Practical Positive Parenting Advice and Resources
Learn How to Take Better Pictures of Your Kids
With two boys and what feels like a very hectic life, I sit here reflecting on all the photos I’ve taken of them. Most moms (and dads) own some form of a camera whether it be a smartphone, a point and shoot or a dslr. (Maybe you got a new camera for Christmas?!) No matter what you’re using to take the pictures, there are a few tips I have to help take better photos of your kids….
What is Montessori education? And how can it help my child?
Recently I had the opportunity to engage in a Q & A with The New School of Lancaster, a local private Montessori school in Lancaster, PA. Even if this particular school is not local to you, Montessori schools can be found all over the world. So I hope that you find this information informative, and I encourage you to check out a Montessori school near you!
Even though my children do not attend this particular school, they did however attend another Montessori school for several years. Overall we had a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend Montessori to anyone! What I love most is that kids are able to learn through action. They are not just taught 2+2 = 4, they instead physically touch the objects and regroup to better understand the numbers. And this type of hands-on learning continues throughout every subject. Their unique way of teaching was extremely beneficial for my son who is the type that loves to physically figure out how and why something works.
This collection is created to shed light and answer questions surrounding different types of schooling and education. We are not trying to compare, but rather give you insight into the differences. Each family will need to make their own decision regarding what works best for their child and family. There are no “right” answers. It is an individual decision that needs to be made based on your student’s individual needs, learning style, abilities, and resources. Read below for more information about Montessori Education.
Our goal of this Education Options collection is to allow you to dive a little deeper into the possibilities and opportunities around you!
Public | Private | Homeschool/Cyber | Montessori | Waldorf | Classical | Unschooling
The New School of Lancaster is guided by the philosophy of Maria Montessori and informed by educational research. Here students enter a prepared environment and explore hands on, project based activities to acquire relevant 21st century skills.
The environment is child centered and consists of hands on activities. Students learn in a multi age environment capitalizing on teaching and learning opportunities that provides. Each classroom becomes its own unit where students thrive as a community. In addition, here at the New School, students enjoy drama, outdoor education, music, Spanish and Art.
Our students are able to complete work at their own pace which allows for deeper exploration of some topics. The focus is on the process of learning, not an outcome of the learning.
In addition to our website NewSchool.net, our accrediting agency, American Montessori Society, has a wealth of information on their website Amshq.org.
A big thank you to The New School of Lancaster’s Head of School for taking the time to provide us with this information! We hope that you will give The New School consideration when deciding upon your child’s education. And if you are not local to Lancaster County, we hope that you will keep an open mind and check out your local Montessori school options.
Our goal of this Education Options collection is to allow you to dive a little deeper into the possibilities and opportunities around you!
Public | Private | Homeschool/Cyber | Montessori | Waldorf | Classical | Unschooling
First, clear the cobwebs. Hose off your porch to start with a clean slate. Double the rug, using two rugs gives your entry a fun twist and enlarges your space. Spray paint a coir rug with a stencil giving visitors a friendly welcome, haunting note, or silly saying. Spray paint weathered planters to give them new life. And spray paint pumpkins using painters tape, or drill holes to create lanterns. Finally, add a wreath and mums to give your space a fresh new look. Keep reading below for 3 ways to create a fall porch with spray paint, and enjoy photo examples!
This article is written by Pamela Rineer
For more on this topic, check out the full Fall Fun and DIY Projects collections
I love the look of a fresh entry. Adding seasonal plants, a chair and pillow, lantern or a new doormat welcomes each visitor who enters. However, changing your doormat out each season can be costly. Here is an easy DIY to make your doormat look fun while being affordable.
1. Purchase a plain coir doormat and a can of spray paint in any color.
2. Choose a note for your mat. For this project ”come in, get cozy” felt welcoming for fall.
3. The least expensive and easiest way to create a stencil for the next step is to print your saying on regular card stock. This will become your stencil so plan out the size of your letters. Choose your font then make the text size as large as possible while fitting on the page, ensuring that each word has it’s own piece of card stock.
4. Cut out each word being sure to enter and exit at the same point. Also, carefully remove the loops inside of letters. Place tape over the entry/exit so that no spray paint will seep through the gap in paper.
5. Position each stencil on the coir mat using painters tape to secure. If the paper gaps, secure it with wrapped painters tape just inside the stenciled letters.
6. Now, lay each of the small pieces that make up the loops of words. You’ll need to wrap your painters tape so it’s sticky on both sides.
7. Use butcher paper, newspaper or anything large enough on hand to wrap around the coir mat and secure with painters tape so there is no over-spray.
8. Making sure that only the cut out stencil is showing on your mat, spray light even strokes over your words. Once the paint looks even, let set for a few moments.
9. Remove all paper and tape from your mat.
10. Layer your finished coir doormat over another outdoor mat to make it appear larger.
After each season take some time to look over flower containers. Discard broken pieces. For items that have lost their luster, consider freshening up with spray paint. Before painting, give each item a good clean and a light sanding for the paint to adhere properly. Coat in light even strokes until each item looks new!
