Sensory bottles are one of my favorite ways to make a holiday more exciting, and this 4th of July sensory bottle was a hit with my kids. This sensory activity keeps the kids busy as they make the sensory bottle and watch the glitter and small objects swirl together and settle back into the bottom.
Making a sensory bottle is easier than it sounds, and you don’t need many materials. You can also substitute the materials I recommend for something else you have on hand already.
*this post contains affiliate links*
Benefits of Sensory Bottles for Kids
Research shows that sensory activities benefit children in many ways. It promotes their mental health, encouraging emotional regulation, relaxation, and tension relief. Sensory activities stimulate interest, promoting curiosity and encouraging a child to learn and explore.
Sensory bottles help build sensory skills by stimulating the senses. The differing colors, objects, sounds, and materials help. Additionally, when the child touches the bottle to turn, twist, shake, or squeeze, it furthers the sensory experience.
Sensory bottles stimulate fine and gross motor coordination. They also help a child focus as their eyes follow the movements. It encourages them to be present and set aside distractions.
How to Make a 4th of July Sensory Bottle
Materials:
A clear bottle (recyclable water bottle, tea bottle, or a glass jar – I used an empty vinegar bottle)
Water (from the tap is fine)
Glitter glue (I used the silver from this one, I probably should have used 2 of them)
Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way up with water. You will fill it more after you add the rest of the materials.
Add 1- 2 bottles of glitter glue, depending on the look you are going for. I used 1, but I wish I would have used 2. My bottle is larger than a regular water bottle, however, because I used a vinegar bottle.
Cut 4th of July beaded necklaces into small pieces and put them into the bottle of water and glitter, or use 4th of July confetti instead of the necklace pieces.
Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water.
Replace the lid, and hot glue it shut.
Final Thoughts on 4th of July Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are easy, fun, and so much fun. This 4th of July sensory bottle was a great way to kick start our July 4th celebrations. What fun activities do you have planned for Independence Day?
For more sensory fun, click here. Or, you can read other 4th of July ideas in a separate post by clicking here.
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, and in my eyes, it’s the highlight of summer. On the 4th of July, my family normally celebrates by going to a barbeque, playing in the water, spending time relaxing outside and watching fireworks. I also try to do something fun to teach my kids about the meaning of the day.
This year, we will be celebrating at home and I want to make sure we have a good time. I also want to have a simple and relaxing day, so I had to come up with a plan to make the 4th of July simple and exciting.
Fun fact: I love learning new facts, so it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t research things we don’t know about the 4th of July. Another fun fact, I also like to share my random information, so:
4 Things You Didn’t Know About the 4th of July (but now you do)
Although I teach my kids about the reason for celebrating Independence Day there is still quite a bit we didn’t know, and I wanted to change that this year. I mean, are we really even American if we don’t know a few fun facts about Independence Day?!
1. While the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by Congress on July 4th, it was actually voted for on July 2nd. Because of this, John Adams celebrated the 2nd of July as Independence day and reportedly turned down celebration invitations on the 4th of July.
2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. They are also the only two who signed the Declaration of Independence who then went on to become President of the United States.
3. The tradition of lighting off fireworks began on the one year anniversary of America’s independence.
4. Americans consume around 150 million hotdogs on the 4th of July.
This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.
Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home
1. Have a barbecue.
It isn’t July 4th if there is no 4th of July barbeque. The traditional meal of hamburgers and hotdogs with delicious side dishes is a popular way to go, or you can spice it up and offer steak instead. We’ll probably be doing the hotdog/hamburger method since my kids don’t tend to appreciate a good steak.
For 4th of July barbeque ideas click on the image:
2. Wear 4th of July themed clothing.
It’s more fun to dress up for special days, and it’s easy to dress up for the 4th of July! Your kids will always remember that part of the tradition, and you’ll get some great pictures out of it!
You can do crafts, sensory activities, games, or even go on a scavenger hunt. Whatever fun activities you plan, your kids will love it, especially if it’s Independence Day themed. For some ideas, check out my post 6 4th of July Crafts and Activities.
If you want to create an easy sensory bottle to celebrate, check out this post:
No matter where you celebrate from or what you plan to do, you have to watch fireworks! If you or your kids don’t like loud noises, try sparklers instead. Fireworks (or something similar) are a must when it comes to simple ways to celebrate the 4th of July at Home. They are actually on our Summer Bucket List, and I can’t wait to cross that one off!
