There times when life gets really busy. Here is a hack for easily keeping the house clean, and is part one of a 7 part series, Hacks for busy, busy moms.
Cleaning Checklist for the Holidays
My family has an ideal, a goal, to have a clean house when Christmas comes. This goal is often times equal to “shoveling the walk while it’s still snowing.” One of these years, though, we are going to achieve this ideal – and this may be our year. This year, we’ve made a checklist of what needs to be done. …
What My Dirty House Says
There’s a story in the dishes left in the sink. There’s a story in the Legos strewn across the floor. There’s a story in the Thomas train set scattered among everything else. There’s a story in the sprinkles, crumbs and cupcake wrappers on the kitchen table. There are lots of stories my dirty house says to anyone who will look past …
Comforting Sick Kids, While Still Getting Some Things Done
It is hard to have anyone in the family sick, but it’s hardest to have one, or heaven forbid, more than one child sick at a time. Illness just throws everyone off schedule and routine. And mommy’s just want to take care of those who are suffering. So, how can mommies spend their time comforting sick kids, while still getting …
Seven Days of Service for Mother’s Day Challenge
It can be difficult to think of a thoughtful gift children can give to their mother for Mother’s Day. The usual cards, coupon books, and handprints are nice, and sweet, but sometimes it is nice to give something different and a bit unexpected. This year instead of promising to do things for Mom – just do the things, one act …
Establishing a Morning Routine with Toddlers
Toddlers are in an interesting stage, developmentally. Sometimes their sleep schedules match perfectly with the rest of the family and sometimes they don’t. This can wreak havoc on the schedule of the family. That’s why it’s important to begin establishing a morning routine with toddlers as soon as possible. All children benefit from routines. The routines give the children a …
Hickory, Dickory Dock – These Mice are Running Amok
We live in the country. There are beautiful fields and pastures all around us. It’s fantastic. But, there seems to be one major drawback to all this open space and beauty. There are field mice. And all the field mice seem to be looking for nice, warm homes for the winter. Sometimes I find myself repeating the old nursery rhyme …
Shopping with Young Children
I have a friend who only has one child. She talks about going shipping with her child as a fantastic adventure the two share together. She talks about being able to browse through the sales rack and thoroughly enjoying the experience. I think that’s great, but it is definitely not my reality. My reality is all about surviving shopping with …
Dressing Toddlers in a Tear-Free Way
Toddlers are an interesting bunch. They are just discovering that they can control things, and often their favorite word is “no”. Sometimes it doesn’t seem to matter what they are asked, the answer is “no”. Questions as positive as “Do you want a chocolate?” can be greeted with a fervent “NO!” Add this tendency to the myriad of options while …
Can Young Children Do Chores?
Chores are a staple of childhood. Doing chores helps children learn responsibility and feel like a contributing member of the family. Chores also teach basic life skills and help prepare children to take care of themselves when they are adults. But at what age is it reasonable to expect children to complete chores? Can young children do chores? Or should chores …
