Search Results for: blog top 10 ways to child proof your home

How to Childproof Your Toddler’s Room

Toddlers are really good at getting into things that parents wish they would leave alone. A viral video that showed a dresser falling over onto twin toddler boys made many parents want to learn how to childproof their toddler’s room. You may have seen the viral video that showed two twin toddlers climbing up their dresser when they were supposed to be sleeping. The two-year-old boys, Bowdy and Brock, figured out how to open up the bottom drawers of the dresser and use them like a step so they could climb up to the top of the dresser. Unfortunately, the … Continue reading →

Disney Characters in North Korea

The kind of thing Disney’s after This is a story too bizarre not to report: on Monday July 9 Mickey Mouse, along with other Disney characters, appeared on North Korean television with the country’s new leader, Kim Jong-Un (son of Kim Jong-Il). No, Disney is not sending representatives to the isolationist country. These were images of Walt Disney Company characters used without permission. The use presents some interesting questions that reflect upon Disney’s own corporate policy. The New York Times’ Media Decoder explains. You see, Disney is very strict about unauthorized use of its properties. The company complained to Mexican … Continue reading →

Toy Troubles

Toys are a real problem in my house. Once we have children we’ll have to be careful about what toys are left lying around. At the moment we can’t have many toys for either the cats or the dog, and Chihiro has no one but herself to blame. Chihiro has one goal with every toy she finds: to consume it. When we first got her she came with a stuffed pink octopus toy. That lasted just a few weeks before she began tearing off pieces to eat. I got her another stuffed toy and a rope toy to replace her … Continue reading →

Ice is Nice

How many times during the winter season do you have a fight with ice? You sprinkle salt on the pathway and the driveway, hack at the ice under the snow to get it off the sidewalk, and quietly mutter at the black ice that you and your car slide around on during the winter months. But ice can be beautiful too. If you’re blessed with cool weather this winter, enjoy it a bit! Create ice sculptures and explore the properties of this glass-like material. Young children enjoy exploring the different ways that ice moves and shatters. The shattering part is … Continue reading →

Stop The Spread of Germs

Since everyone around me seems to be sick, getting sick or just getting over being sick, I think its past time to germ proof my home. I know the number one way to stop the spread of germs is to wash your hands, well and often. I’ve always reminded Hailey that she should wash her hands with hot soapy water, often and not touch her face after touching money, door handles or the like. I’ve also always reminded her to wash her hands before she eats, but like most teenagers she doesn’t think of grabbing food at the drive through … Continue reading →

Fall and Winter Nature Exploration: What to Wear

If you are going out exploring with your homeschooled kids this fall, you’ll need to dress for the weather. That’s the only way the kids will stay happy for a long period of time. I’m a nature educator in the Pacific Northwest, and I’m experienced in rain, rain and rain. Did I mention rain? If you have a similar climate, hopefully you’ll find some use in the thoughts below! I wear wool on my head. That sounds like a confession, but really, it works. Wool does repel water to a degree, but after a few hours it gets waterlogged. If … Continue reading →

Healthy Holidays: Guest Precautions

One of the ways that you can make your guests welcomed into your home is to provide for their needs. Some needs are obvious, such as clean towels and enough to eat, while others may not be so obvious, such as ensuring that everyone stays safe. Here are some safety precautions that you can take right now to make sure that you and your guests stay safe this holiday season. For older guests Make sure that the path from the guest bedroom to the guest bathroom is clear and well lit, even at night. Consider adding a small night light … Continue reading →

Dad’s Work Chair

One of the few realms Dad has a good amount of control over is the desk. It is readily observed as Dad’s desk and everyone treats it as such. Proof of this can be found simply by leaving a mess of books around the house. Inevitably those books, when my wife finds their current placement angering, will end up haphazardly stacked on the desk. Shirts and sweaters left around the house will eventually be thrown either on the desk or in the desk chair. This small little realm is a joyous and necessary place for Dad. The rigors of graduate … Continue reading →

The Confusing Process of Learning

My son is starting to get excited about things. He used to just be interested in what was right in front of his face: small objects, fingers, blanket corners. These small things helped him figure out the amazing things his hands could do. He controlled these amazing things floating in his visual field. He could turn them and twist them and move them up and move them down. He could animate other parts too but with less certainty. Soon enough he could use individual fingers to manipulate zippers or grab blankets or flip light switches. He could not only pick … Continue reading →

Starting Your Own Niche Site

Like myself, many single parents tend to work solely from home so we can take care of our kids, perhaps home school them, and try to fill as many roles as possible in our children’s lives. Though there are a hundred scams for every one legitimate WAH business, there are some solid ways to help make ends meet. Freelance writing is one, as well as Internet marketing. These days, most families have access to the internet, which gives you a virtual money-making machine right at your fingertips. All it takes is some time and perseverance, and a healthy dose of … Continue reading →