St. Patrick's Day
Leprechaun Tricks and Treats
From the time your sleepyheads wake until they leave for school or daycare, they will enjoy finding the tricks and treats a leprechaun left behind on the night before St. Patrick’s Day.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1754-tricks-and-treats-st-patrick-s-day-leprechaun
Thanksgiving
The First Thanksgiving (humor essay-800 words)
I contend that the moment in which you become a true adult is not when you move out of your parents' house or when you have a child of your own—but it is the first time you are responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner. From facing that plucked-naked bird to dealing with disgusting poultry innards, my first Thanksgiving dinner didn’t go exactly as planned.
http://www.sacramentoparent.com/magazines/sacramento-parent/2013/november/1341-the-first-thanksgiving
Raising Thankful Children (article-600 words)
When Santa brings up the rear of the Thanksgiving Day parade, he often ushers in what seems like the season of getting. This article contains tips for things that we can do as parents to help children to be thankful for what they have.
http://www.tcparenting.com/11 - November Webzine/index.html?pageNumber=42
Christmas
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar (craft)
This cute hanging advent calendar is a fun craft for kids of all ages. The tree is cut from green poster board, and the ornaments are felt. Self-adhesive Velcro tabs are used to “hang” the ornaments and trim the tree, counting down the days until Christmas! Step by step instructions and pictures are included.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1143-christmas-tree-advent-calendar
Holidays Alone (essay-700 words)
Because we live far away from our extended family, we have had to learn how to enjoy our holidays “alone.” After several years of trying-and failing- to recreate the happy, crowded chaos of my childhood holidays, I realized that we would need to make our own holiday memories. By making our own family traditions and rituals, we discovered that while ours may not be traditional, Holidays Alone can be wonderful, too.
http://www.seattleschild.com/article/slice-of-life-holidays-alone
Cheap, Cheaper, Cheapest (article- 800 words)
Having less money to spend during the holiday season can lead to more thoughtful giving. When you have a tighter budget, creativity is the key to finding or making just the right present. Here you will find ideas for gifts on any budget with web links to project instructions.
Web Version - http://www.bluetoad.com/display_article.php?id=871317
PDF Version - http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=85975&p=69
Valentine's Day
Fun Facts about Valentine’s Day (article-600 words)
Is Valentine’s Day an invention of greeting card companies or the feast day of a real saint? The true origins of Valentine’s Day are murky at best. Among scholars, theories abound as to what, or who, started this ancient holiday. This article explores the most common theories about how this iconic holiday came about.
http://pages.cdn.pagesuite.com/8/3/8334eb3a-f41e-49fe-a292-c24eb0613a54/page.pdf
Ten Fun Activities To Do With and For Your Kids On Valentine’s Day (article-500 words)
Valentine's Day doesn’t have to be about romantic love. Show your kids how much you love them by doing some of these fun V-Day activities.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1464-valentine-s-day-fun-for-kids
Marriage Maintenance
Can date night save a marriage? Maybe! In this article I interview husband-and-wife healthy-marriage experts K. Jason and Kelli Krafsky, coauthors of the book Facebook and Your Marriage. Jason and Kelly share their tips on keeping the home fires burning.
http://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/June-2013/Date-Night-May-Save-Your-Marriage/
May Day
Four Ways to Celebrate May Day (article-1000 words)
May Day is an often forgotten holiday, but it’s a wonderful tradition to celebrate with your children. The origins of this holiday go back to pre-Christian times. From "bringing in the green," lighting a May Day fire, or even creating and dancing around your own May Pole, the first of May is a great time to celebrate the coming of summer, new beginnings, and nature.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1521-four-ways-to-celebrate-may-day
Halloween
Thrifty Halloween Costumes (article-600 words)
Halloween costumes can be expensive, and it's hard to spend a lot on something that will be worn once and probably smeared with chocolate! This article lists ideas on how to dress your child well for less.
http://www.charlotteparent.com/articlemain.php?Thrifty-Halloween-Costume-Ideas-for-Kids-4789
Halloween Treats To Keep Not Eat (200 words)
With childhood obesity and food allergies on the rise, many families are trying to find nonedible items to hand out on Halloween night. Unfortunately, candy is often the cheapest option. But by shopping around, and buying in bulk you can find fun, inexpensive treats without the sugar rush.
