A Season of Rituals

December 01, 2008

Darkest December is upon us, and we are all preparing, in our different ways, to light it up with rituals. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's. Parties, tree lightings, and holiday cards. Visits with family. Feasts, gifts, and candles. So much to look forward to! And, for most of us, so much to get done in the next few weeks that we're not at

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Looking Forward to Our Favorite Holiday Rituals

December 02, 2008

A lot of the joy of the holidays is anticipating all of the special things we do at this time of year. So let's savor all of these rituals we enjoy with our children before, during, and after they happen! Here are the ones we and our kids have been looking forward to most: 1. Advent calendars (Do you have one up yet? It's the perfect answer to

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Savvy Welcomes Betsy Brown Braun on Helping Keep the Fa La La in the Holidays with Your Children

December 03, 2008

When we find ourselves getting a wee bit daunted by the mushrooming lists and activities of the holidays, we turn as always to Betsy Brown Braun for a dose of perspective, sanity, wisdom. And as always, Betsy saves us from ourselves! This month she reminds us how to use routine to our family's advantage in these crazy, happy holidays. Ah yes,

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SavvyPicks: Best Children's Books of 2008

December 04, 2008

Can it be? Is it really time to round up our SavvyPicks for the best books of 2008? It's alarming to think that a year can speed by so quickly, but luckily our Savvy tradition of surveying the year's books is always a pleasure. And this year is no different! Our children's book authors and illustrators have brought us a wonderful batch of new

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Wise Words about the Value of Family Rituals

December 05, 2008

Trusted experts and wise preschool teachers Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum remind us of why the thought and care we put into the holiday season, and the many other rituals of family life, really matter. "Your preschool child is now at an age when she can really begin to appreciate the rituals and holidays that divide up the year and bring a

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