Final Thoughts On Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home
The 4th of July doesn’t have to be crazy, expensive, or stressful in order to have a good time. A low key and relaxing event can make the day more special to you and your family.
What are some of the ways you plan to celebrate July 4th this year? Tell me about it in the comments!
Whether it is for a kid/parent date, a special day for your birthday boy, or a day that’s just all about [name of child here], there are plenty of reasons to give your child a perfect day. With 5 kids in our house, it is SO hard to give the kids the undivided attention they desperately crave, which is why I decided to come up with the “perfect day” idea for my kids.
It all started when I began implementing scheduled dates where each child would get one on one time with one parent. Chris (my husband) and I take turns taking the kids on dates, one at a time.
I got tired of having to spend a ton of money each time, however, and had to start brainstorming more child/parent date ideas that were relatively inexpensive. That is when I decided to start having some of the dates be all day adventures, full of things that my kids love to do but I don’t always get the time to participate in.
How to Give Your Child a Perfect Day
1. Make their favorite breakfast.
There is no better way to give your child a perfect day than to start it out with their favorite breakfast. If they want to help cook or prepare it, definitely let them do it, but, if not, you can put on their favorite cartoon and let them relax until it is time to eat. My kids always choose pancakes, waffles, bacon, or all of the above LOL.
2. Go to the park and actually play with them on the playground.
I’m guilty of taking my kids to the park and then finding a comfortable place to sit and read a book, especially with my 5 year old. Now that he’s more independent it’s easy to let him play on his own, even though I know he loves it when I actually play WITH him. When I’m giving him a perfect day, however, we do things like play tag, hide n seek, or the floor is lava on and around the play equipment.
3. Go on a nature hike, and spend time noticing the little things.
Some of the parks we go to have trails that go through the woods, but if we are playing at one that doesn’t, we have nature trails nearby. The Dahlem Center is our favorite place, and I like to let the kids choose which way we go. We’ve been hundreds of times and I still don’t think we’ve seen all there is to see there.
Walk with your child on a trail and look at every little thing they point out. If they want to walk slowly, you walk slowly, too. This day is just for them, after all, so let them set the pace no matter how much you want to hurry along.
4. Talk with them, but try to do more listening than talking.
Throughout the activities of their perfect day, spend time talking and listening to your child. There are so many things they want to tell you, but when you are surrounded by the rest of the family it may be hard to get it all in. Let your child express themselves and chat your ear off all day long.
5. Let them help you make a lunch of their choice.
Sometimes, instead of making lunch, we stop and have lunch at the place of their choice. If you do make the lunch at home, however, let your child help you. I find that one of the better bonding times spent with my kids is when we are cooking together.
6. Take a nap with them, or have quiet time with them.
Instead of putting them in their bedroom alone for nap or quiet time, go with them. Lay in their bed and just cuddle, talk quietly, or read books together. Just having you there with them will mean the world to your child.
7. Play their favorite outside game.
After quiet time, head outside for a while and play whatever your child wants to play. This is the perfect time for you to play those games that you normally don’t have time to participate in.
8. Build a fort with them.
All of my kids like to make forts. They are constantly asking me to build one with them, but, on a normal day, I’ll enlist when one of the other kids to help instead. On their perfect day, however, this changes and I build the biggest and best fort with them
9. Watch their favorite movie in the fort while eating their favorite snacks.
Since you have to make the most of your fort, you should gather all the best snacks and bring them into the fort. We also like to grab pillows and blankets so we can get extra comfortable. Then, you should let your child choose a movie to watch from inside of the fort while you enjoy those snacks.
10. Take them to the dollar store and let them pick out a few items.
My kids choose their weirdest stuff, and that is perfectly okay. Oftentimes, we buy a package of balloons, blow them all up, and play games with those for a long time at home.
Other times, we buy paint and make artwork. You can even find dress up items and snacks that your kids will love! It’s not about the quality here, it’s just about giving your kid an amazing day.
11. Participate in whatever play activity they ask of you.
Don’t tell your child no today (unless it’s a safety hazard or expensive). If your child asks you to play, then go play! This is their perfect day, and they will love nothing more than you playing with them with all of their favorite toys.
