Alright, moms, here’s my current dilemma: Every week, we tell ourselves, "This is it—no more same-old, same-old for date night." But guess what? We end up at the same restaurant. And, as predictable as it is, we never regret it. Because sometimes, you don’t need a new spot to have a great night—you just need the right vibe. Anyone else find themselves stuck in this date night loop? I’ll keep you posted if we decide to switch it up tonight. 😉

• Less Tap, More Grip: Why Fine Motor Skills Are Fading & What to Do

• Spring Clean Your Finances: Because Your Bank Account Needs Fresh Air, Too

• Navigating College Talks: How to Talk, Listen, and Avoid the Drama

PARENTING

The handwriting’s on the wall (or… not?)

Remember when kids used to spend hours doodling, cutting, and tying shoelaces? Turns out, those skills are on the decline. A recent National Geographic report found that kids are struggling more with basic fine motor tasks—holding pencils, cutting with scissors, and even tying their shoes.

What’s Behind the Decline?

📱 Screen Time Over Play Time
Instead of stacking blocks or turning pages in a book, kids are swiping screens. While digital skills are great, they don’t build the muscle coordination needed for everyday tasks.

📖 Reading (For Fun) is Down
Pew Research found fewer kids are reading for fun, meaning fewer little hands flipping pages, gripping crayons, or writing. Less page-turning, more tapping.

🌳 Outdoor Play? What’s That?
Climbing trees and playing in the dirt build hand strength. But with more kids indoors, those natural skill-building moments are fading fast.

🩳 Elastic Waistbands FTW (But Also… Maybe Not?)
Buttons and zippers = fine motor practice. But with slip-on shoes and elastic pants everywhere, kids aren’t getting as many daily dexterity workouts.

The Fix: Easy Ways to Boost Fine Motor Skills

✅ 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge – Less screen, more green. Climbing, digging, and collecting = stronger hands.

✅ Make it Fun – Play-Doh, puzzles, sewing, and cutting all sneak in fine motor practice.

✅ Tech-Free Zones (for Parents, Too) – No-screen mornings or after-school hours = more real-world interaction.

✅ Craft It Up – Set out supplies and let kids go wild. Bonus: built-in entertainment.

✅ Hands-On Giving – Have kids wrap gifts, write cards, and make crafts. Thoughtful and skill-building!

👉 Want 35 Easy Fine Motor Activities? Check out this ultimate list from therapists: napacenter.org

FINANCING

Declutter your dollars

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your closets. While you’re decluttering your home, take some time to tidy up your finances, too. A little effort now can set you up for a smoother, more organized financial future.

Automate and Forget It

Set up automatic transfers to your savings account every payday. It’s one of the easiest ways to build up savings without even thinking about it.

Rethink Your Bill Pay Strategy

Automate fixed expenses like rent, insurance, and loan payments to avoid late fees. But for bills that fluctuate—like utilities—manual payments might give you better control over your budget.

Knock Out the Small Debts

Paying off a lingering small balance not only frees up cash but also gives you a psychological boost to tackle bigger financial goals.

Consolidate Where It Makes Sense

If you’re juggling multiple loans, consolidating them might simplify payments and reduce interest rates. Just check the fine print to make sure it’s actually saving you money.

Review Your Accounts

Is your bank account working for you? If it’s loaded with fees or lacking useful perks, it might be time to make a switch. Same goes for credit cards—cash back, travel rewards, and zero-interest offers can make a big difference.

Donate and Get a Tax Break

Spring cleaning your home? Consider donating unused items. If you itemize your taxes, those donations could mean deductions.

Refresh Your Budget

If you’ve paid off a debt or canceled a subscription, reallocate that money toward savings or investments instead of letting it disappear into everyday spending.

Check Your Credit Report

You can pull a free credit report from each bureau (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Make sure everything looks accurate, and dispute any errors ASAP.

AND ALSO

“When's the deadline?” shouldn't be the only question.

Talking about college with your teen isn’t a one-and-done conversation—it’s a four-year journey. The key? Keep it casual, collaborative, and stress-free.

Find the Right Moment

Skip the surprise “we need to talk” sit-down. Instead, bring up college during a relaxed moment—on a walk, over coffee, or during a low-key car ride.

Listen First, Talk Later

Resist the urge to turn it into a lecture. Ask open-ended questions like, “What excites you about college?” or “What kind of environment do you see yourself thriving in?” Then, actually listen.

Make It a Team Effort

Research colleges together, tour campuses, and explore different options. It’s their future, but your guidance can help them navigate the process with confidence.

Talk Money Early

Be upfront about finances. Discuss tuition costs, scholarships, and realistic budgeting to set expectations early.

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

Nursing and style can totally go hand-in-hand. Check out these collections that let you nurse with ease—no matter where you are.

Nursing Queen: Elegant dresses with hidden nursing features, so you can look chic and nurse on the go.

Sweet Moments by Shop the Mint: Comfy, stylish, and perfect for nursing. Bonus: Great for date nights. 

Latched Mama: Casual, comfy, and functional nursing wear that doesn’t skimp on style.

🐣👗 20 kids' Easter outfits that’ll have your little one hopping into the cutest photos of the season.

🍽️⏰ The best time to eat lunch, according to dietitians—and no, it's not when you're starving.

🌼🤧 Allergy season’s here! See how your city ranks for pollen—and brace yourself.

🏠📈 Thinking of selling your house? Here’s the best time to do it, based on where you live.

🌴✨ These Vrbo vacation rentals are the stuff dreams (and Insta pics) are made of.

A 9-year-old North Carolina boy, Jayceon Branch, saved his classmate from choking using the Heimlich maneuver after seeing 7-year-old Donye Moore struggle with a granola bar. The dramatic moment was caught on school security cameras, and Jayceon later revealed he learned the life-saving technique from a YouTube video.

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