Simple life parenting: Teaching kids how to slow down

Whenever I ask fellow parents how they are, the first answer is always "busy." Parents are under a lot of pressure from work, family, school and community. It's easy to get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to live. We disconnect from spouses and kids because we're stuck in a too-fast lifestyle. We complain that kids are too busy, but they learn from our example. As we begin thinking about Advent, here are ways parents teach kids, by example, how to slow down.  Advent slow-down tips

Free Printable Advent Coloring Book

Hello again, I decided to get back on this Advent blog a little early because it never hurts to get ahead on this most wondrous of seasons. And we do our Christmas shopping early, so why not be thinking about Advent a little early? A word of advice to home school families and Catholic families- I planned my home school curriculum according to weeks of school and I followed the liturgical calendar. The first Sunday in Advent is December 2, 2012. Time flies and soon it's All Saints Day (and Catholic new year) before you know it. Be prepared. That's what Advent is all about. Here's a free printable Advent coloring book to get you started. 

Advent Devotions Week One: Expectation

Advent Week One: Expectation and the Human Condition I did a lot of creative writing when I was young. I wrote about life before I had much experience. I was naive and idealistic. Here's an advent musing from that time. Now I've lived more, but I'm still idealistic. I still have Advent hope and expectation. read more