12. Let the child choose and help cook dinner.
Okay, let’s get real here… you may not be able to keep your entire family out of the house for the entire day, so dinner time may include the rest of the family. Even so, this is still one child’s perfect day, so let them choose dinner and help cook it if they want to.
13. If they like baths, let them play in the bath extra long.
My kids LOVE bath time, but, with 3 littles who needs baths, I tend to rush them along. During their perfect day, though, they get to spend as much time as they’d like playing in the bathtub.
14. Read an extra book or two at bedtime.
I’m not one to say no to extra books anyway, but there is a point where I’m thinking I just want to go and read my OWN book LOL. The perfect day means they should get extra, however, so sometimes that means I’m reading to them for an hour straight or until they fall asleep.
We don’t just read the words, we also look at and discuss the pictures and events that are occurring in the book. With my 5 year old, I ask if he recognizes any of the words on the page, too.
15. Lay with your child as they fall asleep.
Allow them to ask questions or talk while you lay together instead of shushing them for bedtime. They’ll get sleepy and quiet eventually, and then they’ll fall asleep.
Important Tips For Giving Your Child a Perfect Day
You must be present!
This is the first and most important tip. Your child craves your undivided attention, so make sure you’re giving it to them most of the day. This is their perfect day, after all, so put the phone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. away and be present for your child.
Customize the day for your child.
Each child is different, so you may have to change things around a bit. With my daughter, we make time for DIY facials, mani’s, and pedi‘s. This is our “thing”, so we make sure to do it each time. It’s her favorite part!
Listen to your child – even the things they aren’t saying.
If your child doesn’t seem to be enjoying an activity on their perfect day, move on! Definitely don’t take it personally, instead take note for next time that they would rather do something else.
Final Thoughts On Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day
At the end of your child’s perfect day, your child will go to bed so happy and feeling so loved and noticed. There is nothing better than that, and it is something your child will remember for a very long time. If you make this kind of thing a regular tradition, your child will remember it for the rest of their lives and maybe even pass it along to their own kids someday.
You may also find that after you give your child a perfect day you’ll feel great, as well. While you may have skipped housework or other things you need to get done at home, seeing your child so happy and spending one on one time with them will make it all worth it.
What would you do to give your child a perfect day? Tell me about it in the comments! I may just add it to our own perfect day routine.
Mornings are hectic if you wake up at the same time as your kids. You won’t be able to have even a few minutes of quiet time before the morning craziness begins. Getting kids ready for school, daycare, or wherever you go that day can lead to stress. This is why it is important to follow a morning routine that will make you want to wake up before the kids.
If you take time to yourself in the mornings you can avoid feeling stressed during the day. You can have a cup of coffee and read, write, or check your blog stats before beginning the morning requirements. This will set you up for continued productivity, less stress, and just a better day overall.
With five kids, I need to make sure I’m taking this time in the morning to set myself up for a great day. My morning routine allows me to have some peace before the kids wake up, and I can get myself ready instead of scrambling around at the last minute.
1. Wake up at the same time every day
There are many reasons why waking up at the same time each day will benefit you throughout the entire day. First, you will have time to get stuff done before your kids wake up (which is the point, right?). You will also have an easier time falling asleep at night and waking up in the morning, you’ll take fewer naps, and you will feel less sleep-deprived.
Some other perks of waking up at the same time include: ⦁ being more alert and focused ⦁ having better short-term memory ⦁ being in a better mood ⦁ feeling less pain ⦁ feeling an increase in your immune system ⦁ performing better at your job ⦁ driving more safely and alertly
2. Make your bed
The best reason to make your bed as soon as you wake up is that it will keep your mattress and sheets clean and only allow the outermost layer to become dirty. The second most important reason is to start your day off on the right foot. By crossing something off your list the minute you wake up, you’ll feel accomplished and motivated from the start.
Making your bed also makes your room seem cleaner and less cluttered, which can reduce your stress levels. This benefit at the beginning of the day can make a huge difference.
3. Drink a big glass of water
Your body will be pretty dehydrated after sleeping for 6-8 hours. Coffee may be your go-to, but it leads to further dehydration. Before you caffeinate in the morning, drink at least one glass of water.
