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dr. seuss's birthday
Family

5 Fun Ways To Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

Dr. Seuss’s birthday is March 2nd and in the U.S. we now call this day “National Read Across America” day. Every year this day is set aside as a national reading celebration in which schools and communities bring kids together to read and bring awareness to the power of reading. It’s no coincidence this day is set on the beloved children’s author’s birthday, and you can celebrate with your kids in some fun ways! Keep reading for some cute ways to say “happy birthday” to Dr. Seuss.

dr. seuss's birthday

Source: ItsyBitsyFoodies.com

1. Make Green Eggs & Ham

Green eggs and ham is the most iconic of all Dr. Seuss foods, and fun to boot. There’s actually a variety of ways to eat green eggs and ham, even if the thought of dyed eggs gives your kids the willies. Check Pinterest for fun cookies, pretzel bites, avocado deviled eggs and more ideas.

Head to ItsyBitsyFoodies.com for an easy and tasty way to whip up some green eggs and (non-green) ham.

dr. seuss's birthday

Source: LittleBinsForLittleHands.com

2. Play Stack The Cat’s Hat Seuss STEM Game

Don’t just read Dr. Seuss, pair it with fun STEM activities too! This Stack the Cat’s Hat game uses just two sized of cups and some construction paper, things you might already have on hand. Let your kids try and see how high they can stack the cups (with and without the paper), and help them learn about gravity and stability too.

Check out this activity and more at LittleBinsForLittleHands.com.

dr. seuss's birthday

Source: TheSeasonedMom.com

3. Make Truffula Trees

If your littles love The Lorax, they’ll clamor to make some of their own Truffula trees. Made from pipe cleaners, sparkly pom poms and some play dough, this is the perfect for younger Dr. Seuss fans to enjoy the day. And of course, be sure to read the book when they’re done playing!

See the easy details of this craft at TheSeasonedMom.com.

dr. seuss's birthday

Source: ANightOwlBlog.com

4. Make Cat In the Hat Hats

The most famous hat in the world NEEDS to be crafted on Dr. Seuss’s birthday! While this particular version may require some adult supervision, it’s the definitely the cutest one we’ve found. Some paper plates, paper and paint are the main supplies needed. Don’t forget your copy of the Cat In The Hat too!

Check out the full instructions for making your own at ANightOwlBlog.com

dr. seuss's birthday

Source: Amazon.com

5. Read Your Favorite Dr. Seuss Book!

Whether you’re a one fish, two fish or Lorax fan, there’s a Dr. Seuss book for everyone. The best way to celebrate the author’s birthday is to sit back and relax with your kids with one (or two, or three) of his books and enjoy the magic that comes from reading. If you don’t have any books by Dr. Seuss, you can find one at your local bookstore, Amazon, Target or Walmart. They are classics that will always be in style, and more importantly will give your kids a love of reading.

 

More posts on books and reading for kids:

5 Adorable Dr. Seuss Crafts For Kids

5 Hilarious Kids Books You Need Now

Top 10 Bed Time Books Every Mom Should Read

 

dr. seuss's birthday

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books for sensitive children
KidsLittle KidPre-Teen

6 Books To Help Sensitive Children Manage Their Emotions

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

(This post contains affiliate links)

Sensitive children get a bad rep. It’s so much easier to tell them to “suck-it-up” or “rub some dirt in it” when sometimes all they need is a kind word or compassionate hug.

Having a sensitive spirit offers empathy to the world, but sometimes children with big feelings can mismanage them and be difficult to handle. So if you’re parenting a sensitive child, we want to help you nurture that quality while also preventing you from getting caught up in the sea of emotions.

One of the most important things you can do from an early age is to start talking about feelings. Name the different emotions so that kids can feel comfortable sharing with you exactly how they feel! Without understanding the concept of emotions, sensitive children can easily release their feelings in unhealthy ways such as throwing a tantrum or putting themselves in isolation.

For Kids:

books for sensitive children

1. In My Heart: A Book Of Feelings

This book is one of our favorites! It takes children on a journey through their feelings. Sometimes we make the heart an organ that only harbors joy, but this book reminds us that it is capable of feeling lots of things — and each one is okay!

books for sensitive children

2. The Way I Feel

Sometimes emotions seem to just be words. But this book walks children through ways to make sense and connect with the words! This is specifically written using fun rhymes and eye-catching illustrations.

books for sensitive children

3. The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book Of Feelings

What kid doesn’t like a pop-up book? The author of this book saw that kids learn about numbers and letters but aren’t learning the things that matter — their feelings. It’s important for children to feel safe talking to adults about things like anger, sadness, fear and more! Navigating emotions is key to a successful and fulfilling life.

