Nicole Shiffler

1. REAL TOOLS Get rid of the noisy, plastic toys + invest in FEWER, more creative toys / tools (if your child is young, teach them how to use a new tool and watch them blossom!) 2. SPACE Kids need ample space (the yard, porch, a separate table maybe) for their independent “play” to feel it is 100% theirs. They feel important when we set aside a particular space just for them to experiment, try, fail, and do their “work” of play. 3. TIME Whether or not your kids go to school or homeschool, the MORE unsupervised, free time = excitement + confidence to try new things, the mental clarity to push themselves in their play, and the trust from us that WE value how they use their time. ✨How can you help facilitate your child’s freedom to learn/push themselves/ grow this week?

Hello! I’m Nicole Shiffler— mom of 7 and trying to inspire moms to think outside of the box & design an incredible life with their kids. I’d love to know a little about you! Where do you live, how many kids do you have, and what is one hobby that you’d love to have time to enjoy again? Tell me below. ✨

Our teens won’t confidently progress into adulthood without us as parents letting go of the reigns so much. 🛑Deciding everything for our teen. 🛑Not advocating for their need of HOURS of free time in a day for a long walk or hobby or reading a book (that wasn’t assigned by the teacher). So much of raising a healthy, well-rounded teen starts with us! Our teens need and deserve autonomy, practicing trial and error time and time again, weighing our options and committing to a decision. And working towards a worthy goal. 👏🏻👏🏻 #parenting#raisingteens#teenage#intentional#momlife#goals

Actually the less you try to sugar coat life for your kids to curate the “perfect” experience, the more you will have the energy and mindfulness to see how to SEE magic right in front of you, in the ordinary. It’s fascinating. Our children just want us. They want magic at home. Magic with the music turned up and good food to eat. Mom and dad laughing and life feeling safe and wonderful. Our children honestly don’t need much. And what they want and NEED doesn’t have a price. 🤍

I can’t thank you enough for supporting my book drive last Christmas! We delivered BOXES and BOXES of books to the foster kids in our town. 🎁 If you’re wanting to contribute, simply head to my bio for my BOOK SHOP and order books, games, puzzles etc for YOUR family. Then I will MATCH your order with brand new books that we will wrap & give to the fostering families in time for the 🌲 season. Book shop link in BIO. ⬆️ #read#literacy

Thousands of years of kids being allowed to be kids has proven it. Thousands of studies have proven it. Our children need & crave REAL autonomy to make their own decisions in play & HOURS of unstructured time to be able to explore, be curious, learn from trial and error, etc. ✔️Fewer structured programs and enrichment experiences ✔️Less making decisions for your children when they are home (how they can spend their time, etc) ✔️ More unsupervised play (age appropriate, obv) ✔️More basic toys or tools (blocks, art supplies and paper, sticks, dolls vs. electronic toys that remove the imaginary play decision making) Honestly, the more BASIC you can curate your child’s one childhood, the better. 👏🏻

Everything is on sale! 📚📚BOOKS are a huge part of our gift giving at Christmas time. Comment “books” and I’ll send you a link to the BIG sale or visit my profile. #read#books

This sweet little Pretend Play Diner from @eebooalwaysgood has been a go-to activity for my younger kids for many, many years. 🍔🥙🥪🍗🥘🍝 I like that it’s a great interactive activity for siblings, friends, and families to enjoy that also teaches collaboration in a real life situation. Just yesterday, Margot’s brothers brought out all of their real coins to add a level of realness to their diner play. Margot absolutely LOVED the gesture. 🥰 Comment DINER and I’ll send you the link. 👩🏼‍🍳 #play#playmatters#screenfree#childhoodunplugged#childhood

Here’s a fun activity to prepare for Thanksgiving using just pipe cleaners & pony beads. 👏🏻👏🏻 The Indian corn idea is from @one_little_project and is so fun to do with young kids! Tag me if you make them! 🌽🌽🌽 #craft#thanksgiving#montessori#finemotorskills#childhoodunplugged#handson#screenfree

1️⃣ Driven to Distraction 📗 2️⃣ ADHD 2.0 📘 I’ve been learning so much about how to support the genius, creative minds in my family members WHILE guiding them with the structure they need to be successful. What tips do you for understanding the ADHD 🧠? Tell us below! #adhd#neurodivergent#raisingboys#childhoodunplugged#parenting#homeschool

How many can you honestly say YES to as a parent? And which is the most challenging?? Tell us below. 👏🏻👏🏻 #parenting#momlife#familytime#childhood#intentional#intentionalliving#motherhood#sahm#homeschool#habits#goals

Clam Pass Park: 🌊☀️ -fabulous beach -access to chairs and cabanas -beach side restaurant -super easy public parking -take the golf cart (our favorite!) or walk the 10 minutes over the board walk -gorgeous backdrop of sea grape trees! Lake Park Diner: 🥗🍔 -2 locations in Naples -family-friendly -ourdoor seating year round!☀️ -organic & farm-to-table ingredients -fresh & locally sourced produce 🥬 -seasonal menu items -grass-fed meats! Check out two of our FAVORITE spots when you come to Naples! ✨ Have you visited either one??