First Aid to Orderliness

I’ve been making a big mess this week hand-making invitations to my sister’s upcoming baby shower. It’s been quite the project, and the remaining clippings of paper and ribbon are still covering my coffee table. (I don’t know why I don’t just buy invitations!) Perhaps these tips, from Mother’s Own Book, will help me keep a little […]

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Naming the Baby

I’m so excited! My sister and her husband are having a baby! The entire family had a lively discussion about names during Thanksgiving dinner. If it’s a boy, he will be named after his papa; the girl’s name is still not finalized. There were as many opinions as people there, but we all know that […]

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Toilet Training Trouble

Q Dear Miss Abigail: I’m having trouble toilet training my three-year-old son. Any suggestions? I’ve tried just about everything. He has the urine down, but the other is just an obstacle for some reason. Signed, Exasperated Mom A Dear Mom: I realize some of my readers might be turned off by this week’s question, but […]

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The Value of a Child

Happy birthday, baby Perez, happy birthday, baby Perez, happy birthday dear baby Perez… ok, you can come out now. Get it? Birth day? C’mon. We’re ready for you. I’m about to become an aunt, and I’m pretty darn excited, can you tell? I hope I’m up to the task. Even if I’m not, I know this […]

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Facts for Parents

This was originally posted to commemorate the birth of baby Alexandra, my niece, daughter of my stepsister Deb and her husband Lenn. Here are some thoughts on raising children. 1880: Facts for Parents Paternity is earth’s highest dignity. The parent is the best human type of God. Paternal authority is the germ out of which […]

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About Drinking

“Boys and girls, do practice self-denial and do not drink much soda water either. Remember that soda water is very bad for growing bones and teeth as well as for your stomach. Besides, by taking it, you get into the habit of drinking, and if you must have soda when you are young, you will […]

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1962: It’s a Boy!

My sister and her husband welcomed a bouncing baby boy to the world today. He was born a bit early, but thankfully everything seems to be fine and hopefully he’ll get to go home soon. With two little girls already in the house, the family might want to read up on W. Cleon Skousen’s So […]

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1935: Play

I’ve been spending my Sunday sewing velvet curtains for a puppet theater that my dad built for my nieces, Olivia and Iris. It is a belated Christmas present to them from him, and I offered my ~ahem~ skills as a sewer of straight edges and square and rectangular shapes (about all I can handle — […]

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