Friday, September 29, 2017

Dad-Daughter Dance

Because Dad is always the best date.

Here are some photos from before the dance.

Jasmine is 16 and is allowed to wear a little make up for special events. She thankfully has no interest in make up except for special occasions.

Kayla is 12 and is wearing just a bit of lip gloss.


Dad with his princesses


Friday, September 22, 2017

Quick Tips: Backpack Safety


Today's tips are from me and are two days late because I forgot to post them!



Quick Tips: School Back Pack Awareness Day was September 20, and here are some tips about using them safely.

Back packs are a normal part of school life, but it’s important to use them safely.
  • Backpacks should not exceed more than 15% of the wearer's body weight. That means if your preteen weighs 100 pounds, the backpack shouldn't weigh more than 15 pounds--unless the backpack is on wheels, not on the user's back.
  • The proper way to wear a backpack is on both shoulders with straps adjusted so it fits snuggly on the back with the bottom against the curve of the back. Wearing the pack too low or loose can pull a child backward and cause muscle strain. A waist strap is a plus, too, as it helps distribute the weight.
  • You might want to check what's in your child's back pack. It's not just books making the pack so heavy. Lap top computers, ipods, cell phones and other items add to the weight. Encourage your child to unload items he doesn't need, leave unneeded books at school and pack the rest so that the weight is evenly distributed.

Backpacks are part of school from kindergarten to senior year. Help your child use his backpack correctly to avoid neck, shoulder and back problems in the future.

For more school tips, check out my book The Middle School Survival Manual

Also please check out my Website

Other quick tips you might enjoy are:


Other quick tips you might enjoy:
Handling Grief Sister Day
Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
Preparing a Child's Heart for Easter
Showing Kindness Every Day
Fresh Starts
Keeping Your Mind Strong

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Quick Tips: Choosing When to Volunteer

Today speaker, author, licensed parent-family educator Lori Wildenberg shares tips about choosing when to say yes and when to say no to volunteer opportunities.

Quick Tips:
Leaves are falling and the calendar is filling. Volunteer opportunities invade an already crazy schedule. Be proactive to prevent over committing.

Know these things before saying yes.

1. Know yourself.
What do you enjoy doing? If you like to bake but don’t like working with kids then send cookies for a class party rather than volunteer to help in the classroom.

2. Know your schedule.
Have everything included on your calendar you are able to see what each day looks like.

3. Know your margin.
 Understand how you are wired. If you are an introvert, you will need to create some space in your day to regroup. If you are an extrovert you need margin to prevent burnout.

4. Know how to delegate.
 Kids can pitch in at home. Assign children specific chores.

5. Know how to redirect.
 “I helped out at the fall festival so I will skip volunteering for the Christmas pageant.” It is perfectly fine not be involved in every event.

Finally, realize it is OK not to give an answer right away. It is reasonable to say “Let me think about this and get back to you.”


I will give you a wise and discerning heart. 
1 Kings 3: 12b
About Lori:

Lori is passionate about helping families build connections that last a lifetime. She meets moms and dads where they are with her warmth, transparency, humor, and straight-forward, faith-filled approach. Lori is a licensed parent-family educator, co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting, national speaker, author,and parent consultant.
She’s the lead Mentor Mom over at the Moms Together Facebook Community Page and a mentor mom with The MOM Initiative. Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home is her 4th most recently published book. She writes for a number of on-line magazines including: Crosswalk.com, ChristianParenting.org, Life Letter Cafe, and Her View from Home. Her Family Matters column is seen monthly in Reds Rocks Views magazine.
She has spoken in Kansas, Wyoming, Florida, California, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado and is a member of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). The Wildenberg home is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A perfect day in Lori’s world is a hike with her Tom (her hubby), five kids (four plus a daughter-in-love), and Murphy– the family labradoodle! 

You can connect with her on Facebook or on her website.

Other quick tips you might enjoy:
Handling Grief
Sister Day
Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
Preparing a Child's Heart for Easter
Showing Kindness Every Day
Fresh Starts
Keeping Your Mind Strong