If you’ve always wanted to live in castle, and you aren’t afraid of houses that might be haunted, then here’s your chance to own one! They’re loing for someone who s historic houses and is willing to put a lot of work into fi one up. The auction for this Gothic Revival mansion in Auburn, […]
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Growing up, there were many instances I was convinced I had the meanest parents in the world.
But you know what? Without my even knowing it, a deep sense of gratitude was planted in me and grew and grew until I finally understood how truly blessed my life was. I was blessed for having a beat-up old boat of a car because driving was a lot better than walking, blessed to have second-hand toys, because the alternative was no toys, blessed for having the opportunity to earn my own money and become independent, and blessed for having parents who loved and supported me and knew how to raise grateful kids.
Now, as a parent of three small children myself, I hear the M-word a lot. You probably do too. “Why are you so mean?” I try not to take it personally; kids love to test boundaries. There is an alarming trend of entitlement creeping into too many children’s behavior now-a-days, and when I see it in my own, it worries me.
Like Veruca Salt in that classic film, Willy Wonka, we hear all too often: “I want…I want it now…” Case in point:
My 4-year-old: Throws his toy into the wall
Me: “Don’t do that, you’ll break it.”
Thinks-he’s-so-smart-4-year-old: “Why? You’ll just buy me a new one.”
Oh, it is so time for a lesson on gratitude. In the long run, being the “mean” parent pays off. Here are 5 things parents can STOP doing in order to instill gratitude in their children:
Saying “no” to our kids can be hard. Especially when they are throwing an epic tantrum on the supermarket floor because they want that ice cream bar. Or when they threaten to make your life a living misery if you don’t let them stay out past curfew. But by saying “yes” in those situations, you become a passive parent and relinquish control to your immature child.
Set your limits, make them clear, and then stick to them. No matter how adorable those big puppy eyes are;).
Kids don’t need every single new toy, or need to participate in every single activity. We all want our children to be happy, and to have bounteous opportunities, but no parent can physically, financially, or emotionally sustain it all. You will not ruin your kids by not giving them the latest video game consul or private jiu-jitsu lessons.
Talk to kids openly and realistically about what they want and what is within your means as a family to actually get. Give them opportunities to earn the things they want themselves.
Resist that nagging feeling that you need to do things bigger or better than…last year, or the neighbor next door, etc. Just because you got your kids a trampoline for Christmas last year, doesn’t mean you have to get them something even better this year. Just because you threw an amazing birthday party last year, doesn’t mean you are required to out-do yourself this year.
*Note this Pinterest-UN-worthy birthday cake with arbitrary candy blobs, sprinkles, and a random Batman on top! And was his birthday still awesome? You bet! Probably more, because I had more time to spend with him than on an elaborate party.
I once found myself cursing our old washing machine to an avid audience of two impressionable preschoolers.
“This old piece of junk!” I exclaimed.
Later, I heard my own words regurgitated while they were playing. “What a piece of junk!” my daughter exclaimed. I realized that if I want them to be grateful, I need to start voicing my own gratitude more openly and freely. Instead of cursing that moribund washing machine, I should have expressed how grateful I was that we had one, and didn’t have to wash our clothes by hand.
Say “Thank-you” whenever you get the chance. To fast-food cashiers, to your spouse, to your children.
Things are just that…things. Inanimate objects with no life and no soul. Let your children know that what really matters cannot be bought instead of placing so much importance on having the most state-of-the-art television, or vehicle,
Spending more time with family and friends, experiencing life, instead of focusing on things will instill a gratitude that objects will not.
{My “mean” dad above with my 2-year-old. Not such a meanie after all. In fact, my parents are pretty darn amazing.}
******
Don’t expect changes over-night. Raising grateful children is a process that will take their entire lives. Vicki Hoefle, director of Parenting on Track stated in a Parenting Magazine article, “As nice as it is to think about having a five-year-old who appreciates and shows gratitude for everything, the truth is, parents can feel successful if they raise a thirty-five-year-old who embodies that grateful spirit.”
I just turned 32, so I guess my “mean” parents can pat themselves on the back now.
The post How “Mean” Parents Raise Grateful Kids: 5 Things to STOP Doing appeared first on How Does She.
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This small, narrow house in Maryland has amazing views of the Chesapeake Bay. It was nice enough before, but it was loing a little dated and lacked a clear style. It also lacked space for a first-floor master suite, mudroom/laundry area, and a home office. A reader named Donna wrote me about the remo and […]
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Christmas. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s also a time for rich traditions. Traditions that will stay in children’s memories forever. We have a wonderful tradition in our home that I know will be a hit in yours too. It allows the emphasis to be taken off the Christmas “gimmes” and presents, and allows you to focus more on the true meaning of Christmas. It provides 25 days of memories with your kids focused on the story of Christ. As a family you can work together to create and countdown to Christmas.
I love that this tradition teaches my kids that there is so much more than presents and cookies and Santa. Albeit, fun traditions, it’s not what I want them having forthright in their minds. I want them to be focused on the story of Christ. It’s the real reason behind the season!
This beautiful advent “calendar” of sorts allows you to spend a little time each day leading up to Christmas to devote to learning about some aspect of the true story of Christmas. It also comes with a whole set of devotionals and New Testament scriptures you can refer to nightly. I love the convenience! It makes it easy to teach to your kiddos (or yourself!)
