Personal Hygiene Kits

I just read about this idea last night, while doing a little on-line research...

I was reading about the importance of homeschool families making sure they were still getting up and getting ready in the mornings.

The author acknowledged the temptation for homeschool families to not pay much attention to their physical appearance. 

What's the point? - is the thought. 

The author of the article encouraged homeschool moms to teach their children proper daily hygiene, and to take pride in their appearance, even on days when they are just staying home.

One of her suggestions was to give each child their own little basket or box to house some hygiene supplies.

I instantly knew I wanted to try it!

We had to go to the grocery store today anyway, so we picked up a few things for the project...

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that my children do a "morning routine" each day after breakfast, which includes basic hygiene tasks such as brushing hair and teeth.

But, other than toothbrushes, they've never had their own supplies.

So I told them we were going to be making "personal hygiene kits" today, and each of them would have their own.

They seemed excited about it!

I bought them each a crayon box, and they put their names on them...

Next, we filled them with toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, nail-clippers, chapstick, lotion, etc...

This is Soren's... He put a flashlight in his for some reason, haha...

The children enjoyed making theirs personal, with items only for them. 

Nola wanted to keep hair ties in hers...

And Roman thought his kit would be a good place to store his mouth retainer... 

I also made sure they each had lotion in their kits because our winters are so brutal!

We battle chapped hands every year.

*sigh

Other than that, I am hoping this new system will help us with two things...

One - Our chapsticks and hair combs always had an uncanny way of growing legs and running off!

We could never find one or the other when we needed it!

I would buy my kids a chapstick and within a week they would tell me they lost it!

So, I hope these kits will provide a more organized and convenient place to store these items.

And two - I think it'll be healthier for us!

In the past they would share toothpaste, nail-clippers, and even chapstick at times.

By giving them their own supplies, they won't be sharing as many germs - and I am happy about that this cold and flu season!

They've decided to store their kits in the cupboard beneath the bathroom sink.

I sure hope they will feel a sort of jurisdiction over their kit, and take care and keep track of the items.

Time will tell, of course, if this will prove to be a good system for us.

Roman made a noteworthy statement. He pointed out that it will be much quicker and easier to pack for our next overnight trip! He said, "All we'll have to do is grab our kit, and throw it in our suitcase!"

Great point!

What about you? How do you store your children's hygiene items?

I am sure you have an attractive and efficient way!

I know this because I have some very organized friends!

I am always impressed when I go into the homes of my mom-friends.

Playing house is just fun! Isn't it?!

Take care, friends...

xo,

~ Courtney ~

A Few Thoughts on Correcting Temper Tantrums in Children

It's not the most pleasant topic...

Temper tantrums

So, I'll include some light-hearted family photos in this post to help brighten things up...

(Spring 2016)

Micah and I have never had much tolerance for whining or sour attitudes in children.

We decided very early on that we would nip it in the bud with our children as best as we could.

Why is it important not to let small children get away with temper tantrums?

Well, it's simple. Children who are accustomed to throwing fits grow up to become adults who throw fits.

We've all seen grown adults whine, fuss, complain, march, protest and manipulate when they don't get their way.

It doesn't look like the two year-old's version, but it's a fit just the same.

All one needs to do to witness adults acting this way is to turn on the evening news or watch a little politics.

I do not wish to bring politics into my blog, since this is a blog on home living...

But the reason it relates is because it can all be traced back to the home.

Maybe these people didn't have parents who taught them that life isn't fair, but that's ok... we can be content with what we have!

(Now there's a novel thought in our day of everyone screaming about their rights!)

I can't do anything about what's going on in our current culture, but I can do something about my own heart-attitude and the attitudes of my children.

(Winter 2017)

It all starts when a baby or small toddler stiffens their little body, throws their head back and lets out a mighty wail...

"Give me what I want or I'll make you miserable!" is essentially their heart-attitude.

Well... what are you going to do, mama?

You could administer a punishment of some sort, or even ignore it... But the worst thing you can do is give the child what they want in that moment.

Compromising or negotiating with them is equally as bad, because you are allowing the child to yank you down to their level. 

YOU are the mother!

(Think- I train them, they do not train me!)

(Summer 2017)

A baby or toddler who is not yet speaking can be trained in cause and effect.

With my babies, I would make a point to train them that their fit is not a means to getting what they want. 

When my children grew a little older, I would simply explain to them, "I will never give you what you want as long as you are whining at me for it."

Then I would go on to say something along these lines, "Your whining shows me you do not have the right heart-attitude. If you can get a handle on your emotions, and speak to me respectfully, I will consider what you are asking."

I've learned through experience that even a very young child can be spoken to on these terms.

(Fall 2017)

"Children merely want to know where the boundaries lie and who's available to enforce them."

