Ideas and Inspiration for Purposeful Parenting
Making time for fun is an essential ingredient to deliberate motherhood.Whether we’re creating memorable family traditions, laughing as we work, enjoying the serendipitous moments, or sharing our hobbies with our children, humor and fun bring energy, perspective and joy to our lives. Participate in this Power of the Month and show your family how “fun” mom really is.
This year, we are turning over a new leaf in our home. We will no longer ask our kids if they had fun, because, frankly, we don’t care. We want them to reap more than fun from life. We want them to be fulfilled. We want them to be excellent.
As mothers, we do not need to burn ourselves out with expectations that we will plan outrageously fun and magical activities for our children every single day of their lives. Instead, we can plan ‘highlight experiences’ for our children to spice up the monotony of daily life.
Is Halloween getting a little out of control? Do you love or hate Halloween? Check out this article for great ideas about how you can maximize the fun and minimize the frightful aspects of Halloween in your family.
A couple years back, we had a do-it-yourself Halloween. By that, I don’t mean that I got all crafty with Pinterest-inspired stuff. I mean the kids did it THEMSELVES. And it worked out just great. We’re going for the same approach this year!
We modern parents tend to worry about a great deal of things, but I’m not entirely convinced those worries are worth the lost sleep. As a surgeon, my husband deals with very real life and death situations on a regular basis. As a result, he’s had to remind me on a number of occasions when I’m in modern-parent freak-out mode that “it takes a lot to die.”
When I took the Color Code personality test back in my single days, I discovered I seek fun, enjoy fun, and am motivated by fun. As a mother, this has influenced my children as well. They’ve learned they can create fun from any situation.
One of my children asked what I was doing, and when I told them I was searching for some chocolate, my innocent child suggested, “Why don’t you just magic some?” I wish it worked like that.
Amidst all the tasty treats and heart-shaped crafts our family enjoys for Valentine’s Day, we’ve designed a special tradition that incorporates some real quality time together. We call it our, “We Love to Be a Family” Day. It’s one of the best traditions we’ve started!
Last summer I googled, “What do eight-year-old boys like to do?” more than one time. My calm, easy-going child suddenly had boundless energy. Here are twelve activities that I have found keep my school-age kids active and learning during the summer.
Catherine’s annual list of her and her children’s favorite picture books is here! Some old, some new, all wonderful.