Food is at the center of many family traditions, whether it’s a fourth of July BBQ, a religious holiday, or a birthday. Most families have a set of favorite recipes they make again and again which bring up memories of childhood and special moments. A family cookbook captures these movements, preserving recipes that might otherwise get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. With word processing and small-scale self-publishing, it’s easier than ever to
Choosing gifts for a newborn baby can be both fun and challenging. Do you go for the lovely plush toy or much-needed clothing? Is a practical gift best, or would a timeless keepsake be more appropriate? Our advice? Don’t stress about it. As long as it’s a thoughtful gift parents and child will be delighted. With that in mind, here’s a few possible ideas to help you choose the perfect gift. Personalized Books At I
Music comes naturally to humans. From a very young age we respond positively to songs and rhythms. You can see it in the child sung to sleep with a lullaby, or the toddler rocking back and forth in time to a nursery rhyme. As it turns out, the benefits of playing music to children are far-reaching. Here’s a few reasons why you should put on some tunes and rock out with the kids. Music Encourages
Imaginative children are generally more creative, better problem-solvers, and more confident than their peers, so child psychologists emphasize the need for imaginative play. Unfortunately, the modern world’s fixation on television, video games, and highly structured activities tends to stifle, rather than encourage, imagination. We’d like to suggest seven imagination activities for kids to help them grow and develop their creativity. Dress Up Dress-up and let’s pretend games have fostered imagination activities for kids for centuries.
Your wedding’s flower girl might be a serious-minded nine-year-old, pleased to be considered mature enough to be included in the wedding party. Or perhaps she’s a two-year-old, guided down the aisle by a bridesmaid. Either way, you’ll want to commemorate her role in your wedding with an appropriate gift. We’ve assembled five flower gift ideas to help you show how much you appreciate your “petal patrol.” A Shadowbox of Wedding Remembrances This is a great
A wedding’s young ring bearer has an enormous responsibility. He has to walk down the aisle carrying the rings, making sure they get to the bride and groom safely. It might not seem like a big deal to an adult, but to a child of four or five, this is a huge—and somewhat scary—event. It’s customary to reward ring bearers with gifts, but what to get them? They’re a little young for sentimental gifts, but
It’s a day that’s been coming since birth: your child’s first day of school. This is a symbolic rite of passage—only big kids go to school, after all—and your child may be excited, scared, or both. You might feel the same way. Basic Supplies Whether your little scholar is heading for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, or Grade One, he or she is going to need school supplies. The school should have a list of items you’ll need,
New parents receive plenty of advice. Family, friends, neighbors, doctors, and yes, complete strangers all have their opinions on parenting newborn babies, whether you asked for advice or not. At I See Me, we believe one piece of advice is absolutely indispensable: enjoy your new baby. Those first few months of life are precious, so experience them to their fullest. They also don’t last long—before you know it the little one’s already six months old,
Growing up in a society obsessed with physical beauty and good looks is difficult, whether or not a child’s appearance matches cultural expectations (and few people do). Social pressures surrounding appearance can leave children thinking their only worth lies in their looks, whether they’re considered “pretty” or not by the world at large. Building a sense of sense and inner worth prevents children from believing beauty is skin deep. The need for self-worth is what
Television shows have their place in a child’s life, but sitting in front of the TV doesn’t bring you closer together as a family. Instead of watching more TV, why not make some memories with these seven fun family bonding activities? Games Night When was the last time you pulled out the board games for a night of dice-rolling and laughter? A weekly games night can quickly become a beloved family tradition that teaches children
