Montessori mom: At-home preschool practical life learning center

I'm a certified special needs teacher and a former home school parent. I also taught in a Montessori school. Both Montessori and special education follow a learning center-based classroom model. Learning centers (also called areas or stations), engage children in hands-on, multisensory tasks. Each center focuses on different activities: reading, math, science, building, gross motor, art, dramatic play and practical life. When I taught our kids at home, I brought the learning center concept into our home. If you've got preschool kids or are a home school parent, why not try the learning center approach? Here's how this Montessori mom set up a practical life learning area.  At-home preschool practical life learning center 

How I Self-Discipline, Change Habits Using Al Anon Slogans

Self discipline is something I've never had trouble with. I've got a nasty case of low self-esteem. Auto-flagellation my modus operandi. But rigid self control isn't healthy. It doesn't work either. Here's a simple self-help plan I created, based on Al Anon principles, to modify behavior and change habits. It's how this WAHM manages to stay sane. Change Habits Using Al Anon Slogans

Recycled Halloween, Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

With older kids going back to school, little ones get bored. And bored preschoolers means parents must entertain or face consequences. Here are fall and Halloween-themed preschool crafts to occupy preschool children. These are great for a Halloween party, too. Easy, inexpensive crafts using recycled materials. Eco-Friendly Recycled Halloween and Autumn Harvest Craft Ideas 

Tips to transition from school to summer schedule

Raise your hands, parents, if there are parts of summer vacation that you secretly dread. For kids, it's three months of freedom. For parents, summer break often means less structure, child care difficulties, work-play juggling, added responsibilities and all the headaches those entail. Here are ways to peacefully transition from school to summer break schedules. Read more here  Tips to transition from school to summer schedule

How to Multitask for Parents

Today's world demands that we wear about five hats all at once! Multi-tasking is an essential skill. So here is a guide for parents who need to be in several places and do several things all at the same time! A note of caution, however, it is not healthy emotionally or physically to be 'on jump' all the time. If you run in high gear all of the time, your engine is gonna quit much sooner. Here's how to multitask when you need to. Read on...

Reduce Home Heating and Energy Costs; Winterize and Save Money

Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Reduce Your Home Energy and Heating Costs We've winterized homes and mobile homes and have learned many tricks along the way to reduce home heating costs. These DIY, 'on-a-shoestring' tips do not require large investments of money. Cut your energy consumption with these green ideas. Read More

Home Maintenance Multitasking

Quick Tips for Home Maintenance that Will Save You Money and Make You Safer several ideas for improving performance and safety of your appliances and saving money at home View more

How to Clean Up the House in a Hurry!

Realtor's Guide to Quick Household Clean-up Clean the house in 10 fast easy steps with this guide. Written from the perspective of one who has readied many houses for realtor showings. Use this super-fast cleanup guide any time you need to get the house in shape quick. Use these quick tidy-ups when you're out of energy but still want a semi-clean environment. I do these when I walk into a mess, I'm on empty and ready to blow. Trust me, the family jumps in fast to help. If mama ain't happy I WILL make sure no one else is either! View more »

Multitask a Workout into a Busy Day!

The Ultimate Guide to Quick Fitness Workouts Over 70 ways to fit a mini workout into your day! Exercise quickies for folks on the go! Office, school, home, car workouts. A must-have for busy parents. Use yoga suggestions for fitness workout plus stress-relieving meditation. View more »

Declutter+Organize=Multi-task

Getting Your Paperwork Organized Multitasking is only possible with organization. Clutter equals disorder which equals chaos. Here's a definitive guide to keeping your paperwork tidy. Organize. Sort. Declutter. Purge. View more »