Shannon Beckham
FilterEasy :: One Mom’s Quest for Clean Air
“When was the last time you changed your air filters?”
I stood there staring back at my son’s pediatrician with a blank look on my face as if he was speaking a foreign language. We...
The Ultimate Guide to Spring Festivals in Jacksonville
Spring is in the air and that means it's time for some outdoor fairs and festivals. Jacksonville, and the surrounding areas, will be hosting many family friendly events over the next few months. Most of...
Kindness Counts: Why Your School Needs a Buddy Bench
There’s a new type of equipment popping up at school playgrounds all over Jacksonville, and after working to get one put in at my kids’ school, I’m going to say that EVERY school needs...
Dear Mom Who Called Me Overprotective…
Dear Mom Who Called Me Overprotective,
First of all, I heard you. So next time you feel like talking smack about my parenting style, you might want to move out of earshot. But I’m not...
Our Favorite STEM Gifts for Kids
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. STEM toys can encompass everything from a marble maze to an edible chemistry set. Perfect for a holiday gift or throughout the year as...
Books, Booze & Giving Back: Christmas Countdowns for the Whole Family
My kids love counting down to Christmas morning. Each year we have a variety of different Advent Calendars counting down to December 25th. Some are store bought and some are homemade, but it really doesn’t...
10 Books for Kids About Gratitude
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and it’s the perfect time to start teaching your little ones about gratitude and being thankful. We're big on sending Thank You Notes at our house, but one of...
Cooking with Chef Curtis for Under $10: Quick Meals for Busy Moms
What’s for dinner? It’s the million dollar question moms face every night. Meal planning is not my specialty. I usually end up scrambling to figure out what to feed my hungry brood at the...
Bully Proof your Kids with Kids Jiu-Jitsu
Kids today will have to deal with many challenges ahead. Bullying at school and outside of school, bullying online, negative peer pressure, the pressure to conform, and these only scratch the surface. Unfortunately, we...
Why Big Kids Are The Best
No longer a toddler or needy little kid and not yet an eye-rolling teenager, the big kid phase is what I call the parenting sweet spot. Now don’t get me wrong, a squishy newborn...
10 Books for Kids About The First Day of School
Ahhhh yes, the first day of school. An event that can be beyond exciting and completely terrifying all at the same time. For little kids, the transition from preschool to full day kindergarten can...
Florida State Parks: A Mom’s Guide to Enjoying the Real Florida
If you ask my kids what their favorite family vacations have been, their answers might surprise you. Although we've traveled to various states, big cities and major amusement parks, it’s the memories made during...