Short Reads – Bethanne Kim

Gift Guide: DO Something

You aren’t likely to go wrong with the classics like flowers and breakfast in bed, and if she doesn’t like those you almost certainly already know. But there is something I suspect would make most women happy that most never put on a gift list: finish something on their honey-do list. If she has been […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 9, 2022

Featured Fun and Games Short Reads

Cardboard Castles for Kids and Cats

Cardboard boxes. In our home, they are like some kind of fungus that reproduces and spreads everywhere when no one is looking. The adults try to recycle them as fast as possible but the kids and cats want to keep them. What’s a parent to do? Turn them into cardboard castles! If you have large […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 9, 2022

Featured Fun and Games Short Reads

Cards Against Humanity and Teens

I don’t know if you’ve seen or heard about this card game but “Cards Against Humanity” is billed (on the box) as “a party game for horrible people.” Our teen wants this game and he’s not alone in that. There is no chance – zero – of us giving it to him as shipped but […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 9, 2022

Family Featured Short Reads

The Kindness Challenge

Some kids were seemingly born kind. Then there’s the other 98%. The organization Kids for Peace has a Kindness Challenge. The goal is to simply be kinder to those around us. I love the idea! See what your family can come up with or try one of these suggestions. Compliment someone. Talk to someone who looks lonely. Do […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 9, 2022

Featured Short Reads

Then and Now: Used Bookstores

When was the last time you went to a used bookstore? My parents took me to them all the time when I was a kid because they “couldn’t afford to buy all my books new.” Their words, not mine. At some point, probably when I moved to a big city and wasn’t reading as much, […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 1, 2022

Featured School Short Reads

Quirk Books: Help for Reluctant Readers?

I had a post partway written that I was trying to finish for tomorrow. Then I decided to check other books by the publisher of a book I just finished, Night of the Living Trekkies. I wanted to buy every single one I saw in their “fiction” section, and that just doesn’t happen to me. I […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 1, 2022

Featured Short Reads

Late Summer Gardening with Kids

As summer is drawing to a close, parents start to want to toss their kids out. Not to anywhere in particular, just away. Anything to stop the bickering, the fussing, and the “I’m bored” comments. It isn’t just you. At the same time, our bank accounts start screaming from the pain of vacations, camps, back […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 1, 2022

Family Featured Short Reads

How To Have Cheap, Fast, Easy Romantic Staycation

It’s no secret, getting away with kids can be so much work (and luggage) that it’s easier to just stay home, and getting away for a romantic weekend with your beloved can be twice that much work. The simple (and affordable) answer is a romantic staycation. You won’t even need a babysitter. Getting Ready Do […]

Bethanne Kim 7 years agoFebruary 9, 2022

Ages and Stages Family Featured Short Reads

Stranger Danger: Who to Ask For Help

We all know to teach kids about “stranger danger” when they are little, but do they really know what to do if they need help and they can’t find someone they know and trust? Telling them to “find help” is really easy, but actually talking to an adult and asking them for help is not […]

Bethanne Kim 8 years agoFebruary 9, 2022

Featured Health and Wellness Short Reads

Building Good Dental Habits

Just lay the foundation. That’s all you can do. Do our kids have great technique with brushing and flossing? Honestly, do any kids? My goal has been to make sure they at least brush morning and night and floss every now and then, maybe use some mouth wash. Since they don’t have a lot of cavities, […]

Bethanne Kim 8 years agoFebruary 9, 2022