- Dr. James Dobson

I have also been very strict about not allowing my children to say, "no" to me.

They have all tried it once or twice over the years, but every time I would stop what I was doing, look them sternly in the eye, and very firmly say, "You may NOT say 'no' to me! You say 'yes ma'am' and obey."

In every instance they would quickly straighten up and give me an agreeable, "Yes, ma'am." 

I have seen the fruit from planting these seeds, because now my children wouldn't dare say, "no" to me.

I am so thankful I trained them this way when they were very little.

If you are a young mother with babies and toddlers, I would encourage you to work on these things now! You will reap a harvest of happy children you enjoy being around when they get a little older! 

(New Years Day 2018)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

- Galatians 6:9

I'd love to reap a harvest of all my children growing into contented, God-fearing adults, who love and respect the people around them.

Correcting their temper tantrums now, is the best place to start!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

- Proverbs 22:6

xo,

~ Courtney ~

A Children's Tea

" 'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

- John Howard Payne, "The Maid of Milan" 

One of my favorite parts of our homeschool day is our afternoon quiet hour.

Usually our formal 'school work' is complete by this time, and with no noise coming from music or the TV, we can spend the hour silently reading and resting.

It's been abnormally cold here lately, so on days where we go out for a walk, or have to drive to town for an appointment, it feels wonderful to come back and have a quiet hour. 

"Listen! the wind is rising,

and the air is wild with leaves,

We have had our summer evenings,

now for October eves!"

- Humbert Wolfe, "Autumn"

The other day we came home from running an errand out in the cold. We were chilled and happy to be home. A warm drink sounded restorative, and like it just might hit the spot.

I don't like for my children to have caffeine, and I didn't have any hot cocoa on hand, so we thought we'd try an experiment.

A homemade children's tea...

???

I didn't have a recipe, or a real clear idea of what the outcome would be...

But we assembled a few ingredients.

I cut up a few apples and pears that I had in the fridge...

And decided to simmer them in a pot of water along with a fresh cinnamon stick.

I figured I'd just scoop the fruit out at the end and we'd drink the warm juice.

But when I came back to check on it, (after about 30 minutes) it looked like this!...

Oh no!!!

The apples were disintegrating!

I should have known better. I used mackintosh apples because that's what I had on hand. But they were too soft of an apple for this.

We worked together to fish everything out with a strainer...

Yep, this is an experiment alright. Our own little concoction...

The pears stayed perfectly intact though, so we thought we'd let them simmer a little longer.

One of the children remarked how we should plop in a few strawberries, since our apples didn't work out.

"Why not?" I said. "We're in this together!" Haha.

So into the pot went a few strawberries...

(It was a good idea because it turned the liquid a more attractive shade of pinkish-red.)

"What everyone needs after a long day is time to decompress. The kitchen is the ideal place, especially during fall and winter when it can be bitterly cold outside. The warmth from the stove is a welcome relief."

- Diana Rosen, "Taking Time for Tea"

After a little more simmer time, we scooped out the rest of the fruit. Then mixed in 1/3 c. of sugar...

We were ready to try it!

Cheers!

"This, then, is what tea time means to me: the embrace of friendship, quiet contemplation, and the sustenance that can bring inner serenity and peace."

- Diana Rosen, "Taking Time for Tea"

We thought we'd treat ourselves to a real tea time, complete with a bite of something sweet...

"We need time to dream,

Time to remember,

Time to reach for the infinite.

Time to be."

- Gladys Taber

What do you think, Soren?...

Our tea turned out rather delicious!

I was pleasantly surprised!

Of course, this wasn't a true tea made from actual tea leaves. It was more of an infusion of sorts.

But the children felt very proud and grown-up to call it "tea".

It tasted fruity and sweet.

I would definitely make it again, only next time I will remember to use a sturdier apple! *eye roll

While we had our tea time, I encouraged the children to contemplate our blessings.

I remind my children regularly that we do not deserve any of the good things we enjoy in life.

They are gifts from the Lord.

"Every good and perfect gift comes down from above."

- James 1:17

I wish to foster a sense of gratitude in my children (and myself!) rather than entitlement.

So we talk about this often.

I will ask them, "What are some of the blessings in your life? Isn't it wonderful that you can see, taste, and hear? Did you do anything to deserve a loving family or this safe home? No. The Lord has blessed us with these gifts. What other blessings can you think of?"

After our little talk I cleaned the kitchen and poured the rest of our experiment into a container to save for a future time.

Have your ever made anything like this, friends?

What can you tell me that might help us the next time we try to make it?

What are the best kinds of fruits to use?

Do you sweeten it with sugar, or is honey better?

I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

Until next time...

xo,

~ Courtney ~