Get Independent
Get IndependentWhat Is Unstructured Play, and How Does It Look?
The best parenting advice I ever received came from a mom whose son went to toddler music class with mine. She had tried to replace …
Get IndependentBug Hotels, Toad Houses, and Other Backyard Wildlife Habitats Kids Can Create
If you and your family love the great outdoors, or if you're looking for ways to get your kids interested in the flora and fauna …
Get Independent5 Creative Garden Ideas to Help Save the Bees, Feed Your Family, and More
Gardening is good for the soul. Going outside and digging in the dirt has the potential to benefit you in so many ways, including helping …
Get IndependentWe Need to Stop Mom-Shaming Over Kids’ Screen Time
“Mom!” I heard my 5-year-old daughter yell from somewhere else in the house. I was in my home office, participating in a team meeting on …
Get IndependentSeeing Kids Helping Out Was a Highlight of the Independence Challenge
Sheltering in place has been a challenging time for many families. So many people have had to figure out new ways to do things, leading …
Get IndependentKids Learned How to Sew and Make Masks During the Independence Challenge
Sewing skills aren't just a thing of the past. Not only do kids who try sewing learn a valuable skill that they'll be able to …
Get IndependentKids’ Cooking Skills Were on Display During the Independence Challenge
The kitchen is a great place for kids to practice being independent. It doesn't matter whether it's learning to make scrambled eggs or mastering eggs …
Get IndependentThis 6-Year-Old Will Show You How to Make Stop Motion Videos
Imaginary play is awesome. And stop-motion animation can take this kind of world-building activity to the next level. How do I know? Our six-year-old son, …
Get IndependentI Allow My 6-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone on the River, and It Makes Her Stronger
The Milwaukee River runs through this mom's backyard. Read about what she's learned by allowing her 6-year-old daughter to play outside alone.
Get IndependentDon’t Be Afraid of Silica Gel Packs—You Can Do Cool Things with Them!
It seems like those little silica gel packets come with just about everything you buy these days: medications, electronics, clothing, and more. They always have …
Get IndependentMake Your Own DIY Photo Display Using Rocks
This DIY photo display is easy to make and only requires rocks, paint, and wire. Kids can make these on their own, and the displays make great gifts.
Get IndependentWhy Daydreaming Can Be Incredibly Good for Kids
When our world here in Nashville shut down in response to COVID-19, my kids found a much-welcome distraction through daydreaming. At first our boys, ages …
Get IndependentMy Kids Unlocked the Magic of LEGOs by Ditching the Instruction Manual
When I was pregnant with our first daughter, my husband rubbed my belly and whispered, “I can’t wait for the time of playing with LEGOs …
Get IndependentFlour, the Shelter-in-Place Unsung Hero
I am not much of a baker. I have a signature one-bowl chocolate cake recipe that tolerates unsifted flour and a generous dose of extra …
Get IndependentHow Lawnmower Parenting and Takis Killed My Daughter’s Friendship
Like many moms these days, I could probably be a lot less involved in my kids’ friendships. Have you heard of lawnmower parenting (aka snowplow …
Get Independent5 Really Fun Games Kids Can Play with a Penny
Short on cash but looking for new games kids will love? Dig out the penny jar, because these penny games are just what you need! …
Get IndependentWhy Giving Kids Experiences Instead of Things Will Always Be Better
I've been spending a lot of time at home lately, and it’s made me acutely aware of all the things living in this space with …
Get IndependentGrowing a Victory Garden Might Be Just the Thing Your Family Needs This Spring
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” This famous quote by Audrey Hepburn is resonating with people around the world right now. While …
Get IndependentOnce I Started Letting My Kids Figure Out Their Own Schedules, I Finally Got Some Relief
During this time of social distancing, it is not difficult to find loads of articles offering advice on a schedule for kids or how to …
Get IndependentCoronavirus Hit the “Pause” Button on My Busy Life, and I Couldn’t Be More Grateful
The overly scheduled, busy family was the norm for so many of us. But maybe this an opportunity to make important changes.
Get IndependentWondering What to Feed Your Kids? Try a Little Dirt
If you need one more reason to get your kids outside to play, soil microbes may be the extra nudge you need. Hidden inside the …
Get IndependentRyan Hickman Has a Message for Kids Everywhere: You Can Make a Difference
When Ryan Hickman was 3 years old, his dad took him to the local recycling center. They live in California, which offers incentives for turning …
Get IndependentLoose Parts Play Will Change the Way Your Kids Spend Their Free Time
Learn the value of loose parts play when you just let your kids go and figure it out on their own. All they need in a few parts to get started.
