Posts tagged ‘holidays’
Mother’s Day
As we approach Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite books for celebrating (and surviving with grace) motherhood.
Especially for New Moms – It takes a village to raise a child, or so “they” say. However, in our modern culture, moms (especially new moms) may be physically or emotionally isolated from their social network. Here are some books to guide and support new moms during those critical early years of motherhood.
25 Things Every New Mother Should Know by Martha Sears
Meditations for New Mothers by Beth Wilson Saavedro
Mothering the New Mother by Sally Placksin
Self-Care for Moms – We are so busy bandaging boo-boos and kissing away tears, that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. If you are one of those moms who feels guilty about taking the time to exercise or soak in a bubble bath once in awhile, the following books are especially for you…
Natural Health After Birth: The Complete Guide to Postpartum Wellness by Aviva Jill Romm
Mojo Mom: Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family by Amy Tiemann
Mother Nurture by Rick Hansen, PhD
Humor for Moms – Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine…so here are a few books to help you get the giggles going (and help you get you through the day)…
Haiku Mama: Because 17 Syllables is All You Have Time to Read by Kari Anne Roy
If You Give a Mom a Martini: 100 Ways to Find 10 Blissful Minutes for Yourself by Lyss Stern and Julie Klappas
by Lyss Stern
Spiritual Mamas – For one of “those days” (you know, when the kids are fussy, your husband is cranky, work is crazy, and life feels just like one long “to do” list)…here are some inspirational books to pull you through…
Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children by Sarah Napthali
Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood by Karen Maezen Miller
The Circle of Life – These books celebrate life stages of womanhood – from infancy, to coming of age, to becoming a parent or grandparent yourself…
The Blue Jay’s Dance: A Birth Year by Louise Erdrich
The Seasons of Women: An Anthology by Gloria Norris
Happy Mother’s Day and happy reading!
Warmly,
Michelle
P.S. Don’t forget to call your mother!
Activity Suggestions for April
Activity suggestions to share with your family this month….
In honor of International Children’s Book Day (April 2nd), collect new or gently used books to donate to children overseas. Go to the American Library Association website for more information and a list of participating organizations.
Color your Easter eggs with natural dyes made from teas, spices, berries, and more! See the Amazing Moms website for step-by-step instructions.
April 22nd is Earth Day 2009. Be an advocate for “greening” your child’s school. Check out the Earth Day Network for tips and resources.
Plan a garden with your child. Give them a small portion of the family garden to plant whatever they would like. For inspiration and tips, visit KidsGardening.org, a service of the National Gardening Association.
Happy “No Housework Day”
Remember, today is No Housework Day!!!
No dishes.
No laundry.
No floors.
No toilets, sinks, or showers.
No dusting.
No straightening.
No.
No.
No!
If you really MUST do something, get outside and work in the garden!
April Showers
“April showers bring forth May flowers” — Traditional
What’s coming up this month?
April 1st is All Fool’s Day
April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day
The theme for this year is “I am the World”
April 7th is No Housework Day (Sign me up!)
April 8th at Sunset — Passover begins
April 12th is Easter Sunday
April 22nd is Earth Day
April is also Keep America Beautiful Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and National Garden Month.
Books to share with your child this month:
April Fool’s Day by Melissa Schiller
Barefoot Book of Fairy Tales by Malachy Doyle
I Don’t Want to Clean My Room by Hope Vestergaard
Miriam’s Cup: A Passover Story by Fran Minushkin
Family Easter Treasury by Michael Hague
The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales by Dawn Casey
Check back soon for activity suggestions for your family.
Welcome Spring! (well, almost…)
The weather has been ever so slightly warmer, slightly sunnier, slightly less damp here in the Pacific Northwest. I even got a bit of yardwork done on Sunday before it started to drizzle on me. Spring is right around the corner, and my family is getting ready for some…
March Inspiration:
In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb
March roars in like a lion
So fierce,
The wind so cold,
It seems to pierce.
The month rolls on
And Spring draws near,
And March goes out
Like a lamb so dear
by Lorie Hill
What’s Happening this Month?
March 8, 2009 Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 17, 2009 St. Patrick’s Day
March 20, 2009 Spring Equinox (first day of Spring)
March is also National Nutrition Month. Visit the American Dietetic Association’s website for nutrition games, quizzes, and helpful information about healthy nutrition for your family.
Book Picks for March:
St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons
Spring is Here by Lois Lenski
Eat Healthy, Feel Great by Dr. William Sears
Activity Suggestions for March:
GO GREEN! Throw a St. Patty’s Day party for your wee ones. Ask all the kiddos to wear green clothing, serve green foods (grapes, apples, jello), and make green play-dough. Play Irish Music and have the kids parade around the neighborhood with green balloons and flowers.
GET CRAFTY! Make a seed collage. Collect a large assortment of seeds craft glue, and sturdy poster board or cardboard. Help your child spread the craft glue over their paper and then sprinkle seeds on the glue. Tilt the cardboard and gently shake off excess. Wait for the glue to dry and then repeat the process until your design is complete. Set aside to dry.
PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD! Play some nutrition games and try out some new kid-friendly recipe ideas at KidsHealth.org.
Happy Spring!
Michelle
Valentine’s Day for Mommy
Today is Valentines Day and here is what this ordinary devoted mother is wishing for…
…time to plant bulbs in my yard without having to worry about my four-year old “weeding” the perennials by accident or my one-year old eating worms.
…time to read a novel, cover to cover, curled up in my own bed.
…a professional massage.
…a good long soak in a hot bath…with bath salts…and candles.
…a pretty, new outfit…one that doesn’t come from the local thrift shop and actually looks decent on my postpartum body.
…time to take a leisurely stroll to the local coffee shop, have a leisurely latte, and leisurely read the newspaper (did I say leisurely?).
…a date with my hubby (I promise not to talk about the kids).
…time to watch Jane Austen’s “Sense & Sensibility,” which I’ve checked out from the library several weeks in a row but still have not managed to watch before it is due.
…a hair cut and eyebrow wax.
…a cup of tea with a friend.
But… I will happily settle for a few sloppy kisses from my baby and a few sweet cuddles from my pre-schooler.
The rest can wait for another time…
Be Well,
Michelle
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