Maintaining a family budget takes some budgeting tips. We live in expensive times. Being a one income household may feel impossible. This list of tips to stay on budget when you have kids are practical ideas for cutting costs, saving money and budgeting well. … [Read more...]
Re-Balancing Life
There is a skill in figuring out whether or not I am trying to take on too much. A household that is out-of-balance is not healthy. Our job as homemakers is -re-balancing life when it gets off track. I actually have a tip for telling when life is needing a re-balancing. It is what I do to weigh whether I can keep tasks on my plate or need to set them aside. Women take … [Read more...]
Scrambling to Get Christmas Cards Out
It was taking much longer than expected to receive our family pictures from the photographer. With shipping estimates as they were, I knew it was crunch time or else I was not going to get our Christmas cards out in time. Scrambling to get Christmas cards out is just part of the holidays, right? For years, the Christmas card process was something I scheduled time for right … [Read more...]
How to Make Really Great Friends
Although I didn’t know it when we first met years ago, a new neighbor would become my dear friend. When she first welcomed us into the neighborhood, she had her sixth baby in her arms. I was a new mom learning to wrangle my first toddler. How to make really great friends as a mom can feel challenging. It is our main role to care for the kids. Their schedule, their goals, … [Read more...]
The Special Memories in Holiday Preparations
We were hosting all four grandparents for a major family gathering. It meant preparing ahead to be ready and involving the kids for help. … [Read more...]
Hidden Benefits of Family Game Night
Family game night provides casual time together. This encourages the kids to open up. A crucial part of parenting is listening to our kids when they are willing to share. It is also important to ask a lot of questions to check in and be sure things are going well. There is something about being gathered as a family around the table that eases stress and encourages kids to … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Good Fall Routines
Fall brings us back to family. In the summer, the kids have more open windows of time to play with friends. Most days we do not keep a particular schedule. I still am sure to sip my coffee and take my morning slowly. The kids, though, are up and out the door by 9AM. Despite that amazing time they have to play outside, I soak up the benefits of good fall routines as the … [Read more...]