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Breaking Tradition
When I grew up, we attended huge family gatherings for Thanksgiving. Most were direct family, which was quite large as it was, but often included many shirt-tail relatives and friends. It was fun. Growing up in the Midwest, the fare included a lot of creamy, sugary, butter-laden dishes. And one Aunt always brought the candied yams - Yuck! But a lot of people like them. We always had apple/banana salad in honor of my Grandmother who had passed. It was gross, and I wasn’t alone in my distaste of it, made with apples, bananas, lettuce, gluttonous amounts of sugar mixed with mayo or Miracle Whip. When I got old enough to voice an opinion, I refused to eat it anymore, inspite of the vocalizations of my Aunts telling me I must eat it and like it unless I really didn’t love my grandma. I loved my Grandma very much and she wouldn’t make me eat that crap!
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Families
Castle Rock
Right before you fall off the northern edge of Montana into that place called Canada, is where my immediate family stopped. My summers in that middle of nowhere spot are layered with some of my fondest memories. I've heard various stories and not a few speculations as to why that was the spot to restart life. The war to establish who owned who had been over half a decade before my great grandad wagon trained and herded north. The homestead act was probably the impetus. If anything great gramps was not only a hard worker but entrepreneurial. He and his Schooler bride helped family in Saskatchewan raise wheat, but also establish a large horse ranch just south of Castle rock. I've only know the spot as buzzards glory, or Benruds bench. As a young lad three years shy of being able to obtain a driver's license, being let loose to drive a tractor larger than my first studio apartment, dragging a toolbar,all worth more than my first house was a mythical adventure. Every other, hot, dusty, July weekend, my grandad would drive off to play cards, eat chinese food and judge Canadian horse shows, leave three wild boys alone to fix fence, swim the pond, plink ground squirrels, to bank a nickel for every tail, making sure to get a few, in and out of every cooley no seat belts, bench seat bouncing open prairie rides in "RED", my personal favorite family hero, cousin J.D, spinning the suicide knob hitting every gopher hole trying to keep up with a baker's dozen or so mostly wild spotted ponies.
By Owen Taylor3 years ago in Families
Tips To Foster Positive Thinking In Children
A parent-child relationship is a special bond that can give a child inner strength. It is the fundamental foundation for a child's overall development and behavior, personality, and self-esteem. A positive attitude in life can help children deal with any problem that arises. If a child learns to think positively, he will be able to solve problems quickly and will learn to view different aspects of life with a positive attitude. A school is the best place for a child to learn several good habits. A positive mindset is a belief system that is firmly rooted in universal truth. We are the best in every way to raise a child in the right direction because we have everything a growing toddler needs to finish his early education. With fun activities, we build a strong infrastructure and a learning environment. This is the first place a child can develop self-esteem and confidence. A child learns the value of his name, possessions, and friends in school. In the Pre School with preschool interactive activities, every child learns to communicate with his teachers and peers. It is the ideal setting for the child's overall development, laying the groundwork for future success.
By Amit Kumar3 years ago in Families
Why Screen time for Kids Needs to be Controlled
Screen time it's a very common topic in today's world when you think of all the gadgets that have screens it makes sense why there would be some concerns TVs laptops tablets there are even screens in our cars, but does too much screen time really affect our kids
By Kingsley Fisher3 years ago in Families
Never Grill a Turkey
It was my first Christmas away from home, and it was hard to accept the new normal. A year and a half passed since the wedding, and we have a beautiful daughter. She was strapped in the back. I checked on her every two minutes, being the armature mother that I was.
By Julia Nichols3 years ago in Families
Single Kenyan Moms Blamed For Children's Behavior: Not Poverty, Polygamy, Gender-Based Violence or Untrained Teachers
During Covid-19 lockdown in Kenya the incidents of gender-based violence grew out of control. Hundreds of Kenyans ended up on the streets, many with their children to escape violence in their homes. So much so that BBC filmed the famed documentary in Kenya about the high rising incidents of gender violence.
By IwriteMywrongs3 years ago in Families
The Pie Police and Other Stories of a MIL From Heck
My mother-in-law was quite the piece of work. I'm sure you know the type - classic narcissist. Luckily the two things that saved me and my husband were that she was dumb as a brick (and that's insulting to bricks everywhere), and that I had an inkling of intuition that moved her favorite target (my hubby) six hours' drive away from her vitriol.
By Meredith Harmon3 years ago in Families
Always Give The Right Gift With Personalized Gift Cards
Gift giving is one of the greatest pleasures in life, but it has its difficult moments. What to give the man who has everything? What to give to a 15 year old girl? How to judge another person's taste when selecting a housewarming present? It's a pity to waste time and money on a gift that is not wanted. Personalized gift cards not only answer these questions but do so with flair.
By Md Anisul Karim3 years ago in Families
Busting Balls
He had many nicknames, but usually preferred to be addressed as Red Power Ranger. My blonde-haired, blue-eyed, cherub of a brother was born the year I turned thirteen. His name was Gabriel – like the Christmas angel – and he sometimes believed he could fly.
By Holly Pheni3 years ago in Families
