Marina Bloom's Blog: Moments Between Pages - Posts Tagged "ages-4-8"

Hi, I’m Marina. If you’ve ever wished for more connection and less rush, you’re home. This space is a quiet pause: small ideas for screen-free moments, tender stories, and honest notes from real family life.

I write about newborn wonder (and overwhelm), about kids aged 4–8 finding their calm, and about the ocean that keeps reminding me: waves are steady, and so are we. No perfection here—only presence.

If you need more hand-holding, you’ll find week-by-week ideas in Screen-Free Family: 8 Weeks Together and heart-level reflections in When We Became Parents. For cozy read-aloud nights, meet us in The Adventures of Blue Mama and Baby Whale Ellie.

Ask the Author: What kind of evenings feel hardest in your home right now?

If this space helps, follow my profile for new posts.

Right before dinner we play “one thing from the heart.” I ask: “What was hard today? What was good?” I listen. I don’t fix. Then we switch.

It takes five minutes, but our whole evening softens—fewer fights, easier bedtime. For us, it works better than long lectures.

Want a simple week of evening anchors? Step-by-step ideas live in Screen-Free Family: 8 Weeks Together.

Ask the Author: What’s the first question you’ll ask your child tonight?

Helpful? Tap “follow” so you don’t miss the next posts.

There’s a sticky note on our fridge with four choices. Kids pick one: 1) snack picnic on the floor, 2) 10 minutes of cuddles + one short story, 3) building corner, 4) “draw your day.”

When there’s choice, there’s less “no.” I swap one option each week so it stays fresh. I talk less; they do more. It beats “turn it off because I said so.”

More low-prep, screen-free ideas after school are in Screen-Free Family: 8 Weeks Together.

Ask the Author: What would you add to your family’s calm menu?

If this helped, follow my profile—I share practical ideas often.