Grasshopper New Media Presents...

GNMParents is so happy to be hosting this week’s Carnival! Before we begin, what’s your favorite holiday tune? Got it? Great. One of the most exciting features of this production is that we are programmed to identify and then quietly play your favorite holiday song while you read through this week’s submissions. So sit back and relax!

This week’s entries cover a wide range of topics: lots of holidays, a fair number of cats, and a flush of potty humor. Really, is any day with kids complete without a little toilet talk?

(Has the music started? NO!? Huh, must be your speakers. What a shame.)

To start off the week,Rebecca has sent in Knitting days posted at What Did You Do in School Today? Community underlines (or perhaps should underline) all things strong and good, don’t you think? It is a good thing she has going on there in Virginia!

Next Erik Halvorssen presents Personality’s Triumph Over Peer Pressure posted at A Guide to Raising Great Kids Erik’s words left me wondering if there is a part of my Punk’s little bodies that can hold a tattoo this big? Perhaps a daily reminder would be effective.

Maureen O’Brien submits Ice As Art Vote: The Calm After the Storm! posted at Trinity Prep SchoolWait until you see these beautiful snaps! I couldn’t vote. You should totally vote, but I couldn’t decide.

Laura Young has sent us Blind Spots, Courteous Drivers and Killing with Kindness posted at Dragon Slayer’s Guide to Life. Sometimes being kind is dangerous!

Kevin Heath offers advice on Unscheduling our overscheduled kids posted at More4kids There is more to life, especially family life, than shuffling from one event to the next. Breathe deeply, and check out Kevin’s take on it!

Our own GNMParents contributor, Stu Mark, presents a lovely tribute to family in She’s Home! posted at Stu News And Photos And every post should come with a balloon hat, right?

Linda Freedman presents Denial and the Predator posted at Everyone needs therapy? Lessons from a family therapist. My favorite denial from my Punks is the whiny, “But I’m nooooot tiiiiiiirreeeeeddddd” when asked to get ready for bed. Linda reminds us that “denial” really isn’t just a river.

Joe Cerny presents Finance-4-Kids » Developing the Allowance Contract posted at Finance-4-Kids. Money weighs heavily on a lot of us this time of year, Joe has some excellent tips for setting your children up to be financially responsible.

Rich Peluso presents Attack Of The Killer Cat posted at DigitalRichDaily
I am not a cat person (sorry), but nevertheless, this post brought back fond memories of a childhood book. (Cat folks- go lend a hand!)

Hueina Su presents two submissions: Thanksgiving Feast for Squirrels posted at Echoes of Cold Moon (hello people, not only squirrels, but more cats!)and also Pressure-Proof Your Holidays posted at Intensive Care for the Nurturer’s SoulIs it possible to eliminate seasonal stress? Hueina has some tips that may just help reduce stress and focus on what’s good over the holidays!

Stephanie had me at “Oh,” as she relayed her experience of her baby running from milestone to milestone without even letting Mama catch up! Oh, Vivian please slow down! is posted at Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood. Sigh, why did my mother have to be right about time flying?

Chris Dolley presents a class for felines:Self Defense for Kittens posted at Author Chris Dolley’s Page. I am betting a cat person like Chris can offer Digital Rich’s little girl some help! Quick, Chris! RUN!

Lisa Mitchell presents Not Getting Enough Sleep posted at Let’s Talk Babies. I’m pretty sure I haven’t had more than 2 uninterrupted hours of sleep in the past 7 1/2 years. I keep wondering who I’ll actually be when I fully awaken from this stupor! I’ll have to follow some of Lisa’s advice!

Mike from Be A Good Dad sent in Children See, Children Do. I am not even sure what to say about this. “Be good.” It’s advice some parents need even more than their kids!

Because that was really hard to see, we’ll turn to Holly Schwendiman to lighten the mood and provide us with some well deserved potty talk. Holly presents Kids & Toilets posted at Holly’s Corner Blog. I firmly believe we could devote a whole carnival to all things bathroom, do you agree??

Tis the Season!

Madeleine Begun Kane shares her Mad Gift Giving Guide posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. What a list! I might add that neither spouse will purchase a breathing gift without the other’s consent… what would you add?

Megin Hatch (that’s me!) is pretty tired of household clutter. Check out my suggestions for giving children and familiesMore Than Toys: Gifts That Last All Year Long posted at GNM Parents. Better yet, join in on the conversation!

Local Girl shares The Not-So-Perfect Holiday Photo posted at An Island Life. Personally, I maintain that parents need a seasonal support group to address such things as “the absolute impossibility to get a decent picture of more than 1 child in time to send holiday cards.”

Michelle Mitchell presents Shark or Squid? posted at Scribbit. Thanks to Michelle, I’m now not only looking forward to seeing my family over Christmas, but I’m also looking forward to playing the game she describes on the long car ride that will take us there!

Amy Allen Clark presents Creating Holiday Traditions posted at Mom Advice. Amy has some great ideas for really appreciating your family this holiday season. She also gives a shout out to continue the conversation. What traditions are most important to you?

Lori Coopersteinsent in her Top 10 Picks for Hostess Gifts this Holiday Season posted at Fun Play Dates. You’ll find some fun, easy ideas to show the folks hosting your next holiday party that you appreciate them!

Kerri presents Free Pictures With Santa posted at Play Library. I have yet to see a really great picture with The Big Guy, but just yesterday I found myself trying to decide the best time to tackle the mall! Blessedly, I stopped myself! I might just check out the local events though!

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You have reached the end! Oh, it’s over… But wait! Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of family life using our carnival submission form. Michelle at Scribbit is hosting the Carnival next week! Have you seen what this woman does with a Carnival? WOW!

[tags]Carnival of Family Life, Blog Carnival, parenting, parenthood, humor, advice, Holiday stress, holiday preparation[/tags]

Photo by Mark Twells via Flickr.