Reason #482 Why Defensive Thinking is Critical to Parenting
With the onset of warm weather, the boys are anxiously awaiting the day when the pool is set up and ready to use. Hubby and I have made an effort to make the back yard a fun place to be, with swings and a sandbox, the pool, and this year we added a new feature: a...
Ay. The Kids, They Bug Each Other
Ever have one of those days when the kids seem to spend every waking moment picking at each other? Today was one of those days here at Earnest Parenting. It's not really sibling rivalry....just irritating the daylights out of each other. First The Mercenary would...
Summer Plans: What Are Yours?
Yeah, okay. I'll admit it. Having fun with the boys is not always a strength of mine. I'd rather write or sew or work in the garden. Or finish whatever tasks are in front of me. Although I'm noticing that that list of tasks never ends. So. I am trying to plan out the...
Family Builders: Exercising on the Wii Fit Together
Thanks to the generosity of a friend who was willing to wait for hours at the store the other night, we're now the proud owners of our very own Wii Fit. You know what? This thing is amazing! It took the boys and I about 5 minutes apiece to get set up on the system and...
Wish TechnoBoy and The Mercenary a Happy Birthday
Well, it's official. I've been a mother for ten years now. Ten. Years. It's difficult to wrap my mind around that, and yet I know the next ten years will go even faster. I see parents of teens around the neighborhood and wonder if they're enjoying their kids to the...
Family Builders: The Card Game
Okay. So. I stated that my purpose here is to help parents solve discipline problems and build loving homes. With that focus in mind, I bring you a new feature here at Earnest Parenting: the Family Builders series. Each post will be something you can do with your...
Parenting Lessons From SOBCon08
If you read my very excited post a couple of weeks ago, you know that I got to go to SOBCon08, a conference for business bloggers. This was my first time going to a blogging conference, let alone a professional business function. I definitely felt like I was waaaay...
Will Your Kids Eat Jalapenos?
So I've been on this big veggie kick of late. Does anyone else get bored with food? I get so bored with food! With springtime in full swing, I've been taking advantage of the improved produce available to find new things to eat. Plus I went on a diet. Heh....
Ties That Bind Us
I washed the younger boys' bedding yesterday, and didn't get their quilts dry in time for bed so I went digging in their closet for a substitute. My hand fell on two blankets that had been crocheted by Hubby's paternal grandmother long ago so I grabbed the top one and...
What Are Your Summer Relationship Builders?
A few weeks ago I wrote about my relationship with the older boys and how I feel like we’re getting closer to one another over time. This summer I want to build on that with some fun activities. My list includes time at the beach, a possible service project for senior...