It feels like a significant moment, doesn’t it? After a little while, I’m thrilled to finally bring you another installment of my beloved Friday Thoughts. Apologies for the hiatus, but life, as it often does, has been a whirlwind! These posts hold a special place in my heart, primarily because I absolutely adore diving into your insightful and heartwarming comments. Honestly, anyone who reads these meandering thoughts all the way to the end deserves a monumental prize – perhaps a lifetime supply of gourmet chocolate chip cookies delivered to their door, or even a magic wand to banish dirty dishes forever!
The year 2019 has truly enveloped our family with its dynamic energy. Not in an adverse way, but rather with an exhilarating pace filled with a spectrum of experiences: a few unexpected highs and lows, several time-consuming projects, memorable travels, and burgeoning responsibilities. I’m incredibly excited for this particular Friday Thoughts post, as it provides the perfect opportunity to ‘brain dump’ some of the many things that have been occupying my mind. Let’s dive in!
1. Unlocking Family Fun: Our Latest Game Night Discoveries
For those who know us, it’s no secret: my family and I are avid game enthusiasts. Our annual holiday game gift guide, which I eagerly compile every November, consistently ranks as one of my most popular posts – a clear testament that countless others share our passion for board games and card games! This year, we’ve already stumbled upon a few exceptional games that have quickly cemented their place as instant family favorites. While you’ll undoubtedly see them featured prominently in my comprehensive gift guide later this year, I couldn’t possibly keep you waiting eight more months without sharing these gems!
First on our list is Skull. This game captivates with its age-old premise of bluffing and deduction, yet it’s incredibly simple to learn and play. The core mechanic is elegantly straightforward: if you reveal an opponent’s skull card, you lose that round. Its fast-paced nature means you don’t have to dedicate your entire evening to a single game, making it perfect for quick, engaging rounds. We absolutely adore its blend of strategy and lighthearted deception! Speaking of skulls, our family’s deep affection for Skull Kings, a game I highlighted in last year’s gift guide, has meant we haven’t had much time for other new discoveries. My kids literally insist on playing Skull Kings every Sunday night. It consistently ranks as one of our all-time favorite games, a true testament to its enduring appeal and exciting gameplay.
The other phenomenal game we’ve recently discovered, and have since dedicated countless hours to, is Superfight. This game evokes a similar vibe to classics like Apples to Apples or Snake Oil, but we all unequivocally agree it amplifies the fun factor by a thousand percent. I invested in the base game and then expanded our collection with a few expansion packs, specifically the green and yellow sets. I genuinely cannot recall a time when my children have laughed as loudly and heartily as they do while playing this game. It’s utterly hilarious! The gameplay revolves around creating incredibly imaginative and often absurd character card combinations, pitting them against another player’s unique creation. The real fun lies in the ensuing debate: players argue passionately about which character would undeniably win in a fight or a specific challenge, and then everyone casts their vote. I often find myself chuckling during the day, recalling some of the outlandish combos we’ve conjured up. (Perhaps a sign I need to get out more!) The cards in the black base deck are remarkably family-friendly; I only had to remove one card that I felt wasn’t quite suitable, though I haven’t exhaustively reviewed every single one of the countless cards yet. The green deck, in particular, is thoughtfully curated with younger players in mind, ensuring a universally enjoyable experience.
Given that so many of you have frequently inquired about our strategies for organizing our vast collection of games, I felt compelled to finally reveal my highly confidential, top-secret methodology. Prepare yourselves, take copious notes, for what I’m about to unveil is an exceptionally intricate system. (Just kidding, mostly.)
2. Exploring Intermittent Fasting: My Personal Journey and Your Insights
Has anyone out there ventured into the world of intermittent fasting? This dietary approach, often referred to as IF, involves cycling between periods of eating and voluntary fasting. I’ve dedicated considerable time to researching it, delving into the “whys and wherefores,” and understanding the scientific basis behind its various purported benefits, which range from weight management and improved metabolic health to enhanced cognitive function and increased energy levels. Many of these potential advantages certainly resonated with me and piqued my interest. However, when I embarked on my own intermittent fasting journey, my experience was, shall we say, less than stellar. I managed to stick with it for a mere four days – a track record that, I must admit, is somewhat typical for my attempts at “diet-y” type things. For instance, years ago, I endured 4.5 days of the Whole30 program, an experience I now jokingly refer to as 4.5 days I’ll never get back!
