• family - parenting

    “I Want Them To Know They Are Loved” – On Holiday Gifts That Matter #MeaningfulGifts

    November 4, 2015 - By 

    Boys play with a wooden gun used in re-enactment dramas, which can be part of rehabilitation therapy sessions. Many are familiar with how to handle the weapon. – Photographs from World Vision’s Children of War Rehabilitation Center in Gulu: daily life under World Vision’s care and reunions with their families; portraits to accompany Nigel Marsh interviews. This is a Guest Post by my Daughter Payton Schuck, she’s in grade nine this year and has been involved with helping us choose which World Vision Canada gift catalogue holiday gifts that we give as a family. This family tradition started last year.…

  • origami_crafts
    family

    15 Creative DIY Origami Crafts for Kids

    October 26, 2015 - By 

    Origami is the ancient Japanese art of folding paper. I happen to know this because I have a teenager who loves origami and Japanese culture in general. Traditional Japanese origami – paper folding began during the EDO period. The most commonly known form of Japanese origami is the paper crane. My teen folds these all the time and can also make origami bowls, plates and cups which is a party trick she tends to use when other kids are over. [tweetthis]Which of these origami crafts for kids will you try first? [/tweetthis] These ideas are totally appealing to the crafty…

  • family - parenting

    Waste Free with SC Johnson Canada Zero Waste Challenge #SCJZeroWaste

    October 18, 2015 - By 

    Like a lot of families, my family uses SC Johnson Canada products. And while I’ve used them because they’re effective, I now have a new reason to keep on using them. My family and I do our best to reduce our impact on the environment, and so does SC Johnson Canada. Waste Free with the SC Johnson Canada Zero Waste Challenge My family and I live by the old adage, “Reuse, Reduce Waste, Recyle”. We all remember that ad on television. Well, my family and I have stuck to it the best that we can. We upcycle. We recycle. We mostly embrace the…

  • My holiday gift guide
    family - Giveaways - parenting

    Thrifty Momma’s Tips 2015 Holiday Gift Guide is Now Accepting Submissions #TMMGG2015

    September 23, 2015 - By 

    Do you have a product you are looking to boost this season? Does your IT Toy need some buzz? Do you want to see your toy, or item, shared with millions? Good news. I have the solution. Every year Thrifty Momma’s Tips Holiday Gift Guide generates millions of impressions. Oh sure, I know it’s September, but soon enough the snow will fly and the holidays will be in full swing. I have already received a few Holiday gift guide submission inquiries in the last month, so in response to those I have prepared a few guidelines and thoughts on what I…

  • martial arts
    Health

    Frustration and No Answers Yet on This Ankle #health

    September 16, 2015 - By 

    I am frustrated! With a capital F. One of my daughters is still in pain and we have no clarity as to what exactly is going on. Her ankle pain waxes and wanes a bit. Remember when I mentioned that months ago we thought she could have juvenile arthritis? There are brutal days where she limps a lot and days where it seems less obvious. She had two great weeks at end of August where camps were over and her ankle didn’t hurt much. But this week it was a mess again. In July, it swelled up like a football after…

  • empower_your_child
    active family travel - family - parenting - Travel

    My Beach Entomologist #WordlessWednesday

    September 8, 2015 - By 

    Have you ever met a teenage girl that’s fascinated by bugs? Well I live with one. It’s true. This is my girl at the beach last month. It’s normal to find her picking bugs up out of the pool before they drown. It’s also completely normal to find yourself on the receiving end of a conversation about arachnids and all the various trivia facts she has ever collected about them. Just this weekend we were sitting watching a movie together when I spied a tiny spider spinning a web in front of me. She naturally put him in her hands…

  • homework-tips
    family - parenting

    5 Tips to Help with Homework

    September 1, 2015 - By 

    Sometimes, all a child needs for help with homework are clear expectations and an area conducive to studying. If you want to give your child help with homework, I have some tips that can help ensure that homework time is a productive time for your child. Help with Homework – Easy Steps for a Better Outcome There are a few things you can do to help your child maximize his or her homework and/or studying experience. With these tips, you’ll have a space all set for productive study, and you’ll have clear expectations for your child and their academic performance.…

  • Dinosaur-birthday-party-ideas
    family - parenting

    Roaring Fun Dinosaur Birthday Party Ideas

    August 26, 2015 - By 

    Tips for Throwing a Roaring Dinosaur Party Are you hoping to throw a roaring party for your dinosaur-loving child?  Great news!  Jen Carver, party expert for Spaceships and Laser Beams, is sharing some terrific prehistoric party ideas for planning a dinosaur party your T-Rex lover will not soon forget!  Keep reading for great dinosaur party planning tips, including ideas for invitations, decorating and party food—including cool cake ideas! Dinosaur Birthday Party Ideas: Sending out a creative invitation can help build up excitement. While buying a printable dinosaur themed invitation is totally cool, if time allows, you can make your own too.  How about printing party information on green construction paper and cutting it…

  • flying_with_a_baby
    Travel

    6 Easy Common Sense Tips for Flying with a Baby

    August 4, 2015 - By 

    Flying with a baby can be extremely challenging. Between crying, squirming, and general baby angst, flying with a baby can be a daunting proposition for you, and sometimes for the other passengers too. But people do it every day so what’s the big secret? Preparation. Fear not! If you take the right steps, you can limit the amount of baby angst, and make the flight relatively painless for you, for baby, and for everyone else on the plane. Air travel can be challenging for anyone, but it is a necessary part of travelling and it is often more manageable when you…

  • dolphin_coloring_page
    family

    Dolphin Coloring Page Printable

    July 26, 2015 - By 

    Do your kids love dolphins as much as mine do? If so then here is a little something special for them. This dolphin coloring page can be easily printed out for them to color. Stay tuned for instructions. [tweetthis]A free dolphin coloring page printable will keep your kids busy for a few minutes anyways. ;)[/tweetthis] There’s simply something mysterious and magical about dolphins. My girls, from the time they were tiny, were captivated by dolphins. I remember our first trip to Marineland in Niagara Falls being quite an event for both girls. My older daughter loved seeing dolphins and whales up…