We put together a comprehensive camping packing list for you and your kids so you can focus on family fun – instead of wondering what you might forget
Whether you were able to squeeze in a last minute summer vacation or have holiday travel plans coming up, getting away with your family this autumn and unplugging with them is still a great idea to do now. Read on for a comprehensive camping checklist and packing list so you can get outdoors and focus on spending time with your kids instead of worrying about what to pack and what you forgot. Let us do the heavy lifting so you can unplug (yes - go screenless if you can) and make memories with your family by going camping with your kids.
Ah, that elusive“work life balance”everyone talks about and craves, but very few actually achieve. The truth is that there is no such thing as exact balance. Besides that fact that we are human, work life balance is hard to perfect, as it,well, takes a lot of work. Fortunately there is a way to accomplish it in a much easier way than going it alone. Grab your family calendar and put it to work for you.
When it comes to family planners and calendars, we are biased to using Hearth Display, of course. It’s visible to your entire family to help ensure everyone stays on the same page, yet is with you on-the-go thanks to the connectivity on your phone and other devices. These features are just the tip of the iceberg though. To learn more about Hearth and everything it offers, click here.
Let’s chat about your kids’ screen time. Before we dive into do’s and don’ts, consider Michael Rich’s statement: “Screens are not inherently toxic. They’re neutral. It’s what we do with them that matters.” Rich is a Child Psycholgist who runs the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital. Pondering that, we think the most important thing you can do is to not make screens a big deal. Putting too much emphasis on not using it can have a reverse effect and never allowing it can make kids go crazy once they are able to do so on their own. Here are 7 ways to make your children’s screen time safe and productive in a healthy manner:
School can be a struggle. Add in the turmoil from the pandemic and virtual learning creates a whole new level of chaos. Regardless, education is important, so how do you help your kids establish healthy habits around schoolwork, so they can continue on and succeed? Here are 5 tips to orchestrate a good environment for your children’s schoolwork whether they are in the classroom or working virtually from your kitchen table:
Happy International Literacy Day (ILD), Hearth Fam! Before we get into reading and your child’s bedtime routine, we wanted to share the “why” behind today. Since 1967, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been celebrating ILD as a means to spotlight the importance of literacy among all, as a matter of dignity and human rights. We wholeheartedly agree and are excited to honor the day along with them. This year’s theme is “Literacy for a Human Centered Recovery: Narrowing the Digital Divide.” Reading has always been important, but the pandemic has made us realize this even more-so.
And just like that, it is time for another school year to commence. Whether your child is back in person or still virtually learning, we know that family organization is key for a stress-free back to school season. Here are 6 back to school tips to help your kids (and you) get into the swing of things. Let’s reduce anxiety and increase organization together!
Today, August 26th, marks the anniversary of the certification of a woman’s right to vote and for that we are celebrating. Yes, the 19th amendment was ratified prior to August 26th, but it wasn’t made official until shortly after. Because of this day over 100 years ago, we are honoring Women’s Equality Day and we hope you are as well. We may make a digital family calendar that just might change your life; however, we are commemorating the original family planner today… women!
The words “children” and “food” are often synonymous with the phrase “picky eaters.” So, how do you create your family meal planner to where it isn’t a complete nightmare and still include healthy meals for your kids? It all starts with establishing routines that will essentially do the hard work for you. Yes, even you working mama!
You’ve probably heard the “teach a man to fish” instead of just “giving him a fish” analogy, but have you ever considered applying that to your family habits? We live in a “now” society which makes it hard to delegate or even think of letting someone complete a task for us that we could possibly do better and faster. We understand monetary investments, so why is it so hard to apply the same strategy to time? Ultimately, taking an extra 10-15 minutes a day now to empower your kids will pay off in the future as well as teach them to be confident and courageous in their own skin. Here are 3 ideas for family habits that will help in regard to empowering children.
While school will start back up soon, we are currently still in the thick of summer. As we near its bittersweet end, it is likely that “bored” monster has reared its head a time or two. What kids activities are left to do? At this point you’ve probably already taken your family vacation and are mentally gearing up for fall. Unfortunately the weather is still heating up and your kids aren’t cooling down wanting last minute summer activities or family friendly games for kids. Your summer schedule worked, but you’re likely looking for some last minute things to do, without much effort or much money. Sure you could pinterest “sensory kits” or subscribe to those cool toy services, but those take time and budget you’d rather not spend. The key is to look around your home and use what you already have. Here are 10 ideas for keeping your children occupied through the end of summer or whenever they need an activity.
Oftentimes when we think of a family calendar or a shareable calendar in general, it instills a sense of structure and rule following; however, have you ever thought about using your family planner as a way to incorporate fun and memories that will last a lifetime? You’re probably familiar with Benjamin Franklin’s quote “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Sure it rings true for major life decisions and such, but it also is relevant for family traditions that help make everyday moments memorable. We go into each year with good intentions both professionally and personally, but those don’t bear fruit unless we make a plan. This is specifically important with leisurely moments, as those tend to get overlooked due to the business of our over-scheduled lives. Don’t feel bad, do something about it! We struggle with it too, which is why we suggested performing simple actions like blocking off your lunch hour on your digital calendar, as a reminder to take time for yourself and avoid burnout.
