• 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

Fall Preschool Activities

October 25, 2020 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Fall is my favorite season. We get into nature, explore and learn so much. Seasonal themes are fun activities for preschool because they cover so many subjects. This collection is a list of my favorite fall preschool activities. I taught these in my preschool classrooms and my children loved them when we did preschool at home. … [Read more...]

Color Sorting and Learning Activity

March 29, 2020 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Color sorting and learning color names is one of the first skills we teach our toddlers. It was one of the first activities I created for my oldest way back when he was my only child. I loved being able to teach him at home. He thought we were spending quality time together, playing a game. We were! We were color sorting and learning color names...and more too. This … [Read more...]

ABC Seek and Find Letter Learning Activity

March 1, 2020 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

ABC seek and find letter learning activity for preschool to help preschoolers get prepped for kinderarten.

Getting your preschooler ready for kindergarten is on the minds of many parents. It certainly was a focus for me. We did not stress too much about structure during our homeschool preschool time. Even if you are not homeschooling, this ABC Seek and Find Letter Learning activity for preschool kids is simple to do at home. Preschool at home was fun. Just think of all the money … [Read more...]

DIY Sensory Box Activity for Kids

October 22, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 4 Comments

{Guest Post} My girls are growing up, faster than I like to admit. They’re outgrowing clothes at an alarming rate. Their tastes change by the hour. I created this DIY Sensory Box Activity for kids to foster that brain teaser type challenge as the girls are getting older. Coming up with activities that challenge their minds while also being age appropriate can be … [Read more...]

Pasta and Playdough Fine Motor Activity for Toddlers and Preschool

August 4, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 12 Comments

Do you have some play dough in the house? Here is an activity that can extend its use: pasta imprints for fine motor and sensory play! It is a great toddler activity and preschool activity emphasizing fine motor skills. We had some old-ish homemade play dough in the fridge and this is the second of three ways (here is the first) that I thought of to use it up. We can … [Read more...]

Kids Nature Mural Art for Outdoor Play

July 15, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Summer time means getting creative to help the kids make use of the wide open days at home. Kids nature mural art for outdoor play and fine motor skills is super easy to set up and perfect for all ages to do together. I love the relaxed schedule of summer break. I like that my kids get to experience it too. They need breaks as much as we moms do. As much as I am a fan of … [Read more...]

DIY Magnet Learning Busy Book

May 15, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

As a child I loved a good, interactive busy book. Books that you could velcro, button or put things into pockets are some of my favorite activities from when I was younger. My girls loved books that you could open flaps on or that had different textures. Today I’m sharing an easy DIY magnet learning busy book for kids you can create in under an hour! This DIY busy book … [Read more...]

Foil Sculptures One Item Activity

May 6, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Making foil sculptures is a single item activity great for a rainy day! This foil sculpture one item activity is a great free form way for kids to create!

There are days that we just need to have open ended creativity. It balances out our academic subjects. Fostering creativity and allowing kids the chance to design and build with different materials just adds to their problem solving abilities. Foil sculptures one item activity is a free form way to give kids time to create with a unique material. Aluminum foil is a fun … [Read more...]

Flowers and Butterflies Color Matching Activity

May 3, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Flowers and butterflies color matching activity for preschool.

Flowers and butterflies are fun signs of spring. We turned them into a cute preschool activity for learning color words and matching colors. Flowers and butterflies color matching activity for preschool is so easy to make. You need two supplies to create this activity-and you may even be able to skip the cutting out step like I did. Seriously teaching preschool at home is … [Read more...]

Learning Letters and Shapes with Stickers

April 17, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 6 Comments

Learning letters and shapes with stickers preschool activity

For preschool kids, learning letters and shapes in a hands-on way helps the information stick. After teaching all four of my children preschool at home, I have nailed down a few great letter activities that are fun and effective. … [Read more...]

Preparing Your Preschooler to be a Creative Writer

February 22, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

Post by Lisa Brown Preschool age children can learn to develop writing skills even before they know how to read and write. Preparing your preschooler to be a creative writer happens with pretend play, books, drawing, and expressive language.  Following are several learning activities that you can do with your Preschool child on a daily basis to help them become a … [Read more...]

Christmas Counting Preschool Activity

December 9, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

My twins are really enjoying our preschool time at home. After we decorated our home for Christmas, we had an extra box of ornaments. I turned them into a fun Christmas themed preschool counting activity. This easy to make Christmas counting preschool activity with ornaments is festive! Christmas Counting Preschool Activity Christmas ornaments are a fun way to exercise a … [Read more...]

