I love this!! ~ 13 Rules for My Teenager
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13 Rules For My Teenager (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

My first-born child just turned 13. We have high hopes for his happiness and well-being. Though we as parents recall navigating our teenage years, we understand that each teen’s experience is their own and comes with its own personal form of awkwardness and insecurity. Deanne and I are looking for ways to influence and advise him during these years without squashing his budding personality and independence. That’s why I’m hopeful you’ll benefit from these “Rules For My Teenager” that I have today.

How to Create Your Dream Home in a Simple Way - Tips for Feeling the Spirit at Home!
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How to Create Your Dream Home in a Simple Way (she: Sariah)

BySariah Tate

What is the home of your dreams? Maybe your mind immediately wanders through your Pinterest boards of beautiful, spacious homes, white cabinets and striking marble counter tops. Perhaps eye catching decor, fun nooks, entertainment areas and play areas with perfectly organized toys and books and on and on.

Tied Together Familiy Night Lesson and Activity
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Family Night Lesson: Tied Together as Family (she: Adelle)

ByAdelle Belnap

In a world that pulls families in so many different directions, it is important to find ways to stay tied together. When children have a solid anchor at home, they are more likely to stay out of trouble and be a positive part of the community. I wanted to think of a family night lesson and activity that would demonstrate this act of “being bound together” in a visual way. I hope you enjoy this lesson and activity and that it can help your kids feel loved, safe, and protected in this crazy busy world that we live in.

You Might Be A Soccer Parent If… (he: Dan)
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You Might Be A Soccer Parent If… (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

The word “soccer” in my title is interchangeable with any other activity that we as parents allow our children to pursue. You could insert anything – tumbling, karate, band, cheer, dance, chess-club, scouts, all other sports, math… I use soccer as the medium for this post since it is what we do over here at the Jacobs home.

5 Best Places to Buy Maternity Clothes
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5 Best Places to Buy Maternity Clothes

ByMariel

So, let’s just put this out there… I’m currently pregnant with my 7th child and it was a total surprise.  I had actually given away all of my maternity clothes that I had collected on my 6-baby-way.  I really, really thought I was done!  But, God had something else in mind for me.  This little girl coming my way is meant to be and we can’t wait to meet her. There are actually 7 kids in my family and 7 in my husband’s family, so it’s kind of fun to carry on the tradition.  We love big families!

Anyway, back to my point.  Maternity clothes.  I’ve bought sooooo many over the past 15 years and now I’m buying them all over again.

This is such a fun way to keep the kiddos entertained at the grocery store, so I can shop! The Alphabet Scavenger Hunt is great for kids, both old and young. I also love the Color Scavenger Hunt! www.orsoshesays.com
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Grocery Store Games! ~ Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

ByMariel

Yay!! I’m excited to share another game in the Grocery Store Games series, here on ‘Or so she says…’. Last week, I made a fun Color Scavenger Hunt for the kiddos. This week, it’s all about the alphabet. This grocery store game is great for kids, both old and young. My kids think any game is extra fun if there is a prize at the end (maybe a treat in the check-out line?!) But, I’m pretty sure they would be anxious to play, prize or no prize.

Connecting with Older Kids – 15 Tips to Try (she: Veronica)
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Connecting with Older Kids – 15 Tips to Try (she: Veronica)

ByVeronica

Many parents don’t enjoy their older kids as much as they could. Why? Because older kids can be SO HARD! But I also think it’s because they just can’t figure out how to connect with them. When you find those things that you can do, I promise you will thoroughly enjoy those older kids of yours! Well…maybe not all the time. 🙂

I thought I’d share some simple tips with you. Please be mindful that some may apply to your kids, and others might not. Each child is different, and each parent is different. But, don’t give up. They want to be connected with you. They want to feel loved by you and WANT you to understand them.

Grocery Store Games on 'Or so she says...'! This is such a fun series and a great way to keep the kiddos happy, and occupied during your grocery shopping trip! www.orsoshesays.com
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Grocery Store Games! ~ Color Scavenger Hunt

ByMariel

I love grocery stores that are stressed-out-mom friendly. One of our local stores has free snacks and balloons for kids. The employees are so sweet to offer them to moms. I love the service where you pay for your groceries, then pull your car up to their door, and they load them all into the back of the car for you. I applaud stores like that! But, it’s always good to have a plan of your own… fruit snacks in your purse, an iPhone with family pictures on it, little trinkets that they can play with, whatever. That’s why I thought it would be fun to start offering Grocery Store Games on the blog!

Family Night Lesson - Secret Service for Valentine's Day!
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Family Night Lesson: Secret Service Mission (she: Adelle)

ByAdelle Belnap

I really enjoy the month of February. First of all, it is short. Only 28 days! It is full of hearts, cupids, and candy! Yum. And, it is one month closer to Spring. Hallelujah! I also love that we get to celebrate random acts of kindness. There are few things that bring more happiness in life than service. This month’s Family Night lesson and activity are centered around service. I put together a fun printable to get your family in the spirit of serving–Secret Service style!

A Father’s Quest for Peace – Not as the World Giveth (he: Dan)
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A Father’s Quest for Peace – Not as the World Giveth (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I go to church with the hope that I can find peace and respite from disappointment and the frustrations of life. Often, en route to that hopeful communion I find myself on roads which lead nowhere near my desired destination. Last Sunday was a good example of the tendency.

We Are All Unique - A Family Night Lesson Inspired by Snowflakes
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We Are All Unique: A Family Night Lesson Inspired by Snowflakes (she: Adelle)

ByAdelle Belnap

This Family Night Lesson is to help your family members realize their own personal beauty and worth in this world. We are like the snowflakes; we are all unique. There is nobody in the world just like you. Embrace it! And, let your beauty shine.

Holy cow, this is great!! A must-read for parents! 6 Lessons to Help You Stop Yelling & Start Loving
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6 Lessons to Help You Stop Yelling & Start Loving

ByDan Jacobs

I can’t say I’ve stopped yelling altogether, but my six-week application project taught me some valuable lessons, and the overall trend has been positive. I’ve realized that yelling is an inward-focused abuse of power. When I yell, I disregard the feelings and agency of my boys in my attempt to control them. I’ve also come to understand that yelling is synonymous with laziness. There are far more creative ways to influence my sons, but those ways take more thought, effort, and time. Yelling is a shortcut, and because it works (and provides a fleeting feeling of control), it is also addictive.