And You Will Have Kids

Celebrating on New Year’s Eve becomes more complex when you are a parent.  Firstly, it’s difficult to find a babysitter on that night.  Secondly, it’s difficult to be out until the wee hours of the morning and get up early in the morning with the kids the next day.

No need to worry, there are some great family friendly ways to ring in the New Year. More →

I loved to decorate for Christmas in my “BK” years.  You know, before kids.  I could put out all of the delicate and expensive decorations during that time in my life.  Five children later, things have changed.

I remember laughing when my friends who had children told me that I’d be putting away the delicate and expensive things until my children were teens. In my “BK” years, I was so sure that my children would be different than other people’s children. I am here to confess that my kids aren’t any different than my friend’s children and that my life has changed due to the fact that I have kids.

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Dear “And You Will Have Kids”,

I know that you have a large family like we do.  Every year, we try to take a Christmas photo to send out with our cards.  This year it’s difficult as we are having to cut costs and I will have to take the photo myself.  Do you have any Christmas photo tips to share?

Photo Challenged

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Do you remember how you loved snow days when you were a kid? There was “nothing” to do but stay at home all day long.  When I became a parent, I found that I no longer loved snow days.  Snow days meant that the kids were cooped up all day in the house!  They also meant making alternative work arrangements so that I could spend the day in the house cooped up with the kids.  

Preparedness is half the battle when dealing with snow days.  Just like you prepare for winter weather by stocking up on pantry items, you should also prepare for snow day activities by stocking up on supplies.  I’ve found a few things that worked well with our large family during snow days.  I hope they work for your family! More →

Raising thankful children in today’s world isn’t easy.  It seems as if there is a never ending amount of stuff being presented to children by the media, their friends and even extended family.  It’s easy for kids to look at what they don’t have instead of being grateful for what they do have.

My husband and I have really tried to help the kids develop an attitude of gratitude.  We found the following things to be helpful. More →

I was talking with a friend recently who was trying to find a pet for her children.  She had gone to several shelters and was turned away because of the age of her children.  She was slightly shocked and I was too when she told me.  We’ve always had kids and pets co-exist peacefully in the same house.

We’ve adopted strays from the local shelter, and we’ve purchased pure bred dogs.  I’ve also adopted “rejects” from guide dog programs.  Having kids and pets is possible, but it is something you want to approach with caution.

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Life changes when you have kids.  Gone are the days when you and your college room mates would just hop in the car on the spur of the moment and take off on a grand road trip with just a few essentials like a change of clothes, and some cool sunglasses. 

Having kids means that you actually need to plan things like road trips.  It also means that you need to pack a little bit more than just the essentials when you do decide to take to the open road.  However, it is possible to bring too much stuff.  I’ve done this before and it is just as aggravating as not bringing enough stuff.

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