Search Results for: blog how is your heart

Putting Your Preschooler to Work

Nothing makes preschoolers happier than helping their parents.  Studies show that young children are wired to get pleasure from pleasing their mom or dad.  So, instead of ignoring your four-year-old when he offers to help you make the beds, fold laundry or put away groceries, allow him to exercise his independence by lending a hand. In some cases, a preschooler’s attempt at helping is more of a hindrance to parents; however, with a little patience you can turn these heartfelt efforts into teachable moments. When my now 8-year-old daughter was a preschooler nothing delighted her more than being able to … Continue reading →

Cedar Point and Your Preschooler

Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, Ohio,  is normally associated with heart pumping rides and the thrill of going upside down at 70 miles an hour only to endure a drop that makes the hair on your arms stand on end.  That is hardly the experience you want your preschooler to endure.  It may surprise you to learn that Cedar Point is not only fun for adults and older kids but for preschoolers as well.  It is one of the best family fun parks around! Top Seven Things to Love About Cedar Point for Preschoolers My mini thrill seeker spent her … Continue reading →

Learning the Heart of Homeschooling

  The Heart of Homeschooling As the school year is coming to a close, many of use are thankful for the rest.  Homeschool years are active years and often leads to exhaustion.  Sadly for many it leads to frustration.  But as we get the time to rest, let’s reflect on the true heart of homeschooling. Homeschooling is a lifestyle–not an institution. It is led by the heart while holding the hand of a loving God for guidance. Keep your eyes focused on your calling to educate your children academically, emotionally and spiritually. Children should feel like your greatest joy and … Continue reading →

Your Presence is the Best Present

Forget about the fancy triple chocolate cookie pops, the pricey heart covered Build-a-Bear, and the massive red and white mylar balloon bouquet you were planning to gift your child with this Valentine’s Day.  Save your money and present your son or daughter with your presence on February 14th and in the days, weeks and months that follow. While candy, stuffed animals and shiny inflatables typically rank high on a child’s Valentine’s Day gift wish list, most kids would likely trade in the treats for one-on-one time with mom and dad. Life is hard enough for youngsters, so knowing that they … Continue reading →

Protect Your Allergic Child from Valentine’s Day

Does your child attend an elementary school that will be having a classroom Valentine’s Day party? Typically, those parties involve a ton of sweets, treats, and goodies that do not have ingredient labels and may contain things your child is allergic to. What’s a parent to do? Here are some options to protect your child from Valentine’s Day. Parents want to protect their child from all potential harm. Food allergies make that difficult. Not everyone understands what your child could experience if he or she encounters peanuts, gluten, eggs, or milk. Your child might not entirely understand exactly how this … Continue reading →

Types of Heart Rate Monitors

My last blog talked about how heart rate monitors can improve fitness.  Now we are going to look at the different types that are available and who would benefit from having one. However, I feel a reminder is in order here.  Always consult first with a doctor before starting a new exercise program. The two basic types of heart rate monitors are chest strap models (which go around your chest) and finger sensor models (wristwatch style, where you touch a sensor with your finger).  A variety of features can be found with both types. The following are some of the … Continue reading →

Improving Fitness with a Heart Rate Monitor

When it comes to fitness devices, most of us are probably more familiar with the benefits of a pedometer than a heart rate monitor.  But you might want to consider investing in one, if you want to improve your fitness even more. Exercise is about more than just how often you do it and for how long.  The level (or intensity) of the exercise is just as important. A heart rate monitor can keep track of your heartbeats, allowing you to stay in the appropriate heart rate zone.  In other words, you don’t want the intensity of your exercise to … Continue reading →

Shot through the Heart

Here’s a reality if you are the parent of a teen.  Sometimes it is going to hurt your heart. In fact, this past week I found myself humming the tune of an old 80’s favorite, “Shot through the Heart” by Bon Jovi.  Why?  Because that is exactly how an incident made me feel. Teen attitudes can get in the way of joy.  Adding to this, teens can be pretty unimpressed by our efforts to make life enjoyable or fun.  And oftentimes they tend to see the glass as half-empty instead of half-full. So here I thought I had discovered a … Continue reading →

No Chance to Miss Your Kid

Does distance really make the heart grow fonder? It’s hard to believe it could in today’s high-tech world, especially when it comes to parent-child relationships. After all, tech-savvy moms and dads can easily reach out and touch their smartphone-toting offspring with the press of a single button regardless of how far they stray from the nest. In fact, according to a new study just published in AARP The Magazine, parents aged 47 to 66 admit to communicating with their 20-something children several times a day despite the fact that they don’t live in the same city. The online query, “Parents … Continue reading →

Homeschool Blog Focus: Brighton Park

  Brighton Park is a 2012 Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschool blog, a Siemens Top 50 Farm Blog, and was recently featured in the Jan/Dec 2013 issue of Hobby Farm Home Magazine. Meet Katie Katie is the face behind Brighton Park.   Katie is a pediatric speech language pathologist.  Her homeschool curriculum is a hybrid of Catholic/Waldorf, or as her kids call it “Crafty Catholic”. She is a mom of five beautiful children, including twins with special needs. In addition, she is a yoga teacher, crafter, gardener, decorator, and backyard chicken keeper.  She loves inspired homeschooling and artful homemaking. You … Continue reading →