Create a Morning Routine that Works for the Whole Family

Establishing Solid Morning Routines for Your Family

Do you have a child who is hard to wake up in the morning? Or a child who dawdles for what seems like hours? Or the child who scrambles to find her homework while you are already waiting in the car? Oops, forgot to brush her teeth, tie his shoes, can’t find his… The list goes on and on. Mornings can be a big challenge for many families and even in our house, where most mornings go smoothly, there are certainly days where everything seems to fall apart and we are late getting out the door for school and work.

My kids are 13 and 10, so it feels like we have been practicing for a while. It’s never perfect but I think we have managed the monster of morning chaos after some trial and error. Hint: We do not pick out clothes or make lunches the night before and we still have plenty of time in the morning. Here’s what has worked for us:

12 Last Minute Get Away Ideas in Texas

Try one of these Texas destinations for last a minute get away before school starts

 

Summer is entering the homestretch; but there is still time for a quick, last minute get away close to home. Here are 12 location ideas that are within easy driving distance of just about anywhere in Texas. Make some memories with your family and enjoy these last days out of summer.

Parents and Sports: What Kids Want You to Know

Dr. Omli described 3 different kinds of parenting evident during kids’ sporting events – Hostile-Intrusive, Supportive, and Distracted. Distracted parents talked on their cell phones, read magazines, or talked to other parents during games. In other words, they weren’t focused on their child or the game. In contrast, intrusive parents tended to make numerous evaluative comments, positive and negative, critiquing their child’s performance and the game’s coaching.

Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

 

muffin recipe for christmas

Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins Perfect for Christmas Morning

by Minette Riordan

This recipe for mini chocolate chip zucchini muffins is one my dad’s favorite gluten free websites. My dad made one change that seemed to work better – either use mini-chocolate chips or chop the larger chips into smaller pieces. These muffins definitely need to be made in a mini-muffin pan and the larger chips overwhelmed the muffins. These are tiny morsels of sheer deliciousness, especially warm out of the oven with the softened chocolate bits melting in your mouth. Enjoy!

7 Homemade Back to School Teacher Gift Ideas

Cute Teacher Gift Ideas for the First Day of School

by Minette Riordan

Here are 7 clever ideas for cute teacher gifts for the first day of school. I picked all of these because they are simple to make, affordable and thoughtful! I don’t know about you but back to school is a crazy time! Getting the kids back on a normal sleep schedule, getting them organized with school supplies, finding back packs and lunch boxes and so on makes that week before school a busy one! Yet the idea of sending our little ones off to kindergarten with a nice note of appreciation is such a lovely thought. And of course, an excuse to make something… let’s get crafty!