My primary challenge with intermittent fasting was an overwhelming sense of fatigue. I felt bone-weary tired, perpetually exhausted, and, to be brutally honest, transformed into the most ‘grumpety grump’ mom in the entire universe. The constant battle against low energy and irritability simply became unsustainable, and I ultimately couldn’t hack it. The mental and physical toll was far greater than any perceived benefits during those initial days. **Nevertheless, I’m incredibly curious to hear from those of you who are intermittent fasters! What are your experiences? How did you navigate the initial adjustment period? Did you encounter similar fatigue or mood swings, and if so, what strategies did you employ to overcome them? What are the biggest benefits you’ve personally experienced, and what advice would you offer to someone considering this lifestyle? Please, talk to me. Share your insights and wisdom!**
3. Navigating the Digital Age: Screen Time Strategies for Modern Families
In today’s hyper-connected world, establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries around screen time is an undeniable challenge. This isn’t just a complex journey for parents guiding their children; it’s also a significant struggle for us adults, myself included! I am perpetually on the lookout for diverse resources that can offer guidance, both for my personal screen habits and for our family as a collective, as we endeavor to navigate the often murky waters of technology and screen use. I’ve recently discovered, and absolutely LOVE, the wealth of practical tips and insightful guides available at Better Screen Time (you can also find them on Instagram here). We’re currently utilizing their quick guide to develop a comprehensive Family Technology Plan (and crucially, it’s designed to be a collaborative plan, not a rigid cell phone contract!) for our household. Furthermore, their self-evaluation guide specifically tailored for teens and their phones is truly exceptional and has sparked some incredibly valuable conversations within our family.
My overarching goal recently has been to strip away the “fear” aspect from discussions about technology and screens with my children. This means consciously choosing not to parent from a place of anxiety or trepidation when making decisions related to devices. Instead, I strive to create consistent opportunities for open, honest, and collaborative conversations as a family. Together, we work on establishing shared goals and developing actionable plans. Currently, my 14-, 13-, and 11-year-olds each have school-issued laptops. While these devices come with internet filters, it’s a stark reality that today’s tech-savvy kids are often far smarter than I am and can find ways around almost anything! My 13-year-old, who purchased his iPod Touch with his own money late last year, has restricted access to both the internet and various apps. Meanwhile, my 14-year-old proudly carries a very ancient slide phone. So, yes, we are undeniably not on the cutting-edge or “current” end of the technology/screen time spectrum. However, what we have implemented – including our nightly device docking system and other established rules – is genuinely working effectively for us right now. And if there’s one profound lesson I’ve absorbed in this ever-evolving age of parenting, it is this: **the approach I take with my children and my family is very likely going to look distinctly different from what other families do. Any precious time spent comparing our situation to others or stressing unnecessarily about these differences is, quite frankly, wasted time.**
Rest assured, I still occasionally succumb to comparing and stressing about it – that’s the #truth of it! – but I’m making significant progress and getting a lot better at letting go of that urge. That being said, I’ve also gained an immense amount of wisdom and practical knowledge from other intentional parents out there, as well as from invaluable resources like Better Screen Time. **With that in mind, what resources have you personally found to be most helpful in navigating the complexities of screen time? Do you have any practical tips or unique strategies to share regarding technology use with kiddos in your family? Your insights are invaluable!**
4. Behind the Scenes: My Latest Culinary Adventures on IGTV
Have you had a chance to check out the videos I’ve been posting to IGTV? It’s become a fantastic space where I’m developing a “Bake with Mel” series, peppered with a good dose of spontaneity and fun. If you’re not on Instagram, no need to worry! I make sure to post all of them here on the blog as well, so you won’t miss a single delicious moment. Anyway, I have some truly FUN, fun videos coming your way very soon, and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Either later today or tomorrow, I’m scheduled to post a brand new “Bake with Mel” episode featuring Cream Puffs. This particular video turned into quite the memorable event, as I was hilariously interrupted by a whole flock of high school kids who unexpectedly arrived home after their school had an emergency evacuation. (Thankfully, everyone was safe and sound!). Spoiler alert: they were absolutely thrilled to devour freshly baked cream puffs instead of enduring another history class! And, as you’re currently reading this, I’m fairly certain that Sara from Our Best Bites (OBB) is sitting right here with me in my kitchen! We’re in the midst of filming another special IGTV video that will be heading your way shortly. This one promises to be… well, quite “special,” if I do say so myself. Haha. We’re embarking on a daring culinary expedition, exploring all the trendy and sometimes outlandish flavor combinations that people claim are utterly life-changing. And yes, we’ll be making each other bravely try a few of them! (My fingers are crossed that neither of us ends up needing a bucket.) **If you happen to have a recipe that’s particularly tricky, a little bit scary, or even somewhat sketchy – one that you’ve always wondered if it’s truly worth the effort – please let me know! I’m completely open to your ideas for future videos where we can put these intriguing recipes to the ultimate test!**
