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Steffani Raff is an accomplished storyteller and a devoted mother. She’s also a blogger, an author, and a coach for young participants in the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. Her first book, The Ravenous Gown, will be released this month, and is jam-packed with a new kind of fairy tale—the kind in which “beauty is bigger than

When I was young and my mom was pregnant with my brother, I was given the task of choosing his middle name. Of all the names I could have picked, I decided to go with my hero’s name: Parrish, as in Alan Parrish, the character played by Robin Williams in the film Jumanji. I’m only

Ever heard the phrase “You can dress her up, but you can’t take her anywhere”? Sometimes taking your children out can feel like that. But whether your kid’s a fidgeter or a food-fight starter, here are some suggestions to keep them entertained while they wait for their meals. 1. I Spy, of course! Restaurants are

But we don’t always realize that. Click to tweet:For many if not most of us, parenting is one of the most fulfilling and joyous experiences our humanity allows. One day while dusting I happened to notice a little blotch of ink on my wife’s white desk-blotter—and immediately saw it as an island. Putting the dust

Toddlers make messes after you’ve just cleaned up. Two- and Three-Year-Olds thrive on saying, “No.” And so it progresses as children, tweens, and teens don’t follow rules you carefully lay out on their behalf. What’s a parent to do? You lay out your expectations, set routines, and give all the love you have in your

Christmas is a wonderful, but hectic time for families. We love the magic and goodness of the season, but sometimes the preparation can be overwhelming. Here is one Mom’s predicament: The school has a fundraiser going so Mom needs to bake cookies for her daughter to take to the classroom. The church holiday party is

Why wait until the next holiday to spend time with family? There are plenty of activities to enjoy with your immediate and extended family before the holiday season commences. Simply plan an event at your house or take advantage of all the fun-filled activities in your city. Here are a few cool ideas to bring

Sometimes, I feel so sure that we are close to having children.  The hope is so strong that it almost feels like reality. Some days, when I am alone in the home, I am so sure that my children will soon arrive that I imagine I’m just playing a game of hide and seek with

The influence of technology has undoubtedly changed the rules of etiquette. Modern etiquette and manners are more conducive to the present times in which we live. Of course, traditional etiquette hasn’t been completely abandoned. Some lessons are still appropriate today, whereas others are a bit too formal or outdated. In order to keep up with