Posted on March 17, 2010 by hkempskie
Lisa and I will be joining a group of stellar moms as speakers at “It’s a Baby & Family Expo” coming to Boston this weekend (March 20 & 21).
Whether you’re currently awaiting your first bundle of joy or adding a new member to your growing family, the “It’s A Baby & Family Expo” is the place to be for the latest in baby products and informative parenting experts. The expo focuses on providing parents with everything they need, from learning about the safest baby and toddler products, to gaining insight from child care professionals and even products especially for mom post-baby.
In addition to some great speakers (us and others!), the Parents and Kids magazine booth (where we’ll be presenting!) will also be hosting raffles – win a free family portrait session or a Goodie Basket for Mom, Dad or Baby. Plus, your child can have their photo taken to appear on a mock cover of P&K.
Here’s the line up of speakers!
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Filed under: Events | Tagged: siblings | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 14, 2010 by hkempskie
Ten thing
s you can do to make bubbles even more fun!
1.) Add food coloring to bubbles. Ask your children what color bubble is the brightest.
2.) Pour bubble solution into a kiddie pool and use a hula hoop as your wand!
3.) Blow bubbles onto paper to make bubble art.
4.) Use empty frozen juice cans with lids off for awesome bubble making.
5.) Run through the yard with the wand behind you to make a long trail of bubbles.
6.) Do ‘The Bubble Stomp and Clap’ – how many bubbles can you pop before they get too far away?
8.) Use a spatula as a bubble wand! Lots of cool small bubbles.
9.) Wet your hands with bubble solution and try to catch bubbles in your hands. How long before they pop?
10.) In a pail, bucket or wash basin pour in 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of liquid dish soap, and 1/8 cup of glycerin for your own bubble solution!
Filed under: Activities, Sibling Activities | Tagged: bubbles, making bubbles, outdoor fun | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 13, 2010 by hkempskie
Posted on March 10, 2010 by hkempskie
For Saint Patrick’s Day, make a rainbow windsock complete with a trail of dazzling gold coins!
Cut several circles, each about two inches in diameter, from thin cardboard. Give each child some cardboard circles to decorate with yellow paint, yellow crayons, or yellow tissue paper and glue. Set these gold coins aside when finished.
To make a windsock, roll a sheet of green construction paper lengthwise to create a tube. Staple the edges together to hold the tube’s shape. You and your older children can then cut 1-inche wide strips from construction paper in rainbow colors. Staple one end of each strip to the tube so they dangle from the bottom. Next punch a hole at the bottom of each strip and at the top of each coin. Using yarn, tie each coin to a strip. Lastly, punch a hole at the top of the tube and string it with yarn so you can display the windsock outside or inside your home.
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Posted on March 6, 2010 by hkempskie
What planet do we live on?
I have two kids. Boy, do I like that number. It is an even number. It can easily be divided. Tables were made for even numbers; cars were made for even numbers. Heck, families were made for even numbers. Yes, I like even and that is how I played parenting for quite some time – even.
The big question here involves the words: equal, fair and yes even. When I got Noah a bike – I felt the need to get Jake one too. When I was out running errands and I grabbed a doughnut for Jake, I got one for Noah. When Noah needed a backpack because he was starting school, I felt Jake should get one too.
However, there was this saying that I kept ignoring back then and it was: FAIR IS NOT ALWAYS EQUAL (even). I had to make some important changes to make the planet EVEN we lived on a little better for everyone.
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Filed under: Parenting advice | Tagged: equal treatment | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 4, 2010 by hkempskie
Posted on March 3, 2010 by hkempskie
Are you a skeptic? Can siblings really learn to love each other? C’mon, really? There are no guarantees – just ideas to help create sibling harmony in your home through play and guidance. Take a look at this drawing my 5-year-old daughter recently drew for her brother. Hearts and all!
In honor of National Sibling Day on April 10, we want to share a few of our favorite activities to help encourage sibling togetherness, halt sibling squabbling, and create lasting sibling memories.
We’ve also planned some events in the area – so definitely check out our Upcoming Events page for listings including sibling fun at “It’s a Baby & Family Expo” coming to the Bayside Expo Center in Boston on March 20 & 21.
Sibling fun should begin early and never end!
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Posted on February 28, 2010 by hkempskie
March is full of fun holidays including St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) and National Bubble Week (March 7 – 13). Spruce up your home with this super cool pillowcase.
Supplies
- Newspaper
- Paper plate
- Tempera paint
- Old pillowcase
- Empty paper towel roll
Here’s how to do it:
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Posted on February 26, 2010 by hkempskie
Posted on February 24, 2010 by hkempskie
Just got my hands on an incredible sort-of sibling manual for kids between the ages of 8 to 13 called, “Siblings: You’re Stuck with Each Other, So Stick Together.” Brillant title, don’t you think?
This 100+ page small booklet has big type and plenty of illustrations to keep kids reading but tucked on each page are helpful tips and lots of “we know how it feels to be you to be you” lingo.
Siblings experts typically spend much of their time directing advice towards parents. Lisa and I love that this book actually taps the kid on the shoulder and says, “Every idea in this book starts with you. That’s because getting along with others really comes down to being the best YOU you can be.”
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Filed under: Parenting advice | Tagged: sibling fighting | 1 Comment »