It’s always interesting to me the memories we hold onto as we get older. Some of them are near and dear to our hearts whereas others bring back the ping of pain in our guts as we remember every single vivid detail. I remember what it felt like to hold my daughter for the first time as if it was yesterday – not 16 years ago – and I can still feel the fear I felt when my son was born and refused to breathe for the first 30 seconds of his life. Beyond the precious memories that warm our hearts and make us thankful for our gifts, those odd memories of events passed often stick with us, too, and sometimes, for way too long.
Author: sphilpott
I am a college journalism and English instructor, student newspaper adviser and published freelance writer for newspapers and magazines. More importantly, I'm a mom and a never-ending advocate for education. See my personal blog at www.shannonphilpott.com.
8 Signs You’re Ready for Children
Does the thought of pitter-pattering little feet running through your house bring a smile to your face? Do you get baby fever whenever you hold a little one? If so, it might be time to have children. There are many factors to consider when deciding if you are ready to raise a happy child in a healthy, safe and loving manner, says Dr. Marina Gafanovich, a New York-based primary care physician. If you are contemplating having a child, these eight signs may be saying that now's the time.
Games for Toddlers and Dads
Toddlers crave attention, and nothing beats one-on-one time with Daddy. Beyond bedtime stories and playful wrestling, dads and toddlers can entertain themselves with active and creative games. Finding activities that interest both Dad and your little one can help to build a bond between a father and son or father and daughter. From messy play and creative crafts to sporty outdoor games, dads and toddlers have many options to have fun any day of the week.
Games That Teach Toddlers About Feelings
Your toddler is bound to be happy one moment and sad the next, even though she may not understand why or recognize the feeling itself. Games that help toddlers recognize feelings in themselves also help them learn about feelings in others, says Diane Doyle, director of the Rollins College Child Development Center in Winter Park, Fla. Learn how to help your little one identify feelings while having a little fun throughout the day with these interactive games that teach feelings.
Activities for Both Toddlers and Older Siblings
Your toddler is at that stage of development where he wants to be a "big boy" and join in the fun with his older siblings. Finding activities that will engage all ages doesn't have to be a challenge or prompt sibling rivalry. Help form and secure a bond between your children—both young and old—with creative crafts, silly sports, outdoor activities and interactive games that are appropriate for all ages.
Faults of Faith
I have never claimed to be perfect and my children know this to be true first-hand. They see my faults on a daily basis. They will call me out when I mix up their sandwiches while packing lunches; they will gripe and moan because I’m always late — often while sitting in the garage waiting for me — and they, as teenagers, have no problem telling me when I roll through a stop sign or forget to turn on my signal. My children know that I have faults; they see that I’m human, but more importantly, they recognize that I try my best.
The Top 10 Beverages to Avoid
A glass of lemonade or bottled tea may sound harmless, but when you look at the added sugar and lack of nutritional value in these calorie-laden beverages, you’ll understand why they can be detrimental to your diet. “One of the most unrecognized ways to blow the calorie bank and pack on extra pounds is drinking high-calorie beverages,” says Kristen Smith, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian and founder of 360 Family Nutrition. Keep your calorie consumption in check by eliminating the 10 beverages on the next slides from your diet.
Tips for a Spotless Microwave
From spaghetti sauce to bread crumbs, if it seems like your microwave is storing leftovers from daily meals, no worries. Make the grime, stains and crumbs disappear with innovative methods to clean without breaking a sweat. Instead of spending hours tirelessly scrubbing, keep it spotless with some simple tricks using natural products safe for your most-used appliance. Before long, your microwave will look shiny and new, ready for your next tasty treat.
Hold the Plan and Live the Dream
I’ve always been a dreamer and a planner. I remember spending my days and nights in elementary school plotting out my career, my plans to perform on stage in front of thousands of people, and of course, marrying the most popular Cardinals’ baseball player at the time. When I was in college, not a week went by when I didn’t review my degree checklist, plot out the classes I would take and update my resume like it was going out of style each day. But, my plans weren’t perfect and inevitably, the plans changed. I didn’t sing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans and I certainly didn’t marry a professional baseball player.
Building a Bond, 12 Ways
As your eyes meet and you smile at the blessing in your arms, you know that this precious child will change your life. Finding ways to communicate your love, adoration and the need to nurture your baby often comes naturally. And many ways to bond with your little one and build a natural connection will develop over the years. From gentle caresses to skin-to-skin feeding, bonding with your baby is a blessing in disguise.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 