Having a baby is one of the best things that can happen to a person. However, it can also become an obstacle on the way to personal or professional development. An obstacle, sure, but not an insurmountable one because there are ways to instill personal growth into parenting. Writing a Ph.D. thesis is a time-consuming…
Author: Pragmatic Mom
Picture Books on Growing A Garden & Signed Picture Book GIVEAWAY!
If you are like me, I get through winter by thinking about spring. I plan my little vegetable patch. I look for signs of spring with the bulbs that I planted in the fall — tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth — peeking through. A garden and the bounty it brings is one of life’s great joys….
How to Teach Kids to Think Strategically Through Games
Learning through play is an invaluable resource to help kids develop intangible skills, helping them in all facets of life. Using games in an educational way keeps kids motivated and interested and affords them the opportunity for independent learning where making mistakes is encouraged. Kids are encouraged to develop their autonomous decision-making skills and get…
How to Help Ukraine
Even with Western support, Ukraine’s army and its legions of volunteer fighters are severely outgunned by Russian forces. The National Bank of Ukraine has created an account where people from around the world can donate to the country’s military. I can’t stop stress knitting from reading the news updates on Ukraine. I find it easy to feel stressed and…
Celebrating Girls’ Day: A Japanese Holiday called Hinamatsuri
I’m half Japanese American but I’ve never celebrated Hinamatsuri, known as Girls’ Day or Doll’s Day, in Japan. It is celebrated on March 3 every year with a display of dolls representing the Heian court in a celebration to celebrate girls and wish for their continued good health and happiness. An expansive hinadan in Katsuura,…
Manatee Middle Grade
My favorite thing about North Captiva Island in Florida is the manatee sightings. I’m not alone. There are always throngs of people parking their golf carts when the manatees come to this small dock to just hang out. They don’t need to do much — just emerge from the water to pop their heads out…
Multicultural Children’s Book Club: Ramadan Featuring Lailah’s Lunchbox
Please join me for our tenth Multicultural Children’s Book Club. We host a FREE multicultural children’s picture book virtual book club on the first Thursday of every month from 7 pm to 8 pm EST. March’s event will be held on March 3rd and we are celebrating Ramadan using Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by…