Parenting Blog

In honor of the new year, I want to wish you peace-- in your family, your world, and your heart.  But peace isn't just something that happens to us, peace is something we create.  David Krieger, founder of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (the mission of which is to support worldwide efforts to abolish nuclear weapons, strengthen international law and institutions, and to inspire and empower a new generation of peace leaders) offers this wonderful little list called 100 Ideas for Creating a More Peaceful World.  Happy New Year!  READ POST

"In fact we often don’t feel the wonder and beauty because we are too busy...trying to live up to the ideal in our head....The cost of perfection is sometimes that it stresses us out to the point where we no longer enjoy the moment we are living in." - Pastor Jon

Most of us aspire to give our kids a fairy-tale holiday.  We have a secret fantasy that this will make up for all of our imperfections as a parent.  READ POST

"Television advertisements for toys and games often exploit children's underlying needs and desires.  Many commercials show a child playing with a game or toy with her parents.  The message is clear to young children: Ask for this product and your mother and father will pay attention to you.  It is an offer they cannot resist." -- Lawrence Kutner   READ POST

"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukkah" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukkah!" or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'" -- Dave Barry

"At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light. Indeed, the physical darkness of this time of year can be a metaphor for the darkness that often envelopes us ... when the world sometimes feels dark and cold. At such times, we yearn for the sun, and the light and warmth that it provides. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light." -- Rabbi Rafael Goldstein   READ POST

“Kids may be screaming for the latest gadget, but what they want more than anything is time with the family. Make that your biggest gift this year.” – MidnightBliss

As we move through December, is your child developing a case of the gimmees?  You don't need to make her feel guilty for those greedy longings.  We all have a hungry heart.  Luckily, there are many ways to gently remind kids, throughout the season, of the real meaning of your holiday.  How?  READ POST

"Believing in the true spirit of my December holiday, I commit myself to:
Remember those people who truly need my gifts
Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
Examine my holiday activities in the light of my deepest values
Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth."
- Jo Robinson & Jean Coppock Staeheli  READ POST

My memories of Christmas as a child are of stress. My mother wanted everything to be perfect and got so worked up trying to do it all that it made the rest of the family crazy. I remember my dad comforting me when I was about 8yrs-old, I was crying and said “I hate Christmas” and he said “I do, too, honey. We just have to get through it.” For my kids I try to be relaxed and fun. We make ornaments for friends and family in December and give them out as we see people — gets us into the giving without thought of receiving. We take time to see the lights around town, to decorate and appreciate our tree. We talk about the other festivals of lights and remember that feasting and gifts are to make the darkest, coldest time of year merry. We celebrate the return of the sun.  We relax and play and laugh and appreciate each other.” -- Amy S   READ POST