My Kids Taught Me The Key to Joy

The things that raise my spirits are small and often considered insignificant.  It was my children who taught me how to live in the present moment with joy. I couldn’t help but learn how to live as a child of God because I was surrounded by a crew of little people who greeted each morning……

Celebrating the Wisdom of a Newborn

Spirit to spirit: the wisdom of newborn babies I discovered the truth of this quote by C. S. Lewis as a mother and grandmother when I first looked into my newborn’s eyes. What I found most startling about infants is how aware they are, the obvious intelligence in their eyes. The baby in the womb and……

Humour: The Key To Sanity

I have always managed to keep my large families difficulties in perspective through humour.

A Crocheted Mini Doll House

I had a lot of fun creating a crocheted mouse house or doll house last week. It was so easy to make and I used scrap yarn. The shape is similar to an igloo created by inserting a rigid piece of plastic canvas into a crocheted sleeve and bending it into a doom shape with……

Kids Think Outside of the Box

My kids often solved their own problems. As part of a large family and busy household, they often came up with their own solutions to problems before I could help them.

Crochet DollHouse Furniture

After I saw patterns which used pieces of cardboard or plastic  sheets with grids to make doll appliances, I thought of covering lego blocks with crochet to create an entire set of dollhouse furniture. It was simple to do and frankly, a lot of fun. The results were better than I even imagined. The base……

A Crocheted Playbook: My Little House

This crocheted playbook was fun to create; I think it will provide hours of playtime. It is for a granddaughter’s Christmas gift if I can wait that long to give it to her. I wanted to make sure it was still fun to play with even if the extras which can be snapped on, were……

Make Something Out of Nothing for Your Kids, Crochet Toys

It is important in our consumer-driven society to show kids they can create toys with things around the house.

A Salute to 21st Century Fathers

I love how each generation of fathers are becoming more involved with childcare. My husband was much more involved with our children than his father ever was and my sons are even more comfortable changing diapers and bathing infants. all paintings found at http://www.upworthy.com/dad-and-daughter-relationships-as-explained-by-10-paintings One of my son-in-laws says that he could never see himself as……

Making Something Out of Nothing

When parents are creative, using what is on hand to make do instead of constantly running to the store for ingredients or supplies, we teach our kids to be resourceful.  It is a talent which they can apply to their studies, the workplace, for entertainment as well as in their day-to-day lives at home. All……

Unplug Kids From Technology with Crocheted Toys

Crocheting is a cheap, eco-friendly way to bless kids and to encourage simple, back to basics play.

So,You Want to Shave Your Head and Pierce Your Ears

Does this disagreement really have to do with morality, common sense or responsibility or is it simply a matter of taste, choice or opinion?

Are They All Yours ?

I laughed when a friend sent me an amusing video, a song composed by a family of 12, sung to the tune of the Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas”.. . The video is hilarious because it is composed of phrases directed to large families, phrases I have heard for decades.  . You must……

Children of the World Through Artist’s Eyes

This is a tiny sample of the some of the beautiful paintings and photos from my Pinterest board called “painting children”. I had to force myself to choose these few images, leaving behind even more moving, funny, or sensitive portrayals of the children of the world. To discover more go to https://www.pinterest.com/motherofnine9/painting-children/ by Greg not Greg

Worth Reposting: Relax: Let Kids Play like Real Kids

When I was a child, we hopped on bikes without helmets, only wore sunscreen at the beach and ate peanut butter sandwiches.

Don’t Let the Dog In and Don’t Let Daniel Out

Life was especially chaotic after the birth of our eighth and ninth children because everyone was still fourteen and under. It was difficult to keep a sharp eye out for my new bundle of energy, Daniel. As our second youngest, Daniel’s basic character has always been pleasant and easy-going. His eyes are still twinkling and……

Mommy, Mommy, When You Pray?

 Mommy, Mommy, When you Pray, by Kimberly Cook, is a delightful picture book, written and illustrated by a mother with an eye for colour and an ear for lyrical language. This little book will capture the hearts and minds of children as well as their parents. Images and words work together harmoniously as her colourful illustrations and words……

Fall Edition of Tender Tidings Parenting Magazine

The simplest way to play with our kids is in nature, especially with pets or farm animals. Have you noticed how a toddler delights in the mere glimpse of a dog or cat? Even a  goldfish on the counter or a hamster in a small apartment will fascinate a small child with their antics. For……

New Anthology Encourages Mums

5 Catholic mum bloggers challenge today’s culture on the value of motherhood Ontario, Canadian mum Melanie Jean Juneau is a love rebel— one of 5 moms who have chosen to pursue the vocation of motherhood over their careers or personal goals. Along with four other Catholic moms, she shares her stories of mothering despite living……

Mothering

 Raising children is definitely not a default chore for women who were not successful in the world of business, power and wealth. . . Exactly how society forms the next generation will directly influence the kind of society they turn create. . Do we want a world focused only on the accumulation of wealth? Are……