In the early fall season I prefer to decorate my pumpkins without carving so that they last as long as possible. So adding a touch of color is easy with a little spray paint. To make this fall porch cohesive and to save money, I stuck with the same can of black spray paint. Add a fun design with painters tape making a pattern or use a stencil to spray on your house numbers. When it comes time to carve, use your drill and make your pumpkin into a lantern to light your porch and welcome even the furriest of visitors!
For more on this topic, check out the full Fall Fun and DIY Projects collections
Featured Contributor: Pamela Rineer
Pamela Rineer lives in Lititz, PA with her husband, two boys, and very large goldendoodle. With a love of real estate, design, and money management she began renovating their homes on a budget. Now, settling into their fifth house, she shares simple DIY’s for all things home.
How to Prepare for a Photoshoot with Kids
Let go and just let the kids be kids!
As a mom of two boys, I know all too well the desire to have that “perfect picture” of the two of them arm in arm smiling and looking right at the camera. Sometimes, under all the right circumstances and with a whole lot of luck, that photo happens. However, if we are being realistic – children tend not to enjoy sitting still for long, especially for photos. As I mention in my post about looking for a photographer, I think it is very important to find someone personable to work with. The more relaxed your kids are, the better the photos will be. …
This collection has been created to shed light and answer questions surrounding different types of schooling and education. We are not trying to compare, but rather educate you on the differences. However, each family will need to make their own decision regarding what works best for their child and family as a whole. There are no “right” answers. It is instead an individual decision that needs to be made based on your student’s individual needs, learning style, abilities, and resources. Check out this FREE School Options printable below.
Our goal of this Education Options collection is to allow you to dive a little deeper into the possibilities and opportunities around you!
And we created this free school options printable to help you decide which education option might be best for you child!
Public | Private | Homeschool/Cyber | Montessori | Waldorf | Classical | Unschooling
…
Whether you are taking a day trip, a longer road trip, or just driving to and from school… podcasts are a great way to entertain and educate! Our family loves this list of best podcasts for kids, and we hope that you find some new favorites too! These top kid podcasts offer story-telling, songs, silly fun, and science information. Explore and enjoy…
For more on this topic, check out the full Travel Tips collection
Wow in the World – This is NPRs first podcast for kids and families and is hosted by Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas. “This weekly show invites curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey away from their screens, inside their brains, and into the most amazing stories in science, technology, and new discoveries.”
Brains On! – “Brains On!® is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from American Public Media. Co-hosted each week by kid scientists and reporters from public radio, we ask questions ranging from the science behind sneezing, to how to translate the purr of cats, and go wherever the answers take us.”
Storynory – Stories for Kids – “Storynory brings you an audio story every week. Natasha and friends beautifully read each story. Let Natasha’s voice beguile you with classic fairy tales, new children’s stories, poems, myths, adventures and romance.”
But Why – “But Why is a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, and even the end of the world.”
Tumble Science Podcast for Kids – “Exploring stories of science discovery. Not only kids, but in addition adults too will enjoy the Tumble Science Podcast.”
Noodle Loaf – “Noodle Loaf is an interactive music themed podcast for kids. Created by a music-ed specialist dad, this podcast will help bring learning and laughter to your down time with singing, dancing and lots of play.”
The Cramazingly Incredifun Sugarcrash Kids Podcast – “Each episode includes (but is not limited to) engaging storytelling, educational elements (fictional stories with factual information), interviews with fictional characters (pirates, robots, dinosaurs, and the rest of the Sugarcrash Kids), kid interviews (listen to real kids tell their own stories and elaborate on various topics), and a brand new Sugarcrash Kids song each time! The Cramazingly Incredifun Sugarcrash Kids Podcast is great for children. However, grownups will love it too!”
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian – “The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian is a serialized science-fiction story for kids (start with Episode 1), told in 15-20 minute episodes for parents to put on when driving around town, or to marathon on road trips, or to bond over before bed. The story centers on Finn Caspian, an 8-year-old boy aboard The Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station.”
Dream Big Podcast – “The Dream Big Podcast is a family-friendly podcast inspiring kids (and adults!) to pursue their passions in life and take action to make their dreams a reality. Your hosts Eva Karpman (currently 7-years-old in 2nd grade) and mom Olga Karpman interview world-class performers who do what they love and live their dreams each and every day.”
Story Time – “Do your children like listening to bedtime stories? Story Time has lots of great stories for everyone to listen to. Each story is oftentimes less than 20 minutes long. But hopefully just long enough to keep your toddler, preschoolers, and little ones engaged. Story Time is a free fortnightly audiobook podcast for children ages 2-12.”
This article contains Amazon affiliate links.
Here are 5 reasons to start a blog from Jacqueline Bodnar, blogger and author of “Blog for Bucks: How to Create, Promote, and Profit from Your Blog”
Many parents would love a way to make some extra money from home. Others may want more than just some extra money; they may want a way to work from home full time. The good news is that you can do both of things when you become a blogger.
