Author Archives:

Insane Writing Prompts

Posted on by

Do your kids lag in the area of writing? When I was little, I remember my father getting out the ruler and a stack of clean paper. He’d painstakingly line the paper with spacious, straight rows, then hand me a sharpened pencil and ask, “Now, what would you like to tell Grandma today?” Okay, I’m a professional writer, so he must have done a good job, even though I was sure at the time he would warp me for life. However, my kids would buck like wild donkeys if I made them write more than one or two letters a … Continue reading →

Personal Pizza Fun Night

Posted on by

Ever had one of those nights? “What do you want for dinner?” you ask innocently. Then you’re pummeled with enough answers to keep you working as a short order cook until the kids graduate from college? Here’s a tip–and this is experience speaking –it’s time for a personal pizza night. Start by saying, “Yes, your majesties,” and bowing politely, then shuffling backwards into the kitchen. (The alternative is to grab some bonbons and retreat to your bed with a novel, but if you’re in a good mood, proceed to the kitchen.) Open the fridge. What do you see? Leftover Mexican … Continue reading →

Story Time Drama

Posted on by

Kids of all ages, including moms, dads, and grandparents, will enjoy a family Story Time Drama. First, gather fun dress up clothing–not the box of dress up clothes your daughter has in her closet, but new and different varieties, like Dad’s 1985 ties and Mom’s old costume jewelry and scarves. Some retired Halloween costumes and accessories, as well as scarves, old curtains, hats, and funky shoes will also come in handy. Next, chose a great short storybook, one your children love to hear over and over and over. Gather the family and assign roles. Make them fun! Let Dad be … Continue reading →

Crazy Fun Fruit Dessert

Posted on by

I was shopping in Marketplace, looking for some colorful concoction the kids would appreciate because goodness knows they won’t touch some of the eclectic stuff I bring home. Apples and bananas are great and healthy and all that jazz, but I wanted to expand my kids’ Epicurean potential. I came across some funky fruits and decided to create a wild fruit salad for them. They loved it, and hopefully your kids will, too! 1 Pomegranate 1 Star fruit 1 Kiwi 1 Pint of blueberries 1 Pint of strawberries 5 Clementine oranges (tiny oranges) 1 Sponge cake 1 quart of whipped … Continue reading →

Family Trivia

Posted on by

Does your family like to play games? When I was young, there were board games for adults and board games for kids. Now we have Family Cranium and a host of games appropriate for all ages. But how about a customized game for your family? A game that your teen son and preschool daughter and great grandmother will love? All it takes is a little creativity and time. First, you’ll need to grab a notebook and write down these headings: family, history, science, literature, art, geography, and sports and leisure. Purchase some 3×5 note cards and a three different colored … Continue reading →

Children’s Room Redecorating Activity

Posted on by

As kids grow, their interests change. Maybe Lizzy loved powder puff pink when she was 8, but she’s so over it! Now she’s all about orange and purple. Little Ricky, now Rick, prefers sports over puppies and race cars, and he needs a place to work on his model cars. There are easy ways to redecorate without breaking the budget, and a home improvement project can be fun for the whole family. Step One: Talk with your child about colors and themes he will like for at least 3 years. Look through magazines, browse online, watch some HGTV together. Don’t … Continue reading →

Top Ten Family Reading Books

Posted on by

Do you read out loud to your family? If not, maybe you should give it a try. By reading some classics and some new releases, you share the past and present world of literature with your kids and spouse. Choose one night a week to turn the TV off and read for an hour after dinner. You may be surprised how much fun you have, and you’ll also be encouraging creativity, imagination, and a literary education. Here are my top ten books for families to read aloud: 10. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (adventure) – About a boy, a … Continue reading →

Date Night Criss Cross

Posted on by

Does your child know dating etiquette? Once they are about 8 years old, boys and girls can benefit from a criss cross date night with parents. Daddy takes daughter out–if you have more than one, he should take one at a time. Mommy takes son out–again, one child per parent per date is best. The parent should ask the child if he/she would like to go on a date, and include the when and where. Put it on the calendar–and do not reschedule. While on your criss-cross date, keep these things in mind: 1. Let the child help decide where … Continue reading →

Ultimate Hide and Seek

Posted on by

Hide and Seek is not just for kids. In the age of extreme sports, this childhood favorite has taken on a new edge. So gather friends and family, chose an IT, and get ready to kick your family time up a notch. How to Play Set Boundaries: Determine what’s out of bounds. For instance, if you’re playing at home, it’s fun to include all indoor space that’s structurally sound (from the floored attic to the garage to the basement), as well as all property in the front and back yards. If you’re playing in a building, you may determine that … Continue reading →

Art Day: A Rainy Day Activity

Posted on by

So you woke up and it’s raining. So much for the zoo! But how about the art museum? What if you don’t even have to leave the house? Quick! Gather some frou-frou clothing for dress up–like scarves, hats, and even wigs. Pull out every famous print you own–from art books to framed wall hangings. Gather statuettes, blown glass, and if you want to, print off some famous paintings from the Internet. You’re going to turn the dining room into an art gallery. Next, food. Think eclectic–pasta, olives, pastries, flavored tea. Set the table with your best dishes and decorate the … Continue reading →