5 Awesome Halloween family traditions to start this year. It’s just like being a kid again!
I love traditions, especially in the fall. Like when the kids have a “Let’s put ourselves to bed” night, or my favorite “Let’s let mom... Read More
FREE Parenting Journey Workshop: Online with Families First!
For parents & grandparents of children of all ages. Parenting Journey is a 12-week program with activities and guided discussions to help parents learn more... Read More
Toothless! Ideas for Tooth Fairy visits that make kids smile.
There’s an epidemic on Facebook right now. People are losing their teeth left and right. I mean, the people are like five and six year... Read More
Dinner Under the Table? Try this cooky themes to get everyone loving dinnertime!
Written by Heather Goddu Who is kinda “over it” in the dinner department? However, maybe you feel a little guilty about it. Spoiler alert– Me... Read More
How to do “Stress-Free Camping”. No longer an oxymoron.
Remember camping as a kid? What was the best part? Swimming? S’mores? Flashlights and sleeping bags? Kids love the simplicity—it’s the parents that make it... Read More
Pool Safety. 6 Tips that can save your child’s life.
Since it’s going to be 80 degrees for two days in a row this week, I feel it’s safe to start talking summer stuff. I... Read More
This book got my kids to eat tomatoes. Great books for life lessons.
Do you remember that book Little Red Hen? It was one of those Golden Book stories that we all had and it was about this... Read More
4 Things every parent needs to protect their kids’ future.
After my first child was born, I did the responsible thing and purchased a life insurance policy for myself. I’m a great parent! Yay! Done... Read More
Does your child insist on having THAT cup every time? Eliminate your stress. Eliminate the options.
Choices, choices. As parents, we’ve been hammered with the child rearing philosophy to “give your child choices so that he or she can learn to... Read More
Helping around the house! Chore ideas for kids of all ages.
With all these able bodies laying around the house these days, just going around and messing things up, now seems like the *perfect* time to... Read More
8 ways to improve your mood and ‘tude. Peace is closer than you think.
We are in uncharted waters with Covid-19. We’ve been completely robbed of our norms which can lead to anxiety, frustration and eating thousands of pounds... Read More
Top 6 tips for tricking your young kids into eating healthy food. Yum!
When my kids were around 2-3 years old, they were happily subsisting on a strict diet of macaroni and cheese and goldfish crackers. Trying... Read More
Old makeup, medicine, kids’ artwork (yup)! 10 Items you can toss! #SpringClean
Have you seen me lately? No? Oh, that’s because I’m at home buried under a mountain of mismatched Tupperware and ugly coffee mugs that my... Read More
5 Awesome tips on Creating a successful weekly Family Meeting!
I was reading this article the other day about resolving household conflicts and it suggested to discuss problems during your Family Meetings. Say what now?... Read More
Issues with discipline, setting limits, encouragement and more? FREE Parenting Workshops at Families First.
You know how they say that kids don’t come with a manual? That’s not altogether true. Families First programs are about as “hands-on manual” as... Read More
Easy and fun Thanksgiving traditions you can start with your family this year!
You know what my favorite Thanksgiving tradition is? Making whipped peas. No one eats them but me, but every year when the bowl of bright... Read More
This too shall pass. Five Parenting Phases that you WILL get through. Promise.
Tonight at dinner, my five year old daughter said to me, “Thanks for the green beans, mom!” After wiping the smug I’m-such-a-great-mother smirk off my... Read More
Teaching kids Table Manners in time for holiday meals. Yes, please and thanks!
This morning I witnessed one of my children (not saying who, but she’s the only daughter I have) wipe her hands free of cream cheese... Read More
Family fun: Stretching out summer in September!
The calendar says summer officially lasts until September 21 and I’m eking out every last second. Maybe a day or two after, if it’s nice.... Read More
Tips on preparing your child (and you) for kindergarten. Sniff, sniff.
At the end of this month, many of you will be sending off your little ones to officially start kindergarten. Kindergarten? What? Weren’t they just... Read More
Babysitters 101: Finding, paying and prepping your kids for the babysitter!
It’s summer and the kids are ready to get out of the house—and so are the adults! But finding a great babysitter can be as... Read More
Fed up with the fighting? 5 Great tips on managing your kids’ screen time.
I’ve got a problem in my house. A big one. This problem of mine is constantly initiating arguments, cuing negotiations and generally causing me some... Read More
10 ways to improve your mood and ‘tude. Peace is closer than you think.
Life, kids, relationships, groceries, bills, cleaning, carpools, homework, regular work—it can all get pretty overwhelming! Often times we don’t feel like it’s possible to give... Read More
Exeter YMCA’s “Parents’ Night Out” on Friday 5/18. Only $18 per child for THREE HOURS!
Ready for a night out? RELAX, go have fun! Let the Exeter YMCA’s trained staff take care of your children while you enjoy some adult... Read More
Fostering the love of learning. Supplemental education programs on the Seacoast.
My son is really good at math. Like, really good. At six years old, he was adding up the double digit numbers on the back... Read More
Elusive restaurant manners. Teaching kids to mind their P’s & Q’s.
Teaching your kids restaurant manners can be a frustrating and seemingly futile task. It wasn’t until my kids were about 4 and 5 year olds... Read More
Dads looking to meet other Dads?! Join the Seacoast Dads Support Group on 1/12!
Moms tend to have the opportunity to get together with other Moms and discuss all things parenting more often than Dads do. But it doesn’t... Read More
6 Ways to simplify the Morning Routine *and* be on time. No kidding.
Truth be told, I like to be on time. I’m often not, but I still like to try. It’s amazing how much more difficult it... Read More
Passing on Cheer: 5 Ways to Pay-It-Forward during the Holidays!
Last week, a man in line at Dunkin’ started chatting me up—about what, I don’t even remember. He was older, retired and a veteran. As... Read More
5 Ways to find joy and balance, every day, every way.
I was reading one of my favorite blogs the other day and the topic centered around wishing your life away — wishing it was Friday,... Read More