For Parents:

books for sensitive children

1. The Highly Sensitive Child

Yes, we can equip the sensitive child to express his/her feelings, but it’s pointless if we as parents aren’t responding in the right way. Understanding sensitivity is important to formulate the proper response. Empathizing is the next step. This book will walk you through the highly sensitive child’s needs so you can feel better equipped.

books for sensitive children

2. Helping Your Anxious Child

Sensitive children are prone to anxiety. Maybe you are already phasing this challenge. All parents want to take away the burden of anxiety, and though we cannot always fix the “problem,” we can formulate strategies and helpful ways for our children to cope. Helping Your Anxious Child is a step-by-step guide for parents.

 

books for sensitive children

3. The Child Whisperer

This book understands that children come in all different shapes and sizes. The key to raising happy, successful, and cooperative children is to KNOW your children. There is an entire chapter in this book that talks in detail about the sensitive child. I felt so much better after reading this book and have seen positive results from implementing Carol Tuttle’s advice!

For further reading, check out these posts:

5 Signs You Have A Sensitive Child

How To Parent The Sensitive Child

 

books for sensitive children

 

Amanda Foust

Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.
Amanda Foust

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summer reading list
Inspirational

Our Top Summer Reading Picks For Moms

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

(This post contains affiliate links.)

So many of us are looking for book recommendations — especially during the summer months when reading may be the only break we get. One of the most common questions (not kid-related) that I hear among moms is “What book should I read next?” Reading is something we want to do when we can find the time, but being “kid focused” 100% of the time, it’s hard to know what books to grab! We have limited time, so we don’t want to waste any with a book we don’t enjoy.

So we put together a list of 10 book suggestions for this summer! Some encourage mamas while others tell stories that take you away from that role for a bit.

1. The Broken Way

Ann Voskamp is a beautiful writer who wears her authentic and sincere heart on her sleeve. This book is described on Amazon as being “…for the lovers and the sufferers. For those whose hopes and dreams and love grew so large, it broke their willing hearts. This one’s for the busted ones who are ready to bust free, the ones ready to break molds, break chains, break measuring sticks, and break all this bad brokenness with an unlikely good brokenness.  You could be one of the Beloveds who is broken — and still, lets yourself be loved.” 

Brokenness doesn’t have to mean it’s over for you. Read this book to find encouragement and healing after a shattered heart.

 

2. The Magnolia Story

I have never met ANYONE who doesn’t love Chip and Joanna. I’m sure these types of people exist, but they are in the minority! I was so excited to see that this couple came out with a book about their story. They are a couple that holds strongly to commitment and faith within their marriage and have used their fame for good. I guarantee that this book will bring a smile to your face in between episodes of Fixer Upper.

 

3. Into The Water

This literary novel is similar to The Girl On A Train in its suspense. Amazon said, “Paula Hawkins delivers an urgent, twisting, deeply satisfying read that hinges on the deceptiveness of emotion and memory, as well as the devastating ways that the past can reach a long arm into the present.” 

 

4. The Magic Of Motherhood

“The Magic of Motherhood celebrates your life as a mom—the good stuff, the hard stuff, and everything in between.”

I can go on and on about this book. I’m always looking for stories of motherhood so I can say “me too” and feel less alone. This book is written by several authors from the Coffee + Crumbs blog — all with different experiences they share about motherhood. It’s real, raw, and supplies my daily encouragement with each story.

 

5. Long Days Of Small Things

All mamas can relate to the mundane, everyday tasks we have to do to stay afloat. Each day we are in survival mode — another meal prepared, dish cleaned, and nose wiped. We have a lot of long days of small things. This book is so relatable and changes a mother’s perspective on her role.

“God sees you. He designed this parenting journey, after all. He understands the chaos of motherhood. And he joins you in everything―whether you’re scrubbing the floor, nursing a fussy newborn, or driving to soccer practice. Catherine McNiel invites you to connect with God right here, in the sacred mundane of every mothering moment.”

 

6. Small Great Things

This is a story of racial injustice in America. An African American nurse is told by white supremacists she is not allowed to touch their child. After being alone with the child and hesitating to give CPR because of the parent’s instructions, the story spirals into one that challenges race and prejudice and dives into cultural differences.

“With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers.”

