Search Results for: blog building family unity

FamilySearch has New, Free, Online Classes

What are your genealogy goals for 2012? For some genealogists, the answer to that question is that they want to take a some genealogy classes. The cost of those classes might be holding you back. Fortunately, there are some free, online, classes that are offered by FamilySearch. The start of a new year is an opportunity to make changes. It is time to make new goals, or “New Year’s Resolutions”, about what you hope to accomplish in the next twelve months. For genealogists, this could mean anything from finally starting work on a family tree, to signing up with the … Continue reading →

Building Character: Travel

What can travel teach you? One of the joys of home learning is that you can travel without the burden of a traditional school schedule on your shoulders. Visit national monuments in May? Why not? Head south of the Equator in January? Certainly! Travel is also a teacher. Through travel, children experience new places and cultures. They learn the importance of scheduling – not missing trains. They learn the importance of enjoying the moment – the opportunity to try a new food that you might never encounter again. But let’s crib off Seligman and Peterson’s Character Strengths and Virtues for … Continue reading →

What is at the Center of Your Family?

In my last blog, I wrote about Jean Liedloff’s book The Continuum Concept. Liedloff spent two years in the South American jungle with indigenous tribes, and she wrote an account of their family life. Many of her principles are also those of attachment parenting. In the book, Liedloff says that the tribal people she lived with went about their business with their babies in arms or on their backs. Babies were integrated into the social life of the tribe. Few people in my city seem to have such a tribe. I’m lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents nearby. … Continue reading →

Disney by the Bay and Other Family-Friendly Travel Attractions

Disney in San Francisco? It’s no joke. Beginning October 1st, you’ll be able to get a taste of Disney by the bay… San Francisco Bay. That’s where The Walt Disney Family Museum will be opening. The new structure, dedicated to all things Disney, will feature 10 galleries focusing on different chapters in the life of founding father Walt Disney, from his early years in Kansas City to his arrival in Hollywood in the 1920s. The museum also spotlights Mickey Mouse’s dad’s technological genius, like synchronizing sound to a cartoon. Other displays include the one-of-a-kind Oscar statuettes awarded to Snow White … Continue reading →

Home Blog Month in Review: October

As I sit here looking out my window at the backyard, the birds are hovering in the pine tree against a strong wind and steady rain. The temperature is chilly today, and the calendar reminds me that we have left October behind. October 1st Buy a Home for $1.75 It seems that the housing crisis has made some interesting news lately. Home Month in Review: September 2008 Has the weather turned cooler now that September has passed? Pretty soon, it will be time to get that heat turned back on! Meanwhile, check out all of the articles that were posted … Continue reading →

Family Travel: Tour a Massive Handbag and Sleep in a Sandcastle

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… no, it’s a massive designer handbag and it’s headed straight for New York’s Central Park. Park managers say if you stroll through the popular Big Apple green space you’ll be able to recognize it immediately. It’ll look like a cross between a spaceship and a quilted purse, which makes sense since Chanel (the makers of the famous quilted handbag) commissioned the structure. The 7,500-square-foot building, which is made out of gleaming white plastic panels, will land in New York’s Central Park on October 20 and remain there until November 9. The structure will house … Continue reading →

Family Home Evening: Working Together as a Family

This family home evening lesson is based on ways that you can help your family put the family first in their priorities and life. You may need to adapt the lesson according to your individual needs as a family. Be sure to start the lesson with a prayer and a song. You may also want to share a favorite scripture with your family. Begin your lesson by asking your family how a car works. When they explain, ask them if it would work if it were missing the engine or the fuel pump or the starter motor. Explain that each … Continue reading →

Building Your Own Community

When I wrote earlier today about how our friends and support systems can change and evolve as we move through the challenges and journey of parenting, it inspired me to think about the process of building an evolving support system for our families. Most of us have heard how important it is to have a support system and to have a good, supportive community around our families, but many of us have no idea how to go about creating that. We might think that we should be able to walk out the door, find a “community” and settle in for … Continue reading →

Meet a Families.com Blogger – Debbie Vasen!

Today our featured Families.com blogger is Debbie Vasen. Debbie, I haven’t had the chance to visit with you before now – thank you for taking the time to join me. I’m excited to get to know you better. How long have you blogged for Families.com? I started around May of 2007, so about nine months. What topics do you blog about? Currently, I just blog about Money. What is your favorite thing about blogging for Families.com? From a writer’s standpoint, I like that it keeps me writing every day. As far as the Families website goes, I love the connection … Continue reading →

Home means Community too

How involved are you and your family in your community? Are you aware of the attributes in area and do you utilize the resources or amenities that are available? Many people don’t realize how much even the smallest community has to offer. It may be as simple as a great family owned restaurant that features home cooking and Mom’s secret recipe dessert, or it may be something historic such as landmark buildings or a museum. We should also ask ourselves what we have to offer our communities. Can we volunteer our time or donate items to a good cause? Many … Continue reading →