By Jessa McClure"Can we paint today, Mommy?" While the idea of colored water spilling into the grooves of our dining table and brush strokes ending up everywhere but paper makes me want to run screaming from the room, I know that letting my daughter express herself through art is a good thing.In…
By Jessa McClureIt's dinner time, and I'm once again staring down the table at my two-year-old, waiting, hoping, begging for him to take a bite. But he is skilled at this game of chicken (even though he wouldn't eat it), and he knows how to win. For a second he brings a piece of broccoli to his…
By Jessa McClureWhile the beginning of the school year can be an exciting time for many students who are looking forward to seeing friends and participating in their favorite extracurricular activities, others see the school year as another opportunity to be teased and tormented.These are the kids…
By Jessa McClureI watched family members and people I didn't know file into a room I'd never visit. None of them looked my direction as I sat in the potpourri-scented waiting room of the funeral home with my feet dangling inches from the floor. I knew my grandmother had passed away, but I didn't…
By Jessa McClureI suspect that a pink-clad character in a popular book series was part of the reason she chose it, but my little one was suddenly obsessed with soccer. She was kicking every ball we owned, pointing out soccer balls in cartoons and soon began begging to play.As a parent entering my…
By Jessa McClureDisney music shouted at us from a speaker in the ceiling, barefooted children ran circles around our bodies like they were inanimate objects, and a toddler sat crying inside of an inflatable castle. I looked down at my daughter as she surveyed the scene, and I could tell it was…
By Jessa McClureThe coffee drips slowly into your "World's Best Mom" mug. You rub your eyes and grunt a good morning to your well-rested spouse. You've been up again dealing with your preschooler who just won't go to sleep and stay asleep.Your frustration mounts each night that your child protests…
By Jessa McClure Your alarm bellows its jarring call, and as your eyes adjust to the still-dark room, you realize another day is dawning and you must get your children dressed, fed and to school before the first bell. It is a daunting task that can be a source of stress and frustration for any…
By Jessa McClurePlaying your favorite music in the car, rocking your baby to sleep and humming a tune while your child lies on your chest may seem like simple things. You are actually giving your child a head start on life by incorporating music and rhythm into their daily lives.Research shows that…
By Jessa McClure"Mommy, diaper wet." Hearing these three precious words is almost as sweet as hearing "I love you" because it means that my little one is ready to start the potty training process. Although the idea of getting rid of diapers is appealing, the idea of teaching my two-year-old how to…