This wooden advent kit follows 25 stories from the Savior’s life from the New Testament and includes handmade ornaments to represent each one. Each day in December you can paint one ornament, hang the ornament, and reads the story from the scriptures that coincides with that ornament.
There are two options: a New Testament version (Based on the King James Version of the Bible) and for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there is also a New Testament/Book of Mormon version.
You also get a brand new product this year, The Good Shepherd book! It is a companion to The 25 Days of Christ set. It is a more comprehensive, in depth version of the reference cards that come with the ornaments. My kids LOVE to read this book and learn more about the story of Christ.
It can be a creative activity.
You can purchase the set painted and finished
OR you can paint the set yourself!
Get your family in on the phone and paint altogether! You can either paint them all in one night, or even, paint one each day as you countdown. Either way, it’s a great creative activity with purpose!
This tradition has made a huge difference to my family and I think it will be wonderful in your home as well.
Correction, I KNOW It will.
My kids look forward to this each night of December, each year!
Remember to use code “HDS” to save some cash!
Just look at the beautiful finished product!
This is a tradition we will continue, I hope, forever. What a better way to focus on Christ and learn about his birth, ministry, and death. These are the memories I want my children to have forever.
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August barely turned to September and I was already scouring the store for pumpkin flavored goodies. I don’t know what it is about pumpkin recipes that get my taste buds tingling, but here are 21 of the best, most scrumptious pumpkin recipes the web has to offer!
7. Pumpkin bars like grandma used to make
9. Copycat Great Harvest pumpkin chocolate chip bread
10. Pumpkin crock pot hot chocolate
13. Best ever pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
14. Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
15. Pumpkin fudge
16. Pumpkin cheesecake snickerdoodles
18. Pumpkin pie spiced sugared almonds
20. Quinoa black bean pumpkin soup
21. The best witches brew (cooked right in the pumpkin!)
Oh my gosh, can I start cooking already?! My hubby is begging me to try #16 first…don’t mind if I do! Do you have any other favorite pumpkin recipes to share?
The post The 21 Best Pumpkin Recipes Ever! appeared first on How Does She.
**For an updated post with this recipe, including reader tips, CLICK HERE!
When I was at University, I had a roommate who gave me her pumpkin roll recipe…I loved it!!! Several times I made it and while it was good, something was off about it. Eventually, I figured out that I had written “tbsp” instead of “tsp” for baking soda… oops 😉
Now that that problem has been solved, I bring you the perfect pumpkin roll recipe! It’s not just me who loves it- we have had bidding wars at church dessert auctions over this thing. Even my husband (who doesn’t like pumpkin) loves it. People are always asking me for it, so I thought it would be an appropriate thing to share with you as we enter this Autumn season. If you’re looking for more delicious fall pumpkin recipes, check out these soft pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!
Here is a visual tutorial of how to make these (see the bottom of post for the recipe)
This is the grease & wax part (wax paper first, then grease). I crease the wax paper around the edges of a Jelly roll pan so that it stays in place better, like this:
(which helps the shape of the cake-ish part of the roll)… also, grease it really really well (it’s not cool when the cake won’t come off of the wax paper).
Now pour your mixture into the pan & smooth it out so that it fills the pan like so:
…and you’re ready for baking. Keep an eye on it near the end of the baking time- you want it a bit brown- if it turns black… you’ve gone too far!
Once you’ve got it out of the oven, you’re at the flip stage. I usually put the pan down first, then a tea towel, then an upside down pan. (I was using my other pan this time, so I used a lunch tray- but you get the idea). Grab hold of the whole thing (with oven mitts on!) and flip it over onto the cool tray.
Congratulations, you pulled off the flip! (are you still with me?) I threw the above picture in for you in case it helps illustrate the order of things (I’ve now removed the pan I cooked it in, and we’re ready to remove the wax paper).
Carefully pull the wax paper away- you really don’t want your cake to stick to the wax paper or start to come apart- this part is really important (that’s why I wanted you to grease your wax paper really well).
…oh, and now you know what my other pan was busy doing (did you notice the tea towel switch?)
I was making 2 rolls when I photographed this (you only need one tea towel 😉 ).
Next, you’re going to roll up the end of your tea towel (as shown above) and then continue rolling- with the cake and the tea towel. Do this carefully- the cake can crack at this stage if you’re not gentle with it.
Leave your roll sitting like that for 10 minutes so that it’ll cool before you spread your filling in. You can mix your filling during this time.
Unroll (careful that the cake doesn’t stick to the tea towel & get pulled apart). Plop the filling on top.
Spread it around- almost to the edges, but you don’t have to quite go all the way or it’ll just goosh out when you roll it again.
Re-roll it & voila!
Wait ’til you taste it… I’m in love with the filling!
Thanks for reading my post today- I really hope you’ll try it this pumpkin roll recipe!
And I hope you’ll come visit me at my blog, Raising Memories, I just redesigned it & it’s all cute-ified! 🙂
The post The Best Pumpkin Roll Recipe Ever! This recipe is so easy to make. appeared first on How Does She.
‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly! Oh my goodness, I am SO excited to share today’s DIY Christmas craft with you! While shopping recently, I spotted these shatter proof light bulbs. An idea instantly popped...
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UTV plowing deep snow How much snow can a UTV push? Let's see if it can plow 8" of heavy wet snow on long runs over a gravel drive...
