The last day of school has a particular energy. Backpacks hit the floor. Folders get recycled. And somewhere in the back of every parent’s mind, a quiet concern surfaces: will they read anything this summer, or will the whole thing just slide? The summer reading slide is real. Kids who don’t read over the break […]
The last weeks of school look like excitement from the outside. Field days, yearbook signings, countdown chains taped to bedroom doors. The excitement is real, but for many middle graders, something else is running quietly in the background. This is a transition, and transitions are complicated at any age. At eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, […]
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 […]
The holidays sparkle with excitement in the world of Night Buddies; cozy stories, twinkling lights, and the thrill of wish lists and surprises! For middle-grade readers, it’s a time of big imagination and even bigger anticipation. But the holiday season isn’t just about getting—it’s about growing. Helping kids make thoughtful, purposeful choices about what they […]
Every parent wants their child to be confident, adventurous, and ready to take on the world. But somewhere between “Go ahead, you can do it!” and “Don’t you dare give up!” it’s easy to start pushing too hard. The truth is, bravery isn’t about being fearless, but about facing something new or uncomfortable, even when […]
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, […]
Happy 2021 everybody! I hope you all had a safe and joyful holiday season. Today, I want to talk to you about New Year’s resolutions. I know, I know—not everyone’s a fan. Resolutions can often feel like a chore, or make you feel like a failure before you’re even done with January. But have you […]
Regular readers of this blog may well know, I raised my son John as a single father. While the memories I have of our time together while he was growing up are special, I know there were as many difficult times as there were wonderful ones. An article about Kate Middleton, British royalty and mother […]
It’s the common belief that children’s books are meant for…well…children. And while they often are filled with valuable lessons for children to learn, such as accepting one another’s differences and using your manners, there are some books filled with lessons for parents as well. […]
It’s no secret that I raised my son John as a single parent. What you might not know, however, was how difficult that journey was. Raising children is a huge responsibility that can keep you up at night, wondering if you’re doing everything right—and when you are in the position of raising children without a […]
It’s that itchy-eyed, sunny day time of year again! Chances are, your kids will soon have an entire week away from school and are counting on having some fun in its place. But how do you keep them excited and having a fun-filled time for seven days straight—especially when your family doesn’t have vacation plans? […]
This past Valentine’s Day, a book titled, The Toddler Brain: Nurture the Skills Today That Will Shape Your Child’s Tomorrow, hit bookstore shelves and took over the parenting world. According to its description on Amazon, the book “helps parents recognize the connection that exists between their own parenting behaviors and their child’s ability to acquire […]