When my children were younger, I copied this list of ideas from a post on one of Mothering Magazine’s message boards. (Though I’ve created my own examples of how to use each one in the hard won lessons of raising my own kids!) I’ve carried it in my purse for more than ten years to help me remember and refocus when I am at my wit’s end with one of my children. I have found the strategies useful for each … Read More...
At a physical for my children a couple of years ago, the nurse practitioner worked through a standard list of questions that I had answered for at least ten years. “Is there violence in the home? Does anyone smoke in the home?” But her last question was new.
“Does your child get at least one hour of focused physical activity per day?”
I did not ask why, but I did ask her to define what “focused physical activity” meant. I … Read More...
Wool undergarments feel more like a necessity than a luxury this time of year. Whether or not they are blended with a little silk, they cuddle your body’s warmth a little closer to your skin and protect you against biting weather from late fall to early spring. Still, if you’ve layered yourself or your child in organic Merino wool, it’s an investment you probably want to last a couple of seasons.
The first step to making woolens last longer is … Read More...
Here in northern Vermont, the days are very short from early December until mid-January. Intellectually, I knew this would be the case when our family moved here from Texas, where the shortness of days is not as pronounced, but experiencing it in the flesh was another thing entirely. Indeed, there is so little light that my understanding of the focus on light in mid-winter across so many cultures has increased. If you feel the same, perhaps you might like to mark this time of year with not … Read More...
Winter is a great time for baking; there tends to be a little holiday free time, baked goods make great gifts, and the oven makes the house just a little warmer. Most children, at almost any age, will enjoy helping you in the kitchen. With a little deep breathing and careful planning, holiday baking can be a memory-making experience.
As you choose your recipes, consider the ages of your helpers. If your children are younger, you might stick with simple … Read More...
Measure flours and salt into bowl and mix to combine.
Work the butter into the flour mixture by hand.
Dissolve honey in the warm water and stir in the yeast.
When the yeast mixture is foamy add it to the flour.
Work the flour and water together, first with a spoon, then by hand until you have a ball of dough in the bowl. Add more water or more flour bit by bit to make a fairly sticky dough.
When the dough is formed, cover it and leave it in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and knead it for 3-5 minutes in the bowl, then cover it and let it rise again for 1-2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9″ x 13″ loaf pan.
Punch down the dough and form a loaf. Put it top side down in the pan and then flip it over so the whole loaf is buttered.
Allow to rise 30-45 minutes, then bake for about 30 minutes. Let your nose tell you when it’s done. It should sound hollow if you give it a tap.
Turn it out of the loaf pan and let it cool before slicing.
If you have spent much time looking at dolls, whether in the process of shopping as an adult or in the course of play during your own childhood, you will have noted the wide array of styles available–everything from very floppy baby dolls and rag dolls, completely unstuffed dolls, to very formed baby and child-like dolls. Aside from what you can see on the outside, though, it can be difficult to discern the real differences between dolls. Here are a … Read More...
A tradition in Germany and Sweden, these simple, all-natural straw ornaments are beautiful, affordable and fairly easy to make. Make some to grace your Christmas tree, then make some to give away as gifts. This is a good craft to do with children over the age of 5.
Materials: Natural Straw (available at a feed, pet or craft store) or Colorful Straw X-acto or sharp knife Thread (gold thread blends in better, red thread gives a festive pop) Iron Thumbtacks … Read More...
As parents we spend a lot of time doing all we can to keep our kids healthy and safe. Making sure kids eat their fruits and veggies, and get good sources of protein and whole grains in their diet is part of this. Yet, even this healthy food can present risks for serious illness if they are not prepped properly before mealtime. Below are some tips on how to protect your family from foodborne illness.
Taking care of a sick child is nerve racking for all parents, but especially so for new parents. The runny nose, a sore throat, a tummy ache are all common childhood ailments, however nothing can be as trying as caring for a child with an ear infection. Ear infections can be difficult to detect before the onset of full blown symptoms and tough to get over as reoccurrence is quite common in infants and young children. Giving them their medicine, … Read More...
Eco-conscious moms and dads care about the overall health of the planet. Our ability to live more “green” has a direct impact on the health of our children and the quality of life for them and future generations. There are many ways to incorporate “green” choices into our everyday lives and even the smallest of changes can make all the difference towards better health for our loved ones and the environment at large. Here are six tips to get you … Read More...