Wednesday, July 28, 2010

No more Sippy cups part II

One of these days I'm going to bust out the "Montessori at home" info. Once I start I won't be able to stop and I haven't even finished my all time favorite aha ideas yet.

So anyway...I've thinking more about the no sippy cup thing:

#1. One of the main jobs of a parent is to teach independence.  A mother does her child no favors by doing everything for them.  A classic Montessori saying is "never do for a child what they can (reasonably) do for themselves!.

I got a Montessori magazine in the mail the other day called "for small hands - a resource for families" that is FABULOUS!!! google it and order it - its free! I love everything in this little catalog. Page 2 - Durable Juice Glass, set of six $6.95 ....deal!

You can buy them HERE AT SMALL HANDS  


I would love some feedback if you find information like this helpful.

Monday, July 26, 2010

No More Sippy cups

Love the article HERE at Small Notebook



Why DO we use sippy cups? They get lost, are difficult to wash (plastic bits fly all over the dishwasher if they aren't corralled)  Some are difficult to hold for a little one because the width is NOT child sized so they slip out of their hands.

I am a Montessorian. We teach that all practical life items be real but sized for a child. So a shot glass or plastic medicine cup is perfect to teach a child how to drink....before they give up the bottle so the transition is easier.  They should be taught how to use it.  Model how to drink out of the cup, then hold it for them as they grasp it, then let them try it themselves. Stay with them. Take the cup with you when you leave their side. If they ever toss the cup, the natural consequence would be taking it away from them until they learn to place it down.

So many children's products are designed to make things easier for us and not the child. Hmmm, something is backwards!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Great article on saving $ on Household products



It's definitely worth reading THIS LIST of ways to save money on household products and ways to clean better. 

Sometimes I forget that just a damp rag is the best way to clean furniture and that wood cleaning sprays like Pledge just give you buildup!

I highly recommend reading this short list.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Return of Financial Wisdom

Short and sweet...I love what was written by Gary Hart  HERE

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Managing the Mixer

Great " DUH, why didn't I think of that before !" tip ....HERE 






The cords of a hand mixer are a pain to store !

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Got Rope?

Got kids? Got a backyard with trees? Here's fab activity that does all kinds of good things.

See the homemade jungle gym HERE  at The New Ramblings of a Creative Mind




Saturday, July 10, 2010

Monday, July 5, 2010

Lovin' the Lego Table

Legos just seem to get more popular and more popular with little kids, but a million little pieces can drive a parent mad. Now take a look at what my brilliant son-in-law did for his son (the original Knucklehead) who is pretty obsessed with Legos.


Here is Otto standing by his lego play table
but wait!! It's also a...


lego storage table!

This piece of furniture, from Ikea, used to be a desk height table that my daughter used to store jewelry. It was cut down to kid desk height and now its the PERFECT place to sore and play Legos!! Brilliant.