California Says No to Mandatory Kindergarten—Again

As parents, we all want to give our kids the best start in life. That’s why kindergarten is such a big deal—it’s where kids begin their formal education journey, learning everything from basic social skills to early literacy and math. So, when the California Legislature once again rejected a bill to make kindergarten mandatory, it … Read more

Stop Wasting Money on School Supplies: Shop Here Instead

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to break the bank—if you know where to shop. Whether you’re stocking up on notebooks, backpacks, or pens, the price differences between stores can be significant. To help you make the most of your budget, we’ve rounded up the most expensive and cheapest stores for school supplies, so you can get … Read more

Free-Range Parenting: Is Giving Kids More Freedom Beneficial or Risky?

Free-range parenting might sound liberating, but is it truly beneficial or fraught with hidden dangers? Here’s a closer look at the risks and rewards of giving kids more freedom. Understanding Free-Range Parenting Free-range parenting involves allowing children to explore their world with minimal supervision. This philosophy, popularized by Lenore Skenazy, advocates for kids to learn … Read more

The Rise of Homeschooling: Pros, Cons, and Best Practices

More American families are choosing to homeschool than ever before, with numbers rising to over 3.7 million kids in 2021. This growing trend shows that parents are eager to take the reins on their children’s education. Why More Parents Choose Homeschooling Dissatisfaction with public schools, concerns about safety, and the need for a values-aligned education … Read more

Playdate Disasters: Surviving the Chaos Together

Playdates are supposed to be fun and easy, but they can quickly turn into chaos. Here’s a look at the funniest and most frustrating playdate disasters: The Snack Attack Kids with different dietary needs and preferences can make snack time a minefield. Someone’s always unhappy with the options. The Sharing Struggle Teaching kids to share … Read more

Sleep Deprivation Confessions: American Parents Sound Off

Sleep deprivation is a badge of honor for many American parents, but behind the jokes and caffeine-fueled mornings, there’s a lot of real struggle. Here’s a glimpse into the sleepless nights and bleary-eyed days: The Zombie Shuffle Getting up multiple times a night turns you into a zombie. The shuffle to the nursery in the … Read more

Social Media Lies About Parenting: The Ugly Truth

Social media paints a picture of perfect parenting, but we all know it’s a lie. Behind every staged photo is a parent struggling just like the rest of us. Here’s the truth behind those perfect posts: The Perfect Family Photo We’ve all seen them: families in matching outfits, smiling perfectly. Meanwhile, your last family photo … Read more

Craft Time Nightmares: When Pinterest Dreams Crash

Craft time with kids is supposed to be fun and educational, right? Wrong. It often ends in a glitter explosion, glue everywhere, and one frustrated parent. Here’s why crafting with kids deserves its own reality show: The Pinterest Fail You start with the best intentions, inspired by a perfectly staged Pinterest photo. Five minutes in, … Read more

Me Time? Not in American Parenting

The idea of ‘me time’ is a joke when you’re a parent in America. Between work, school runs, extracurricular activities, and the never-ending pile of laundry, finding a moment to yourself is a dream. Here’s why: The 5-Minute Escape Even hiding in the bathroom isn’t safe. Tiny fingers appear under the door, followed by “Mommy, … Read more

Why Grocery Shopping With Kids Deserves a Medal

Grocery shopping with kids is like navigating a minefield, except the mines are small humans with endless demands and zero patience. You enter the store with a list and leave with a cart full of snacks you never intended to buy. Here’s why every parent deserves a medal for surviving the grocery store with kids: … Read more

Burnt Out and Overwhelmed: Why Parental Self-Care Is Non-Negotiable

Parenting is a relentless job, and without proper self-care, burnout is inevitable. Are you constantly feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by the demands of parenthood? Here’s why taking care of yourself is essential. 1. Constant Exhaustion Are you always tired, even after a full night’s sleep? Parenting is demanding, and if you don’t prioritize rest, burnout … Read more

Interfaith Insanity: Can Blending Beliefs Really Work

In an increasingly globalized world, interfaith marriages and families are becoming more common. But can blending different religious beliefs really work? Here’s a look at the challenges and dynamics involved in merging faiths. 1. Conflicting Beliefs and Practices Different religions often have fundamental differences in beliefs and practices. For instance, dietary laws in Judaism and … Read more

Faith Fail: The Struggle to Pass Down Beliefs in a Modern World

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected society, the traditional methods of passing down religious beliefs are facing unprecedented challenges. Can the church compete with TikTok? Here’s what we’re up against. 1. Short Attention Spans With the average attention span dropping to just 8 seconds, thanks to the constant stream of quick, engaging content from platforms like TikTok, … Read more

50 of the Coolest Boy Names in 2024

Think you’ve picked the most original name for your baby boy? Think again! You might be surprised to see that even the names you thought were unique are actually trending in 2024.  Here are the top 50 boys’ names of 2024, and I bet at least one of your favorites is among them. 1. Liam … Read more

The Ultimate List of 2024 Girl Names You’ll Love

Every year brings new trends in baby names, reflecting changes in society and cultural preferences. What’s in a name, and which ones are leading the charts this year? Check out the top 50 girls’ names of 2024 that parents are loving right now. 1. Olivia Olivia continues to be a favorite among parents, thanks to … Read more

Mother Daughter Date Ideas for the Winter

Mama Say What?! is the new name for Thrifty Guardian.

Are you looking for free mommy/daughter date ideas? You’ve come to the right place! Fortunately, many of these ideas will also work for Father/Daughter dates, Mommy/Son dates, or whole family fun!

As another year draws to a close and winter fully sets in, it can be hard to want to get up and go. Trust me, I get that — it’s due to be -16 °F as I write this!! Rather than setting your kids in front of the TV while you hide under blankets and cry over your holiday budget gone awry, why not use this quieter time of year and plan out a few Mommy/Daughter dates?

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The Best Non-fiction Dinosaur Books for Kids

Mama Say What?! is the new name for Thrifty Guardian.

If your kid loves dinosaurs and reading about them as much as mine, you will want to pick up a few of these books! While we love picture and story books, especially when they were younger, we also appreciate non-fiction dinosaur books. It’s important to us as parents that our children love reading fiction and non-fiction; reading about dinosaurs is a great place to start!

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