Carolyn Savage
Carolyn is a professional writer, proofreader, and editor living in Bend, Oregon with her husband and two pre-teen daughters. She has a background in wildlife management but switched to writing and editing when she became a mother. With her experience working for a small publishing company, as a freelance proofreader, and as a mother she shares insightful stories that support parents and grandparents.
She is the daughter of Raising Families co-founder Rick Stephens and holds the rank of black belt in taekwando. In her free time she loves reading fantasy novels, learning to craft from her enormously talented children, and then teaching what she’s learned to her enormously talented grandmother.
Posts by Carolyn Savage
5 Simple Ways to Show Gratitude and Appreciation for Your Community
Age: 2+Time: 15+ minutesMaterials: depends on activityFocus: showing gratitude for community membersFamily Bonding Challenges focus on building stronger connections within your family while helping your children learn important life skills. When you subscribe, you will get a fresh calendar each month filled with ideas for celebrating fun family holidays and unique weekly activities.Ways to Show Gratitude and Appreciation in Your CommunityThe holidays are a perfect time to show gratitude and appreciation for people who help your family in your day-to-day activities and make your community run. You don’t have to do much to acknowledge how much someone helps your family
Simple 3 Step Role Reversal to Learn from Children
Age: 4+Time: 15+ minutesMaterials: depends on activityFocus: building confidence and life skillsWhen we think of our kids, we usually think of all the things we need to teach them before they move out. We usually don’t think about all the things they can teach us. But there are many things we can learn from children. There are general things that children teach us, like we should live in the moment more, that being curious is a good thing, and that we can learn a thing or two about patience. There are more specific things we can learn from children, though,
12 Easy Ways to Show Gratitude with Random Acts of Kindness
Age: 2+Time: 5+ minutesMaterials: depends on activityFocus: ways to show gratitude and kindnessAs parents, we're constantly looking for ways to help our kids navigate life's ups and downs with resilience and joy. One of the most powerful tools we can give them is a grateful heart. Teaching our children to focus on the positive things in life can go a long way to improving their happiness. It's not about ignoring life's challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Rather, it's about helping them develop the habit of noticing and appreciating the good stuff that's already there. Expressing gratitude, which studies have
4 Easy Ways to Share Family History
Age: 2+Time: 15+ minutesMaterials: paper, pencil, and possibly art suppliesFocus: family communicationDo your children know their family history? In the day-to-day bustle of life, it can be easy to forget to share family history. When you share family history, you let your children know where they come from. It gives them a window into who you are and why you value and celebrate the things you do. It can give them a stronger sense of who they are as well. When you know your roots and family history, you’re better able to understand why your family does what it does
Explore Your Community by Public Transit for a New Perspective
Age: 3+Time: 20+ minutes for planningMaterials: transit maps and timetablesFocus: view your city from a new perspectiveExplore your community from a new angle by leaving your car at home on your next family outing and using public transit. If you are planning on heading to the pumpkin patch this month or attending a harvest festival, see if you can take public transit there instead of driving. Or maybe you use public transit for an outing you do more often, like going to the library or grocery store. Whatever outing you pick, taking public transit will allow you and your family
