sitter for a night out, a special occasion, or for after school meeting - it is inevitable you will need a babysitter at some point. Family is great, and can help, when you are in a pinch. Friends are wonderful, always willing to help and lend a hand when possible. However, what about those times when no one is available? Are you left scrambling? What is the going rate for a sitter these days, anyways? Ask friends and colleagues for sitter recommendations, but no sitter stealing please! Maybe they will know someone from church, a local school, or maybe even have …

As we mourn the loss of those who have died serving our country, especially the 22 fallen Navy SEALS and eight other U.S. service members whom most recently lost their lives in Afghanistan, may we be reminded that our service men and women are in fact someone’s children. These are children that have chosen a life of service. A life of serving our country and fulfilling one of the most selfless professions there is in today’s world: putting their life at risk daily to see the lives of others are spared. As parents we are blessed with the gift of a child. It is our duty to see that they are …

It’s August, can you believe it? This summer has certainly flown by. There is still a good month left for us to enjoy the lazy days of summer. However it is around this time, as the summer activities come to an end, our minds often drift to thoughts of fall preparation. The back to school ads are in full gear, fall sports registrations are due, and as parents there is a mixture of great joy and sadness. We often look forward to the next big thing, but we hope we have spent enough time enjoying the present. Will your child be attending school for the first time in the fall? Will they be …

Among the many gifts our children give us: kisses, hugs and countless giggles. One of the best gifts is the opportunity to share in their joy of childhood. That is right, we get to relive all the things that make being a kid great! What things made your childhood great? What did you enjoy doing as a child? What did you like to play with? Take moments and reflect on those things. Now, what things do you think your child will remember into adulthood? What do they like to play with? How do they spend their time? Are your lists similar or different? You are likely to see a bit of similarity? …

One of the things I enjoy most about raising my family in St. Clair Shores is the diverse age groups we have living among us. It is wonderful to live somewhere where the original homeowners still live all around you, while newlyweds and new families are popping out among the blocks too. It is great to look out my window and see families walking in the evening and hear stories of those who have walked before them from the elders among us. A large city with a small town feel! Frequently, friends that do not live within our city will comment, “I do not even know my neighbors’ names” and “really…

Let’s face it we all like to win. However, when raising children the coping skills of losing are an essential fact of life too. No one can win all the time. From job interviews to a family game night of Hungry Hippos, there is always going to be a winner and a loser. It is how one copes and accepts the final result that matters most. If one interviews for a job and does not get the job, is there disappointment? Absolutely! Losing only makes us stronger. We learn from our mistakes and how to do better in the future. If we are not taught as children how to lose, we grow up thinking the world is…

Okay, so I’m hardly an athlete but I have always managed to live an active life style. Dancing, swimming, cheerleading and classes at the local gym. I worked out the entire nine months with my first-born, and three kids later, what happened? Sure, I have been able to lose all the baby weight, but something happens the older you get. Your body changes and things just don’t look or work the way they used to. Recently, I tried to show my oldest how to do the monkey bars at the park and nearly pulled every muscle in my back. Ouch! Thank you, to Chase Chiropractic for always fixing my issues. I …

Racing ahead, speeding to keep up with friends and clearly not going to listen to mom until she learned the hard way -- yes, this was my daughter riding her bike on our evening walk the other day. Let's just say she learned a little lesson on the importance of bike safety and listening to mom. She is usually very obedient and cautious, so her behavior somewhat caught me by surprise. But she is no different than anyone else. Sometimes even the most well behaved fall short, and stumble off the beaten path. Down she went, crashing onto the sidewalk after trying to stop much too quickly for the …

Schools out! Summer vacation mean staying up a bit later, sleeping in a bit longer, summer camps, vacation bible school, swim practice, Little League and so much more. Even with packed daily schedules, yes, even in the summer our children still manage to utter those dreaded words “I’m bored.” Recently, I was inspired to make an activity jar just for that "I’m bored” moment in our home. Here are 100 inexpensive boredom buster recommendations for you and your family to enjoy!  How it works: if your son or daughter is feeling bored then he or she will pick an activity out of the jar. Whatever …

Today it seems as though we are obsessed with celebrities and their families. We all know the can’t get enough public figures obsession of today. What they are doing, buying and naming their children? However, did you know that we as parents are blessed to have our own fan club? That’s right, our children … they love us, adore us and look up to us in so many ways. Whether it is the tiny baby that needs your gentle touch and nurturing for survival, or the teenager that is testing his or her waters of freedom. Our children are always watching us. They are our number one fans. This Father’s Day …

The sun is shining and I am knee-deep in birthday planning. Yes, my little boy is almost one. It has been a great year and we are so blessed to have him in our life. Like so many other parents we are left to decide what are we going to do? How will we celebrate his or her big day? As the thought of what to do has entered my mind several times the past months, I have also been visited by another question, “what happened to good old cake and ice cream parties?” Today’s parties seem to be following a trend full of action, interaction, creativity, and hands-on opportunities. I am a planner at …

As parents we are creating memories for our children in everything we do from monumental experiences to the every day occurrences of life. Undoubtedly, they will remember something as they grow older. What do we want our children to remember? What experiences do you remember as a child, were they good or bad? One of my fondest memories as a child was going to the local park by our house and having a picnic. I loved eating the little cheese squares and pickles on a blanket under the tree. Now today I am enjoying creating those same picnic memories with my children, a sometimes overlooked free …

With today’s tough economy it is no wonder so many women struggle to balance work and motherhood. Whether you work full-time, part-time, are changing careers or work from home, chances are the juggling act looks somewhat like a circus act. If you are a stay at home mom, the decision was not likely easy to come by, nor is the decision of whether to return to the work force in the future.  The tug-of-war between work and family that modern moms of today so often feel can be unbearable at times. We are blessed to have options, but the feeling of being pulled in two different directions can often…

Being a mother is certainly one of the hardest jobs on earth. However, it is also undoubtedly one of the most rewarding. From the countless hugs, squeezes and cuddles from little ones, to the overwhelming pride in watching your child graduate from high school. Although the title mother lasts a lifetime, the years a child is actually in the home is so few. In the blink of an eye that little pre-schooler with a wide grin and cheerful personality will be walking across a large stage. He or she will be moving forward, but where does that leave mom? By now, the preparations are long under way for …

It’s spring. A time for rebirth, new beginnings, a time of hope, a fresh start, and yes, spring cleaning. You know when we attempt to get rid of the dirt and clutter in our homes and life– in a sense our new beginning. We daydream of a clean home, with the windows open, the radio turned up, the sun shining and then–"BAM" we hear the word mom! Yes, our dream of spring cleaning can seem almost impossible with children. Heck, cleaning on a regular basis at times is nearly impossible. How am I supposed to do the extra cleaning of the blinds, windows, inside of my cabinets, etc.? On most days I’m …