• About/Contact
  • Disclosure | Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sponsorship
  • Home

Tips, activities and support for staying home with your children and joyfully surviving it!

  • Mom Survival Store
  • Complete Guide for SAHMs
  • Kids Activities
    • Infant Activities
    • Toddler Activities
    • Preschool Activities
      • Preschool at Home Curriculum
    • School Age Activities
    • Free or Cheap Kids Activities
  • Motherhood
    • Motivation
      • Me time
    • Homemaking
      • Organization
      • Quick Tips
      • Recipes
    • Faith
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
  • Natural Living
    • Young Living Starter Kit
    • Essential Oils Recipes
    • Cleaning Tips

Free or Cheap Activities for Kids in the Hi-Desert of California

October 17, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Think there is nothing to do in the hi-desert of California? Think again. There is a fun list of free or cheap kids activities in the hi-desert of California and the Morongo Basin.

Many felt sorry for us when we had to move from the almost-tropical paradise of San Diego to the hi-desert of southern California. My husband was one of them! I kept an open mind, and figured there would be plenty of hidden gems (or not-so-hidden) to keep the kids learning and playing. I found a great list of free or cheap activities for kids in the Hi-Desert of California and … [Read more...]

Free or Cheap Kids Activities in Milwaukee

July 30, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Get a go-to list of free or cheap kids activities in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Keep this handy for Summer vacation or rainy days at home with the kids.

What are your favorite free kids activities in your area? It's Summer vacation here still, so I am learning about our new area and keeping a list of our go-to inexpensive kids activities. Have you checked out if the Free or Cheap Kids Activities List has your location available? The developing list of kids activities that are not expensive, is important because you can have … [Read more...]

10 Activities for Active Play and Less Use of Technology

May 28, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

I want my kids to get outside, move and have fun with active play activities and less technology use. This is my go-to list for this Summer so we all get outside more, and stare at screens less.

Welcome to Mom Motivation Mondays where weekly contributing writers share their motherhood experiences to encourage you to find the joy in being a mom. {This week: Post by Lauren} We spent a little too much time this winter in front of the TV. I kept thinking “Only one more day of this. The kids are sick. They need to rest.” It seems like we always had an excuse to … [Read more...]

Teaching Children to Sew

February 1, 2017 by Jaimi Erickson 7 Comments

Teaching children to sew with a simple anf fun free printable sewing pattern and sewing project for kids.

Recently I was sewing a robe for my oldest daughter. She asked if she could help and said she wanted to learn how to sew. Before jumping in, I wanted to look for a project to help with teaching children to sew. As a child, I remember my mom sitting at her sewing machine. She still has the same one. It had its own table that the sewing machine folded down into for storage. … [Read more...]

Free or Cheap Kids Activities in Jackson, Mississippi

July 18, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Free or cheap kids activities in and near Jackson, Mississippi.

I have heard such great things about Mississippi! For this installment of the Free or Cheap Kids Activities series we are focusing on Jackson, Mississippi. There are some great free or cheap kids activities in Jackson, Mississippi. A fellow blogger has lived there with her twins, and has so many fun activities to share. … [Read more...]

Free or Cheap Kids Activities in the Twin Cities

July 13, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

20 of the best free or cheap kids activiities in the twin cities of minneapolis and st paul, minnesota.

Lakes dotted throughout town, tons of amazing museums, and delicious spots to eat, we loved our time in St Paul and Minneapolis. Our family has lived in five different cities so far and visited countless others but the Twin Cities remain one of the most family friendly places. If you have kids, you’re probably already aware of the awesome Minnesota Children’s Museum, the … [Read more...]

Free or Cheap Kids Activities in Washington, D.C.

July 6, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Many free or cheap kids activities in Washington, D.C. are easily accessible-even during the busy Summer months in the nation's capitol. (Part of the Free or Cheap Activities series at The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide.)

A busy place in the Summer months, there are many free or cheap kids activities in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area for every season. Since we lived in Northern Virginia two separate times for a total of 4 years, we have a lot of familiarity with the Washington D.C. area. I have gathered activities for kids in the Washington, D.C. area. If you are a local and know … [Read more...]

Free or Cheap Kids Activities in Eastern North Carolina

June 22, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Save this collection of free or cheap kids activities in eastern North Carolina. There are so many family friendly, affordable activities for kids in coastal NC. Follow the series of Free or Cheap Kids Activities by location.

There are many free or cheap kids activities in eastern North Carolina. The area gets a bad rap for not having “much to do,” but it is one of my favorite places we have ever lived. [Not in Eastern NC? View the entire Free or Cheap Kids Activities series here.] My family lived in eastern NC near New Bern, North Carolina for the first three years after my oldest was born. I … [Read more...]