 

7. And Still, She Laughs

I first heard about this book through a podcast. Kate Merrick was telling the story of losing her daughter to cancer. It’s one of those stories you can’t imagine and you never forget. There isn’t much worse you could go through in life than losing a child. But through her faith, Kate has found a way to continue living with joy even among her brokenness.

“And Still She Laughs reveals the secret to finding hope in the midst of devastation. In the end, no matter what hardships we face, we can smile, cry, and come away full—laughing without fear and eagerly looking for what is to come.”

8. Present Over Perfect

Shauna Niequist was burned out and sick and tired of the busy, perfectionist lifestyle she was leading. She decided to dive into a life of being intentional and present. The author shares vulnerable stories within her writing that challenges the reader to a simpler life.

“Present Over Perfect is a hand reaching out, pulling you free from the constant pressure to perform faster, push harder, and produce more, all while maintaining an exhausting image of perfection.”

9. I Let You Go

I read this book on a vacation and can barely tell you about the vacation as I was so captivated by the story! I love the suspense and mystery found in this book. Oh, and be prepared for the twist at the end — I’ll stop now so I don’t give it away!!

 

10. Warrior Mamas

We had to throw in one of our own! This is the Life As Mama two-week devotional that’s a must-read for summer! If you made it through the defiant toddler years or even the rebellious teenage years, you know what it means to be a warrior mama! But what does it mean to be a warrior for Christ? Not because He needs you fighting for Him because I think we can all agree God is strong enough to handle Himself, I’m talking about being a warrior to protect yourself and your family from the spiritual darkness that wants to secretly seep into your life — making you question yourself as a woman and as a mother. Read for spiritual depth and substance and grab your armor to become a Warrior Mama.

Tell us in the comments what books we should add to our summer reading list!

summer reading list

Amanda Foust

Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.
Amanda Foust

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BabyKids

“Lost My Name” Book & Fantastic Firsts Product Review

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

Lost My Name

My daughter has always been a avid reader. We introduced books to her right away, and included them into her bedtime routine from just 8 weeks old. Some of my absolute favorite memories is when she would grab a book and climb into my lap for a story. Heck, reading is still one of our all time favorite things to do together. Recently she has been learning the alphabet and starting to show interest in writing her name, so our Lost My Name Book could not have come at a better time. She loves that the little girl in the story is her and she especially loved all the characters she “meets” on the way.

Lost My Name

Lost My Name

Lost My Name

The idea behind the story is the character, modeled after your little one, looses their name and goes on and adventure to find it. Not only is the story full of fun characters to meet and tons of adventure, I love that it is educational. It teaches our children letters and how to spell their name. The best part is when they “find” their name at the end of the book. As you can see from the photo below, my kiddo was pretty excited about it!

Lost My Name

It makes reading fun, especially for those kiddos who don’t naturally love to read. Not only do they have their original Lost My Name book, but they also have the The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home book and the Kingdom of You book. All of which are personalized to each one of your kids. These adorable books would make such thoughtful gifts and a great addition to your own kids book collection. All of their books come in a variety of languages and are packaged beautifully.

Lost My Name

Another fave in our home are their Fantastic Firsts Cards. Since my baby boy was born I have been deciding how to track his first year and we absolutely fell in love the fantastic first cards by Lost My Name. Something different about these compared to other baby milestone cards, is that each one is personalized with his name. They also have space on the back to write notes you don’t want to forget. Not only are the age cards included, but also other big milestone that take place in that first year like; first smile, first tooth, rolling over, walking and so much more. I don’t always have time to sit down and write everything down in a baby book, so grabbing a card and capturing a quick photo is just the perfect way to remember all those fleeting firsts. I can’t wait to make a collage out of all his “first photos” for his birthday!

fantastic firsts

 

fantastic firsts

fantastic firsts

fantastic firsts

If you have a friend expecting a baby and know their little ones name a set of these Fantastic First cards would be a sweet and personal shower gift. Lost My Name also have some other fun products on their site which your kids would be sure to love!

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BabyReviews

Supported in Breastfeeding: Stories of Nourishing Wisdom | Book Review

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Natural, essential, beautiful, and inspiring. The simple, yet powerful act of breastfeeding is about thousand things all rolled into one. For some mothers, choosing to breastfeed is a monumental experience, and for others, it is as easy an act as breathing in and out.

There are a lot of politics surrounding breastfeeding these days. The where, when, why, and how’s can become muddled. Unconsciously shaping a mother’s opinions and decisions.

