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...]
Fun STEM Activities for Kids That Families Can Do Together
September 7, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
This post about Fun STEM Activities for Kids has been sponsored. All opinions are my own. If you have been following my blog for a while, you may know that before I started blogging, I worked in the science field. STEM learning is something I am utterly passionate about and my husband (also a scientist) and I have spent many hours doing science experiments with our kids. What is STEM? STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It is a vitally important educational activity for kids of all ages. Stem activities … [Read more...]
Family Meals Made Easier with Boston Market
September 4, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
This post about family meals is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Boston Market. All opinions are my own. Would you believe that school started exactly one month ago for my kids? Seems crazy that those lazy days of summer passed so quickly! Family meals are easier when school is out. Life, in general, is slower and more relaxed. Now that school is back in session, so are after school activities. Add in homework and chores and life has gotten chaotic once again. Thankfully, Boston Market has stepped up and made family meals a … [Read more...]
What To Do for Teens Who Need Help with Getting a Job
August 28, 2018 by · 2 Comments
Is your teenager struggling to find a job? While a lot of the responsibility is on them when it comes to employment, there are things you can do to help teens who are looking for work. Not sure how you as a parent can help? Well, if you are wondering what to do for teens who need help with getting a job, I thought I would share a few easy suggestions! Teen Employment: Then vs Now When I was a teen, I walked into the grocery store at the age of 15 and was hired immediately. I had been babysitting and delivering newspapers for years. … [Read more...]
Holiday Budget Tips and Quick Side Hustles for Fewer Post Holiday Bills
August 14, 2018 by · 2 Comments
This post about holiday budget tips has been sponsored. All opinions are my own. You're thinking 'It's still summer, who wants to think about Christmas bills'... right? Well, I am already seeing ads for high tech holiday gifts and those aren't cheap! Want to skip the holiday gift giving DEBT this year? You need to start pinching your pennies and searching for a few holiday budget tips. There are plenty of ways that you can save money and MAKE money in the next 3 months before you start your Black Friday shopping adventures. Keep reading … [Read more...]
Simple Patriotic Party Ideas to Celebrate the Red, White and Blue!
August 7, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
This post about patriotic party ideas has been sponsored. All opinions are my own. Whether you are celebrating the 4th of July, Memorial, Labor Day, Veteran's Day or any other patriotic holiday, having a party is always a fun way to enjoy it. If you are looking for patriotic party ideas, they don't have to be complicated or expensive. A dash of red, white and blue along with some food and a few crafts for the kids is all you really need. Sure, amazing fireworks and giant flags are nice but you don't really need them to get the point … [Read more...]
