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 

Best Back to School Personal Calendar, Online Planner, Organizer Apps

Okay, I admit it--I am an organizer-ophile. I find it therapeutic to wander the planner aisle in Barnes & Noble. When I get a new cellphone, the first thing I play with is the calendar function. But I am also a tightwad--I will not pay for online organizers apps or calendar software. And I don't have to, nor do you, when there are so many free personal planner apps available online. Here are best free calendar, personal organizer apps. Personal Calendar, Planner, Organizer Apps

Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping, Get Free Haircuts

As summer winds down, parents and kids are gearing up to go back to school. For parents, kids returning to school means back-to-school shopping. In 2012, the Detroit News reported that families will spend an average $688 per child on back-to-school purchases. Detroiters, if you’re looking to save money on back-to-school purchases, here are places in the metro area to do it. Here are ways to get free haircuts, free school supplies and save money in any city. Read on Ways Save Money on Back to School Shopping

Best Free Online Spelling, Vocabulary Games for Busy Moms

Need to keep an energetic kid busy while you work? Maybe you need some rainy day fun activities? Here's an idea--educational video games. I have a confession to make--I love online word games. For all the articles I write warning parents and kids about the dangers of obsessive game playing, I admit that there are advantages. Playing word games helps boost my visual tracking, perceptual acuity and typing skills (or so I tell myself). Mostly, I use them as a brain break from writing and research.  Best Free Online Spelling, Vocabulary Games to Boost Reading Skills 

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

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 balance family summer schedules with sleep-late teens

Summer vacation means different things for kids than it does for parents. Older kids and teens look forward to staying up late and sleeping late. Mom and dad, unfortunately, don't have that luxury. We still have that four-letter word (work) to look forward to. Here are tips to balance family life with late-blooming teens (---and cats!) and early rising parenting.  Balancing family summer schedules with sleep-late teens 

Free Printable Checking Account Forms

If you're teaching your kids about money are working on budgeting yourself, here are activities to help. Money is one of the best subjects to explore when teaching math skills. Units on money math are essential for improving scores on high stakes testing as well. Here are some of the many benefits of instruction in money math:
Coin counting teaches adding and multiplying skills.

Making change teaches subtraction skills.

Calculating sales discounts teaches fractions, decimals and percents.

Profit and loss explains integers

Income and expenses teaches algebra formulas

For printable lesson plans on money click here Free Printable Lesson Plans: Math, Money, Banking, Shopping 

How I'm Keeping My Organization New Years Resolutions - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

If you're like me, making New Year's resolutions is the easy part. I think up a few goals on New Year's Eve, throw salt over my shoulder and toast my success. I'm great for the first few weeks of January, but by MLK Jr. Day, I've pretty much forgotten them. Here are ways I'm not only making but keeping my 2012 New Year's resolutions. Since most of my resolutions involve money, I'll focus on those. I'm also working on increased personal organization, so scheduling and multitasker tips figure heavily in this list, too. Read more at First Person: How I'm Keeping My Financial New Year's Resolutions