5. The Road Ahead: Navigating Life with a Teenage Driver
We’ve officially embarked on a new, somewhat surreal chapter in our family life: the world of having a permitted teenage driver. It feels like just yesterday he was a little one, and now he’s behind the wheel. The surrealness of it all was perhaps perfectly underscored by a minor rear-end accident on only his second day of driving – yikes! It was a stark reminder that the learning curve can be steep, and unexpected bumps (literally) are part of the journey. However, amidst the occasional panic-induced phantom braking (yes, I still frantically slam on a brake that doesn’t exist on my side of the car), I constantly remind myself that he simply has to learn how to navigate roundabouts, master parallel parking, and handle all sorts of traffic situations somehow, somewhere. It might as well be with his perhaps “high-strung” but ultimately supportive mom by his side. In all seriousness, I’ve genuinely surprised myself (and I think everyone who knows me well) with the level of patience I’ve managed to muster during these driving lessons. He’s genuinely doing a fantastic job, demonstrating remarkable progress and a growing sense of responsibility.
There’s an undeniable excitement brewing within me for the day he can finally drive himself to his various activities and appointments, granting both of us a new level of independence. At the same time, I do feel a touch of sympathy that his initial driving education is happening in our behemoth suburban vehicle – it’s certainly not the easiest car to maneuver for a novice driver! Looking ahead, this isn’t a one-and-done scenario; I still have four more children to guide through this entire process. So, if anyone out there has a calming mantra, a strong cup of tea, or simply a virtual hug to offer, please send it my way. The end… of this particular thought, but certainly not the end of this parenting adventure!
6. Reflecting on Our Journey: Parenting, Recipes, and Home Joys
I absolutely cherished our in-depth discussion back in January about the transformative power of positive parenting. Honestly, your collective insights and wisdom inspire me beyond measure. While I certainly can’t claim to have been 100% perfect in ensuring only positivity has crossed my lips since then, I can confidently say that I’ve made significant strides. My approach has been so, so much better than in months and even years past, and I genuinely believe it’s making a profound and positive difference in the atmosphere of our home and the dynamics within our family. I remain steadfastly determined to maintain this positive trajectory, even on those challenging days when I feel I’ve failed miserably.
My dear friend, Nicole, graciously shared this illuminating article in the comment thread of that very Friday Thoughts post, and I gleaned an incredible amount of invaluable tips from it. The author also has an excellent book that delves into similar themes. Her ten practical tips articulated at the end of the article are truly golden and deserve to be highlighted. Additionally, I recently learned that Ralphie, over at @simplyonpurpose (whose parenting advice is beloved by so many of you), is offering a free email course on “staying safe,” or as I like to call it, “how to stop yelling as a parent because it doesn’t work and never will.” It sounds incredibly promising and relevant to so many of us navigating the complexities of modern parenting.
On a lighter, but equally heartwarming note, you absolutely blew me away with your enthusiastic response to the new cinnamon roll recipe I recently unveiled. Your incredible passion and excitement for cinnamon rolls genuinely move me; it almost makes me weepy to witness such a shared love for a simple, comforting treat.
And for my final reflection, I am utterly smitten with my newly organized pantry. I love it about a thousand percent more than I ever anticipated. Honestly, it has quickly become my favorite spot in the entire world. No exaggeration. (Clearly, I’m not much of a world traveler if my pantry holds such high esteem!) My sister, Em, and our dear friend, Deb, enlisted the help of our incredibly talented friend, Bobbi, who crafted the most perfect, charming sign for the pantry door. Truer words, as the saying goes, have never been written.
To each and every one of you, I send my deepest gratitude and appreciation! Thank you for being an integral part of this community, for reading my musings, and for making this space so vibrant. **Now, it’s your turn! Please share all YOUR thoughts, reflections, and insights in the comments section below. It truly is my absolute favorite part of these posts, and I can’t wait to read what’s on your mind!**
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