Where Do You Get Writing Mojo When Your Body Says Sleep?

I need advice. Where do summon mojo to write when you're body says "sleep!!"? I'm trying to get on a fall schedule from up-late, sleep-late summer. My husband works nights and most weekends. When we do get time together, we enjoy it--often staying up too late at night. It's good for him to keep his regular night schedule on weekends.  Be that as it may, it's hard on me. Where Do You Get Writing Mojo When Your Body Says Sleep?

Back-to-School Early Bedtime Transition from Sleep Late to Up Early

I think sleep schedules must one of the most challenging issues for families. Though most parents and kids prefer school structure, it's that summer-to-fall schedule transitioning that's hard. Contrary to a popular myth I'm hearing more frequently, kids need lots of sleep. And it's lack thereof that's largely responsible for problems in health, emotional, discipline and schoolwork. Here are ways to move into an earlier-to-bed routine. The secret is organizing and controlling what happens in that time before bed. Back-to-School Early Bedtime Transition Tips for Kids 

Blended Families, Older Children Are Not In Loco Parentis

I'm the eldest of six, between two blended families. I'm the only child of my parents marriage. I always wanted siblings. Before mom re-married, she had foster kids whom I loved. At 11, I did a lot of care with the little ones, including one who was very handicapped and the baby of one foster girl who came pregnant. But when a teen boy came, that didn't go so well for me. He had to leave and I grew up pretty fast that summer.   Blended Families, Older Children Are Not In Loco Parentis

Family Glue Recipe: Balance Work, Time and Connecting

I'm not particularly talented in craftsy arts...couldn't crochet a row to save my immortal soul, wouldn't know a quilt stitch from a suture. But one domestic art that I do take pleasure and pride in is cooking. Now I'm not rabidly DIY. I love to create my own recipes. But I don't insist on honey from backyard bees or peppers I've grown from seedlings harvested from last year's crop. I'm not above using a few canned and boxed products. Here's the how and why. Family Glue Recipe: Balance Work, Time and Connecting

Organize by Slowing Down: Work Smarter, Relax, Feel Better

Hi my name is Mar and I'm a recovering workaholic. Since childhood, I've been an obsessive-compulsive, Type A over-achiever. This hurts me, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. It kills relationships. It makes me a bad mom. So I'm practicing ways to work smarter, not harder. Ironically, I accomplish more this way. Most importantly, I feel better. Here's how.

Accept your worth. We overachievers often overdo to compensate. We lack confidence. We think others better than ourselves and so to succeed competitively we must give 500 percent. We aren't relax lest we fail. Recovery means recognizing I'm okay, as is. Here are more lilac zen thoughts for you! Stop Overdoing It: Work Smart, Relax, Feel Better

Third Bubblews Redemption, Only Started Two Weeks Ago

I started Bubblews about 2-3 weeks ago and already I've hit redemption three times. I was on vacation over the 4th of July and did't write for four of those days. One payment cleared Paypal. The other two are pending. The one that cleared did so early. I don't say this to brag.

I said I wasn't going to write a lot about in-house stuff on +Bubblews--when I hit redemption, when payments came through. But I'll share this as it may help or encourage others. Here's why I think Bubblews is working for me. Third Bubblews Redemption, Only Started Two Weeks Ago

How to Add Photos to Articles, Easy and Legal

A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. It can also be worth a lot of page views. I have over 5,000 pieces of content published on line and the simple math says those with photos do better than those without. But hunting up photos is tedious. And you have to make sure to comply with usage rights, which can be nebulous. Here's are bad, good, better and best ways to add your own free, easy and legal. How to Add Photos to Submissions, Easy
 

How to Trim Spending on Senior Prom and Graduation

Tis the season -- for senior prom, graduation and open houses, that is. Parents, if you have a graduating senior or a student going to prom, be prepared: it's expensive. Here are ways to trim spending on prom dresses, tux, graduation supplies and open house. I've graduated three seniors and picked up some penny pinching tips.How to Trim Spending on Senior Prom and Graduation
 

Writer Burnout First Aid: Words of Prevention Equal Pages of Cure

 I've been writing since I was old enough to form letters. I've taught English and creative writing. I've blogged and freelanced professionally since 2005. Of all writing occupational hazards, writer's block is the most challenging. A word of prevention is worth a page of cure.

* Identify feelings. Writer's block, burnout, call it what you will, that stymied feeling is nebulous and deceptive. An apparent mental clog may spring from physical issues and vice-versa. It manifests like general burnout. Help Guide says dread, anxiety, depression, apathy, emptiness, despair and exhaustion characterize it. Writer Burnout First Aid: Words of Prevention Equal Pages of Cure

Debt-Free, Solvent, Unemployed: Earning Sustainable Income Online

When I tell people I'm an unemployed Michigan teacher, they show no surprise. But when I tell them I manage a family of six debt-free with no government assistance, they do. Their first question is: how?! My husband works a traditional job with benefits and I freelance and blog. Here's how work-at-home earns enough to keep me out of the job market.

Educational savings: I went back to work in 2005 after homeschooling for 10 years. I worked in a preschool/daycare because I hadn't yet renewed my teaching license. I made $300 a week. After license renewal, I couldn't find full-time teaching job.  Read more Debt-Free, Solvent, Unemployed: Earning Sustainable Income Online