My own breastfeeding journey was a tumultuous one, filled with tears from both me and my son, as well as countless sleepless nights, and hours on the phone with every mother I was at all close with. While my decision to alternate between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding was ultimately decided by my baby’s own needs and preferences, I like to think that my journey was just as important as any other mothers.

Source: Serenity Grows

As an avid reader, and the owner of a shiny new Kindle, I’m always on the lookout for great books. Sometimes that means literary classics or sappy romance novels and other times it means beautiful, heartwarming, books filled with incredibly moving tales of love, perseverance, and motherhood.

Which is why Supported in Breastfeeding: Stories of Nourishing Wisdom by Maranda Bower, was the perfect read for me. I’ll admit, it took me a while to get through this book. Normally when this happens, it is because of waning interest in the storyline. With Supported in Breastfeeding, it was the exact opposite.

The author, Maranda Bower, is an amazing birth and postpartum educator who, along with telling her own story, has invited a multitude of women with different experiences to tell their own tales.

Made up almost entirely of a series of beautiful and incredibly real essays by mothers detailing their breastfeeding experiences, I found it almost impossible not to fall in love with this book.

Supported in Breastfeeding is incredibly diverse. While it’s true that all of the stories detail breastfeeding in some form or other, no essay is the same. Even if their experiences are similar, each mother pens her tale in such a gorgeously unique way that each essay is a completely new experience.

Source: Serenity Grows

While almost all of the essays in the book detail the all too relatable struggles that come along with breastfeeding, every single one of them leaves you with an almost overwhelming sense of hope and unity.

My experience with Supported in Breastfeeding was one that I won’t soon forget. It made me laugh, cry, and even pump my fist into the air a few times. It has been a while since I have been so moved by a book that I dreaded the fact that it was going to end. I’m sure, if given the chance, I could have read on forever. Reveling in the quiet strength and beauty of motherhood and drawing endless inspiration from all the brave mamas and their emotional stories.

I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. Pregnant women, new mothers, and those a bit more seasoned. Finding something moving and inspiring in this book is about as easy as pie.

You can purchase Supported in Breastfeeding: Stories of Nourishing Wisdom on Amazon

You can also find more information on the book and the author Maranda Bower at Serenity Grows

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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FamilyInspirational

7 Parenting Books Every Parent Should Read

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Parenting books never seem to shy away from the good, the bad, the ugly, and the downright hilarious things about being a parent. Whether you’re reading an anecdotal memoir or an inspiring how-to, books are a fantastic way to learn new things, take in thought-provoking ideas, and laugh at the relatable but slightly awful things most parents don’t want to admit. Parenting books are full of great advice but they also give parents, both new and old, a way to feel connected with all of their fellow parents out these. Some of the books on this list are funny, some of them are most fact-based, but all of them are absolutely amazing.

(This post contains affiliate links)

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1. NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

Named “one of the most influential books about children ever published,” NurtureShock tackles the subject of child rearing with facts, statistics, and revolutionary insights. This book takes science-backed theories about why many modern parenting theories, ranging from early private school attendance to sibling relationships, may be adversely affecting our children. NurtureShock is irreverent, factual, and incredibly thought-provoking. Even if it doesn’t immediately inspire you to change up your parenting techniques, it will definitely give you a lot to think about.

Buy the book on Amazon.

 

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2. Daddy Needs A Drink by Robert Wilder

Don’t let the title of this book fool you, this dad totally loves his kids, he just expresses it in a ridiculously hilarious way. Daddy Needs A Drink is less of a parenting guide or a book filled with tips and more of a hilarious personal anecdote filled piece filled with lessons you can totally learn from. From the struggle to finding the perfect baby name to dealing with public toddler tantrums, this book will make you feel loads better about that glass of wine (or two) you need at the end of your day.

Head over to Amazon to find this book.

 

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3. The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell

A huge part of being a parent revolves around ensuring that your child knows just how much you love them. As adults, we understand that love shows itself in ways that have nothing to do with words but our children often times need to be shown in more overt ways. The 5 Love Languages Of Children expertly teaches parents how to figure out their child’s “love language” then instructs them on how to accurately and consistently express that love. This book helps us understand just how different every child is when it comes to love. We especially recommend it if you have more than one child.

Get this book on Amazon.

 

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4. What Every 21st Century Parent Needs To Know by Debra W. Haffner

Whether you’re a Gen-Xer or a Millennial parent, raising a child in the 21st century has its own set of challenges that may seem drastically different than the ones your parents faced while raising you. What Every 21st Century Parent Needs To Know acknowledges the unique concerns that modern parents have about child rearing. From screen time, to fast food, to faith, this book tackles all of it with research, statistics, and some much-needed insight.

