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Simple and Fun Screen-Free Activities for Little Kids When You're Stuck Inside

These are screen-free activities, not because I have ANYTHING against screen time. I just wanted to provide some alternatives for when your kids need a break from Disney+. I will be writing another blog post with my favorite at-home activities involving technology or a screen, so stay tuned for that!

Most of these activities are free or fairly cheap. They don’t require much (if any) prep work on your part. And hopefully, you can get the kids started, then sneak away to do something for yourself. Feel free to add more suggestions in the comments!

Motherhood, FamilyEmily KrauseMarch 26, 2020activities for kids, parenting tipsComment

Tips for Getting Your Kids to Sleep in A Hotel Room

After staying in multiple hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and friends’ and family’s houses with our three kids ages 1, 3, and 5 this year, we’ve got some great strategies that have worked for getting our kids to sleep away from home. Maybe they’ll help you out, too!

TravelEmily KrauseOctober 31, 2018travel tips, hotel tips, parenting tips, toddler travel tips Comment

Why You Should Travel with Your Kids Even Though It's Kind of A Pain

So why do people do it? Why do we keep subjecting ourselves to the trials and tribulations of air travel and long road trips with our tiny dictators who leave destruction and lots of crumbs in their wake? Why do we open ourselves up to disrupting routines and sleep schedules?

It's because the reward is so great. The return on our investment is huge. Yes, travel with kids is tough, but the growth you will see in your children and in yourself makes every sleepless night and transportation nightmare totally worth it.

Motherhood, TravelEmily KrauseSeptember 11, 2018travel tips, parenting tipsComment

how to make a chore chart for little kids

This past year, my oldest was in half-day preschool, which meant that we had to be out the door every day around 12:15. Yes. I had to get three kids ages 0, 2, and 4 out the door right at lunchtime and perilously close to nap time.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseJuly 27, 2018parenting tips, motherhood Comment

LILLEbaby Airflow Complete Review (or how I survived my first year as a mom of three)

By the time you have your third baby, you really don't need any new gear. We had already bought or received hand-me-downs for every swing, bouncer, and gadget a baby could want. We had a girl, then a boy, so regardless of gender our third baby would be clothed. The one thing I felt like I didn't have was a baby carrier that I absolutely loved and was comfortable enough to use for long periods of time. I had heard good things about the Lillebaby carriers and was curious about whether they would be a good fit for me.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseApril 5, 2018parenting tips, mom gear Comment

how to connect with your kids when you hate playing toys

Ah, parenthood. There's nothing more magical than watching your offspring grow into a kind, brave, and happy child. There's nothing less magical than getting on the floor and playing toys with them. As much as I love my children and acknowledge the importance of imaginative play for their development, I find it incredibly mind-numbing as an adult.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseApril 4, 2018parenting tips, activities for kidsComment

how to break the mommy martyr cycle

Being a mom is hard. I know this because I've hidden in my closet and cried hot tears of exhaustion and frustration. I know this because my body has sustained injuries, aches, and pains as a result of becoming a mother. I also know this because our culture reminds me at every turn how hard motherhood is, but how worth it!

It's all true. It's hard and also worth it.

But sometimes I fall into this trap of feeling at once self-satisfied AND indignant about everything I have suffered in the name of motherhood.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseFebruary 21, 2018motherhood, parenting tips Comment

on keeping kids quiet at church + what's in our church quiet bag

I was the perfect parent before I had kids. My kids would NEVER get snacks at church, and they would sit quietly with just a crayon or pencil for the whole service.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Needless to say, that is not my reality.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseNovember 10, 2017motherhood, parenting tips Comment