The sale and consumption of consumer fireworks was recently approved in the state of Iowa. Whatever side of the new law you’re on, firework sales are now allowed between June 1 and July 8 each year, and from December 10…
Read MoreCategory: Parenting
Parenting tips for caretakers in Des Moines.
Fight the Summer Brain Drain in Des Moines
It’s no secret that kids experience learning losses over summer vacation–unless we keep educating them. The good thing about summer is that not all learning needs to take place in a stuffy classroom. Parents can keep their kiddos minds sharp…
Read MoreDitch the Electronics 4 Screen-Free Week
Do you remember when you were a kid? When you played outside until the streetlights came on? When you occupied your time by reading a book, making up games, riding your bike and just hanging out with other kids? I…
Read MoreSevere Weather Awareness Week in Iowa
As Iowans we know that that severe weather may strike at any time. Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with the National Weather Service (Des Moines office) typically designate the last week of March as Severe Weather Awareness Week. The…
Read MoreBooks to Help You Discuss the “Birds & the Bees” with Your Kids
“Let me tell ya ’bout the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees, and the moon up above, and a thing called “Love””…… So, have you had “The Talk” yet? My son, who is in 5th Grade…
Read More10 Tips 4 Your Family to be More Active this Spring
Spring is such a beautiful time of year in Iowa. The winter weather is becoming an afterthought, the birds are out, and the landscape is beginning to bud out its spring foliage. It’s hard to believe that with warmer weather…
Read More5 Ideas to Make Family Time Meaningful
With the holidays just around the corner and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, fitting in some family time can prove challenging. Whether you’re a working parent or a stay-at-home mom with a to-do list a mile long, squeezing…
Read MoreElection Day & Voting with Your Kids in Des Moines
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th, 2016. THANK GOODNESS!!! With the Iowa Caucuses happening clear back in February, it feels like this thing has dragged on forever! First off, I want to let you know that I am NOT going…
Read MoreHelping Kids Cope with Tragedy
Waking up to yesterday’s tragic news was so sad and heartbreaking. In the moment, I decided not to share the news with my kids, but I also knew that they would hear about it at school. I guess I just…
Read MoreHealth Care Tips 4 Sending Kids off to College this Fall
Attention college students and parents of soon-to-be college students…my cousin Kelly, who is a nurse at a state university in Iowa, recently posted this great advice about student health care on her Facebook page and she kindly is letting me…
Read More7 Fun & EASY Back-To-School Traditions
Now that it’s August, we’ve only got a few weeks left before the kiddos head Back-To-School. I don’t know about you, but this time of year is always a little bitter sweet for me. By this time in the summer,…
Read More7 Highly Effective Study Tips for the New School Year
It’s that time of year again. Soon we’ll be trading pool days for school days and once the newness of the first few days of school wears off, it will be time to get down to business. The start of…
Read MoreBack-To-School: 5 Tips for No-Stress Mornings
With the first day of school only a few weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about getting back into a morning routine. You know…how you get your family out of the house on time, happy and prepared to face…
Read More100 Summer Boredom Busters 4 Kids
Now that school has been out for a couple of weeks, the inevitable words “Mom, I’m bored” may have been overheard at your house. I am of a mindset that kids don’t need to be entertained all day long. Oh,…
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