by Our Nourishing Partner, Nourishrds

“So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)”  ~ Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Not only can we learn so much from listening to the unbiased, unfiltered and innocent thoughts of children, we can also learn a lot from their storybooks.  Thank you, Dr. Seuss.

The Great Balancing Act is something that seems to get more difficult—rather than easier—as the years go on.  For the most part, children have it mastered.  They take time to sleep, eat, play, explore, learn, grow, laugh and cry.  As adults, we tend to lose that concept of balance.  We hardly even take the time to sit down and enjoy a well-balanced meal, let alone play.  Eating in your car doesn’t count. 
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by John McCormick, Our Guest of the Month

In the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays an arrogant TV weatherman who, during a dreaded assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, finds himself living the same day over and over. Through trial and error, Bill learns to correct the mistakes he made the day before and escapes his time loop, redeeming himself in the process and winning the girl of his dreams.

Since Groundhog Day was only last week, it’s timely and appropriate to address a common complaint that bedevils all storytelling parents: what to do when your children ask you to repeat their favorite story night after night. 
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by Travis Mann

My wife, Chelsea, and I are proud first-time parents of our six-month-old newborn, Henry.  We are also both in the finance world.  I am a Financial Planner and Chelsea is a bookkeeper.  Anytime we get to talk about both families and finances we are happy campers, particularly for other parents starting out.

Although many would consider us both financial experts, we were NOT perfect at preparing financially for Henry.   However, I’d like to pass along six simple things we did learn (or should have done better):

1.    Save, Save, Save.

Babies are expensive.  While everyone knows this age-old truth, I would argue that your bundle of joy is the least expensive part of being a parent. 
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It can be very tough to be “Avoiding Power Struggles with Your Teenager(s).”  We understand that, today, the teenage years is a very difficult time transitioning into adulthood.  It’s a compact process, filled with a magnitude of emotions, choices and tons of influencers.    Teen minds are still learning to grasp and assess, all the while parents begin to “let go.”  It’s a period where teens begin to seek out other supportive guidance.   How do we get them to do so (with assurance) and without rebellion, without animosity against parental concern….

What other ripple effect can happen during a time when option overload sets in, and “leave me alone; I got it” is on the tongues of teens?   How do parents and educators avoid quick reactions and stop personalizing this time?
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by Jeanne Faulkner, Contributing Writer

In recent years, our pets’ status in our lives has undergone a major upgrade. Americans own more pets, spend more money and take better care of them than ever.  Many owners’ now call themselves “pet parents” and their dogs, cats and other animals enjoy some of the same privileges and devotion as children. It’s not just an American thing, either. All over the world, pets are enjoying their day in the sun.

Why the upgrade?
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