Top Kids Books for the Holidays
Published December 2012: Mom.Me
Top Kids Books for the Holidays
It’s a classic: A good story is always the perfect gift
Article Excerpt:
At a time of the year when the holidays bring magic to your child’s world, the gift of a special book can take them on a trip of magical fantasy. “Books stimulate a child’s sense of curiosity, creativity and imagination and validate their feelings,” said Dr. Donna Housman, founder of Beginnings School in Weston, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Choose just the right book as a gift to stir your child’s imagination this holiday season. Continue reading
Babysitting at the Beginning
Published December 2012: Mom.Me
Baby-Sitting at the Beginning: Tips for Leaving Baby With a Sitter for the First Time
Preparing your sitter for time with your baby will help provide a smooth transition
Article Excerpt:
Leaving your baby or toddler with a sitter for the first time is always harder on the parents than it is on the child, child care expert Clair Haas of Kiddie Academy says. Preparing yourself, your baby and the sitter will help to provide a smooth transition and a nurturing, pleasant experience for all. Continue reading
Sports vs. Personality
Published December 2012: Mom.Me
How to Choose Sports That Fit Your Child’s Personality
Factors to consider before signing up your athlete
Article Excerpt:
From baseball and basketball to bowling and fishing, recreational sports beckon with the promise of positive experiences for your child. Choosing the best sport to fit your child’s personality is not quite so obvious. Avoid forcing your favorite sports, said Nancy B. Irwin, a Los-Angeles based therapist with an emphasis in sports psychology. Instead, let her choose. “Expose her to a variety of sports activities (on TV and in real life), showing her which ones you like and see if they identify,” said Irwin. Continue reading
Cold Season Prevention Pointers
Published December 2012: Mom.Me
Cold Season Prevention Pointers
Don’t let a sneeze or sniffle get you down
Article Excerpt:
A sneeze or sniffle here and there may seem harmless at first, but as the cold season approaches, your family could be more susceptible to viruses that can cause colds. To help keep your family healthy, try these prevention pointers and navigate the season with greater confidence. Continue reading
How to Raise Responsible Kids
Published December 2012: Mom.Me
How to Raise Responsible Kids
Want a model citizen? Start teaching self-sufficiency now
Article Excerpt:
As parents, you want your children to develop into model, responsible citizens. Teaching responsibility requires visualizing the end goal, says Marina Williams, a Massachusetts-based counselor. “It’s easy to get wrapped up with the day-to-day goal of simply getting through the day, but if you want your children to grow up to be responsible, self-sufficient adults, you need to parent with that [end] goal in mind.” Continue reading
Double-Time: Housework and Family Time
Published December 2012: Mom.Me
Double-Time: Knock Out Housework and Family Time All At Once
These activities will help you complete chores and enjoy your family
Article Excerpt:
For a household to run smoothly, it takes teamwork. Yes, it’s a (very) safe bet that your kids moan and groan when chores are announced, but there are ways to get them energized about that next load of laundry or cleaning project without prompting a tantrum or battle. “Depending on the age of the child, there are a multitude of things you can do to integrate relationship-building time with household responsibilities,” says Maria Marinakis, parenting expert and creator of 10minuteparenting.com. Continue reading
About Me
Three words to describe me? Passionate. Motivated. Curious. These traits help me as a college media adviser and professor, freelance writer, author and mom. From student journalism and higher education to parenting and freelance writing, this site, focused on writing, reflecting and teaching, offers a mix of blogs with a hint of humor, sarcasm, and inspiration, as well as my published stories on just about every possible topic.
Feel free to browse my sample works including feature news, magazine, and web copywriting pieces from the past and present. You can also pick up my new book “Screen-Free Fun: 400 Activities for the Whole Family” now available. Check back often for daily updates, blog entries, and additional stories. Feel free to contact me directly at shphilpott@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter, or grab tips for Screen-Free Fun on our Facebook page. Comments are welcome!
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 