Every week I go to the library and check out about 15 children’s books to read at night to my children.  Well this week, one of the books, Silly Billy by Anthony Browne, had a big impact, quite by accident, with our family.  This book is about a little boy who worries a lot.  His grandmother gives him some worry dolls to put under his pillow.  The story explains that you are suppose to give each doll one of your worries and they will do the worrying for you while you sleep. When we were done reading, my son asked me if we could make some worry dolls.  This surprised me. I asked him if he worried about things and he said he did.  I had no idea he worried and of course this worried me.  You know how us moms can be, I flew into a panic that my son had anxiety issues.  After I calmed down, we all agreed to make worry dolls the next day.  Read the rest of this post...

My son is a thumb sucker.  I did not know how to get him to stop and what damage it may create.  I asked our pediatric dentist his opinions on this subject.  He told me that the critical ages for stopping is 5 and 6.  Before and after these ages it can be much more difficult to stop.

I explained to my son that he would be starting Kindergarten and it would not be good to suck his thumb in front of his friends.  He seemed to understand the social ramifications of this habit.  He stopped sucking his thumb whenever someone was around but, when he was in his car seat, watching TV and at night time, he was still sucking.  I would try to remind him, but I did not push too hard.  Read the rest of this post...

Hiking has always been an enjoyable pastime for me and my husband.  We were so excited to have our boys get out and enjoy nature on the trail.  It wasn’t that hard when they were little, just pop them in the Björn or Kelty carrier and remember to bring enough diapers, a bottle, extra clothes and a hat.  Other than the stops required to use the “baby” supplies, our hiking range and style didn’t change that much from our pre-kid days.  But once our aching backs let us know that the boys had outgrown the carriers, our hiking style would alter dramatically.  Read the rest of this post...

Yesterday, I prepared to submit my first official post for Five Hens.  I had planned on sharing some amazing lunchbox tips for kids going back to school after discovering the “bento mentality” last Spring.  Food just looks pretty and appetizing in these contraptions once you get the hang of it.  Sorry for the delayed gratification.  But who moved my cheese?!  Read the rest of this post...