parenting your kids Archives - The Staten Island family

5 Tips To Get the Family Outdoors and Unplugged

March 26, 2020 by Melissa Chapman 15 Comments

5 Tips To Get the Family Outdoors and Unplugged Studies show that time spent on entertainment media by today's children averages more than 7 hours a day.* (*Kaiser Family Foundation Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8-to 18-Year-Olds.) That's pretty close to every minute a child isn't in school or sleeping! Are your kids starting to look like glassy eyed zombies? Are they constantly … [Read more...]

5 Ways for Parents to Bridge the Gap with their Teenagers

March 20, 2020 by Melissa Chapman 8 Comments

Having had a few years under my belt as the parent of a teenager I can say with all certainty that parenting a teenager is basically as involved--perhaps even more so- as the parenting of a toddler or tween... Hence I felt like I needed to share my thoughts with my 5 Ways for Parents to Bridge the Gap with their Teenagers. Now these almost adults are out in the world - and there is just an … [Read more...]

11 DIY Projects that Kids Can Dig their Little Hands Into!

September 28, 2019 by Melissa Chapman 15 Comments

Are you a DIY-er? If you are, there's no reason not to get your kid in on the act as well with these 11 DIY Projects that Kids Can Dig their Little Hands Into! And even if you have TWO LEFT THUMBS (LIKE ME) you don't need to be a Martha Stewartesque type to get down and dirty as a DIYer all you need is patience! #1 Painting projects are lots of fun with kids. It's not dangerous, you … [Read more...]

Four Signs You are a Slacker Mom (Like Me)

August 25, 2019 by Melissa Chapman 19 Comments

Four Signs You are a Slacker Mom (Like Me) My parenting style has definitely evolved in the 18 years I've been entrenched in motherhood. I can say with certainty that 18 years ago--after what felt like an eternity of back labor with my daughter, and me screaming at my husband to force the doctors to give me a c-section- I was a Type A mom. I sterilized everything my daughter touched. I … [Read more...]

Weight Watchers Cake Mix Cookies

June 29, 2019 by Melissa Chapman 11 Comments

So you've taken the step to get baking with your kids...A fine choice! now that you've decided to cross over to that very messy but totally worth the mess Baking with your kids threshold the first question is...What should you bake? Weight Watchers Cake Mix Cookies! For us it's a Weight Watchers recipe that is easy and one we can all enjoy! This recipe is the easiest way to Embrace the Mess and … [Read more...]