Generation Clean

Having summer fun is great! I love that there is time now for summer field trips and activities. But, I also want my kids to know that there are other aspects to this summer break thing. This is when we can get in some work time . Part of a parent's job is to train their children how to become independent and contribute to the family. This will be a great start. The first project we will take on this summer is having them organize their stuff . There's a really helpful article on Cozi with tips on how to teach organization to your kids. You can look that over for ideas too. This is how organizing usually goes at our house: Turn on some fun music to keep everyone moving and upbeat. Pull out everything in the closet, from under the bed, and from all of those other stashes of stuff. Put it all in a big pile . Then set out three boxes labeled: Keep , Trash , and Give Away . Let your child sort through their things and decide where they belong . If they choose to keep it, the...

Phineas and Ferb Online Safety Video This is a nice short video that reminds kids of the online "Rules of the Road." There's also a parents section on this page that lists rules and gives tips on why they are important. Phineas and Ferb is a Disney channel show where two brothers entertain themselves throughout the summer by coming up with a new outrageous invention or project each day. The boys have an older sister who is always trying to "bust" her brothers for their crazy schemes, but her Mom never sees any of what they do. There is also a mild evil villain called Dr. Dufenshmirtz who is trying to take over the tri-state area with a variety of machines he has created. Phineas and Ferb's pet platypus is an undercover agent assigned to Dufenshmirtz and stopping his evil schemes. This is a really funny show. My favorite part of this show is the clever songs that are part of each episode. There are a number that we sing around the house because they're s...

When Mother Reads Aloud When Mother reads aloud, the past Seems real as every day; I hear the tramp of armies vast, I see the spears and lances cast, I join the thrilling fray; Brave knights and ladies fair and proud I meet when Mother reads aloud. When Mother reads aloud, far lands Seem very near and true; I cross the deserts’ gleaming sands, Or hunt the jungle’s prowling bands, Or sail the ocean blue. Far heights, whose peaks the cold mists shroud, I scale, when Mother reads aloud. When Mother reads aloud, I long For noble deeds to do... To help the right, redress the wrong; It seems so easy to be strong, So simple to be true. Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd My eyes, when Mother reads aloud. - From The Children's Book of Heroes by William J Bennett

My sister-in-law gave me the album Anchor , by Mindy Gledhill, for my birthday. I love it! Each song has great lyrics and the music is fun and upbeat while still feeling sophisticated. There is an airy, happy feeling to her music (the ukulele is super fun!). I especially like the song California. You can listen to a sample of it on her website . Mindy sounds like she's smiling as she sings, and my kids like her too, so I can get a break from the "kiddie" music once in a while we're driving about. Rating: Squeaky

Let's face it. Nobody really looks forward to "the talk" with their children. It can be uncomfortable for both of you, and we worry that what we say will be positive and informative, without adding more ideas and questions to our young child's head. Along with the growing up information, and a discussion of appropriate intimacy, we should also talk about the importance of modesty in dress and speech and about morality. I have always thought that these topics covered just about everything, but there is another issue that we should discuss. President Thomas S. Monson said this in 2002: "When I consider the demons who are twins - even immodesty and immorality - I should make them triplets and include pornography . They all three go together." Pornography is sneaky. It's not as obvious as immodesty and immorality. It can be hidden for a longer period of time. Many people don't see the harm in it saying it's just pictures and it doesn't hurt any...