Mom Motivation Quotes (Subscriber Freebie)

November 15, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Mom Motivation cards subscriber freebie

Welcome to Mom Motivation Mondays where weekly contributing writers share their motherhood experiences to encourage you to find the joy in being a mom. {This week: Post by Jaimi} I need to stay positive, upbeat and clear-headed. I can't let the kids behavior pull me into frustration, although it does happen. I want to share with you what I came up with to stay focused on … [Read more...]

Remembering the Why of My Marriage (Great Clips Veteran’s Day)

November 1, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Marriage has its challenges, and as a military spouse-often alone and away from my husband-I have to remember the WHY of my marriage to get me through the tough challenges. A tribute to my favorite Veteran this Veteran's Day and a way you can show Veteran's a small thanks compliments of Great Clips Veteran's Day offers.

  If you had told me I was going to meet my husband that night, I would have bet against it. I am a different person than I was.  It was high school after all. Everyone changes and matures as they grow older. I know I did. I like to think we were stuck together by fate-God’s hand in the matter. … [Read more...]

32 Free or Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

June 14, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 4 Comments

Here are the most up-to-date free or cheap activities to do with kids this Summer. There are 32 ideas here! Summer vacation has started in our house, and I am ready to find some free or really low-cost fun for us to do with the kids. We keep things pretty relaxed in the Summer.   I love having all of my kids home…although there is more sibling rivalry and we get a … [Read more...]

Play and Learning at the Playground

October 6, 2011 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

You do not have to be bored sitting and watching your children play at the playground. There are simple ways to connect the outdoor playtime with simple, fun activities and learning at home too. I tend to look at a visit to the playground as my chance to sit and watch-finally!  I am up and down on my feet all day: up the stairs, down the stairs, criss-crossing the house.  I … [Read more...]

Follow Me on Instagram!

sahmsg_jaimi

They were posing nicely, but I said make some funn They were posing nicely, but I said make some funny faces. They did. 🤣🤣

#motherhoodjourney
#faithblogger
#momentsinmotherhood
#momssupportingmoms
#familytimeisthebesttime
#mommytime
#familymoments
#momlifestyle
#lovemyhome
#momproblems
#thisismotherhood
#familymatters
#momlifebelike
#stayathomemom
#motherhoodunplugged
#momlife
#familytime
#amomentinmotherhood
#momsonamission
#stayathomemama
#momswhoinspire
#mominspiration
#familyactivity
#familyqualitytime
#familytimeisqualitytime
#momliferules
#sahmlifestyle
#mommoment
#faithfamily
#faithandfamily
All troubles in life can be solved with more Jesus All troubles in life can be solved with more Jesus. 

He is risen! ☀️ 

Happy Easter / Resurrection Sunday from the Erickson clan. 💕 

I pray each of you seek the ultimate truth and know God is working through you. You are significant, loved and appreciated. 🤗 

#faithlife
#amomentinmotherhood
#momsonamission
#stayathomemama
#instafamilytime
#homemakerlife
#momlifeisbestlife
#momlifeinspo
#homeschoolmomma
#momlifeunplugged
#spendingqualitytime
#homeschoolblogger
#stayathomemomma
#familytimeisqualitytime
#momliferules
#sahmlifestyle
#mommoment
#faithfamily
#faithandfamily
#realmoms
#lifeasamama
#momlifebestlife
#joyfulmama
#momsunite
#lovefamilytime
#mamatribe
#lifewithlittles
#momsofinsta
#mamahood
#honestlymothering
I pictured myself as a mom of boys before having m I pictured myself as a mom of boys before having my babies. I have learned so much from all my children but having my girls is a blessing I never knew I needed. 

Want to eliminate mean girls? Raise daughters to do the opposite.

Want to teach women to better communicate with each other? Raise daughters to listen and articulate.

They are my own little girl group and I am grateful for it. They love me on my bad days and give me compliments I do not even deserve. 

I do love being the mom of girls (and boys). They both teach me so much. 

What are the top lessons you wish girls would learn before becoming adults? 

#homeschoollife
#homeschoolmom
#momlifebelike
#stayathomemom
#sahm
#motherhoodunplugged
#momlife
#familytime
#mommytime
#familymoments
#momlifestyle
#thisismotherhood
#familymatters
#momtime
#thatmomlife
#stayathomemomlife
#motherhoodalive
#homeschoolfamily
#momswhoblog
#motherhoodthroughig
#mymamahood
#realmoms
#lifeasamama
#momlifebestlife
#joyfulmama
#momsunite
#momliferules
#sahmlifestyle
#mommoment
#joyfulmotherhood
Will you be spending time with family for Easter? Will you be spending time with family for Easter? 

My husband’s parents have arrived - adding one more big dog to our house and lots of crafts and fun. We have not seen them since June. Everyone is excited to spend time together.

Both of my big kids have birthdays and we will all get to spend time at the beach this month. Our school work will morph into field trips so we soak up every day we can being present with family. 

