Search Results for: blog holidays family games

Balancing the Holidays: Simplify, Blend and Schedule

I don’t know about you, but December tends to be the busiest month of the year.  There is so much to do, so many preparations to make, gifts to buy and a house to clean. Yet this is also the time of year for being with family.  So how can you balance it all?  I think it comes down to three things:  simplifying, blending and scheduling. Let me explain.  First, simplify.  What are some things you can skip doing?  Are there areas of the home that really don’t need to be cleaned? Could you cut down on the amount of … Continue reading →

Traveling for the Holidays

Are you planning a road trip this Christmas? Visiting family is important during the holidays, but traveling can be a little intimidating if you are a single parent. Just loading the kids up to go to the grocery store can be a challenge. You may be feeling a little discouraged about the long drive, but here are some tips and tricks we’ve learned from our own road trips to make the journey just a little less stressful. Bring plenty of things to keep the kids entertained. Long car rides are boring, especially for children who seem to have the attention … Continue reading →

Diffusing Family Drama during the Holidays

When my children were younger, it was so much easier to shield them from certain things…for instance, family drama. For the most part they weren’t aware of some of the “interesting” behavior that sometimes transpired between family members. Now that they are teens, well, they are more than aware of what happens. In fact, now they have an attitude of “So what is it going to be this holiday?” I really hate that. I mean, it grieves my heart that my children have to wonder what new drama will unfold. But family never lets them down…sure enough, our Thanksgiving started … Continue reading →

Be Prepared for School Holidays

Many of my friends who are also working parents are scrambling right now to get child care. Stay at home parents are scrambling to figure out what to do with the kids. A combination of half days off and full days off is throwing everyone off of schedule. And with the big holidays coming, things are going to get even more confusing. If you can do a little preparation now, your household will be in great shape, leaving you to take advantage of the school holidays, so everyone has a great time while they are off. Planning ahead will really … Continue reading →

Holidays with Family

This is the last one, I promise, on the subject of holidays. This time it’s looking at holidays with family. It could mean just taking your children on a holiday but I was thinking more of holidays with in laws or siblings or other family members. A lot of how a holiday with family goes depends on how well the family gets along and how comfortable and relaxed they are in each other’s company. If your spouse doesn’t get along well with your parents, or even if you don’t, then a holiday with family is not going to be the … Continue reading →

Board Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers

By the age of two, most children are ready to play simple board games. Here are some of the ones I recommend for toddlers and preschoolers. Yesterday, after a long day running around the house (my oldest son said it was exhausting work), and a quick dinner, I decided to settle things down for my own kids and one of their friends who spent the day with us. I suggested that we bring out a board game. “What’s a board game?” the little girl asked. In all of her six years of age, she had never played, let alone heard, … Continue reading →

Family Time

The presents have all been opened and exclaimed over, the paper gathered up and thrown into the recycling bin. Two days ago, here was Boxing Day. Not for us the Boxing Day sales which in Sydney started ridiculously early at 5 and 6am. No, we did as many Australians do in the Christmas holidays; we gathered the family together and went to the beach. For us, the beach is ten minutes away. Mick and I were first in even though the water felt a little cold initially, but was only the first minute or so, then it become beautifully refreshing. … Continue reading →

Home for the Holidays

I was on the phone with a friend the other day telling her that most of our holiday obligations are pretty much done. Well, this is true and not true. We still haven’t done as much decorating as I would like, and there is the stray present or two to purchase, but all of the running around is completed. We visited with family and had family visit with us from the weeks before Thanksgiving up through this past weekend. We probably saw more of our family in those few weeks than we have all year. For some reason, all of … Continue reading →

All Aboard for Winter Family Fun

The Polar Express is a popular book in our home year round; however, the famous children’s tale comes to life just once a year in some 20 states across the country. In a few days more than 30 Polar Express train rides will begin their annual run. The trips take their cue from the award-winning children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. During the family-friendly ride, passengers are treated to hot chocolate and story time featuring lively readings of The Polar Express. In addition, the movie soundtrack is played over the train’s public address system while riders wait for their chance … Continue reading →

Online Valentines Games

Happy Valentine’s Day! How about a fun online Valentine Game to celebrate the day? You can find plenty of free online games that have a love or Valentine theme. Here are some nice ones that are family friendly. Valerie Valentine: Extreme Florist This is a great game for adults and older kids. It is a casual game in which you have to help Valerie Valentine deliver as many bouquets of roses as you can before the time runs out. it is a game that is very similar to the popular Diner Dash or Cake Mania. This kind of game can … Continue reading →