This post about teaching kids to give back is sponsored by Barbara's. All opinions are my own. Want to know how to teach kids to give back to the community? Help them get involved in a new service projects and then volunteer WITH them! Children learn by example and giving back to those in need is a lesson that needs to be passed from parent to child. Already have a child passionate about helping those in need? You can nominated them for recognition in the Barbara’s Believe in Better contest. Keep reading to … [Read more...]
How to Talk to Teens About Underage Drinking
May 1, 2019 by · 3 Comments
Parenting teenagers is hard work. You have to find a balance between being their parent and having them not hate you. Figuring out how to talk to teens about underage drinking is tough. However, it is one aspect of parenting teens that may very well save their life. Parenting Teens is Tough But We'll Survive! Children are naturally inquisitive creatures. They ask an assortment of questions ranging from 'why is the sky blue' to 'why do farts smell'. Yes, I have a boy.....I'm not sure girls ask as many … [Read more...]
How to Plan a Long Distance Road Trip for Fewer Snags Along the Way!
April 29, 2019 by · Leave a Comment
This post about how to plan a long distance road trip has been sponsored by Best Buy. All opinions are my own.When I woke up this morning, the first thing on my to do list was to plan a long distance road trip for this summer. Why am I starting my vacation planning in April? Because planning a family vacation takes more effort than organizing military troops for war. If you want to have a fun and safe road trip this summer, I thought I'd share a few tips to make your journey a bit more enjoyable. The Joys … [Read more...]
Financial Wellness Checklist and Using a Bullet Journal to Save Money
January 8, 2019 by · Leave a Comment
As we enter the new year, you should consider working through this financial wellness checklist to ensure financial security in the years to come. For most people, money is in limited supply and the demands on finances are fairly high. Gas must be purchased regularly if we want to continue driving to work and kids need to eat. And they generally eat a LOT. Unless you sit down to tackle a few financial tasks occasionally, you won't truly be financially 'healthy'. One way to get a great look at your household budget … [Read more...]
Grocery Shopping Tips for Healthy Eating
January 2, 2019 by · 3 Comments
With the beginning of the new year comes a renewed determination to eat healthier. If you want to join me on my healthy food kick, you may need to change your shopping habits. Hopefully, these grocery shopping tips for healthy eating will help you make smart food choices next time you grab your cart. Follow these healthy shopping tips to drop a few pounds and increase energy levels!Grocery Shopping Tips for Healthier Eating I bet I'm not the only one who ate way too many Christmas cookies last month. Every time … [Read more...]
Give a New Puppy Care Package (NOT a puppy!) for a Gift!
December 13, 2018 by · 3 Comments
If you are considering adding a dog to your family, PLEASE give a new puppy care package on Christmas day and not the actual puppy. The holidays are a stressful time and chaos is not healthy for raising puppies. A puppy care package, with a sweet 'puppy IOU' and a new pet gift or two is a much better plan! I thought I would share a few puppy supplies you might want to include in your pet gift basket. New Puppy Care Package Ideas Christmas is actually not a very good time to bring a puppy into your home. … [Read more...]
Family Tradition Ideas You Need to Start
November 12, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
Everyone has their own family tradition ideas that play a part in their holiday planning. I grew up enjoying the chaos of friends and family during the holidays. Big holiday dinners, multiple stops at different people's houses, playing with cousins and general chaos. Those were some great times that I look back on with fondness now that I'm an adult. After college, my husband and I moved halfway across the country from both of our families. After that, holidays had no cousins, or traveling, or chaos. It was … [Read more...]
How to be Productive Even with Kids at Home!
November 2, 2018 by · 1 Comment
This post about how to be productive with kids at home has been sponsored. All opinions are my own.Being a mom is stressful. You may have teens who need to be driven places and babies who need naps. There is homework to help with even though you don't understand basic math anymore. There are field trips to remember and possibly chaperone. And there are more after school activities than you remember signing up for. If you have any hope of getting the housework done, you need to learn how to be productive while balancing a baby on your hip … [Read more...]
Advice for my Son: Those First Few Steps Are Always the Hardest
October 8, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
This advice for my son is part of a paid campaign with The Mission List and the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. All opinions are my own.The last two months have been incredibly emotional for me. I sent my first born off to college 2 months ago. There were tears (both mine and his), the worry over college costs, and the chaos of shopping and moving. Where did my baby go? How is this college kid the very same boy who struggled to read in kindergarten? Then and now.... how did we get here so fast? Advice for my … [Read more...]
Best Ways to Stay Organized to Reduce Stress
September 19, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
One of the best ways to increase your stress level is to be unorganized. Since I am trying to REDUCE the stress in my life, I decided to start looking at the best ways to stay organized this year. With the holidays fast approaching, I need to get my life in order before holiday chaos strikes!Getting organized isn't always easy. Like most moms, I get pulled in a thousand different directions every single day. Not only to I have to keep myself organized but I am also in charge of the kids and husband. Sure, they are pretty good at … [Read more...]