I am looking forward to making memories, soaking in time together and celebrating two milestone birthdays - one happening tomorrow. 💛 

#motherhoodjourney
#faithblogger
#momentsinmotherhood
#momssupportingmoms
#familytimeisthebesttime
#mommytime
#familymoments
#momlifestyle
#lovemyhome
#momproblems
#thisismotherhood
#familymatters
#momlifebelike
#stayathomemom
#motherhoodunplugged
#momlife
#familytime
#amomentinmotherhood
#momsonamission
#stayathomemama
#momswhoinspire
#mominspiration
#familyactivity
#familyqualitytime
#familytimeisqualitytime
#momliferules
#sahmlifestyle
#mommoment
#faithfamily
#faithandfamily
“Never underestimate the healing of a quiet mome “Never underestimate the healing of a quiet moment in the garden.” 
-Unknown

#momlifestyleblogger
#homeschoolingmoms
#organizingexpert
#gardenerslife 
#homemakerlife
#gardeningismytherapy 
#momlifeinspo
#homeschoolmomma
#momlifeunplugged
#spendingqualitytime
#homeschoolblogger
#stayathomemomma
#mommoment
#faithfamily
#faithandfamily
#homeschooladventures
#tidyhousetidymind
#unfilteredmotherhood
#decoratingtips
#joyfulmotherhood
#tidyingup
#homeschoolingmom
#homeschoolmama
#homestyledecor
#busymoms
#housedecoration
#momhacks
#simplymamahood
#realmomlife
#homeidea
🌟The faces we make when a Costco run with all t 🌟The faces we make when a Costco run with all the kids actually goes well!!! 🌟 

Ice cream after helped of course. 😂

All prepped for my in-laws coming to visit us after not seeing them since our move last summer. Looking forward to some fun events ahead that will make my kids think they are on spring break but they will technically be field trip days. Check, check. 

Are you guys on spring break this week? What do you have planned?

#momlifestyleblogger #stayathomemommylife #momlifeisbestlife #momlifeunplugged #sahmlifestyle #momlife101 #momsofmultiples #stayathomemama #momswhoinspire #momswithgoals #mommotivation #aintnohoodlikemotherhood #stayathomemommy #momlifeunfiltered #motherhoodlife #momhood #honestmommin #realmoms #lifeasamama #joyfulmama #mommymode #momtime #lifeasmama #justmomlife #motherhoodthroughig #momsofinsta #mamahood #momentsinmotherhood #thisismotherhood #momlifebelike
Some days you put on the 10 year old comfy jeans, Some days you put on the 10 year old comfy jeans, fill your mind with encouragement and just keep moving forward. 

Recovery days are not just for working out. They are for the mental state we walk around with too. Yesterday felt heavy. My God is a power lifter and takes the burden away. 

Today will be better.

Today we will rest and refocus.

Hooray for comfy jeans, motivational graphics and the Word to focus on through it all. 

(Faith fashion: @choseninchrist use code Jaimi to save.)

#faithmama #faithmamas #intentionalmotherhood #inspiredmotherhood #homemakerlife #homeschoolmoms #thisismotherhood #mindsetiseverything #faithiseverything #faithblogger #momblogger
🌟That Face!!🌟 That little boy is soon to t 🌟That Face!!🌟 

That little boy is soon to turn 13, guys! I mean in a few weeks. 😅

This is a throwback but brings back so many fun memories. 

—————————————

I love creating activities and crafts on the fly. Always have even before my kids were here.

I noticed that my son did not have a lot of little toy people to play with while he was pretending one day. We have a few cylinder blocks in a set. We never used them when we built. I thought we could turn them into little DIY toy people. 

They were so cute and easy to make. It was a preschool art project for him. We made them together.

If you don’t have wooden cylindrical blocks at home, you can use pieces of wood dowel or even a few square blocks glued together. You can even make DIY toy people out of toilet paper tubes. 

🌟Full details through Blog link in bio 🌟

——————————————

I am so excited and yet in complete shock by how fast these little lives grow. I have never missed moments and I am so so grateful especially as we approach the teen years in my house. 💛 Soak up even the hard days of being a mom. TOTALLY worth it. 

#preciousmomentsathome #stayathomemomlife #sahmlife #momofboys #myheartisfull #homeschoolgrace #familytime #motherhoodrealities #kidsactivities #kids #blogger #bloggerlife #blogging #momlife
👌 There are a lot of parenting opinions out the 👌 There are a lot of parenting opinions out there. I try to ignore a lot of them. 😂 

My kids stay up later than most recommend, but so did I when I was a kid. 

She loves to read. She loves to write. Abby writes plays, journal entries, songs and on a bad day she will write her feelings about it all, in depth, no holds barred. 

