When I started working at Real Simple, a former colleague said “Real Simple is for people whose mothers didn’t teach them how to do all that stuff.” I knew exactly what she meant by that stuff: cooking; cleaning; ironing; doing laundry; planting perennials; balancing a checkbook; painting a wall; painting a fingernail; sewing on a button. All of those small-but-important things […]
more about: kids
Favorite Finds for Back-to-School
Today is a very big day. It’s “Meet the Teacher Day” at the elementary school. We mothers often refer to this as “Get School Supplies Out of Your Dining Room Day.” As I pack up the folders of every color, already sharpened pencils, wide-ruled one-subject notebooks and hand sanitizer, I’m thinking about the systems and tools that I’ve come to […]
A Clever Way to Display Kids’ Artwork
A new school year can mean lots of new artwork to display around your home. And while the fridge is nice, it’s fun to create a space that’s a bit more special. We love this simple idea from Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss: These dollar store frames started out plain. But with a fresh coat of paint they became the perfect […]
Sorry, But I Don’t Want My Kids Playing With Yours
This week’s reader dilemma: “How do you politely communicate that you are not interested in play dates with a persistent neighbor with unruly kids?” asks piper002. “Our children are very different in both temperament and age,” writes piper002, “and I don’t want to force my kids into a situation they don’t want to participate in.” Don’t worry, piper002, you can’t […]
Skip the Plastic Sandwich Bag
Now that the kids have gone back to school (or it’s looming in the next couple of weeks), here’s one way make their lunch, and yours if you brown bag-it, a bit greener. Ditch the plastic bags for your PB&J and use the Wrap-N-Mat instead. Not only will the fabric and oil cloth wrap protect your sandwich, but if you’re […]
