A guest post from Sarah R. Moore. Many parents have asked whether punishment "works" to stop unwanted behavior, especially with younger children. Some have heard the false narrative that they need to "nip negative behavior in the bud" before it becomes a problem. What this fails to consider, however, is two things: Does punishment stop undesired behavior? Yes, punishment teaches (in a way), and I’ll expand on that in a moment. Here’s the thing, though, as described in Peaceful … [Read more...]
Affordable Meatless Meals Ideas
Many of us grew up in "meat and potatoes" homes but we are looking for more inexpensive options as we attempt to feed our families. It is important to remember that there are many valid meat substitutes that can provide all of the nutrition of meat without all of the fat. Let us explore some affordable meatless meals options that will help you save money on groceries by serving your family meatless meals. Minestrone soup A hearty minestrone soup with a salad and fresh bread is a hearty and … [Read more...]
Celebrate Valentines Day with Pets
A guest post from Wondercide. It’s February, and love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is on the 14th, Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day is on February 15, Love Your Pet Day is on the 20th and a lesser-known holiday is Doggy Date Night, which kicks off the month of love on February 3. So how can all these caring holidays be celebrated to show loved ones how much they mean to us? Here are 10 fun ways to celebrate Valentines Day with pets in February. February 3, Doggy Date Night 1. Bake … [Read more...]
Kindness for Kids
kind·ness/ˈkīn(d)nəs/nounthe quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate I am always trying to find new ways to practice kindness in our home. I am also looking for ways to share random acts of kindness with our community. The kids participate in outreach with our unsheltered quite regularly with our local church. We also love making kindness rocks; our community and county both have an active Rocks group. Kindness is so important to me. We are a Christian family, and I believe … [Read more...]
Vegetarian Valentines Day Dinner Ideas
Making Valentine's Day fun with the family at home saves money and creates great memories. My kids love pasta and having breakfast for dinner, so I've included a great round-up of Vegetarian ideas that my kids would love. I am so grateful for a family to love and that loves me. Creating memories with the family is very important. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, … [Read more...]
Christmas Gifts for Kid Cooks
The holiday season will be upon us before we know it; making this a great time to get started on our homemade gifts. The following are some great gifts for kid cooks on your list. Make A Handy Hand Towel When you're making a big meal in the kitchen, you don't have time to be distracted. So, here is a project that turns a regular dish towel into one that will fit on a kitchen knob or handle. This way you will always be able to find the towel when you need it. The cook on your list is sure … [Read more...]
Candy Cane Legend from Candy to Christmas Tree Ornaments
Like many symbols of Christmas, there are several legends about the origin of candy canes. But whether as treats or ornaments, candy canes mean Christmas. Like many items connected with Christmas, the candy cane is steeped in religious symbolism and history. However, the most plausible story is more about bribery than the Holy Trinity. From its origins in Germany, the candy cane spread across Europe and then to North America where it first became mass-produced in bulk. Whether as a treat … [Read more...]