MSI Press Blog

  Creativity isn’t just about painting or playing music—it’s about thinking differently, solving problems, and expressing one’s inner world. Every child is born with creative potential, but whether that spark becomes a flame depends on the environment around them. When we nurture creativity—by encouraging curiosity, allowing mistakes, providing open-ended materials, and listening without judgment—we empower children to become confident, innovative thinkers. Creative children learn resilience, develop emotional intelligence, and discover that their voice matters. In a world increasingly driven by innovation, creativity is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Let’s move beyond rigid expectations and celebrate the unique ways each child learns, dreams, and creates. The results can be transformative—for them, and for us.  Franki Bagdade has great suggestions for how to do this in her award-winning book,  I Love My Kids, But I Don't Always Like Them . BOOK AWARDS IAN Book of the Ye...

  excerpt from   I Love My Kids, But I Don't Always Like Them  by Franki Bagdade  Expectations in the Bagdade Family  My kids need sleep! All kids do, of course, but mine take it to the next level. This was awesome when they were little because most evenings, after they were all tucked in, I could enjoy alone time with my husband. I might be going out on a limb here, but I think he’ll agree. (Or completely ignore my husband and watch the newest romantic comedy alone!)  Now, our oldest still needs more sleep than the younger two. She could probably win an Olympic sleeping competition. This proficiency made her the world’s best baby! It’s become a little trickier as she gets older and wants to stay out late and have a social life. It’s especially tricky when she wants to stay up extra late to watch Vampire Diaries because that usually means that the next day (and maybe the one after that, too) we all have to deal with her dedicated crankiness or mood...

    The e-book edition of  Clean Your Plate!  by Liz Bayardelle  is on Kindle countdown discount, beginning at 99 cents, from June 2 through June 7. The earlier you get it, the more you save! Book Description: “Clean your plate.” “Be nice to your friends.” “Get straight A’s.” Good advice—or parenting pitfalls in disguise? Parents mean well—we really do. We want our kids to thrive, behave, and maybe even stop hitting their siblings for once. But as parenting expert Dr. Liz Bayardelle reveals in  Clean Your Plate , some of the most common, well-intentioned phrases we say can backfire in unexpected ways. This insightful (and often hilarious) guide breaks down 13 classic “parent-isms”—those familiar go-to phrases—and explains how they might send the wrong message, sabotage your goals, or even create unnecessary stress and conflict. More importantly, Dr. Bayardelle gives you better, smarter alternatives that actually work. Inside, you'll explore parenting classi...