Fall Toddler Activities

November 3, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Great Fall toddler activities to try!

Toddlers and pumpkin patches are just about made for each other. But, what other fall toddler activities can you do when pumpkin patch season ends? Having tried these Fall toddler activities with each of my 4 kids, they are favorites for October and November. Whether you live where the leaves change color or not, these Fall activities for Toddlers will keep your toddler … [Read more...]

Traditional Fall Family Activities

October 10, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Traditional Fall family activities for kids of all ages.

{Post by Lisa} I love the changes and traditional Fall family activities that take place during this season! I enjoy the sound of leaves crunching under my feet, smells from the oven as I bake my homemade apple pies, and harvesting all of the vegetables from my garden. My kitchen counters fill up quickly with pots, cutting boards, knives, bowls, and canning jars. My … [Read more...]

Color Matching with Cars

September 30, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Color matching with cars toddler activity for learning colors.

I set up this activity for my twins when they were 2 years old. I am amazed at how much they enjoyed matching each vehicle to its color. But even more than that, it was fun to see how they kept playing with this simple color matching with cars toddler activity for a long time after the color matching game had finished. Take toy cars and colored paper and you have a quick … [Read more...]

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 9
  • Next Page »

Follow Me on Instagram!

sahmsg_jaimi

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” - Audrey Hepburn

I spotted her just looking at our little seedlings. The peace of doing with our hands what we have learned with our mind is so satisfying. 

Tomorrow we can plant our first seeds in the outdoor garden beds. I am so excited for the simple task.

#gardenathome #athomegardening #athomefarm #homesteaddreams #learningtogarden #growingagreenthumb #hope #quote #quoteoftheday #familytime #outdoorswithkids #unschooling #learningaswego #peace #peaceathome #children #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolkids
Focus for art + dirty finger nails from playing in Focus for art + dirty finger nails from playing in the woods. 🎨 🌲 

 #wellrounded #myboys #boymom #raisingboys #momofsons #momof4 #homeschoolingboys #homeschoolingmom #artforkids #playtime #outdoorlife #outdoorkids
What are your plans for the weekend? #friyay We What are your plans for the weekend? #friyay 

We are having a few neighbors over tonight. (Obviously not locked down here. 👌) 

I am thankful for like minded people. 

I am thankful too for friends that are not always on the same page. 

I am thankful for God’s word that teaches us to create and build community in love. 

I am thankful for Fridays. 💗💗💗

What are you thankful for today? 

#gratitude #twoworlds #fridaynight #fridaywithfriends #fridayplans #livinglife #atpeace #gratitudepractice #momlife #momsintheneighborhood #eastnc #faithoverfear #faithlovehope
Today’s schooling looked a bit like this. 💕 L Today’s schooling looked a bit like this. 💕 Library, reading, painting the toy that came in the kids meal, reading time, and calm. 

When I think about my homeschool style (aka structure) it has definitely evolved over the years. I never really researched a style until today actually. 😂 What I found was, we started as Traditional - workbook-based learning. Then I added Unit Studies to our Traditional structure. Now we naturally have shifted to a more Charlotte Mason + Unit Study approach for some subjects and Traditional approach for a few subjects (math most specifically). 

Flexibility keeps our interest. Plus learning never stops.

Today our day began with a visit to our library. When we got home the kids all found a spot and were so quietly reading I did not want to shift gears! So I didn’t. 

There was reading, eating, drawing, painting, and so much quiet you guys I just had to let the kids go with this. My brain was soaking in the peacefulness.

When I started homeschooling, I would have never thought that a day like this would make me feel successful. It feels so good to have reached this point. 

When days happen like today, it feels pretty much like magic. 

What is your style if you homeschool? If not, what style would most appeal to your family?
#homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #homeschooljoy #homeschoollearning #homeschoolday #perfectday #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolingmoms #homeschoolingstyle #kidslearningathome #charlottemason #unitstudy #traditionalhome #stayathomemom #momsathome #homeschoolreallife #eastnc #readingwithkids #learningtoread #librarytime #peacefulday #moms #momswhopray
You know what’s funny? I took this pic not even You know what’s funny? I took this pic not even noticing what random things were out of place. 😅 Perfect for this post today. 👇

Motherhood is a juggling act. We try to seek balance and be joyful, but kids, husband, house, our needs and wants all pull us in different directions.

