Mama Drama: Potty Training On The Go
September 3, 2010 – 7:00 am | No Comment

Dear Mama Drama:
My two year old is potty training and has moved into wearing “big girl panties.” I am freaked out about taking her out of the house because I’m afraid she’ll have an accident and will become too discouraged. How can I take her out and help her to be successful?
~ Stuck in the [...]

Read the full story »
Activities

Check out Denver’s warm-weather guide to activities, craft ideas, Steve Spangler Science experiments, Colorado camp information and so much more!

Events

Stay in the know of family-friendly Colorado events with our weekly event round-up.

Family Travel

Utah has just a few things going for it: Park City Mountain Resort, the world’s largest display of mounted dinosaurs at Thanksgiving Point and more!

Mama Drama

Need advice on how to handle parenting challenges? Don’t we all! This weekly column tackles YOUR behavioral and medical questions. Also find tips on healthy living.

Mama's Product Picks

We’re always on the lookout for great products to make your life easier. Find out what’s hot…and what’s not.

Home » Archive by Author

Articles by Melissa Taylor

Recycled art and found poetry
July 1, 2010 – 2:10 pm | No Comment
Recycled art and found poetry

This is the perfect green activity for a rainy day. Here’s what you do.
1. Get out your recycling. Even better, save really good materials for a few weeks – egg cartons, cardboard boxes, strawberry containers, plastic lids are good.
2. Cut out words from the magazines, advertisements, or newspapers in [...]

Keep your kids reading over the summer
July 1, 2010 – 8:35 am | Comments Off
Keep your kids reading over the summer

Get your kids reading this summer! As a teacher, mom, and book nerd, I’m always reading something – for me or for someone slightly younger. Click here for my recommendations by age and topic.
My favorite “get your child to read trick” is (drum roll please . . . ) let them read in [...]

HELP! I can’t get my child to write . . .
July 1, 2010 – 12:06 am | No Comment
HELP!  I can’t get my child to write . . .

We’ve all been there. Making our children sit down to WRITE seems like punishment for them and for us. Us, when they throw a fit, cry, or refuse to do it . . . sound familiar?
How about these real life writing experiences . . .

LISTS – make a grocery list of your [...]

Helping Kids Be Bucket Fillers
July 1, 2010 – 12:05 am | No Comment
Helping Kids Be Bucket Fillers

Last year my daughter came home from school and told me one of her friends “locked her out” or wouldn’t let her play. It happened the next day and the next. I asked, “Do you really think she’s a good friend?”
“Yes,” she insisted.
Suddenly, my whole life flashed before me. How many times [...]

Take a pretend trip
July 1, 2010 – 12:01 am | Comments Off
Take a pretend trip

Take a pretend trip around your house. Find a suitcase your child can pack with all the very important essentials of travel — favorite toys, books, and valuables – obviously, no clothes required. Mom and dad can do that.
Use chairs to make your car since your child has just learned to drive.
Don’t forget to [...]

All kids are smart. Really.
July 1, 2010 – 12:01 am | One Comment
All kids are smart.  Really.

Children differ.  Does your child . . .
love animals?
like to work with others?
like to set goals?
enjoy singing?
do mental math easily?
like word games?
love maps?
excel in sports?
Everyone is smart. In some way. The examples you just read show the different ways in which children are gifted, or in other words, smart.
Parents, you know your kids are [...]

Back to School Best Books
July 1, 2010 – 12:01 am | 5 Comments
Back to School Best Books

Twenty minutes a day.
It’s the standard homework assignment.  With good reason — practice makes “better.”
Only, it’s not a happy time at my house.
My daughter (A.) has not inherited my passion for books. Since I began reading, I have read for fun, pleasure, escape, and learning.  A. not so much.
And, the irritating thing is that [...]