Don’t let the fact that there are already a lot of bloggers out there make you fear throwing your hat into the ring. Bloggers have the ability to choose what they focus on, and as such the topics run the gamut. There’s always room for more bloggers, especially if you are passionate about a specific topic.
If you have been considering starting a blog, or you have been searching for something to do to make money from home, now is the time to consider blogging. Here are 5 reasons to start a blog…
This article is written by Jacqueline Bodnar
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
Blogging offers a great way to earn money from home. There are numerous ways to earn money from your blogging efforts. Once you build an audience, you can leverage that to bring in an income.
Everyone has something they are passionate about or would talk about for hours. Chances are, that topic would make a great focus for a blog. Blogging on that topic gives you an outlet to share what you know, find people who share your passion, and grow and learn more.
A blog can be a powerful marketing tool to help you get sales and new customers for another business you may have. Blogs can help bring in traffic to your website, establish you as an expert in an area, and help you increase your overall income.
Once you have a successful blog, you can always add that to your resume. It will serve as a way to show people the skills and knowledge you have in a particular area, as well as your writing capabilities.
Many people start a blog simply because it’s a new project they can take on and have fun with. You may start it as a fun project, but you never know where it will take you or what opportunities may arise.
The truth is, when you start a blog, you never know where it will take you. Perhaps you earn a side hustle income from it, but maybe it becomes your full-time career. Maybe it opens doors to job opportunities, sales leads, and community involvement opportunities. One of the exciting things about blogging is that you don’t know where it will take you, but there is no doubt that you will enjoy the journey.
The following links are Amazon affiliate links.
For more in-depth information about starting a blog that makes money, check out my new book, “Blog for Bucks: How to Create, Promote, and Profit from Your Blog.” The book gives you a comprehensive look at how to start a blog through profiting from it. Whether you want to focus on a blog that targets only people in your county or focuses on a segment of the population around the country, you can build an audience and get paid to do it.
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
Featured Contributor: Jacqueline Bodnar
What to Wear to Your Photo Session
You booked your photo session with your favorite photographer and as the date approaches, it hits you. WHAT WILL WE WEAR?! Below I share some fun tips for you to consider when deciding on what everyone will wear for your next photo session. And continue scrolling below for outfit examples.
Gone are the days of all white shirts and khakis. My number one tip for what to wear for your family photos is plan to coordinate, not match. The only exception in my opinion is to allow the children to match, because, let’s be honest…who doesn’t love putting their kids in matching outfits? Pick 2 to 3 colors to incorporate and then work on using them in everyone’s outfits whether through a scarf or a shirt or maybe a piece of jewelry.
Something else to consider is to be comfortable. If you are uncomfortable in what you are wearing, it may show in your images.
Another tip I like to give is avoid graphic tees whenever possible. You want the focus of your family photos to be on you and your faces, not on whatever your t-shirt says.
Prints are fun and totally fine to mix as long as it’s done right! Below you’ll see an example of mixing prints. (dad and daughter are both in prints).
Dress for your surroundings. It’s always good to keep in mind where you’ll be taking your photos. If it is fall with colorful leaves, deep rich tones look wonderful. Are you having a summertime session with lots of green? Try brighter colors or pastels!
These tips wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t show you some examples of well dressed families I have photographed. I hope you found some inspiration for your family photos this year!
This article is written by Angie Englerth
For more on this topic, check out the full Photography Tips collection
For more on this topic, check out the full Photography Tips collection
I am Angie, a wife and mama to two sweet little boys! I’m a portrait photographer in Lancaster county capturing the journey to and through motherhood. I believe that women look the most gorgeous when pregnant and I want them to feel the same way about themselves. My goal for each maternity session is for mamas to realize just how beautiful they are. I also enjoy capturing little ones while they are still little. All the details of newborns, from the tiny toes to the milk bumps on their nose, are my absolute favorite!
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Read below to learn some interesting facts regarding Children’s Dental Health.
Did you know…
This article is written by Nicole Kilgore
For more on this topic, check out the full Staying Healthy collection
So how do we keep our kids dental healthy? Here are some simple tips to keep your kiddos happy and free from tooth decay:…
Lots of parents have asked or even wondered, “Does my toddler have autism?” Thankfully there are wonderful resources that can give you further information about whether or not your child may have autism.
When our children are struggling or displaying puzzling behavior it can be alarming. However, it can sometimes also be tempting to simply brush it off as a phase that they’ll grow out of. While this may be true in some cases, addressing these concerns head-on can be a much more effective route to take! Below are websites that offer insight into a variety of concerns and solutions from parents who have been there.
Autism Speaks has a checklist on their website that is a wonderful resource. You can access the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R™) here: https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/diagnosis/mchat
Check out Autism Parenting Magazine for additional information and helpful resources, like this article: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/signs-of-autism-in-girls/
Explore an entire collection of advice from parents, teachers, and health professionals that share on a variety of Special Need topics.
For more on this topic, check out the full Mental Health collection