We worry that if we drop one ball they all will come crashing down! We are busy, yet not feeling productive many days. The line between needs and wants become blurred.

Attempting to keep it all organized is overwhelming. 

We tend to define balance with images in magazines, snapshots of other moms who are
having a together day when we are not, or elaborate spring cleaning tasks that sound great and get pinned but ultimately leave us feeling even deeper in frustration when we do not complete them.

*****
Balance is not a place where you go and never ever again feel a bump in the road.

Balance is an on-going, always changing, never finished job. 

*****

If you feel out of balance today, you are just in the process of working your way back to it. 

If today was a great day, prepare yourself now because the scale may tilt and things may feel out of your control tomorrow. #reallife

It is not easy to cut things from our calendars or limit our focus each day. I feel that struggle so much. My whole family needs and deserves my time and attention. I am constantly in a state of re-balance, and making attempts to re-organize, as I attempt to balance four children and a husband.

That requires a lot of humility, prayers for God’s peace in my life, and relieving myself of any guilt for not doing it all every day.

Do you see the items out of place in this pic or are you focused on the beauty within it? 😉💕

#motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothersunite #mamahood #grow #momtribe #momsunite #womensupportingwomen #motherhood #mamassupportingmamas #momlife #motherhoodrising #realmotherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunited #mommymoments #lifeasamama #honestmommin #motherhoodisdarling #simplymamahood #thatmomlife #motherhoodunfiltered #momstofollow #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood
#homeschooling
#homeschoolinglife
#AD Today was hard! School took longer than expect #AD Today was hard! School took longer than expected, grocery shopping got pushed back, and I am soaking up my time to get quiet and pray it all away. 

I have discovered simple, quick ways to feel refreshed staying at home. With four kids, homeschooling and military life I can not just get a break when I feel I need it. 

These ideas have helped me feel rejuvenated in small moments even when I can not get out of the house to have a break.

One of the simplest ways to recharge is with a good old hot shower. I think it pretty much cures mom overwhelm and stress. I always planned my showers around the kids’ quiet times. That way I could take my time.

Choosing hair care products that are really special make it even better. @hairmayraki has natural repairing shampoos, hair growth kits and weightless moisture shampoo that feeds moisture into your hair so it feels and looks amazing even if you have to air dry!

**Use code JAIMI20 to save 20% on your Mayraki hair care products!**

As we get older our hormones shift, so hair loss can be a problem. Just like after having a baby!

Using Mayraki Hair growth and anti hair loss products helps me maintain full, healthy hair. It smells so nice and makes my hair feel moisturized and completely clean.

I put together a helpful list of ways to help us moms feel refreshed.

They are simple actions we can take to care for ourselves each day. I even have some ideas from my friends here on Instagram too! 

Check out the tips from my friends on the blog (via link in bio):

@thewholeparenting

@brandyintheatl 

@joqueen_and_family 

@coffeechaosandcuddles 

@pnicole_05 

What are your favorite hair, skin or spa products to make your pamper time feel special?

#momtime #goodhairday #selfcare #metime #quiettime #naturalhaircare #quiettimeformoms #momneedsabreak #mommytimealone #mommytimenow #momsgetabreaktoo #haircare #reenergizeyourbody #mentalbreak #momlife #mommylife #sahmlife #sahmproblems #sahmlifestyle #sahmmom #sahm #moms #blogger #momblogger
I spy two creatures who naturally love nature, wat I spy two creatures who naturally love nature, water and most of all dirt. 😍

Are your kids the outdoorsy, adventurous types? Anyone just over having clean floors with all the wet boots and feet going in and out like me? 🙋‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I can handle dirty floors for all this nature play without a doubt. 

#outdoorkids #freerangekids #natureplay #natureschool #siblingplay #siblinglove #kidled #kidlearning #homeschoollife #letthembelittle #freeplay #instakids #saturday
#AD Yesterday we had some talks. Things got a litt #AD Yesterday we had some talks. Things got a little tense. There were tears because she was embarrassed about what she did and said. 

I made sure to go to her room after things cooled down (where she was sent for her behavior) and ask why, talk about my reason why, and then she decided to come down and eat her dinner. (The whole issue was that dinner included a green vegetable...😅😂)

Everything returned to contentment. We all smiled. This is real life and real parenting. Our emotions clashed but calm logic brought things back in focus.

Today we can laugh and be silly thinking about it. 

What is the most recent heated or challenging moment you’ve experienced with your kids lately? Did things get resolved? 

