Articles written by Claudia M. Lenart
Showing 49 Articles
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Rituals Make Families Stronger
Rituals provide a source of comfort for families. They keep traditions and family history alive and create memories and strong family bonds.
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Family Caregivers Need to Renew
When a family member takes responsibility for an elderly spouse or parent, they also need to find support, to take care of themselves and to get enough sleep.
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The Challenge of Family Caregiving
Due to medical advances, people with disease live longer, and there are more family caregivers than ever juggling responsibilities of caregiving and work.
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Take a Vacation at a Monastery or Convent
In Good Night & God Bless, author Trish Clark tells where to find unique, friendly and affordable lodging in Europe with religious orders.
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Spooky Stories That Make Kids Scream
The most fun scary stories to tell are screamers - tales that startle listeners, make them scream, laugh or both. Here are some with tips on how to tell scary stories.
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Scary Folktales and Ghost Folklore
Some of the best scary stores come from American folklore and legend and could be adapted to fit the time and place of the storytelling.
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The Best Scary Stories for Kids
Some ghost stories are classic favorites and fun to share around a campfire, during Halloween or at a sleepover. Following are some stories with scary storytelling tips.
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Clear Clogged Drain With Tide Detergent
Before calling a plumber, try using Tide powder detergent to unclog a problem drain. It can be an inexpensive way to fix a clogged sink.
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Exploring Nature With Young Children
Naturalist and Author Rachel Carson sets a good example for how adults and kids can share time outdoors, learning to appreciate the wilderness and bond with nature.
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Good Parenting Leads to Healthier Adults
Research indicates that adults who had stressful relationships with their parents in childhood are more likely to suffer from disease in midlife.
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Outdoor and Camping Stalking Games
Trailing games can help improve kids' alertness and also provide hours of fun. These games are best played in large or wooded outdoor areas and on camping trips.
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RenQuest Provides Interactive Fun for Gamers
Inspired by games like Dungeons and Dragons, RenQuest offers a live-action story with puzzles, quests, and characters at the Renaissance Faire in Bristol, Wisconsin.
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Time Travel at the Bristol Renaissance Faire
Children and adults can escape to Elizabethan England for jousting, music and theatrics at the Bristol Renaissance Faire which runs every weekend through Labor Day.
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Storytelling Builds Character, Instills Virtue
Fairy tales are important for young children as they can help them learn to cope with conflict and they provide lessons in the difference between vice and virtue.
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Where Do the Children Play? Documentary
Based on a book the Secret Spaces of Childhood, this film studies how today's children play and warns they don't have enough opportunities for free, unstructured play.
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The Best Children's Toys are Free
During tough times, parents do not need to spend lots of money on toys. Free and low-cost toys are best for children because they encourage creative open-ended play.
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Quick and Easy New Home Perennial Garden
Perennial gardens can be stunning in just a couple of years. A big budget helps, but there are cost-cutting tricks to building beautiful perennial gardens.
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Tips to Encourage Healthy Outdoor Play for Kids
Outdoor play is good for children's bodies and brains. Parents can make outdoor play a priority by taking kids hiking and providing child-friendly backyard play areas.
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Teaching Kindness to Animals
Humane Education stresses the relationship between compassion for animals, people and the planet. It shows that empathy grows.
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Harry Potter, The Exhibition on Tour
Harry Potter, The Exhibition debuts in Chicago, its only Midwest location on its U.S. tour. The display will continue for five years in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
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Making Holidays Bright for Children of Divorce
Planning ahead, communication, and flexibility can make the holidays less stressful and more joyful for children and divorced parents. Traditions can also add to the joy.
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The Power and Message of Christmas Carol
Like great art, the Christmas Carol Silent Night offers a message of beauty, peace and truth that is universally understood and can even stop a war.
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Toys that Inspire a Child's Imagination
Inexpensive gifts can be the best for children, especially open-ended toys that inspire imaginative play and encourage creative thinking.
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Violent Games Teach Children Violence
Educators are concerned that an increase in violent toys and games will lead to an increase in aggression among children and they offer suggestions for concerned parents.
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Family Games for All Ages
Griddly Games features family board games that can be played by all ages. These include baseball, hockey and Nascar games as well as educational board games.
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Understanding How Waldorf Education is Unique
Waldorf education is worldwide, yet it is not widely understood. The best way to comprehend Waldorf is by explaining how these schools differ from mainstream schools.
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Book Review: How to Be an Explorer of the World
This book shows readers and journal keepers how to use their imaginations to observe the world around them with the creative perception of an artist or scientist.
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Hike the Trail of History in McHenry Illinois
Children can experience life of the early settlers in the Northwest Territory at the Trail of History, the third weekend in October at Glacial Park in McHenry, Illinois.
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Playing Board Games Benefits Families
Chess and classic games have provided family fun for thousands of years.
Board games provide family benefits and build skills. Today there are many games to choose from.
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Sexualized Culture Hurts Girls
Pediatricians and childhood experts are concerned that a sexualized culture is leading to eating disorders, low self esteem and depression in girls.
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Birding with Children
There's no easier way to connect with nature and teach children about the natural world than birding.
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Plan a Slumber Party
Plan a party and sleepover with the help of the birthday child. Following are tips including rules, snacks and activities.
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Family Meals Benefit Teens
Studies show that family meals lead to academic success for children, healthier bodies, and fewer emotional and behavior problems.
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Best Brain Foods for Children
School-age children need to eat nutritionally balanced meals to keep their growing brains in optimum condition. Here are some of the best brain foods for kids.
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Building Creative Sandcastles
Making sandcastles and sand sculptures requires some basic tools and preparation. Sand structures also require lots of water and tight packing. These tips will help.
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Swimming Pool Games
Swimming games can make an afternoon in the pool or lake more fun for children of all ages.
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Beach Play, Activities and Games
There are plenty of activities for families at the beach, from active games to creative arts to nature observation and sand play.
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Children's Water Games
Water games are a fun way to cool off from summer's heat. There are many wet games for pools, lakes or sprinklers.
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Traditional Outdoor Kids Games
Traditional outdoor games such as tag, hide and seek and red light-green light are still fun and help children develop physical coordination and perceptual skills.
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Tips for Bonfire Storytelling
Storytelling is a great way for families to spend a summer evening, especially while gathered around a bonfire or campfire.
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Make an Easy Backyard Sandbox
Backyard sand play can creatively occupy children for hours. It's easy to make a sandbox with a raised garden bed kit, an old tire or a kiddie pool.
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Gardening Keeps Kids Healthy
Backyard gardening is a healing activity for children and adults and it helps them reconnect with nature.
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Simple Tire Swing
Recycle an old tire and make a simple vertical or horizontal apparatus for hours of outdoor fun
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Build a Wooden Tree Swing
A wooden tree swing is a great addition to any play space. It can also encourage children to spend more time playing outside, and outdoor activity provides many benefits.
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Talk to Kids About Global Warming
Children, today, may stress about global warming and the future. Help them cope with reassurance and by teaching them to make responsible environmental choices.
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Easy, Organic Garden Weeding
Piles of old newspapers are a non-toxic way to kill weeds and grass in perennial and vegetable gardens
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Nature's Toys
Gardens and backyards provide plenty of natural material to create imaginative toys for boys and girls.
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Play Dwellings and Structures
Playhouses, treehouses and other sheltered areas are a great way to encourage children to spend time close to nature.
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A Natural, Backyard Play Space
Creating a natural and inviting backyard will encourage children to spend more time outdoors learning and engaging in imaginative play.
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