Search Results for: blog family reunion fun for small children

Combatting Stereotypes in Children, Part Two

In recent blogs we’ve talked about whether economic pressures and anti-immigrant sentiment will have an effect on our transracially adopted children. I wrote one blog on how adults can explore our own feelings about diversity. The blog Combatting Racism in Children, Part One talked about how children form attitudes and the importance of creating a diverse environment for young children, including diversity in pictures and in dramatic play props such as dress-up clothes and food. This blog will talk about some books and films that encourage an understanding of other cultures and of immigrants to America. There are many more … Continue reading →

Family Fun Week(s) in Review – May 28th – June 15th

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While Jeff was off becoming a daddy for the 2nd time, Lauri has been doing an admirable job of providing stellar FUN ideas for families this summer. Jeff is back full time now and the result had been a bounty of cool tips and activities to occupy and entertain your entire gang! Summertime is a popular time of year for Family Reunions. Lauri share some helpful ideas on keeping both young children and teenagers happy and pleasant at these family gatherings. While traveling to reunite with long lost relatives, you are bound to encounter some delays. You have to find … Continue reading →

Teens at Family Reunions – Hunt for Relatives Scavenger Hunt

Yesterday, I posted a blog about keeping young children happy at family reunions. Little kids aren’t the only ones who need some special things to keep them happy. Teenagers can get fairly miserable, too. I do think it’s important for the teenager to interact with their older relatives, though. So as much as the teens would like it, I don’t really recommend setting up internet and movie stations to keep them busy and occupied. What can be fun for the older relatives and for the teens is to set up a person scavenger hunt. It’s easy to set up. Ask … Continue reading →

Family Reunion Fun for Small Children

For small children, family reunions can actually be very boring. I imagine that they are quite confused by all the people they don’t who are standing around talking and eating food that looks very different and suspicious. We’ve had a few reunions in the last couple of years. One reunion was at a home with a pool. There was no problem occupying the children at that reunion. Most of us aren’t so lucky, though. The good news is that you don’t need a swimming pool to keep the youngest guests happy. Simple things like sidewalk chalk and a place to … Continue reading →

Planning A Family Reunion

A family reunion can be as simple as a picnic at the park or elaborate as a week’s stay at a resort. It depends on the size, budget, and time frame of your reunion. For starters you need to decide who will be invited, who will plan the reunion, the date of your reunion, and what type of reunion you will have. I will discuss other details such as activities, finances, and further planning in later blogs. Who Will Be Invited A reunion can consist of parents and their children’s families or it can extend outward. My father’s family often … Continue reading →

Outdoor Games and Track Day

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Today was the annual Track Day at our elementary school. I will admit to grumbling just a little bit before I went. With only ten days left of school, I didn’t feel like giving up my last free Thursday. And I’ve been to so many track days over the years, they’ve lost a little charm. Today was my eleventh track day as a parent. I’m so glad I went today though. My children were glad to see me, I got some great pictures, and got to visit with some other parents. Mainly though, this was the most creative track day … Continue reading →

Author Lauren Carr and the Many Animals That Inspire Her, An Interview

My next interview victim –er, I mean subject—is mystery author Lauren Carr. The thing that struck me most about her interview is how ingrained animals are in her life, and therefore in her books. Lauren shared a bunch of wonderful pet-related anecdotes that elicited more than one knowing head nod or chuckle from me. Will it be the same for you? Read for yourself and see if you can’t relate to her life with pets. Courtney Mroch: What kind of things do you write about? (Genre, subject matter, themes, what have you.) Lauren Carr: I am the author of the … Continue reading →

Egg and Spoon Race – Game Review

The Egg and Spoon Race Game from International Playthings is such fun. The game retails for around seven or eight dollars. It’s recommended for ages three and up. It comes with four different colored plastic spoons and eggs, so four people or relay teams can play at once. The cutest part of the game is the tiny white beanbag with a yellow circle on it. It looks like an egg yolk. I first saw this game in a dog training class. We had to do the egg and spoon race with the dog’s leash wrapped around our wrist. They didn’t … Continue reading →

ADHD: Should it Be Called INHIBITION Deficit?

Dr. Russell Barkley and some other experts have determined, based on their research and observations, that ADHD is primarily a deficiency of inhibition, rather than attention span. This characterization makes sense to me. I’ve seen that my own children who have the condition are able to focus very well on their video games, movies, and anything that is entertaining or interesting to them. They certainly aren’t incapable of maintaining focus when they want to. However, when they are required to pay attention to something less stimulating, like spelling or fractions, they have trouble filtering out the other things that intrigue … Continue reading →