They said it better... #9

Some posts I've really enjoyed over the past couple of weeks:

Heartbreaking (in a good way) post: A question worth asking

Christmas:
Handmade gifts for men (or anyone else). I always find men especially hard to buy for!
More great handmade gifts from Mahli Moo
Erin lists some Christmas gifts for teachers
Free printable Christmas postcard from Kate at Picklebums (you can insert your own photos)
Making your own Christmas snow-dome from Christie at Childhood 101

Soph talks about the secret to cheerful giving

and Deb talks about how she organises her bills - some great tips in here!

Someone lovely has nominated The Useful Box for the Circle of Moms' Top 25 Aussie Blogs list. I feel very honoured to be nominated. If you would like to vote for The Useful Box, click on the button, scroll down the list until you find my blurb and click "vote". You can vote every 24 hours. I know I don't stand a chance, but it is a nice way for some new people to find their way here, and offer their insights, ideas and opinions too.

They said it better... #8

Here are some posts I have enjoyed reading during the week (PS - enjoyed reading doesn't mean I agree with everything in these posts, but definitely food for thought here!):

God, Jesus and the Bible:

10 ways that mums with young children can minister to others 

An interview with a faithful follower of Jesus from Drummoyne Presbyterian Church (thanks for link Michelle!)

Christmas Ideas:

Simple Mom on Planning for a peaceful Christmas

5 easy Christmas Crafts from Mummy to Five

Parenting:

Happy Families blog on Expecting too much of our kids

Teaching our children the value of money. Everything is Edible: It's OK... we can just buy another one

Planning with Kids on Strategies for teenagers

From a few weeks ago, The Book Chook on Using finger plays for child literacy development

Marriage:

Daisy is embarking on the 30 day sex challenge. Inspired by a program/ book from the Relevant Church in Florida.

They said it better... #7

Some good reads from the last couple of weeks (quite a few this time):

Did you know you can make a lasagne in the slow cooker? (I haven't done it yet)
Fiona at Inner Pickle - Make your own ice-cream

A thought-provoking interview with Soph at The Fountainside
Kelly at Be a fun mum - Being fallible
Be a fun mum (again) - I don't want to give my kids advice

Jess at Diary of a SAHM - How I feel when a daughter blogs
Caz at The Truth about Mummy - Blogging: highs and lows
Deb at Aspiring Mum - Brown-Nosers and cliques in blogging (This convicted me about a post I wrote a few weeks ago)

This brought a tear to my eye - Ninety-six

Happy Weekend!

They said it better... #6

A random assortment of things I enjoyed this week:

This post is just full of prettiness. Wouldn't it be great to have my own desk space... (sigh)

Kids and families:
Erin talks about daily routine charts. I love this idea. Although I follow a routine, I've always been a bit lazy about making a visual routine chart!
Doing art with kids of different ages - including specific art ideas.
Squigglemum discusses talking with kids about feelings
Relating to kids with grace - a book review. I must read this book.
I enjoyed reading this story about life in a big family

Living as a Christian:
Jess talks about living on a hill for Jesus, wherever we are

Interesting:
Louisa is talking about feminism - interesting viewpoints in comments too.

They said it better... #5

Most Saturdays now I like to share a couple of posts I've enjoyed reading during the week:

Play:

Squigglemum talks about outdoor chalkboards. Would you believe I am in the process of painting 2 outdoor chalkboards? I am making use of some marine plywood we used as our old sandpit cover. I plan to complete the second coat tomorrow! I started this project before I saw this post.

I shared this great tip for maximising kids' activity books on Facebook.

I thought this looked like fun for older kids.

Parenting:

I'm really not looking forward to shopping when my girls hit this age group. Debbie from Aspiring Mum talks about the clothes that are available for 8 year old girls.

Finally, for all Christian parents, though it specifically addresses a sub-group of Christian parents. This is a long read, but has some brilliant insights and wisdom.

They said it better...#4

Here are some posts I've enjoyed reading this week:

On marriage:
Jess at Life on a Hill - the Proverbs 31 woman

At home:
5 ways to de-clutter
Using a home management notebook
Being hospitable with an imperfect house

With kids:
Teaching your children an "attitude of gratitude"
10 activities for the school holidays


What posts have you enjoyed this week?

Click on the title of this blog post if you would like to view comments or add your own comment.

They said it better... #3

2 links today which reflect something God is hitting me over the head with at the moment:

If you are a structured, organised person in most areas of life, coming to parenting can be a bit of a struggle. I have spent a lot of time trying to follow parenting formulas (e.g. do this and your kids will be ....this). Sadly, many books claim to offer the formula for raising obedient, or happy, or... kids. This is a great post from Steady Mom on giving up those formulas.

Along similar lines - read this post on wanting to follow the parenting "rules".

Have you read anything interesting this week?

I love to hear your opinions. Please click on the title of this blog post if you would like to view comments or add your own comment.

They said it better... #2

My dad with his grand-daughters

They said it better is a list of links I've enjoyed looking at over the week. This week I decided to focus on some Father's Day links, just in case you are like me, and have no idea where to start with Father's Day...

1) Be a fun mum has 3 lists for Father's Day: Father's Day craft ideas, Father's Day card ideas, and Father's Day gift ideas

2) Check out The Organised Housewife's collection of handmade father's day gifts

3) Aspiring Mum also has some Father's Day Gift Ideas

So, now I have a bit of inspiration for Matt - I just have to get organised and get something happening... My dad will actually be overseas on Father's day... so I have a bit more time to think on that one.

 

What are you getting your dads (or your children's dads) this Father's Day?

(I love to hear your opinions. Please click on the title of this blog post if you would like to view comments or add your own comment.)

They said it better...

I spend a bit of time reading blogs. And I learn a lot.

Each weekend (or maybe not every weekend - don't hold me to it), I will start posting a couple of links that I have enjoyed reading during the week. I will try to include some variety - e.g. a recipe, something serious, something funny, to cater for everyone.

Here are some "they said it betters" from this week:

Kids
Erin (a former primary teacher) posted on Introducing number activities with preschoolers

Justin from Happy Families blog (a new discovery for me) wrote in response to my question on Influencing young children without coercion

Nicole wrote on dealing with challenging behaviour in preschoolers

(I'm still thinking about those last 2 posts and will probably write more about them sometime)

Funny
Ben's blog always has me laughing. Loved this post on visitor's books

Help for Africa
A US based blog appeal for relief in Africa


Have you read anything interesting this week?

I love to hear your opinions. Please click on the title of this blog post if you would like to view comments or add your own comment.