Doing art with your child can increase her motor skills, patience, and creativity. More importantly, it can strengthen your relationship. Sometimes, time at home with your child can seem chaotic or burdensome if you’re not sure how to keep her busy. An artistic activity can turn a hectic afternoon into wonderful bonding time, so here are some fun and simple art projects to … [Read more...] about Fun with Art and Your Child
Fun
How to Reduce Your Screen Time
Phones can make motherhood easier. You can find recipes on the internet, shop online, and record precious memories in a notes app. Yet your phone can distract you from being present with your child. Also, being constantly bombarded with information can make you anxious. And comparing yourself to social media influencers isn’t good for your mental health. If you want to … [Read more...] about How to Reduce Your Screen Time
Helpful Tips for Choosing TV Shows for Your Kids
Studies have shown that children who watch better-quality and more age-appropriate shows experience fewer negative effects from TV, even if they watch the same amount as other children. So, choosing shows carefully for your child has a huge positive impact. Here are factors to consider, resources, and mistakes to avoid when choosing shows for your child: How to … [Read more...] about Helpful Tips for Choosing TV Shows for Your Kids
How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Outdoor Pests
Warm weather means more time outside. Little ones get more restless and need to spend all that energy outdoors. Lots of fun can be had but it is important to beware of the pests that can be harmful. With the following tips, you can help keep your child safe. Here are some common pests your child may run into: Mosquitos: Mosquitos are everywhere in the summer, … [Read more...] about How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Outdoor Pests
Tips to Walk More Everyday
Getting more movement and exercise in your everyday life can seem like a daunting task. Gym memberships are expensive. It’s hard sometimes to find time to exercise. But a few small changes can help you get a little healthier and feel a little better. And a little bit can go a long way. Before starting any exercise regimen, always check with your doctor first. Here are … [Read more...] about Tips to Walk More Everyday
Celebrating the Holidays with Foster and Newly Adopted Children
The holidays can be complicated for families in general. This can be compounded when there are foster and newly adopted children. How do we help our new family members celebrate? How do we welcome them in without making things too difficult? How do we help them without overwhelming them? Here are 10 tips to help in celebrating the holidays with foster and newly adopted … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Holidays with Foster and Newly Adopted Children
50 Free Winter Activity Ideas
Winter. It’s cold. The kids are home for the holidays or for snow days. You might be at a loss to figure out what to do with them that is affordable and fun. Here we have a list of 50 ideas of free or cheap activities for kids. Some of these activities are outdoors, so please keep our tips for keeping safe outside in mind. Snowball fightMake snow angelsMake a snowmanGo … [Read more...] about 50 Free Winter Activity Ideas
12 Free Ways To Integrate Learning Into Your Daily Routine
Education doesn’t have to be expensive or overly time-consuming! Carve out a little bit of time each day to learn something new, and you’ll be surprised as your knowledge and hunger for learning increases over time. Practice a new language on Duolingo.Read. Constantly! Peruse the library and find your new favorite genre.Make note of unfamiliar words you encounter while … [Read more...] about 12 Free Ways To Integrate Learning Into Your Daily Routine
DIY Soil Analysis
Many beginner gardeners don’t think about their soil before they jump into gardening and start planting in their backyard. However, the quality of your soil will determine the success of your garden. Soil is what allows plants to absorb water and nutrients, so it is the foundation of your garden. Knowing a little about your soil can go a long way. 3 Main Soil Types + … [Read more...] about DIY Soil Analysis
Track Your Pregnancy with Your App
Every moment of pregnancy contains exciting information about your baby. There are various apps out there today that make awareness of the stunning prenatal development of your baby available at your fingertips. Ten current pregnancy apps are listed in the article “Monitor Your Bump (and Enjoy the Ride!) With the 10 Best Pregnancy Apps for Parents-to-Be.” In my current … [Read more...] about Track Your Pregnancy with Your App
Know Your Plant Hardiness Zone to Have a Successful Garden
If you are interested in outdoor gardening, and if you do not have access to a greenhouse, you will need to know your plant hardiness zone to have a successful garden. Before you buy any plants or seeds, take a moment to research your plant hardiness zone, also referred to as a “growing zone,” or simply a “planting zone,” or “hardiness zone.” Especially if you are a … [Read more...] about Know Your Plant Hardiness Zone to Have a Successful Garden
