Posted on December 13, 2009 by hkempskie
So the table is set and the cousins are all over. We want to sip coffee and visit and the kids have a ton of energy to burn..what to do so that everyone is happy? Below are some ideas for each age group – that may even give you a little time to enjoy your adult conversation!
Toddlers: The age group loves to wonder around and touch every breakable thing they can find but they also like to empty and fill things up again. Use some empty tissue boxes and scraps of wrapping paper (you can bunch them up ahead time and wrap some time around them so they can stay together), you can
also put out some cotton balls, golf balls or anything else that is big and round and safe and they can fill and empty their special Christmas boxes!
Preschoolers: Play hide-the-snowman! Cut out a paper snowman and leave out some masking tape. Each child can take a turn hiding the snowman (they can hide him under the table, on an Uncle’s back, etc.) The other children can count to ten and then go searching!
School-age children: A “tree” decorating party. Turn on some good music and find a kind and willing adult to go in a room with the kids. His/her job will be to stand still as in still like a tree. Give the children some green streamers, construction paper, string, tape, scissors, etc. and let them decorate away!
Filed under: Sibling Activities | Tagged: christmas games, family dinner | Leave a Comment »
Posted on December 11, 2009 by hkempskie
Posted on December 9, 2009 by hkempskie
Bruce Lansky, the baby name guru and publisher of our book, regularly reviews the birth announcements of celebrities because, like it or not, the names they select influence the choices of millions of parents. Inspired choices by celebrities are likely to start new trends. Unfortunately, disastrous choices are also likely to be widely imitated. He praises the keepers and pan the clunkers, in an attempt to help parents make smart choices for their children.
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Posted on December 6, 2009 by hkempskie
A fun and festive way to add color to your holiday decor. These wreaths also make great keepsakes for the years to come!
Materials:
green and red construction paper
marker
scissors
glue stick
stickers (any kind that you like!)
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Posted on December 4, 2009 by hkempskie
Posted on December 2, 2009 by hkempskie
You know it is quite amazing. My mom is one of six children – three sisters and two brothers – and she’s speaking to all of them. In fact, there was never a time that any of them were so mad, frustrated, betrayed by one another not to speak. The mere mention of such drama had them all looking at me like I had two heads.
The subject came up after the Thanksgiving feast had been consumed in the basement of Aunt Diane’s home in South Weymouth. As usual, the females had gathered around the kitchen table while the male counterparts headed outside for the traditional T-giving football game.
There were 36 family members present this year. All talking.
What was the secret there?
“It just would never occur to us to handle disagreements that way,” said one sister.
“We’re all different but also have a lot in common,” said another.
Could it be that their common family history plays a part in their bond? They were raised by a single parent mom. They didn’t have much but they did have each other. When you get any of them talking about their childhood, there are certain to be fond memories like how they used to spread baby powder on the long hallway floor and slide across it or how there was always a younger brother or sister tagging along on the older siblings’ dates.
As you may have read in previous blog posts, there is a lot of sadness out there when it comes to enstranged sibling relationships. Give me 10 seconds and I can give you a listing of colleagues, family, friends who are 1)not talking to a sibling, 2) or don’t have much of a relationship to speak of. Sad but it’s a reality.
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Posted on November 27, 2009 by hkempskie

Your children can use their handprints to create a menorah, one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith.
Materials:
Construction paper, paintbrushes, washable paint, wet wipes, crayons, scissors, star stickers
Give each child a sheet of construction paper. Use a paintbrush to lightly paint the inside of their palms. Have them press one hand onto the paper then press the other hand next to it so the thumbs overlap. The fingers represent candles, which in turn represent the eight nights of Hanukkah. The overlapping thumbprints represent the Shamash, the special candle sued to light the others.
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Filed under: Activities, Sibling Activities | Tagged: crafts for hanukkah, hanukkah for kids, menorah crafts | Leave a Comment »
Posted on November 27, 2009 by hkempskie
Posted on November 24, 2009 by hkempskie
I don’t want to add one more thing on your to-do list this year…but I have a great reason to…I promise!
Encourage your children to choose, make, buy, create or otherwise invent a gift to give to their sibling this holiday season. There is no better way to experience the gift-giving aspect of the holidays than to have your child get in the spirit by considering their siblings likes and desires and by taking the time to find/create a gift.
This doesn’t have to be another add-on to the tortured lives of siblings. Make it a fun experience, find time to ‘brainstorm’ ideas with each of your children. What does your brother like to do? What are some of his favorite things? What makes your sister smile? Here are a few to consider:
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Posted on November 22, 2009 by hkempskie
For Your Baby:
Some babies love people – the kind that will go to anyone (I wonder what that is like) and some are a bit over stimulated by the Thanksgiving table and the guests that come along with it. For a smooth turkey day – it will be all about timing. Plug in the time you are expecting to eat and work in when the feeding will take place and how about a nap? These will be best guesses but our aim it to get you to enjoy the company around the table and even a bite of food so if baby is sleeping during eating time great or if she is happily fed and laying in the arms of Grandma - even better!
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Filed under: Parenting advice | Tagged: family manners, thanksgiving family, thanksgiving table and kids | Leave a Comment »