Blog

Fun
Nancy Stevens

7 Simple Ways to Be Happy!

By Sam Glenn, the Authority on Attitude There are many things that can create happiness, but ultimately happiness is an inside job. It is you choosing to be happy. You can’t put the weight of your happiness on another person or wait for the weather to be just right. Ultimately,... Read More

10 Reasons to Visit a Museum

Oaklee’s guest post excerpted from Colleen Dilenschneider  1. Museums make you feel good. Experiences, such as visiting a museum, can become a meaningful part of ones identity and contribute to successful social relationships in a manner that material items cannot. So consider foregoing an outing for items that you... Read More
Fun
Nancy Stevens

15 Things To Do On A Snowy Day

Chicago is no stranger to snow storms, and this winter we haven’t even seen the one of the top ten snow storms to hit the area.  When a huge blizzard or just some lake effect fills Chicagoland  with feet and inches of white stuff, it can be easy to go stir-crazy when school... Read More
Education
Nancy Stevens

6 Tips for Getting Boys to Read this Summer

A news story in today’s (April 24) edition of The Times of London states that the gender gap in children's reading skills is due to the industry being dominated by female gatekeepers – publishers, editors, reviewers… As the author of a series of books that are being devoured by boys,... Read More

Get ready to kick homework butt!

As the summer winds down and the new school year approaches, it can be hard to get your kids away from the video games and back into books. The World Almanac® for Kids 2014 (available August 20; $13.99) is a perfect addition to every child’s back-to-school list that will... Read More
Events
Nancy Stevens

County & State Fairs:

Whether you like cows or cream puffs, ferris wheels or tractor pulls, there’s something for everyone at the state and county fairs. The fairs originated as a place to learn about the latest agricultural equipment and see the area’s finest livestock and poultry. Today, they’re a great place to... Read More
Parenting
Nancy Stevens

Read to Your Kids

What are you reading to your kids? My favorite bedtime books for reading to the kids were anything by Dr. Seuss, the Little House on the Prairie series, and the Junie B. Jones stories. I had one child who devoured books, and one who barely managed to get through a magazine page, but... Read More

Shane’s Foundation

Here’s a local charity we think you should know about.   Shane’s Foundation www.shanesfoundation.org It’s every parent’s nightmare to lose a child, and it’s even more traumatic when the death happens in your own home. Lisa Siefert lost her 2-year-old son, Shane, in 2011 when his bedroom dresser fell... Read More

Start Laughing or Stop Growing

Oaklee’s Guest Post By Brian R. King, the Spectrum Mentor Were you born without a funny bone? Did you let the air out of your goofball? I’m amazed how many people I meet that seem to be afraid to laugh. People who take life and themselves so seriously. I... Read More

Family Fun and Adventure are in bloom this spring

Welcome to Real, Original, Rockford! www.gorockford.com Real Original Summer Activities in your Backyard! Rockford, IL Real, Original Rockford provides plenty of fun for your family this summer! We are a City of Gardens, a Region of Four Rivers, where culture and entertainment are abundant. Do the kids love nature? Rock... Read More
Fun
Nancy Stevens

Museum Fun Facts

Fun Fact from the Chicago History Museum On January 27, 1967, the largest snowfall in Chicago’s recorded history came to an end, with over 20 inches of snow having fallen in less than 48 hours. Read more about Chicago’s climate here. Fun Fact from the Museum of Science and Industry Did... Read More

Parents Keep Language Learning Alive at their Schools

The Power of Parents to Influence their Schools Hola! And Nihao! That’s what parents in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 are hoping to hear from their children this year. When their school board eliminated the district’s world language program after funding ran out, parents raised their voices to find an alternative. The... Read More

Rainy Day Fun

When those Rainy Days Hit Head inside to the museums. We’ve got such a great collection of museums in the Chicago area, and not just the large city museums. Here’s a sample of local museums you’ll want to know. When you’re ready to head inside, check out their terrific... Read More

Summer Travel

August Newsletter: summer travel www.oakleesguide.com  One more month of summer – what’s on your list before the kids go back to school? It’s not too late to get in more travel, even if it’s just around the Chicago area. Head to Navy Pier for a city experience, or escape... Read More

Top Tips for Creating Healthy Habits

from The American Heart Association You can help your child develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. As a parent, you can encourage your kids to evaluate their food choice and physical activity habits. Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started. Be... Read More

A Simple Way to Be More Happy Today

BY BRIAN R. KING I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and it began in typical fashion with my asking the question, “How’s your day so far?” The response was, “Not as productive as I’d like it to be. Yah know, I got a late start... Read More

