Parenting Children

I think January and February is the worst time of year in New Jersey for having kids. There is not much to do with them outside because the weather is cold (but not a sign of snow here yet!) enough to force you to stay inside but cabin fever is rampant. My kids are bored and I don’t blame them. We try and go to indoor play places and do outdoor things as much as we can but it is hard this time of year and expensive. Here are some great games to combat cabin fever and some you can do when you are in a restaurant or waiting room.

I Spy- take turns looking around the space you are in and pick one thing. Give the other people clues and let them guess what you picked.

Memory- everyone looks at the same room/space/area for 30 seconds and try to memorize everything you see, the color of the pictures, the shoes/dirt etc. Then everyone writes down what they remember, the person with the longest accurate list wins!

Scavenger Hunt- give your kids some index cards and ask them to write or draw pictures of some things they might see on an upcoming car trip. During a car ride give them the cards and then they can match what they see with the cards. The person with the most matches win.

Feather Keep it Up- Each person has to keep the feather over their head by blowing it. Whoever keeps it up the longest wins. You can do this with a balloon too.

Obstacle Course- Make your own! Jump over pillows, have to put a small puzzle together, have to recite a list of cousins names, crab crawl through the kitchen, carry a plastic egg on a spoon, the possibilities are endless.

Keep Outdoor Toys In- When my kids were 2 they received scooters as a gift. I let them keep it inside the house until the following summer. they scooted around the house all day every day and the wheels were rubber so no tearing up my floors. Do this with other ride ons.

Card Games- There are so many. Teach your kids new ones or go for old favorites like memory, old maid, crazy 8s or go fish. This is also great for when a storm knocks the power out.

What are your favorite things to do with kids to beat the boredom?

games, indoor games, kid games, keeping kids entertained, SAHM, moms, parenting, family fun, family fun games, indoor fun

Happy New Year! This year on parentingourchildren.com expect more pregnancy stories from me, since I have about 11 weeks to go, more contest and giveaways, more advice and tips. I also expect more from you, my readers. Feel free to send me a email and let me know what you want to see on this site, ask questions or comment.
Now that I am coming to the last leg of my pregnancy, baby names are a big topic in this house. I want to share with you what I think the best and worst unique celebrity baby names of 2007.

The best:

EVER GABO - Milla Jovovich & Paul Anderson
They say that this is a Scottish boy’s name they used for their daughter, but I have never heard of it. I think it is a modern, pretty name.

STORY ELIAS-Jenna Elfman, & Bodhi
She said her husband suggested this name and she just loved it. I think it is different. Although I think it is better suited for a girl what is better then a good story?

OLIVE- Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
I have no idea why but I really like this name. I wanted to name our cat Olive and was out voted by my family.

The worst:

ZEPPLIN- Jonathon Davis & Deven
Not a fan or band names for kids, but Jonathon has a history of bad name choices, his older son is named Pirate. Aaarrgh.

PRINCESS TIAAMII- Katie Price & Peter Andre
Every parent thinks their daughter is a princess, no need to name her that. Tiaamii is a combination of the grandmother’s first names.

KING JUSTICE - Jaceon Taylor
Enough with royalty names! This baby can play with Princess, Baron Trump and Count and Countess Bonaduce.

What do you think the best and worst celebrity baby names are?

celebrity baby names, baby names, 2007 celebrity baby names, babies, pregnancy, unique baby names