Parenting Archives – The Wild, Wild West Parenting & Teaching Blog

mom and dad getting a gift from their child for the end of the school year

4 “Gifts” for the Parent In Your Life That Just Survived this God-Awful School Year

Parenting, Sassy, Snarky, & Sarcastic Parenting Humor

It’s finally summer vacation (amen and hallelujah)! After surviving the past year of school, parents are completely wiped. Exhausted, really. It’s customary to get a gift for educators at the end of the school year, and I think that’s great. But after this highly unusual year, I think parents deserve a gift too. Here’s a …

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Childproofing and toddler proofing your home featured image of a toddler opening a cabinet

Toddler Proofing Your Home? Bahahahaha, Good Luck With That!

Parenting, parenting tips and tricks, Sassy, Snarky, & Sarcastic Parenting Humor, Simple & Sensible "Super Mom" / "Super Teacher" Ideas

If you’ve ever tried toddler proofing your home in any way, you already know that the struggle is SO real. No matter how hard you try to childproof your house (or baby proof it, or wild-maniac-proof it, for that matter), you quickly discover that it isn’t enough. You need more baby gates, more corner protectors, …

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A Thank You Letter to Coach From Parents Everywhere

Parenting, Sweet, Serious, & Sincere Parenting Reflections

Every time we end another sports season, I want to write a love letter to the coach and give them a million dollars. Since that’s not realistic, I have to settle for this thank you letter to Coach (and a gift card of waaaay less than $1,000,000). I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling this …

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4 Reasons I’m Perfectly Fine With My Kids Being Bored

Daily Life, Parenting, Simple & Sensible "Super Mom" / "Super Teacher" Ideas

Raising kids is a 24-7-365 commitment. Yes, the years pass quickly, but even still, when you add it all up, that’s A LOT of time. As a parent, it’s not my job to fill all of those hours with nonstop entertainment. Sometimes I’m perfectly fine with my kids being bored. In fact, I actually feel …

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Toddler and Preschooler washing trucks for an outside summer activity

5 Summer Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers That Are Easy AND Fun

Kids Crafts & Activities, Parenting, Simple & Sensible "Super Mom" / "Super Teacher" Ideas, summer

Summer is a fantastic time of year. Still, it can be painful if you’re hearing the words, “I’m bored” spoken (whined) constantly during summer vacation. You can avoid that with these easy and fun summer activities for preschoolers and toddlers. (Early elementary-schoolers will enjoy them too!) I have three boys, ages two, four, and seven, …

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Life lessons from a grandmother pictured with her seven children at a wedding

Lessons From 383 Years of Parenting

Grandparents, motherhood, Parenting, Sweet, Serious, & Sincere Parenting Reflections

My grandmother had seven kids in six years (no twins), and as a colonel’s wife, she spent large periods of time raising them alone. Growing up, and even in my early adult years, we would always joke, “Man, I don’t know how Nana did it!” Then all the aunts, uncles, cousins –and even Nana herself– …

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17 Funny Sleep Deprivation Stories: Exhausted Parents Share The Ridiculous Things They’ve Done

Parenting, Sassy, Snarky, & Sarcastic Parenting Humor

Doing ridiculous things while tired is essentially a rite of passage for parents. Sleep deprivation and funny sleep deprivation stories are often passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes the funny stories are shared in solidarity with new parents who are deep in the throes of new parent sleep deprivation (one of the worst kinds!). …

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