***Sweatshirt: @choseninchrist 
Get it: Use code jaimi for 15% off...Link in bio.***

#realmotherhood #motherhood101 #logicalparenting #realisticmotherhood #motheranddaughter #kidsneedconsequences #learningtoobey #logicwins #greenvegetablesaregoodforyou #momwin #parentingtruths #parentinglife #stayathomemom #sahmlife #sahmgoals #raisingarrows #healthyeating #momblogger #bloggerlife #momlife
How have you been taking time to recharge while st How have you been taking time to recharge while staying at home? Making my list of favorite ways to refresh ‘cause moms with full schedules from morning to night need some simple ideas to get in quiet time. 👏 Do you need recharge time?

I like keeping it simple. 👌 Luxurious shampoo and body butter to maximize the spa feel after a hot shower, Bible study in the morning with my coffee, walking the dog solo are just a few of my break ideas. (I think hot showers are a cure all for a lot of stress! Time to think, feeling the strain wash away...all good things.) What do you think?

Since I have been a #stayathomemom for 13 years now, my kids have always been around and my time has been devoted to home and family. But I NEED time to have quiet and just be alone too. 

That means I have to squeeze in my recharge time in creative, simple ways. 

I am going to finish up this blog post and share it all with you. Share what you do too! I would love to give you a  mention you in the post. 👩🏼‍💻 💕

#inspiredmotherhood #foodforthought #bloggercommunity #instablogger #blogging #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothersunite #mamahood #connect #momtribe #momsunite #womensupportingwomen #motherhood #mamassupportingmamas #momlife #motherhoodrising #realmotherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunited #mommymoments #lifeasamama #honestmommin #simplymamahood #thatmomlife #motherhoodunfiltered #momstofollow #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood
I just love this community! Come join me 👇👇👇

⭐️ LIVE GROWTH EVENT ⭐️
Bringing mamas / bloggers / smalls shops and influencers together! Make connections with your target market!! 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Follow these steps below to join the Loop 👇🏼👇🏼
➡️ Follow me ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
➡️ Like this post 
➡️ Go to @motherhoodconnectiontribe and follow all directions on their post!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👉🏼👉🏼 Like my 5 most recent and I will return!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ That’s it! Thanks for joining me & Happy Looping ✌🏻
.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
.⁣⁣⁣⁣
#motherhoodsocial #motherhoodconnectiontribe
When you really focus on fear, isn’t it pretty s When you really focus on fear, isn’t it pretty silly how much we let it run our lives? 

Anyone who knows my 7 year old daughter knows she has a “no fear” spirit. She can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. She is always moving, seeking out fun and not intimidated by the unknown.

As a parent I both admire and cringe. 😅 

I find that I have to suppress my fear when it comes to her adventurous spirit so I do not diminish her true nature. I also have to be on the ball from a parenting perspective to talk through being smart while having fun. 

It is not as if we can ever see the results from the actions before we act though. 

Remembering myself how I truly only know what I see and what faith teaches me allows me to focus on eliminating fear from ruling.

For many years I was the opposite of my wild child. I was always thinking too far ahead to see what potential pain may come. That suppressed my nature. I see my kids so social, so eager to try new things and it energizes me to set that example too. 

Fear is not a worthwhile debate partner. 

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ~Proverbs 31:25, NIV

Do you wrestle with fear in parenting and life in general or are you more of the no fear type?

#nofear #resistfear #faithandlogic #adventurousspirit #truenature #enneagram #enneagramparenting #personalitytypes #wildchild #wildandfreechildren #freerangeparenting #freerangeparents #instakids #instamom #instablogger #parentingmindset #goexplore #explorenature #natureschool #sahmsg #easternnc #eastnc #camplejeunelife #militarykids #militarylife #godledmotherhood #godledhomeschool #motherhoodsocial
Everything is better with people who are genuine, Everything is better with people who are genuine, content, loving and honest. 

Mardi Gras lunch (yesterday) with a great group was food for the soul. Belly laughs, ear to ear smiles and beignets made the day. 

#FatTuesday #MardiGrad #lunchbunch #osccamplejeune #camplejeunelife #mykindofmasks #goodfood #goodfun #goodpeople #realpeople #strongwomen #militarylife #militaryspouse #millife #milworld #eastnc #nclife #thegoodlife #blessedlife #motherhood #asiturn40 #momlife #momsdayout #motherhoodsocial
Load More... 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