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Creative Conversation Starters with Your Kids
Today, take some time to talk- and listen- to your child. Forget “How was school today?” because you already know that answer. “Fine.” That answer tells you nothing. I’m going to suggest some conversation-opening questions: Lately, I’ve been asking my kids to tell me a story from their day. The responses have been so fun, because I usually learn something about the kids in class and their personalities. It also forces my kids to not answer with one-word answers. They have to lay out the scenario, detail the conversation, and why it was interesting. Telling a story also indicates I am not going to interrupt! Rather, I am listening. Try…
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Darn Pine Needles
At our house, my husband and kids insist on a real Christmas tree. We go to the tree lot (same one every year), analyze the trees carefully, and each argue for why the one we picked is indeed, the best. It’s serious business. Most years we have had success with keeping our trees alive, but this year, about two weeks after picking out this year’s winner, it just stopped sucking up water. It got more and more dry, until it practically rained needles as we walked by. Usually the tree stays up till the new year, but this year, it was out at the curb two days after Christmas. My…
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When Being a Mom Isn’t Fulfilling
It would feel dreamy. I would smile as I tuck my kids into bed and watch them fall asleep. I would look like the mom in the cartoons laying on the couch with disheveled hair and toys everywhere…but I would smile inwardly at a day-well-done. It’s all I dreamed of: it started with the proposal, then the picture-perfect wedding. Next the house, the boy, the girl, another boy and girl, even the mini-van, for heaven’s sake. Everything I wanted. And now I’ve been doing this for a while. I’m getting the hang of being mom. I can usually pull off the tasks/activities/doctor appointments/getting the kids to eat one bite of…