Get IndependentFunny Parenting Tweets About Homeschooling Remind Us All That Professional Teachers Are Heroes
Check out these funny parenting tweets from parents taking on the role of teacher. At least they know how to laugh at these painful, awkward moments.
What Is Unstructured Play, and How Does It Look?
The best parenting advice I ever received came from a mom whose son went to toddler music class with mine. She had tried to replace …
Bug Hotels, Toad Houses, and Other Backyard Wildlife Habitats Kids Can Create
If you and your family love the great outdoors, or if you're looking for ways to get your kids interested in the flora and fauna …
5 Creative Garden Ideas to Help Save the Bees, Feed Your Family, and More
Gardening is good for the soul. Going outside and digging in the dirt has the potential to benefit you in so many ways, including helping …
We Need to Stop Mom-Shaming Over Kids’ Screen Time
“Mom!” I heard my 5-year-old daughter yell from somewhere else in the house. I was in my home office, participating in a team meeting on …
Seeing Kids Helping Out Was a Highlight of the Independence Challenge
Sheltering in place has been a challenging time for many families. So many people have had to figure out new ways to do things, leading …
Kids Learned How to Sew and Make Masks During the Independence Challenge
Sewing skills aren't just a thing of the past. Not only do kids who try sewing learn a valuable skill that they'll be able to …
Kids’ Cooking Skills Were on Display During the Independence Challenge
The kitchen is a great place for kids to practice being independent. It doesn't matter whether it's learning to make scrambled eggs or mastering eggs …
This 6-Year-Old Will Show You How to Make Stop Motion Videos
Imaginary play is awesome. And stop-motion animation can take this kind of world-building activity to the next level. How do I know? Our six-year-old son, …
I Allow My 6-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone on the River, and It Makes Her Stronger
The Milwaukee River runs through this mom's backyard. Read about what she's learned by allowing her 6-year-old daughter to play outside alone.
Don’t Be Afraid of Silica Gel Packs—You Can Do Cool Things with Them!
It seems like those little silica gel packets come with just about everything you buy these days: medications, electronics, clothing, and more. They always have …
Make Your Own DIY Photo Display Using Rocks
This DIY photo display is easy to make and only requires rocks, paint, and wire. Kids can make these on their own, and the displays make great gifts.
Why Daydreaming Can Be Incredibly Good for Kids
When our world here in Nashville shut down in response to COVID-19, my kids found a much-welcome distraction through daydreaming. At first our boys, ages …
My Kids Unlocked the Magic of LEGOs by Ditching the Instruction Manual
When I was pregnant with our first daughter, my husband rubbed my belly and whispered, “I can’t wait for the time of playing with LEGOs …
Flour, the Shelter-in-Place Unsung Hero
I am not much of a baker. I have a signature one-bowl chocolate cake recipe that tolerates unsifted flour and a generous dose of extra …
How Lawnmower Parenting and Takis Killed My Daughter’s Friendship
Like many moms these days, I could probably be a lot less involved in my kids’ friendships. Have you heard of lawnmower parenting (aka snowplow …
5 Really Fun Games Kids Can Play with a Penny
Short on cash but looking for new games kids will love? Dig out the penny jar, because these penny games are just what you need! …
Why Giving Kids Experiences Instead of Things Will Always Be Better
I've been spending a lot of time at home lately, and it’s made me acutely aware of all the things living in this space with …
Growing a Victory Garden Might Be Just the Thing Your Family Needs This Spring
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” This famous quote by Audrey Hepburn is resonating with people around the world right now. While …
Once I Started Letting My Kids Figure Out Their Own Schedules, I Finally Got Some Relief
During this time of social distancing, it is not difficult to find loads of articles offering advice on a schedule for kids or how to …
Coronavirus Hit the “Pause” Button on My Busy Life, and I Couldn’t Be More Grateful
The overly scheduled, busy family was the norm for so many of us. But maybe this an opportunity to make important changes.
Wondering What to Feed Your Kids? Try a Little Dirt
If you need one more reason to get your kids outside to play, soil microbes may be the extra nudge you need. Hidden inside the …
Ryan Hickman Has a Message for Kids Everywhere: You Can Make a Difference
When Ryan Hickman was 3 years old, his dad took him to the local recycling center. They live in California, which offers incentives for turning …
Loose Parts Play Will Change the Way Your Kids Spend Their Free Time
Learn the value of loose parts play when you just let your kids go and figure it out on their own. All they need in a few parts to get started.
Funny Parenting Tweets About Homeschooling Remind Us All That Professional Teachers Are Heroes
Check out these funny parenting tweets from parents taking on the role of teacher. At least they know how to laugh at these painful, awkward moments.