5 things my teen can learn from me sending Christmas cards
Despite the risk of being labeled a dinosaur, I still send Christmas cards. My weekend plans include addressing, stamping and mailing dozens of cards to friends around the country, and to some foreign countries. Here are some things I hope my teen learns from me sending Christmas cards. How to address an envelope On a […]
Why Celebration is a great place to stay with teens in Central Florida
When your kids are a little older, you have a ton of options for where to stay when visiting Central Florida. If you’re looking for somewhere that oozes Florida charm and is a bit more reserved than theme parks, check out Celebration, Florida. I recently got to visit and fell in love. Celebration is a […]
Don’t miss the awesome new Captain Marvel trailer
The much-anticipated new trailer for Captian Marvel was just released and it will get your heart pumping. Don’t take my word for it, though, check it out for yourself here: I hope you watched until the end, because my teen and I both cracked up at the scene with the cat. And the “With her/ […]
12 great new YA books that make great gifts for teens
Wondering what to get the teen on your Christmas list? Books make wonderful gifts. They are easy to wrap, pack, ship and they offer a chance to connect with the teen at a later point. In our house, there’s always something to read under the tree. I’ve asked teens, consulted Best Of lists, read reviews […]
4 lessons I learned in Uganda that made me a better parent to my teen
I often think about Uganda, a country on the equator roughly 7,000 miles away from my home in the suburbs of Chicago. A trip there a few months ago with Shot@Life, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, to observe and learn about efforts to get lifesaving vaccines to children there had a huge impact on me. I’m […]
Favorite sweet Christmas commercials of 2018
Pass the Kleenex, friends, because the Christmas commercials are out and they are tugging at my heartstrings in a big way. It’s fascinating to me that they remind us what really matters in life, while also trying to get us to buy things. Here are some of my favorite sweet Christmas commercials of 2018. This […]
Top gift cards for teens this holiday season
This post contains affiliate links meaning I may make a small commission if you click and purchase. Teenagers are, like any age group, a diverse group with a variety of interests and opinions. However, they all agree on one thing – gift cards make great gifts. As is developmentally appropriate, they like to have some […]
Tips for making the most of Christkindlmarkets in the Midwest
This weekend we were in Hamilton County, Indiana and got to attend the opening weekend of Carmel Christkindlmarkt there. We had a ball, and I was jealous that the Christkindlmarket (there are two spellings, and I’m going to go with this one) in my hometown of Naperville, Illinois, doesn’t open until after Thanksgiving. I’ve visited Christkindlmarket […]
Catch a new sneak peek of Mary Poppins Returns
December 19th is the day that Mary Poppins Returns hits theaters and the practically-perfect nanny, this time played by Emily Blunt, returns to the big screen in an all-new original musical. She is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. […]
Guide to Chicago’s Midway Airport for families
Tens of thousands of families will travel through Chicago’s Midway Airport this holiday season. It’s the smaller and arguably the more manageable of the Windy City’s two big airports, but it’s easier to navigate when you’re in the know. Here’s our guide to make the most of your time in with kids at Midway Airport. […]