Leprechaun Tricks and Treats
From the time your sleepyheads wake until they leave for school or daycare, they will enjoy finding the tricks and treats a leprechaun left behind on the night before St. Patrick’s Day.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1754-tricks-and-treats-st-patrick-s-day-leprechaun
Thanksgiving
The First Thanksgiving (humor essay-800 words)
I contend that the moment in which you become a true adult is not when you move out of your parents' house or when you have a child of your own—but it is the first time you are responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner. From facing that plucked-naked bird to dealing with disgusting poultry innards, my first Thanksgiving dinner didn’t go exactly as planned.
http://www.sacramentoparent.com/magazines/sacramento-parent/2013/november/1341-the-first-thanksgiving
Raising Thankful Children (article-600 words)
When Santa brings up the rear of the Thanksgiving Day parade, he often ushers in what seems like the season of getting. This article contains tips for things that we can do as parents to help children to be thankful for what they have.
http://www.tcparenting.com/11 - November Webzine/index.html?pageNumber=42
Christmas
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar (craft)
This cute hanging advent calendar is a fun craft for kids of all ages. The tree is cut from green poster board, and the ornaments are felt. Self-adhesive Velcro tabs are used to “hang” the ornaments and trim the tree, counting down the days until Christmas! Step by step instructions and pictures are included.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1143-christmas-tree-advent-calendar
Holidays Alone (essay-700 words)
Because we live far away from our extended family, we have had to learn how to enjoy our holidays “alone.” After several years of trying-and failing- to recreate the happy, crowded chaos of my childhood holidays, I realized that we would need to make our own holiday memories. By making our own family traditions and rituals, we discovered that while ours may not be traditional, Holidays Alone can be wonderful, too.
http://www.seattleschild.com/article/slice-of-life-holidays-alone
Cheap, Cheaper, Cheapest (article- 800 words)
Having less money to spend during the holiday season can lead to more thoughtful giving. When you have a tighter budget, creativity is the key to finding or making just the right present. Here you will find ideas for gifts on any budget with web links to project instructions.
Web Version - http://www.bluetoad.com/display_article.php?id=871317
PDF Version - http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=85975&p=69
Valentine's Day
Fun Facts about Valentine’s Day (article-600 words)
Is Valentine’s Day an invention of greeting card companies or the feast day of a real saint? The true origins of Valentine’s Day are murky at best. Among scholars, theories abound as to what, or who, started this ancient holiday. This article explores the most common theories about how this iconic holiday came about.
http://pages.cdn.pagesuite.com/8/3/8334eb3a-f41e-49fe-a292-c24eb0613a54/page.pdf
Ten Fun Activities To Do With and For Your Kids On Valentine’s Day (article-500 words)
Valentine's Day doesn’t have to be about romantic love. Show your kids how much you love them by doing some of these fun V-Day activities.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1464-valentine-s-day-fun-for-kids
Marriage Maintenance
Can date night save a marriage? Maybe! In this article I interview husband-and-wife healthy-marriage experts K. Jason and Kelli Krafsky, coauthors of the book Facebook and Your Marriage. Jason and Kelly share their tips on keeping the home fires burning.
http://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/June-2013/Date-Night-May-Save-Your-Marriage/
May Day
Four Ways to Celebrate May Day (article-1000 words)
May Day is an often forgotten holiday, but it’s a wonderful tradition to celebrate with your children. The origins of this holiday go back to pre-Christian times. From "bringing in the green," lighting a May Day fire, or even creating and dancing around your own May Pole, the first of May is a great time to celebrate the coming of summer, new beginnings, and nature.
http://cityparent.com/posts/1521-four-ways-to-celebrate-may-day
Halloween
Thrifty Halloween Costumes (article-600 words)
Halloween costumes can be expensive, and it's hard to spend a lot on something that will be worn once and probably smeared with chocolate! This article lists ideas on how to dress your child well for less.
http://www.charlotteparent.com/articlemain.php?Thrifty-Halloween-Costume-Ideas-for-Kids-4789
Halloween Treats To Keep Not Eat (200 words)
With childhood obesity and food allergies on the rise, many families are trying to find nonedible items to hand out on Halloween night. Unfortunately, candy is often the cheapest option. But by shopping around, and buying in bulk you can find fun, inexpensive treats without the sugar rush.