Getting Started with a Hydroponic Garden System
Concerned about expensive food costs? Or maybe you want to explore a new gardening option for your family to enjoy? If you’re new to indoor gardening, and you’d like a foolproof way to get started, I highly recommend investing in a hydroponic garden system, also known as a water garden. A hydroponic garden system is an indoor gardening machine which allows you to grow plants … [Read more...] about Getting Started with a Hydroponic Garden System
10 Tips for Sleepovers
Sleepovers are a fun and important part of growing up. Most children, at some point, want to show their independence by spending the night outside of the house and with friends. It may be a nerve-wracking experience for parents, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are our 10 tips to make it safe, fun, and comfortable: Let the child take the lead on when she is ready. There is no … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Sleepovers
How to Organize a Playdate
There is nothing that a child (or a parent) needs more than a playdate. It helps develop social skills. It helps the child and the parent to know they are not alone. But sometimes, they can be awkward, and sometimes, you can get nervous. There are ways to help playdates go smoothly. Here are some of our tips: When your child hits it off with another child and your intuition … [Read more...] about How to Organize a Playdate
Intro to Aquaponics
Looking for a way to save money by growing your own healthy food while entertaining your children at the same time? Aquaponics is a fun way to start your sustainable home gardening journey. What is aquaponics? Aquaponics combines aquatic animals (most commonly, fish) with farming. Take a regular aquarium, put a couple of plants on top, and voila! You are an aquaponic … [Read more...] about Intro to Aquaponics
10 Free New Year’s Resolutions
This is the time of year where we start seeing ads everywhere for gyms and other aids to help you “start the new year right.” Whatever you’d like to see in yourself in the new year, you do not need to spend the money on a costly gym membership or an online class. Here are 10 New Year’s resolutions you can start today for free: Take a 30-minute walk daily. Daily walks have … [Read more...] about 10 Free New Year’s Resolutions
Tips for Halloween Safety
If your kids are going around the neighborhood trick-or-treating, it can be a little nerve-wracking because it’s such a different night for parents, but with some planning, it can be a safe and fun time for everyone. Here are some of our best tips for a happy, safe Halloween: Make sure that young children are accompanied by an adult chaperone you trust.If you are comfortable … [Read more...] about Tips for Halloween Safety
10 Tips to Stay Safe When Playing Outside in Winter
Winter is the time of year for cabin fever: It’s the time of year that gave cabin fever its name. This is particularly true for growing bodies that just want to move! Playing outdoors in winter comes with its own set of safety concerns to keep in mind to keep everyone safe and healthy. Here are 10 tips for keeping safe when playing outdoors in winter. Make sure they are … [Read more...] about 10 Tips to Stay Safe When Playing Outside in Winter
6 Ways to Stay Safe While Celebrating the Holidays
’Tis the season for celebrations! Bright lights, fun activities, and pretty decorations — no one wants this joyous time of year to be complicated by injuries and hospital visits. Here are our 6 top tips on how to keep safe this holiday season. Don’t overload light sockets. So many of the prettiest things this time of year require electricity to run. Get a power strip with a … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Stay Safe While Celebrating the Holidays
11 Fun Feminist Halloween Costume Ideas
Tired of the usual spooky or, worse, “sexy” costume choices? We did the research for you to share some affordable new ideas! These costumes can be made from stuff around your house or things picked up at the thrift stores, and parts of them can be used once the holiday is over, as well for everyday or dress-up wear. Can’t beat that! Susan B. Anthony- Her favorite color to … [Read more...] about 11 Fun Feminist Halloween Costume Ideas
10 Ideas to Celebrate Halloween Safely
Trick-or-treating is not the only way to celebrate Halloween. For any number of reasons, trick-or-treating might not be ideal for your family. But there is always more than one way to celebrate! Here are 10 ideas to have fun this Halloween! There are many ways to celebrate Halloween. Don't limit yourself to trick-or-treat. By Bethanie Ryan … [Read more...] about 10 Ideas to Celebrate Halloween Safely
Keep Your Child Safe While Swimming
Especially during the summer, children and their families frequent beaches and pools. While swimming is enjoyable for people of all ages, it can also be a source of anxiety for mothers. The water can be dangerous, but with a healthy level of caution and awareness, moms can help prevent disasters from occurring. Keeping your child safe near water begins with you. Simply … [Read more...] about Keep Your Child Safe While Swimming
What Does Baby Really Need?
