Training Wheels Needed

Training parents about all things preschool and kids aged 18 months–5 years

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Family

7 Steps for Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family

May 15, 2022 by Rachel Raybin 1 Comment

Pets are a big responsibility. Bringing a furry (or feathered or scaly) critter into your home means feeding and taking care of another being for a long time, sometimes decades. It’s a big commitment. So choosing which pet is right for your family, be it dog or cat or a tank full of fish, is…

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Food & Nutrition

5 Kid-Friendly Soups for Winter

December 28, 2021 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

Meal planning with little ones, who are notoriously picky eaters, can be frustrating when you’re trying to serve healthy food, especially in the winter when fresh fruits and vegetables are at a minimum. Soups are a great way to pile in the nutrition while making mealtime a slurpy adventure. Plus they’re comforting and make use…

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Christmas & Hanukkah

The Presents of Christmas Past

December 26, 2021 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

I remember the Christmas tree standing proudly in front of the living room window for all the world to see. I don’t remember if it was real or artificial, flocked or natural, but to my five-year-old eyes it was beautiful. Shining silver tinsel hung from the branches, and colored lights adorned the tree. Today’s standards…

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Christmas & Hanukkah

10 Christmas Cookies Kids Can Help Make

December 10, 2021 by Rachel Raybin 2 Comments

Lots of experts say getting your kids to help you in the kitchen is a surefire path to getting them interested in healthy eating. The same is true of making cookies — without all the cajoling and vegetable disguise, of course. But even if you’re just baking up a sugary confection with your kids, the…

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FamilyDivorce Who Gets the Kids on the Holidays

Divorce: Who Gets the Kids on the Holidays?

November 10, 2021 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

The fall/winter holiday season is the craziest time of year. And the chaos is magnified in families of divorce. With all the factors of schedules, preferences and work between two families, deciding who gets the kids for the holidays can be difficult. Kids can’t be split in half,  so follow some simple rules to keep everyone happy…

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Family

Get Your Kids To Eat Kale

February 18, 2016 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

We’re all still thinking about those healthy eating resolutions come February, even if we’ve slacked a bit in the actually doing it part, and greens – like collards, turnips, spinach, and kale – are some of the best foods you can eat for health. They’re full of vitamins, low calorie, good for digestion, and you…

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Holidays

Top Valentine’s Episodes and Movies for Families

February 11, 2016 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

When you’re in the daily slog with little kids, it can be easy to forget the fun and sweetness that should come with a holiday like Valentine’s Day. One way to take a breath and share some quality family time together is to watch holiday movies or special Valentine episodes of your favorite kids’ shows….

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Groundhog Day

5 Fun Groundhog Day Crafts and Activities for Kids

February 2, 2016 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

When it comes to holidays, the mystery and fun of a chilly Groundhog Day is a bright spot in slushy, wet February. Will the furry little groundhog see his shadow, spelling six more weeks of wintery weather, or will he emerge to cloudy skies and imminent warmer temperatures? Groundhog Day is a quick holiday, without…

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Education

Helping Your Child Learn About Race

January 15, 2016 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

Race and ethnicity have been major topics in the news lately, from the Black Lives Matter movement to political candidates’ comments about immigration. Chances are, your kiddo has heard at least some of this and may have some questions. Teaching your child about race can be a daunting task, especially since we adults still have…

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Holidays

Making Resolutions That Stick (For Kids!)

January 6, 2016 by Rachel Raybin Leave a Comment

There’s something about New Year’s Eve that makes us want to create resolutions (that something may be alcohol), and sometimes we hit on goals that sound good even in the clear light of day. However, your kids aren’t likely to spontaneously decide to make any New Year’s Resolutions, no matter how much sparkling grape juice…

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About the Author

Rachel holds a BS in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Innovative and academically forward in her successful “Mommy and Me” curriculum and interactive birthday parties, Rachel was encouraged by her large following of dedicated parents and their children to develop a preschool program. Read More...

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