My four-year-old loves to fly and wants to be a pilot when she grows up. Her eyes light up whenever we talk about traveling and she is always asking when we will be getting on a plane again. But it wasn’t always this way. Here are my favorite practical tips and strategies for easier air travel with babies and toddlers…
Five Holiday Book and Craft Pairings For Little Kids: A Fun and Simple Plan for Enjoying Time Together
Having a simple framework and theme for curating activities helped me to avoid over-planning and Pinterest overwhelm. It was such a joy to spend quality time with my daughter while doing something festive and fun even when life felt crazy. I hope the ideas here will help you simplify planning holiday activities with your little one this year so you can also enjoy more intentional togetherness. Remember, it can start small: just one read-aloud book and one simple craft at a time. Incorporate your own holiday traditions and do as much or as little as you have time for— whether it’s 30 minutes during the weekend or stretching a theme over the course of a few days by adding activities and outings— it doesn’t have to be complicated to be special.
Gratitude, Hidden Treasure, and Other Things That Don’t Come Easy
I happened upon a hidden gem buried deep in the Michaels’ clearance aisle: an adorable paint-your-own dinosaur art kit marked 70% off. It was the perfect little birthday gift for my friend’s dino-loving son who had just turned four, the same age as my daughter. Two years ago, my daughter attended his dinosaur-themed birthday party, and the two of them had a blast playing with a giant tub of plastic dinosaurs together. As I headed toward the checkout line with my fortuitous little find, I had an idea: I wanted my daughter to share in the joy of gift-giving, and this was the perfect opportunity.
My plan was straightforward: We would wrap the present together, and my daughter would hand him the gift during our upcoming playdate. Seemed simple enough. Of course I was aware of the potential pitfalls: my daughter also loved dinosaurs, painting, and presents. And she was a four-year-old. But nothing a little talk about gratitude and generosity wouldn’t smooth over, right? I was about to find out.
Our Favorite Picture Books About Starting School
Books and reading are a shared passion for my daughter and me, so we’ve been preparing for the start of this new chapter by reading stories about school. It’s been a great way to help her know what to expect, familiarize her with the rhythm of a school day, and talk about what she is looking forward to and what she may be nervous about.
