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!)

How I Set Work-at-Home Boundaries for Myself and Family

I've been a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) since 2005. Initially, it was part-time. Then in 2010, I became a full-time WAHM. There are advantages to working at home. I see more of my family, I'm readily available. I don't have to go out to work every day. Oddly, those advantages are closely related to the disadvantages. Work-at-home perks caused many problems before I learned to set boundaries. Here's how. How I Set Work-at-Home Boundaries for Myself and Family

Montessori mom: At-home preschool dramatic play learning center

 As a special needs and former Montessori teacher, my classrooms have always been organized on the learning center principle. Learning centers are rotational play areas were children perform tasks related to specific content areas: math, reading, science, art, practical life, dramatic play. When I had children, I imported the learning center philosophy into my home. The play room was set up like a modified preschool classroom. Got toddler or preschool age kids? I highly recommend setting up learning centers. If you're homeschooling, learning centers are a must. Here's how this Montessori mom designed an at-home dramatic play area.  Montessori mom: At-home preschool dramatic play 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

Study Finds Gender Discrepancies in Parent Multitasking

Moms multitask more than dads but enjoy it less, says a parenting study published in American Sociological Review. Here's what the study found about parents and their differing responses to managing multiple responsibilities at once. The study tested 368 mothers and 241 fathers in dual-earner families. Participants were given a wristwatch to wear at work and at home, researchers told NPR's Morning Edition. The watch beeped seven times a day. When it did, participants recorded what they were doing at the time, how many tasks they were performing at once and how they felt about it.  Study Finds Gender Discrepancies in Parent Multitasking