Are You Taking Away Your Child’s Smile?

You already know that we love to share tips about raising kids, fun activities and our favorite kid-friendly recipes. Every week we want to share some of our favorite reads ¦ the best parenting advice from around the web. We share many viral posts on our Facebook page, but we are going to gather them here in one place, for easy access.  1.  HOW I AM TAKING AWAY MY DAUGHTER’S SMILE Sneak Peek: My life contained everything I ™d ever wished for ”a loving husband, two beautiful children, a healthy mind and body, and a safe and comfortable home. Given such desirable circumstances, one would have thought I ™d wake up every morning feeling grateful, happy, and content. But that was not the case Read more on HANDS FREE MAMA here.   2.  WHAT PREGNANCY REALLY LOOKS LIKE Sneak Peek: Pregnancy can be the most beautiful time of a woman’s life, and family photographer Danielle Guenther knows how to capture it stunningly. But she also knows that it isn’t always rosy and full of that “natural glow” everyone talks about. It’s exhausting. It’s uncomfortable. It’s even embarrassing sometimes. Read more on Pop Sugar here.   3.  HAVING ANOTHER BABY? Sneak Peek: The day after I delivered our third, I was scheduled for a tubal. My husband and I had this responsible plan laid out for months prior to my delivery. But when that day came, I burst into tears and refused to consent to the surgery. The thought that I had even agreed to this plan in the first place made me ill. My husband tried to calm me and reassured me that it was all of the hormones talking and to trust what we had decided months ago. That day, as I held my third baby in my arms, I knew right then and there that there would be a fourth. It's incredible what our maternal instincts can speak to us if we pay close attention. Read more on Kids Activities Blog  here.   4.  POTTY TRAINING IN 3 DAYS Sneak Peek: Potty training in three days is what we have done with all four of our kids. We even Potty Train in a Weekend! Yes, really! This post has become my most-viewed post and has turned my Potty Train in a Weekend Book into a best-seller, because it really can be done. Read more on Your Modern Family here.   5.    FAMILY  GAMES FOR KIDS Sneak Peek: Forget about I ™m bored! or bribing your kids to go outside. These 25 Unbelievably Fun DIY Backyard Games are all the fun family classic games your kids love, with a few special summer extras thrown in! Play everything from giant Jenga, to your very own version of Angry Birds all in the space of your backyard. Enjoy! Read more on Play Ideas here.   6.  PUNISHING CHILDREN FOR BEING HUMAN Sneak Peek: There's an excerpt from my book, The Newbie's Guide to Positive Parenting, that has been around the world. It is my most widely seen quote to date, and also happens to be the most controversial because people misunderstand it without its surrounding context. Read more on Creative Child here.   7.  THE PROBLEM WITH STRANGER DANGER Sneak Peek: Do you remember growing up and hearing all about stranger danger from mom and dad? If you are like me it probably made you paranoid as a child, as if every one was out to get you, and only those that have taken the time to get to know you and the family were safe. Read more on Beauty Through Imperfection here.