Shopping for a new baby can often feel overwhelming and confusing, especially when there is so much to consider. However, babies don’t need the fanciest or newest products to thrive. Below are a few things you should expect to use in caring for a baby: Diapers: You might choose to use disposable or cloth diapers, and neither option is better or worse. Brand does not matter. … [Read more...] about What Does Baby Really Need?
6 Ways to Save Money on Holiday Meals
One bill that everyone dreads this time of year is the grocery bill. All of those get-togethers with family and friends to pay for and cook for, it can get overwhelming. Here are six ways to help you with that headache: Holiday meals do not need to be overwhelming. With some planning ahead and smart thinking, your holidays can be easy on your stress levels and on your … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Save Money on Holiday Meals
10 Ways to Save Money on Gifts
We are in the midst of what can be the most expensive time of the year. If you don’t want to, or frankly can’t, be paying off Christmas, Hanukkah, or other celebration into next year, here are some tips to make the holidays affordable and memorable. I hope these ideas help you in saving money this year. Happy Holidays! By Bethanie Ryan … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Save Money on Gifts
5 Birthday Bash Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
As a little girl growing up in California, I have fond memories of my 10th birthday, when my parents spread out snow (Halloween spider webs) and draped little pieces of “icicle” (I think they were “beads by the roll”) for friends to collect as part of a winter themed party. With just a few simple touches, our home was transformed into a winter wonderland in my eyes. We hope … [Read more...] about 5 Birthday Bash Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
10 Fun Fitness Tips for Moms
I get a lot of stares and questions when I’m out and about in my fitness gear. I suppose I’ve mastered the not-so-soccer-mom look enough to the point that people wonder how it all came about. To be honest, because of the culture I grew up in, I never participated much, if at all, in any team sports. The parochial schools and homeschool settings of my childhood certainly did not … [Read more...] about 10 Fun Fitness Tips for Moms
3 Ways to Get Halloween Costumes Cheap
You are not alone if you wait until the last minute to figure out Halloween costumes for your little ones. I once made sure less than a week before Halloween that my son’s costume bought earlier that year still fit. Here are some tips to make Halloween more affordable for your family. 1) Use what you have lying around. Check out what you already have. Those … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Get Halloween Costumes Cheap
10 Affordable Ways to Entertain Your Kids
Kids need fun. That’s just a fact of life. But finding cost-effective toys and games can seem pretty tough. Here are a few ideas to make it easier! … [Read more...] about 10 Affordable Ways to Entertain Your Kids
Vacationing on a Budget
Even while on a budget, traveling with your family can be very possible and fun! All that is required is a little research and planning ahead. Consider visiting a small town (as opposed to a big city) or national, state, and regional parks as affordable travel destinations. Camping can also be an inexpensive yet fun travel idea. To reduce the price of camping/hiking gear, check … [Read more...] about Vacationing on a Budget
Celebrating on a Budget
You already know when birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other special dates are coming up, so plan and budget the celebrations in advance. Think about the important things: what are you celebrating? Where? Whom would you like to invite? What do you want to eat: snacks or a full meal? What activities or decorations will enhance the experience? Should there be gifts, and if … [Read more...] about Celebrating on a Budget
6 Budget-Friendly Ideas for Family Fun
Thought it was impossible to go out with the family without spending a fortune? Think again. Local zoos, aquariums, and museums often have hours with discounted rates or free admission. Additionally, young children can often get in for free. Memberships are a great option for families that frequent a place and often offer extra perks when it comes to parking, food, or … [Read more...] about 6 Budget-Friendly Ideas for Family Fun
How to Save Money with Hobbies
Many hobbies can actually save money while providing entertainment that can be shared with both friends and family. Cooking, needlework (knitting, cross-stitch embroidery, crocheting, sewing, etc.), carpentry and mechanics, and gardening are just a few examples of money-saving hobbies. Many of these require an investment to get started, such as ingredients for recipes, seeds … [Read more...] about How to Save Money with Hobbies