I’ve been philanthropic in some way since I was very young. When I was 8, I scraped together literal pennies to donate to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. I collected them in a coffee can and handed...
Crayons. Everywhere. On the table, under the table, possibly a piece in her mouth. The resident toddler prefers them scattered everywhere. Perhaps that's how she best creates.
A little voice at the side of my bed wakes me at 1:30 a.m....
Mothering a child with Down syndrome has taken me on the most beautifully winding road.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and I want you to know my daughter Eliza is a gift. For all her needs, for all her milestones...
Let me start off by saying that my title is misleading.
I don't think preteens (or young teenagers, for that matter) should have any privacy online.
None at all.
Hear me out.
I am a teacher, so I realize the digital world can...
I took piano lessons from Kindergarten through my senior year of high school. The first few years were definitely a struggle—I hated practicing, I didn’t like my teacher, and I thought it was some kind of punishment that I...
Bedtime - Help Your Child Get Their Best Rest
Back to school schedules are in full gear as we settle in to new routines. As parents, you know how important sleep is to growth and development for healthy kids.
Here...
Since becoming a mom, I have had several “A HA” moments that have made me gain sheer respect and all the praise hands for my own mom. It sounds so cliché, but understanding the struggles of motherhood were not...
When it comes to cooking with your kids, sometimes it's easier said than done.
I get it - when it's a special holiday or a "memory making moment", you totally make the time. But an average Monday night? That's a...
I firmly believe every child needs a timer (or 4 if you are my son).
During the early years, timers were a life saver for our family and helped us in parenting in many ways. If you would like...
When we moved into our first house, my parents excitedly made plans to come see what my husband and I purchased for our starter home. In addition to bringing a lovely house plant, they showed up with moving sized...
In + Around Des Moines
Free Outdoor Summer Family Movies in Des Moines
Take your movie night outside! The City of Des Moines and many of the surrounding towns offer free outdoor movies in parks during the...
