parenting

Visiting Chicago with kids? Then you need some free and fun activities to do with them! Here is our list of the BEST parks and playgrounds in Chicago.

Lincoln Park in Chicago offers numerous free activities ideal for families, such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Conservatory with its tropical plants, and the scenic Nature Boardwalk. Spanning over 1,200 acres, …

South Bend, Indiana, offers a charming family-friendly destination with a scenic university campus, affordable dining, and the impressive Howard Park playground. While not thrilling, it provides a relaxing day trip showcasing Midwest …

A lot of people say that “traveling with kids” is really just “parenting in other cities”, citing it as a reason for not going to the places they want to go.  But …

Yep. I’m that mom who took a not-quite-3-year-old to see a stage musical. And ya know what? It was a great experience! Those who know me well have heard me sing along …

For the first time in 511 days, I went to an airport, boarded a plane, and flew to another city. I can’t think of a time in my adult life when I’ve …

I meant to post this on Skyler’s birthday last month, but I just never got around to it. You know how it goes. So, a month later, I’m reflecting on the very …

We just got back from our family’s first trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and boy, oh boy, what a week! There were highs, there were lows, there was a …

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while traveling with a child is that we can’t do it all. But you can do a lot! Whether it’s a diaper blow out, a …

On the hunt for a little fun in Huntsville, Alabama When Skyler was 3.5, we took a little family getaway to Huntsville. Before the trip, we made our ABC list of preferences …

Pacing your trips with kids is important! Planning a family trip can be a blast, but if you’re not careful, it can turn into a tiring marathon that leaves everyone burnt out …

If you want to travel more with your kids, we can help! Traveling with kids can be an incredible adventure, and with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By …

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. —Dr. Seuss At the end of last year, I set some …

The best family weekend trip from Nashville: Chattanooga!  The best weekend getaway from Nashville is less than three hours away: Chattanooga! A weekend in the Scenic City is the perfect way to …

Our family enjoys going out. A lot. On average, we eat out 2-3x a week. This number increases when we’re traveling or feeling particularly lazy while at home. Pre-child, everyone warned us …

The other day, when I was off work, I decided to pick Skyler up from school early to sneak in a few hours of quality time, just us. We started our Mama …

Do three year olds ever stop talking? From the time we pick Skyler up at 5 to the time he finally passes out after bedtime, he never shuts up. I had fun …

As cities and states around the county lock down, and other countries go into full-out quarantine mode, the Schwannema household has decided to get an early start on what might become a …

I dont know about you, but this cold weather has me dreaming of warmer, sunnier days and all of the fun stuff we can do as a family after the winter. And …