Are your children aware that a New Hampshire woman, Sarah Josepha Hale, was responsible for Thanksgiving becoming a national holiday? 
Yes, the first Thanksgiving, from which this  holiday of thankfulness originated, took place in Plymouth, MA.
However, it wasn’t celebrated nationally until Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book,” decided that Thanksgiving should become a national holiday. She initiated a campaign to have a day in late fall set aside for us to give thanks for our harvests and many blessings.
From 1846 to 1863, she wrote letters to presidents, governors, and any influential people she could think of. Many …read more

“I’m bored.  There’s nothing to do,” so many kids exclaim when they don’t have access to electronics or parents restrict the hours they’re on computers, video games, wii, playstation and others.
We as parents and grandparents can do much top open up a non-electronic world to supplement the electronic experiences.

Science experiments
Hikes
 Nature walks nearby
Arts and crafts
Acting out books and stories
Family fun nights
Family cooking competitions
Reading aloud
Storytelling

I think of the pleasures of my childhood and my daughter’s before there were so many electronics.  Recapture this family fun and closeness as we interact together.
What do you and your family do that’s non-electronic?

My niece recently told us about her two teen sons preparing supper.
The kitchen filled with smoke and the meal wasn’t gourmet by any means. However, as my daughter (her cousin) responded, “At least they tried! That was something.”
Perhaps the boys will give another try if Mother is patient, She’ll have kitchen helpers and sons who can prepare their meals when they’re on their own. Also, my niece will have this as one of those memories to share in years to come.
Why not write down some of these memories about your cooking and your children’s attempts? Also, compile memories about family gatherings and …read more

The old saying, “Smile and the whole world smiles with you,” does have some truth to it. 
Do you ever notice how children respond to a smile?  Even a baby who, you think, is too young to really notice people.  Smile, and so often the child will smile back at you, perhaps wave its arms and make sounds if it hasn’t learned, “Hi.”
I’ve often wondered what’s in the power of a smile that a tiny tot will respond.  What  if your whole family begins to smile?  What would that mean to the attitude of your home?
It’s difficult to be angry if …read more

Today is Veterans Day in the U.S.  Do our children know what it really means, in addition to a day off from school, parades and flags? 
Do they realize that without the veterans’ service for our country, from the Revolutionary War forward, we might not be enjoying the freedoms we have today?
Have you researched the veterans in your family heritage and shared this with your children?  Some of us have ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War and other wars to the present.
So…many thanks to all those, including my husband, who have served and are serving so that we might have our freedom and …read more

In response to my post, Do Families Become Closer in Tough Times?, Stephanie responded by sharing her family’s activities.  
We love family hikes. We live near mountains right now, so heavy duty hiking is only a short drive, but even the neighborhood does well for everyday walking.
We need to get into the habit of more family game nights. The kids are getting old enough to really enjoy them.
This got me thinking about the heritage of fun and closeness and memories Stephanie and her family are creating.  We have fond memories of activities, during tough times, with our daughter and grandchildren.  They were …read more

Today’s economic times have put stress on many families financially and emotionally.  Does struggling and solving problems together bring families closer together? 
 Are there activities they can do that don’t cost a great deal of money?
My husband and I grew up in homes where struggling and working together on farms was a normal part of our childhood.  However, many happy memories have resulted.
We went through periods of difficulties when our daughter was growing up, but learned to enjoy many simple pleasures with love and laughter.  Now in our multigenerational household, we find solace in working together.
What can families do?

Pitch in with …read more

Do you know your grandchildren are watching you? That what you say and do set an example?
Just as they learn (good and bad) from parents, they also learn from grandparents.   So it’s difficult to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
We also continue to influence youngsters long after ours are grown, especially when we have frequent contact with our grandchildren.  So how do you want you want your grandchildren to resemble you?
This doesn’t mean “spoil” them or compete with other grandparents, Be yourself, but be consistent with what you say and do and teach regarding:

Honesty
Loyalty
Clean language
Good health habits
Self-sufficiency
Finances
Relationships with …read more

As more and more people (children and adults) use text messaging as a means of communication via their cell phones, will we find that correct spelling becomes obsolete?
Many young people use numbers and letters (4 instead of for, u for you) to speed up the process so they often don’t remember the correct spelling.
Adults also have developed this trend, and I find myself (as a teacher, author and English minor) doing the same.  However, most adults have learned to correctly spell.  Many youngsters have not, so they begin to substitute the text spelling into their work at school.
Do you feel it’s …read more

Do you have “small treasures” made by children and grandchildren that you’ve saved over the years?  Do these take on special significance for you?
 I’ve saved a number of these and find the memories joyful.  ONe is a pincushion my daughter made by herself and gave me as a surprise Christmas gift when she was about eight years old. Even though she’s grown with a daughter in college, I still use this and treasure it.
My daughter has Christmas ornaments her son and daughter made in art class in elementary school.  Each year she puts them out for display.
There are other items …read more