As many parents are hurriedly purchasing school supplies and first-day outfits, starting to feel the pressure a new school year often brings, there are many parents who are feeling a different kind of pressure. The kind that only having one of your children begin actual school — whether they start in preschool or kindergarten — […]
Routines and rhythms are pretty easy to fall into during the school year, but once summer hits it can be challenging to get into a groove. But just like during the school year, my children do well when they know what’s coming, and they also need to learn to be flexible because things come up […]
Children don’t need much to create fantastical, magical worlds — a bed sheet can create a tent in a far-off jungle, a stick from the backyard can help ward off pirates, and a few pillows can become a bridge. As we get into the dog days of summer, I’ve been thinking about the things in […]
Summer and road trips go hand in hand, and if you have children you know you need ALL the snacks and activities to keep them entertained during long car rides (and even airplane trips). It might take a bit more planning before you hit the road, but having a few new toys or games […]
This week is the last week of school for many of us here in Texas, and I for one could not be more excited! I talked about my love of the slower days and pace of summer in this past weekend’s newsletter and how it suits our family well. But, as many parents know all […]
As a parent, you get somewhat used to hearing some of the age-old family stereotypes when it comes to siblings — brothers will fight, sisters will bicker, and so on and so on. But, what if that was the exception and not the everyday norm? As parents we can help encourage good sibling relationships by […]
If you’ve been following DoSayGive on Instagram since the beginning, you’ve likely seen my annual post with our school bus cake. I’ve been doing this since my oldest went to kindergarten — every year, the night before the first day of school, I make a school bus cake for us to share. It’s something that […]
Backpacks, lunch boxes, first day essentials and more — today I am sharing our tried and true favorites when it comes to school season along with a few tips I’ve learned along the way. Be sure to scroll through the whole list! And be sure to download our back to school checklist for parents here. […]
It’s time to start preparing for the new school year, which of course means back-to-school shopping is upon us! It’ll be a few weeks until we get school supply lists, class assignments, and all of the events begin. But now is the best time to think ahead and order any personalized items you might want […]
I am always blown away by the interest in our Classic Children’s Summer Book Club and how many families are looking for a fun and enriching summer with their children. Thank you to those of you who have joined, and for anyone who has told your friends about the book club! Today I want to […]
Our summer camp series is back with our last installment — read the first post all about Tips for Sending Children to Camp here — where we chat with Carter Breazale, camp director for Alpine Camp for Boys in Alabama. Carter’s family founded Alpine Camp for Boys more than 50 years ago, and she grew […]
I was so fortunate as a young mom to have older, more seasoned moms to look up to and ask for advice — whether it was my own mother, friends, or mentors. But as my girls got older, my desire changed from merely getting practical advice to getting wisdom — the kind of wisdom that comes from mothers […]
This is one of my favorite times of the year, when we launch our Classic Children’s Summer Book Club! What started as a fun idea has grown into an incredible, enriching, encouraging community of families across the country who are looking for intentional ways to connect with their children during the summer. And I’m so […]
I’m often asked what one piece of advice I’d give to other mothers, or those who find themselves entering into the season of motherhood for the first time. It’s such a tricky question to answer, honestly, because every family is different and has a unique situation. But what I do come back to time and […]
So much of the early years is planting in children the virtues we want to blossom over time. Love, kindness, and sincerity yield more easily when empathy is behind them. But in a very “me” centered culture, it can be a challenge to cultivate empathy in children. I find I have to be very intentional […]
We all know where to get cute party supplies (hello, Etsy!) and even the supplies that we need last-minute (hi, Amazon!), but sometimes we just need an idea to get us started. I have hosted and attended LOTS of birthday parties over the years so thought I would round up my favorite children’s birthday party […]
Last week, I shared several tips for selecting schools for the upcoming school year on Instagram. As always, our Instagram community blew me away with their words of encouragement and additional advice! Since we’re in the middle of “admission season” for private schools, and many families are considering moves to other states and evaluating different […]
If you have young children at home, we have a free February printable that is perfect to pin up during the month of February. This list has simple yet enriching activity ideas ranging from arts and crafts to sensory bins, math activities, imaginary play, and so much more. And you can easily do all of […]