The registration form is sitting open on your laptop. Fall soccer, dance, band, or the swim team, they have done for three years running. You mention it at dinner, expecting a shrug and a yes, and instead your child puts down their fork and says they do not want to do it again. And something […]
Few things rattle a parent quite like catching their kid in a lie. Not a little one either, but a look-you-in-the-eye, completely made-up lie about something you already know the truth about. In that moment, it is hard not to spiral and think, if they can lie to me this easily, what else are they […]
It starts gradually. Bedtime gets pushed back a little. Then a little more. You walk past their room at 10:00 p.m., and there’s still a light on. By the time spring break rolls around, your middle grader has somehow flipped into a schedule that would make a college student feel comfortable. Sound familiar? You’re not […]
The start of a new year can feel like a fresh page. New calendars, new routines, earlier mornings. For kids, especially middle-grade kids, January is less about big changes and more about getting back into familiar rhythms. After a few weeks of later nights and looser schedules, it’s normal for things to feel a little […]
If you have a kid who tears through books, you already know the holiday scramble. You want to give them something they’ll actually use, but another stack of books doesn’t always land. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that make reading easier, cozier, or more fun. They support the habit without adding pressure. Here […]
Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean a sudden shift from lazy summer days to rigid schedules. With a little planning, you can keep the energy light, the routines workable, and the fun alive for everyone. Start with a “First Week, Light Lift” Plan Treat the first week as a soft launch. Fewer after-school commitments, earlier bedtimes, […]
In a world filled with screens, buzzing notifications, and endless distractions, getting kids excited about reading can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But what if your home could be a place where books are just as irresistible as video games or TV shows? The good news is, with a few simple changes, you can […]
John and Crosley, the inseparable duo from Night Buddies, have faced some wild adventures together—battling imposters, racing to the stars, and saving the world’s pineapple cheesecake supply. But have you ever wondered if they could have done it alone? Or is there something magical about having your best friend by your side through every twist […]
The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back about 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. During their twelve-day religious festival, they made promises to their gods to repay debts and return borrowed items. Fast forward to ancient Rome, and we see Julius Caesar declaring January 1st as the start of the new year. The […]
This week, we jump in the way back machine. In 2014, we posted ideas about what to do if you dread bedtime because the dark can feel scary. We’re revisiting the topic because fear of the dark is widespread. Many kids and adults feel nervous or anxious when the lights go out. Not all of […]
“Without a strong foundation in reading, children are left behind at the beginning of their education. They lag in every class, year after year because more than 85 percent of the curriculum is taught by reading. And by the end of third grade, 74 percent of struggling readers won’t ever catch up. In fact, one […]
Again. We have no words. Our hearts are with the community of Uvalde, Texas, and with all kiddos who are worried, scared, and confused. We are not experts in helping children navigate tragedy, so we looked to a teacher. Andrea Burns taught fourth grade in Kansas City for eight years and is now a book […]