There are at least as many blogs dedicated to kid's crafts as there are specks of glitter strewn throughout my house. (My daughter is three, so you can imagine the carnage.) There are plenty of fantastic ones, but the one I find myself coming back to again and again is The Artful Parent. Between projects that are geared toward kids of all ages, Janet Van't Hul interjects useful and practical information on how to inspire creativity in your family and throughout your home. And the most magical part is that it's in simple ways you'll actually pull off.
Often, those well intentioned step A, B, and C crafts leave little room for creativity. The Artful Parent, on the other hand, simply celebrates a love of art. For many of her suggestions, you could hunker down and dedicate an entire afternoon. Others you can set up and jump in and out of for just minutes at a time for days on end. She encourages parents to offer real tools, like good quality paper, masking tape and even (mess-freaks, hold on to your hat) sharpies. Because of her, I purchased a hot glue gun and my life hasn't been the same since.
I've been critical of my own artistic shortcomings my entire life. I'm sure that even as a toddler, I considered my smiley faces sub par. I don't want my kids to fall into that trap. Making art as natural a part of their day as brushing their teeth seems like a good start.
There's been a lot of change for dads in a short period of time. Today they work as many hours as previous generations, but do three times the childcare and twice the housework as dads a generation ago. In this interview, Scott Behson, PhD, author of "The Working Dad's Survival Guide" talks about how working dads can create a more balanced life of family, work, and self, and how employers can help make it happen.
With a few practical tips and strategies in place, you can stay on top of your other responsibilities so you don’t feel overwhelmed by too many changes at once.
Being a new parent can feel lonely. Here are some ways to get out there and make new friends - and nurture your existing relationships (even while exhausted).
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