Buy this book on Amazon.

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5. Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay is definitely not a book filled with expert advice, statistics, and science, but it is an incredibly funny, relatable body of work for any slightly frazzled new mom out there. In this book, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor tackles everything from Mommy and Me classes to some of the hilarity in modern mommyhood. This piece is genuine, encouraging, and downright witty. Parents new and old can learn a lot from this short essay-filled book.

Buy this book and other like it on Amazon.

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6. Nurture The Wow by Danya Ruttenberg

Parenting in spirituality go hand-in-hand in the lives of many people, but thinking of parenting as a spiritual experience in and of itself is a relatively new idea. Nurture The Wow offers parents the chance to approach parenting in all of its ups and downs with the mindset of a mindful meditation. The practices in this book may not be a perfect fit for every parent or family, but they are so interesting, well-thought out, and well researched that they make one super thought-provoking read.

Head over to Amazon to find this book.

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7. Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross

Saturdays spent in front of the television, Happy Meals, the home phone. Often times we look back and realize how much simpler things were when we were children. While there’s definitely no way we’re ready to give up our iPhones and expensive lattes anytime soon, making things a bit more simple for our children may affect them more positively than we thing. Simplicity Parenting offers the idea that parents these days should totally just chill out a bit.

Get this book on Amazon.

 

Jordyn Smith

Jordyn Smith

A city girl currently living it up in the south with my little family. I love baking, hoarding makeup, and daydreaming. If I'm not writing, I'm probably trying to think up weird pizza recipes or watching Property Brothers.
Jordyn Smith

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FunnyKids

5 Hilarious Kids Books You Need Now

by Ellice Vargas
written by Ellice Vargas

I love to read, I read everything I could get my hands on when I was a kid. I spent endless nights turning on the light after I was tucked up in bed, reading page after page. Such happy and magical moments I would love to pass on to my daughter as she grows. My husband and I have read to her and with her from a young age and now that she is 2 she has so many of her favorite books memorized that she can basically “read” the story to us herself. While I enjoy all the special times we get to spend over our mutual love for books, there are times when I think I cannot possibly read Dr. Seuss one more time. After a little hunting for some new and fun books I came across some goodies which aren’t just fun for the kiddos, but for us parents too. Check out these hilarous kids books you should definitely add to your collection.

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Source: Amazon

1. You’re Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada

We all know their is a secret war on whether our babes will say Mama or Dada first. Each parenting is rooting for their own team. Take your competition up a notch with this hilarious book by NBC’s, The Tonight Show’s host, Jimmy Fallon and find out how to get your baby’s first word to be Dada.

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Source: Amazon

2. The Gas We Pass

This boo’s humous take on an everyday and normal body function is refreshingly to-the-point and factually correct. It’s never too early to start teaching them about the body, right? Plus, it’s fun to read about something other than farm animals every once in a while.

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Source: Amazon

3. The Book With No Pictures

A kids book with no pictures, you ask? Thats exactly what I thought when I first came across it. But in fact, while it isn’t much to look at, (at all), the hilarious words and sounds the reader is forced to repeat makes this one of the silliest books I have ever read. It will be a sure hit with the kiddos.

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Source: Amazon

4. Seriously, Just Go To Sleep

While a perfectly acceptable book to read to your kiddos, the humor comes from the underlying desperate attempt for your child to go to sleep wrapped up in creative rhymes. It’s the perfect way to enjoy story time while also using Jedi mind tricks to will your child to sleep. At least thats what I like to think.

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Source: Amazon

5. Go The F**k To Sleep

The not-so-appropriate counter part to the above book, yet wildly spot on to the very real parent struggle.  I have to point out this ISN’T actually a children’s book. In fact, this book should probably be kept far way from your child’s bookshelf. But books aren’t just for kids, right? While you are picking up “Seriously, Just Go To Sleep” for you to enjoy with the kiddos, pick up a copy of this for you too. We all need to laugh (read: cry) about the struggles of parenting every now and again.

You can find all these books and more at www.amazon.com.

Ellice Vargas

Ellice Vargas

I'm a British gal and mama to one sweet daughter. I love a good DIY project, interior design and photography. When I'm not writing for Life As Mama, I'm traveling as much as I can with my little family and filling up my camera roll with snapshots of our life.
Ellice Vargas

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