Jefferson Memorial Pleasing tweens and teens isn't easy - sometimes it seems that it's their job to be bored. And they are really good at it. They are also really good at staring at their phones. How do you pull them off of their phones and get them to not only look at the world around them but actually enjoy it, too? That's where I can help. For starters, read my article about how to get tweens and teens excited for Washington DC before you go. And if you need some tips in general for traveling with tweens and teens, read my article about how to have a fun trip with tweens. Washington DC is an important world city. It has government buildings, museums, and historical sites. If you explain it that way to your tween...you are going to get groans and eye rolling. So you've got to plan ahead to have a fun vacation in Washington DC with tweens and teens. Luckily, it's not hard! One of the best ways to see any city is to have someone who knows and loves the city show it … [Read more...]
How to Find Motivation for Decluttering
Decluttering has always been a challenge for me. I grew up in a cluttered home. It's always been hard for me to let go of things - I tend to get sentimental. I think the tendency to be cluttered runs in families - I get it from my parents, and I see the tendency in my children. Nourishing Tweens is a participant in several affiliate programs, advertising programs that provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other websites. I only recommend things that I truly like and would use myself. If you click through my links and make a purchase, there is no additional charge to you. I want to break out of that cycle and set a great example for my kids! One of the best things we can do as parents is to model the behavior that we want to see in our children. I want my kids to have a healthy relationship with things and a good attitude about homemaking. So that is something I strive for in myself! I wrote another article about … [Read more...]
Tween Fashion Trends Spring 2019
Oh, to be young and trendy again! My daughter has inherited my love of clothes and shoes. I knew from a very young age that she was a shopper like her mama. I remember taking her shoe shopping as a toddler, and she picked up the various shoes with love in her eyes. Now she's a tween, and fashion reigns! My baby loves to shop! Since the weather is warming up here in California, I took her shopping the other day to get some new warm weather clothes. Since I'm a stay-at-home mom, we have to keep the costs down. We got some great finds at reasonable prices. Read on for more! Nourishing Tweens is a participant in several affiliate advertising programs that provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and certain other sites. I only recommend things that I truly like and would use myself. If you click through my links and make a purchase, there is no additional charge to you. Here's M is a yellow top from Old Navy, denim … [Read more...]
How to Get Tweens and Teens Excited About a Trip to Washington DC
We just returned from a fascinating trip to Washington DC with our tween and teen, and I want to share with you how we made it fun for our kids as well as ourselves! If you have been following me for a while, you probably have already read my article that gives general tips about how to have a successful vacation with tweens and teens. If not, click here to check it out. This article is all about the things you can do to get kids excited for a trip to Washington DC before you go. If you want to read about what you should do once you are there, read my article about how to have a fun trip to Washington DC with tweens and teens. Nourishing Tweens is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I only recommend things that I truly like and would use myself. If you click through my links and make a purchase, there is no additional charge … [Read more...]
The Best Tasting Gluten-Free Products for Picky Kids
Our favorite gluten-free products My daughter has a gluten sensitivity. She can eat a little wheat and be okay, but if she has it too often, she gets stomach aches and feels crummy. Unfortunately...her favorite foods are pasta, mac and cheese, and bagels! Uh oh! And on top of wanting to eat all carbs all the time, she also is very picky. You can't just make any old substitution and expect her to eat it. She won't take, "isn't this good enough?" as an argument. Needless to say, this has resulted in years of trial and error, not to mention stress on her poor mama. I have worked to create recipes that please her, and you will find lots of those on my website. For example, I have perfected gluten-free banana muffins and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. There will definitely be more of those to come! But sometimes a mama needs a break from cooking, or needs some gluten-free products to round out a meal. Today I want to share with you the best tasting gluten-free … [Read more...]
How to Spring Clean When You Don’t Really Feel Like It
Spring is here! Time to do some spring cleaning! Whether you are a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, it is hard to find time to keep your house in order. I've got some easy tips for spring cleaning for busy moms, so if you need some help with how to spring clean, read on! Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. It will not affect your price. I am not an expert homemaker. I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost fifteen years now, and I am still learning, growing, and improving myself. Like I tell you on my about me page, one of the purposes of my website is to do research on stuff and then share what I learn with you. I have spent a lot of time trying to get better at homemaking over the years. So my focus today is how to spring clean, and I can't wait to share with you what I have learned! Decluttering First things first - get the stuff you don't need out … [Read more...]
Raising Resilient Kids With a Growth Mindset
Part two of two Mental health issues are on the rise in our society, among everyone, including tweens and teens. I recently attended an event for parents looking for solutions to these issues that featured Dr. Dan Peters, Ph.D., who is a psychologist, author, co-founder and Executive Director of the Summit Center in Walnut Creek, California. He focused on the need to raise resilient kids. Please click here to read Part One of this article. Resilient kids are successful kids! Facing adversity leads to resilience As I said in part one, kids need adversity. In other words, they need problems. This may sound crazy, but hear me out. Many parents are tempted to save their kids from every tricky situation. We see parents problem-solving for their children on the playground, calling teachers or coaches to fix issues without the child's input. Clearly, we have to help them when they are little, but as they get older, we need to help them gain independence and learn to … [Read more...]
Gluten-free Oatmeal Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies
Oh my gosh, chocolate chip cookies chocolate chip cookies CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!! Just thinking about them makes my mind go a little wonky and I'm having a hard time concentrating because shouldn't I be eating chocolate chip cookies?!?!? Nourishing Tweens is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I only recommend things that I truly like and would use myself. If you click through my links and make a purchase, there is no additional charge to you. Oatmeal chocolate butterscotch cookies Alright, chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. To be more specific, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. Wait, oatmeal chocolate chip with butterscotch chips and walnuts. THOSE are my favorite. So that is what I made here. But you can adjust them how YOU want them to be - maybe without the nuts (what, are you crazy?!? … [Read more...]
20 Quirky Books for Tweens
Does your tween enjoy books that are a bit unexpected? Do they like eccentric characters? Do they have a weird sense of humor? Then this list of quirky books for tweens has what you need! Nourishing Tweens is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I only recommend things that I truly like and would use myself. If you click through my links and make a purchase, there is no additional charge to you. Our family is a bit quirky. A little weird. We have a goofy sense of humor, and we love imaginative books that maybe "think outside the box." As a book lover and former teacher, one of my favorite parts of parenting is going to the library and helping my kids to choose books. Every book on this list is one my son or daughter has read, so let me know if you have questions! This list is appropriate for 4th-8th graders, depending on … [Read more...]
How to Help Your Kids Become More RESILIENT
Part one of two Nourishing Tweens is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I only recommend things that I truly like and would use myself. If you click through my links and make a purchase, there is no additional charge to you. It is well-known that kids in today's society are having mental health issues. Depression, stress, and anxiety are all increasing. For some tweens and teens, the problem gets so out of hand that they self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, or they harm themselves and can even become suicidal. These issues are complicated and may have multiple causes. How can you help your kids? Where can you start? One thing you have the power to do is to help your kids become more resilient. I attended a presentation by Dr. Dan Peters, Ph.D., who is a psychologist, author, co-founder and Executive Director of the … [Read more...]
