Rhonda Franz, MA. Ed

Mother’s Day is coming up, and though we can’t control many of the busy and bustling circumstances of our lives, we should try to do something for ourselves to celebrate. Perhaps we can remove any expectations of what others should give us and take care of what we’d really like by deciding our gifts and engaging in important self-care.
Fortunately, Arkansas has no shortage of ways we can do just that. In case you’re short on thoughts, I’ve rounded up ideas from several sources for all of us.
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Everyone should have a bike.
This is the philosophy behind Pedal It Forward in Northwest Arkansas, an organization with a mission of serving the community by providing bicycles to children and adults in need. This summer, in cooperation with First Security Bank, they are hosting a bike drive to make it especially easy for people to donate during the summer with drop-off locations. Since my family had a couple of extra bicycles residing in our backyard shed, my boys and I crammed them into our...

Humorous essay on how an American mom thinks the minivan's alert systems could be improved.

p. 39: 15 Ideas for Unique Birthday Gifts for Kids

My friend and Arkansas author Kimberly Mitchell shared some table space and afternoon time at a coffee shop to talk about her soon-to-be-released middle-grade fiction book, “Pen & Quin: International Agents of Intrigue Series: The Mystery of the Painted Book.” Writing the children’s mystery under the name “KS Mitchell,” she brought fascinating tidbits from her life and education to the story of young sibling sleuths eager to solve a mystery.
“The Mystery of the Painted Book”
“When 12-year-old...

My family did the work so yours can get the safety information on planning a fire escape while living in a two-story house.

Eat easy. Eat good. Veggie breakfast burritos for making fresh, freezing, and eating for any meal.

Fun and fruity drinks the children can help make and drink all summer long.

Make a game night fun for family members of any age (even when it's not planned in advance).

A story on the Petrays who raise grass-fed cattle for consumers wanting fresh, local farm-to-table food.

Cooking With Kids: Homemade Chocolate Syrup | AR Fa...

Helping children with writing skills by creatively using journals.

43 chores, sorted by age for parents to start with right away. Put those kiddos to work.