We expect our children to have good manners, and we also try to emphasize gratitude. It can be absolutely exhausting. But I believe it takes a village, so I asked for advice from the masses on Facebook.

Wisconsin winters are long and brutal. It’s really hard to get motivated to go for a run when your entire street is covered with ice, or the wind chill is 25 below.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the ache hits close to home as I hold my newborn. I haven’t forgotten, nor will I ever forget, the babes that I did not get to hold this side of heaven.

Instead of having to remember exact moments and carefully fill them into the defined spaces of a baby book, I wanted to give my son something that he will appreciate and enjoy looking back on. I decided that for every event that I deem important and want to remember, I will write him a card.

If your kids are anything like mine, they are going to bring home waaaay more trick-or-treating candy than they could eat. (Or, more accurately, than I will ever allow them to eat.)

Some books just stick with you after you finish reading them. You remember the characters, the storyline, and the message long after you put it down.  Wonder is one of those books. 

I lamented over the fact that her little girl days were numbered. Well, you guys, it’s happening. She’s growing up.

My husband always felt super competitive against his brother, which led to a lot of sibling rivalry as well. Because of this, my husband and I always said that we would work hard to make sure our kids are not competitive with each other!

Set your expectations low. They are toddlers, and their goal in life is to test their limits. Remember – Kids need almost nothing to be happy.  Leave the electronics at home, let them play in the dirt, let them dig worms and count trees, and help them foster those imaginations!

Thinking about sending my baby off to kindergarten makes me want to rewind time and burst into tears!