Family Fun and Adventure are in bloom this spring

gorockford.com Family Fun and Adventure are in bloom this spring in Real. Original. Rockford. Do the kids love nature? Rock Cut State Park is the place to explore thousands of acres of hiking and biking trails, as well as fishing, paddle boating, kayaking, camping, and more. Speaking of paddle boats, Paddle... Read More
Food
Nancy Stevens

Encourage Kids to Eat Healthy Food

When was the last time your child sat down at the dinner table and said, “Gee, thanks for this delicious plate of healthy food! Can I have seconds?” We can’t promise these tips will convert your picky eater into a fruit and vegetable fan, but they should make good... Read More

Summer Health Tips

It’s easy to get overheated when you’re out having fun. Here are some tips to keep your kids cool and healthy this summer. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water before, during and after any type of activity is crucial to staying cool in the warm summer months. Also drinks... Read More
Education
Nancy Stevens

How Homeschoolers can use Museums for Teaching

Here are some tips and tricks from experienced home schoolers to make the most of your visit to a museum. 1. Ask for an educational packet before your visit. Many museums have information packets for teachers that include fact sheets, math and science activities and other projects to tie in during... Read More
Parenting
Nancy Stevens

Parenting: It’s not really that bad

We’ve branded parenting in all the wrong ways. Is it any wonder that more and more couples are opting out of having children?  by Tiffany Gee Lewis, theguardian.com  Parents, we are good at many things. But these days, we aren’t so good at selling our job. We begin with the... Read More
Parenting
Nancy Stevens

Rules for Picking the Right Day Care

There are only about a million things in your daily routine that revolve around making sure you have a great day care that works for you and your family.  Ever try to finish a project from home with a toddler? It’s nearly impossible! The big question is how do... Read More

School Directory

School Directory As parents we know that our entire life hinges on being able to find great child care and picking the right one can be a daunting task! Oaklee’s Family Guide is proud to help you along the way! Find a comprehensive listing of pre-schools and education centers as well... Read More
Education
Nancy Stevens

End Bullying Now!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and it’s time to focus on this terrible epidemic that drives young children to commit suicide and keeps as many as 160,000 kids out of school on any given day for fear of being bullied. Brooks Gibbs, one of the nation’s leading youth crisis... Read More

Tips for Safe Exercising in Winter with Pets

As winter approaches, fitness-loving pet-owners gear up for cold weather outdoor work-outs with their four legged friends. As it’s important that people get exercise year-round, the same goes for animals. However, there are dangers associated with the exercising in the snow, ice and cold, which could put a pet’s health at risk.... Read More

Stress, Mini-Vacations and Moms

The first key to remember is stress is not the problem; it’s our reaction to the stress. We cannot control the traffic, the government or the neighbor’s loud music, but we can control our reactions to those things. It’s estimated we think about 60,000 thoughts a day and 50,000... Read More
Safety
Nancy Stevens

Safe Kids Days

Every year around the world, a million families lose a child to a preventable injury. In fact, preventable injuries are the number one killer of kids in the U.S today. Safe Kids Days in April are dedicated to preventing childhood injuries.   Here are 7 easy ways that you... Read More
CraftsEventsFun
Nancy Stevens

15 Things To Do On A Snowy Day

Chicago is no stranger to snow storms, and this winter we haven’t even seen one of the top ten snow storms to hit the area.  When a huge blizzard or just some lake effect fills Chicago land with feet and inches of white stuff, it can be easy to go stir-crazy when school... Read More
EducationParenting
Nancy Stevens

What are you reading to your kids?

My favorite bedtime books for reading to the kids were anything by Dr. Seuss, the Little House on the Prairie series, and the Junie B. Jones stories. I had one child who devoured books, and one who barely managed to get through a magazine page, but both of them liked snuggling in at... Read More
EventsHoliday
Nancy Stevens

12 tips for the best Halloween party

A little forethought is all it takes for monstrously memorable merrymaking.  Halloween Tricks & Treats Editor-in-Chief Ann Blevins of Better Homes and Gardens gives us the inside scoop on how to throw a kid-friendly monster mash this Halloween. 1. Make clever invites. The way you announce the “what, when, and where”... Read More
HealthParentingSafety
Nancy Stevens

5 Tips to End All Types of Bullying

by Brook Gibbs  If the bullying is physical, you must rescue your child from physical threats of violence that would cause objective harm to his or her body or property. Keep detailed notes of the event and alert the authorities immediately. If the bullying is verbal, you must teach your child... Read More