Ways Kids Can Help with Holiday Preparations

Let's be honest, in holiday party preparation, children may be more of a hindrance than a help. Parents may find Christmas not so merry and Thanksgiving not so thankful, if they're juggling shopping, cooking, party planning, housecleaning and childcare. Here are easy ways kids can help with holiday party planning (and keep them out of your hair!) Making Kids Thanksgiving Helpers (not Hindrances!)

Mealtime cheats, shortcuts for crazy-busy parents

With two of my four kids out of the house, life has slowed down a little. But when everyone was home and I was homeschooling, our lives were crazy-busy, 24-7. To stay (relatively) sane, I rely on several corner-cutting tricks. One the biggest drains on time is meal preparation. Here are my best mealtime cheats and food preparation shortcuts. Though these may not sound like money-savers, in the long run they can be if with an eye to saving.  Mealtime cheats, shortcuts for crazy-busy parents

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 to Balance Family, Work, Play, Relationships and Life!

How do you balance work and family? How do you keep up with kids, relationships, love life, career, household finances and still remain relatively sane? I've held down a job, homeschooled four kids and survived to tell the tale. Here are some tips that work for me. Read more...

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

Multi-tasking and Simplify

Multitasking Tips for Moms of Many This article covers a wide range of ways to save time by learning how to do several things at once, what tasks to combine and how to do them efficiently. 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 »

Git-er-Done Tips--Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry, Childcare, Homeschool, Work-at Home--for Moms

How to Do it All for Moms--Get the Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry and Kid-care Done All at Once (Sanely). A guide to help you successfully launder the clothing, clean the house, put in some time on your home business, get some errands or paperwork accomplished, put a tasty, nutritious meal on the table and nurture the children in a timely manner without losing your mind! Tips and how-2's from a homeschooler mama of four children (and many collected from friends and mentors along the way!) View more »

Multitask: Get Your Work Done and Entertain Your Toddler

How to Occupy a Toddler and Still Get Work Done Great multitasking tips and ideas for ways to entertain and occupy a toddler and still get your housework done. View more »