The temps are heating up, the kids are out of school (or almost), and everyone’s mind is on summertime fun and relaxation. But are you and yours ready to hit the ground running? If you’re going to make the most of your summer. getting a few key things done NOW will help you get there.
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Cut Costs At Home With These Easy Hacks: How’s your family budget doing? Do you find yourself having to make the same amount of money stretch a little further, month by month and year by year, than it did before? How do you tighten your belts and keep costs under control? There are the classic
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Apologies in advance to anyone who actually makes it to the end of this post. When I started this blog in 2014, I did so in part because parenting is hard. And more specifically, because a good friend of mine kept telling me that she always found my parenting advice and solutions so helpful, every
Using Tech To Help Your Kids Learn Over Summer Break: For parents of school-aged kids, summer can be a tricky time. If you’re a work-at-home parent, you need to figure out how to meet those deadlines even while schlepping and entertaining your kiddos. You have to keep them slathered in sunscreen, and safe from tick
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Minimalism for Parents 101: Your Get-Started Guide When expecting their first child, many people envision happy scenes of simple bliss. Then reality hits home. Yes, babies are cute – but they’re also messy, on so many levels. And they keep you awake almost round the clock. And they come with so much STUFF. Is minimalism
Minimalism for Parents: Can Minimalism and Parenthood Coexist? Read More »
Essential Tips For Kids’ Arts and Crafts Fun: We are all born creative. The more children get to exercise and develop their creativity, the more skilled they will be at everything from problem-solving to self-expression. This is why many parents like to encourage their kids’ arts and crafts pastimes – or even join in the
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How To Get Your Home Ready For Summer: School is almost out for many families in the U.S. and Canada. You’re knee-deep in end-of-school shows and festivals, you’ve booked your kids for camp and swim lessons, and your summer camping plans are coming along nicely. But is your home ready for summer yet? If you’re
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Does your home have a fireplace – or do you wish it did? There’s something magical about the thought of the family getting cozy around the fireplace on chilly winter nights. But at the same time, as anyone with allergies or asthma will tell you, not every fireplace is right for everyone. So how do
Which Fireplace Is Right For Your Family? Read More »
Ways to Get Your Kids Spending More Time Outside How did you spend your summers as a child? I’m willing to bet you weren’t stuck on your tablet or smartphone! Playing outside, having fun making up games and exploring, came a lot more naturally before the digital age. Now that the lure of screens is
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Yay – summer’s almost here! And that means that summer fun is just around the corner. With kids out of school for the summer, many families try to squeeze in at least one vacation somewhere fun. But while you’re getting your bags packed and crossing off all those last-minute to-do’s, it’s important not to forget
Getting Your Home Ready For Vacation: Your Pre-Trip Must-Do’s Checklist Read More »
Protect Your Biggest Investment (Your Home!): For most of us, our home will be the biggest tangible investment we ever make. When you consider that wages have remained relatively stagnant in the U.S. over the past decade, while home values continue to climb (excepting the downturn of 2008-2009), it’s no wonder many people think of
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How To Get The Most Out Of Tight Quarters By Maximizing Space: Your home is at the heart of your family and its needs. When spaces function well, family life runs so much more smoothly. But when your home has wasted spaces, or spots that don’t serve their purpose well, everything is harder. This is
Maximizing Space In A Small House: My Fave Tips and Tricks Read More »
Every night before bed, when Kimmie counts her blessings, the first five things she expresses gratitude for are “food, water, clothing, shelter, and books” (!). Things that many of us sometimes take for granted. It’s hard to take them for granted, though, when insects start to devour the home that shelters your family! I’m hoping
Help – Something’s Eating My House! Protecting Your Family’s Home From Insects Read More »
Kauai’s Best Family-Friendly Attractions and Activities: The Aloha State may have a rep as a destination for honeymooners, but it’s a fabulous place for a family vacation, too. We (Dear Hubby and the girls, my mama, and my bro Evan/SIL Alicia/niece Abby) took an extended-family vacation to the Garden Island of Kauai a few months
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How to Lower Electric Bills in Seven Easy Steps, Starting Today: Earth Day (April 22) is just around the corner. And whether you’re most conscious of conserving energy every April, you’ve had a recent sticker shock has prompted you to save on energy bills, or conserving natural resources is always a priority, we all can
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My mama just finished her top-to-bottom spring housecleaning, and is rightly proud of herself for having that checked off. I’m just getting started on mine, now that my spring consignment sale events are behind me. And just as when I was growing up, there are certain aspects of seasonal deep-cleaning that are definitely a family
What Jobs Can Kids Do Cleaning House? Read More »
Heading Abroad As A Large Family Without Feeling Stressed If your family is anything like ours, you LOVE to travel. And with any luck, you’ve already figured out on your own (or read my posts on) how to pack more efficiently (especially packing for longer trips in minimal space), how to save money on family
Tips for Making Family Travel Easier (And More Fun!) Read More »
Fun Things To Do This Weekend With Kids Spring is here – which means that summer is just around the corner. And between now and then, your kiddos may well have spring break. Or an Easter holiday break. Or at least another long weekend or two built into their school calendar. Which means your regular
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Safety Hacks To Make Your Home More Family-Friendly: You keep your home well-maintained. You’ve got the safety latches on every cupboard, and all the outlets blocked. You deter unwanted intruders by staying on top of home security. You’ve even kid-proofed your kitchen. But does that mean your home is truly a safe place for your
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Need To Get Paint Off Of Clothes? Here’s How: It’s spring consignment-sale season, which means I’m back putting in long days at my local children’s resale event (and loving every minute!). Thanks in part to my posts on topics like how to get mud out of clothing and how to get grease stains out of
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