This night she was trying to finish up a play - setting, character details, order of lines - for a play she made for her younger sister. 

I am so thankful that we can count her love of writing in her free time as school work. I am so thankful that how we do school allows this passion and talent to thrive. She has stacks of drawings, plays and writing blurbs. They are all precious to her.

There are days I question whether this choice or that choice is right or “approved,” but it does not matter when I see my children dive deep into the things they love. 

#realschool #teachermom #homeschool #homeschoollife #lifeisgood #findjoy #teachthemyoung #teachyourchildrenwell #neverstoplearning #parenting #parentingopinions #motherhoodinspired #inspiredhomeschool #unschooling
Give me my people any day. Family time this Sund Give me my people any day. 

Family time this Sunday was a 5k fundraiser race. We helped raise 💵 for the spouses’ club scholarship fund. Scholarships will be awarded for post secondary education to military kids and spouses. 

If you can choose any action in life, choose to help others. Side bonus when it involves fun family time together.

Best day yet. 💛💛💛

#sundayfunday #sunday #sundaywiththefam #raceday #5k #runwalk #familylife #familyfirst #homeschool #homesweethome #homeschooling #hometime #fundraising #fundraiser #osc #camplejeune #closc #eastnc #easternnc #optoutside #adventuretime #outdoorfun #foracause
💛 Friday Introductions💛 It has been a while 💛 Friday Introductions💛

It has been a while since I did a good run-down here to give ya the cliffs notes (are those still a thing) version of me. 👋 

💛 Detroit-born a few blocks from where Eminem lived. The city is still my hometown despite moving away as a kid.

💛 I am a big believer in traditional values, but with a modern woman twist. My husband drives his career and I drive this household.

💛 We live in eastern NC 30 mins from the beach. I want to stay here forever, truly, but military life will come to an end some day...still don’t know specifically when that will be.

💛Born and raised to be a planner, Type A personality, having 4 kids beat that out of me 🤣 and I am very “day at a time” now. 

💛I was a teacher turned stay at home mom turned blogger turned entrepreneur that had to set it all on the back burner a bit to focus on homeschooling my kids. I can only have so much on my plate and complete it successfully. (When we listen, God guides and is loud and clear with His direction. 💛)

💛I believe I can be humble and confident; I can be fully present with my kids and make space to rest and rejuvenate; I believe the biggest successes I will achieve in life will not have a paycheck as its valuation. 

💛I believe that true peace, value and love all come from Jesus. 

You will find me sharing the ups AND the downs of motherhood, wife life, homeschooling and being a Christian woman with the modern day pull to fight what that can mean. (There is def a force trying to convince us to push those values aside, my friends.)

👌What is the cliffs notes version of you? What do you want people to know/realize most of all?

#happyfriday #fridayintroductions #thisisme #gardenathome #homeschooling #naturalliving #motherhoodjourney #stayathomemoms #militarylife #Faithmamas #cliffsnotes #motherhoodsocial
🌟Teaching Kids to Make Friends🌟 Often our c 🌟Teaching Kids to Make Friends🌟

Often our children learn hard lessons when they have to move to a new state or school. 

My kids have become all too familiar with this through military life. Every three years they have to make new friends.

It is not always simple.

As a child, my family moved a lot. We were not military, but in junior high I moved to a new state and had to make all new friends.

This was a challenging and even to some extent a traumatic time of life.

Being the new kid, is a humbling experience. Suddenly you are hoping that your peers will want to get to know you and like you. It creates some self-consciousness.

Reading is such a beneficial way to teach children about life lessons. It teaches much more than that. It teaches self esteem through the cuddle time. It teaches language skills, and it teaches children to use their minds to be creative.

As they have grown and navigated more friendships, books are a resource for us to discuss tough challenges. I have found a great series of books that present friendship challenges and help children learn to navigate them.

It just so happens that the author is my neighbor too! How cool is that?! Moms are amazing.

These books will be treasured by your family for their quality values. The @stingrayjelly series teach children how to make friends and navigate friendships to love others well and support them through shared similarities and recognized differences.

Author, Lauren Giannella is a military wife and my neighbor! Anna Perdue is the illustrator and also a military child. 

Read my blog post for details on each book and links to purchase through @barnesandnoble 

We love our military community and all they do to give back.

What are your favorite children’s books that teach children how to make friends or help them maneuver through tough life challenges?

#books #booksforkids #militaryspouse #militaryspouses #militarywife #militarylife #militarykids #teachingkids #goodbooks #readtokids #readingtime #homeschoolreading #homeschoolmoms #eastnc #usmclife #marinecorpsfamily #motherhoodsocial
Follow on Instagram





Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in



©2018 The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide – Jaimi Erickson

HOME | ABOUT | DISCLOSURE/PRIVACY | SPONSORSHIP

Facebook | Pinterest | Email