April 14, 2023
by Maralee
Comments Off on Self-Talk for Touched-Out Moms
I genuinely love being physically affectionate with my kids. . . until I don’t. I have eight kids and my oldest is 16. That’s a lot of years of dealing with kids when they are at their physically neediest and … Continue reading
May 5, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on Signs Your Potty-Training Toddler Needs to Poop
The most important part of potty-training is learning how to read your child’s cues. There are some very simple and straightforward indicators that your child needs to poop(/has already pooped). All you need to do is be alert for these … Continue reading
July 24, 2017
by Maralee
Comments Off on I Don’t Argue with Toddlers
I have been parenting toddlers constantly for about a decade now. And I am still of sound mind and body. It’s kind of a minor miracle. There’s a lot I’ve learned in interacting with the 2-4 year-old crowd that has … Continue reading
January 27, 2017
by Maralee
Comments Off on A Life in Status- September #1, 2016
I’d love to have your thoughts and stories over on Facebook or Twitter! Come join me. Bethany (6): Hey! That’s MINE! Joel (4): Loser keeper, finder sweeper! #soclose I’ve got The Toddler convinced that afternoon tears are just the juice … Continue reading
January 15, 2016
by Maralee
1 Comment
I recently wrote a post about how you should talk to your toddlers about foster care. It’s important to me that foster families are having open and honest conversations with their kids about the process and the needs of the … Continue reading
January 14, 2016
by Maralee
Comments Off on Talking to Your Toddler About Foster Care
In my family, foster care is normal. My kids have grown up in a home where caseworkers are their friends, our foster care agency is “the fun place with the ducks” (there’s a pond behind the building), home studies and … Continue reading
June 7, 2013
by Maralee
12 Comments
Let’s get something out of the way first: You love the library. Your kids are awesomely well behaved. They have a lust for learning and feel the library is their home away from home. Fantastic. We’re all very proud of … Continue reading
September 17, 2012
by Maralee
8 Comments
Things parents of toddlers hate: Recliners Anything within arms reach in the grocery store check-out aisle Incoming phone calls during nap time Fireplaces Light switches out of reach Light switches within reach That 10 minutes sitting in the exam room … Continue reading
August 27, 2012
by Maralee
8 Comments
Gary Chapman has a great book that most of us have been exposed to at some point. In his book “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” he details what he perceives to be the five ways … Continue reading