Aside from hydration, drinking water in the morning can help you be more alert and focused. Additionally, drinking water first thing in the morning increases the function of your immune system and helps your metabolism kick in sooner. If you’re not fond of water because of the waste, that could be because of the pollutants in it, which is why having your water come from American Water makes sense – it’s much purer and great for your health.
4. Eat a nutritious breakfast
After fasting for an entire night, your body needs nutrients. Without nutrients shortly after waking up, you’ll likely feel groggy all day. Studies have shown that eating a nutritious breakfast in the morning leads to higher cognitive function and energy levels, helps maintain or reach a healthy weight, prevents heart disease and diabetes, and can also help you maintain or reach a healthy blood pressure level.
5. Get yourself ready for the day
It is so much easier to get motivated when you get cleaned up and ready for the day. Don’t sit around in your pajamas or you’ll be more likely to be lazy. When you feel good about yourself, you feel good about what you can do.
6. Plan your day
Get your thoughts organized, and write down when you need to do each thing on your to-do list. Having a plan helps you get focused and makes it easier to get things crossed off the list that day. This clears your mind for a more enjoyable day and ensures you have time for everything.
What to do Next if You Still Have More Time
Then, if you still have time left before your kids wake up, practice self-care. Do something you love or something that will help you relax a bit.
My favorite thing to do in the morning is to read a book. It’s my quiet time, and it gives me a chance to do what I love BEFORE beginning the real-life stuff.
Having quiet time or self-care time in the morning also helps me stay focused at work instead of constantly thinking about what I’d rather be doing at home. If I already did something that I’d “rather” be doing, I don’t think about it so much at work. It’s the perfect way to end my quiet time in the morning.
Unfortunately, I don’t ALWAYS have time for it, but I’m working on giving myself more time in the morning to ensure this self-care time. When I don’t have time, however, I make sure to get some self-care time before bed each night. Bonus if I get the chance to do it at both of those times. 😉
Final Thoughts on a Morning Routine that Will Make you Want to Wake Up Before The Kids
A well-planned morning routine that makes you want to wake up before your kids is important in ensuring that the rest of your day runs smoothly. Every parent needs a chance to wake up, focus, and gather their thoughts before the craziness of parenting kicks in.
You will find yourself happier and in a better mood, too. So, wake up early, drink some water, and have a cup of coffee while the house is still quiet, plan your day, and do whatever else you need to get done to have a productive day.
What is your favorite part of your personal morning routine? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Mmmmm tomatoes. One of my all time favorite foods. I can’t say the same for the rest of my family, however, but realistically, your child should eat tomatoes every day.
My little guy, Liam, is the only person in my house (other than myself) who likes tomatoes. And when I say he likes them, I mean he LIKES them. He eats them first every time I put them on his plate and then asks for more.
The rest of my kids (and even my husband) aren’t fans of tomatoes. They won’t touch them. It’s crazy to me because I eat them raw all the time.
I’ve been trying to push more tomatoes, though, because they are SO good for you. I’ll explain how I’ve been sneakily using more tomato later on in this post but first, I want to tell you WHY your child should eat tomatoes every day.
Why Your Child Should Eat Tomatoes Every Day
1. Helps prevent cancer
Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been proven to prevent cancer and slow down the growth of potentially cancerous cells. Higher amounts of lycopene are found in cooked tomatoes, so adding tomatoes to your baked dishes is even better.
2. Helps bone health
Two nutrients that are vital for maintaining and strengthening your bones are calcium and Vitamin K, both of which are found in tomatoes. In order for your child’s bones to repair themselves from minor injuries, they should be consuming a decent amount of those nutrients.
The antioxidants found in tomatoes also help promote the amount of calcium found in your body. Long term, the benefits of tomatoes can prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
3. Good for heart health
It’s never too early to think about your child’s heart heath, and tomatoes can help with that. To prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems, Vitamin B and potassium are necessary. By making this a regular part of your child’s diet, you are setting them up for long-term heart health.
Teaching them to love tomatoes will also make them more likely to continue eating tomatoes when they are adults, further protecting their bodies from heart disease. A bonus, you and your spouse will also benefit from the Vitamin B and potassium.
4. Improves vision
Vitamin A, found in high amounts in tomatoes, is great for your eyesight. Not only can it improve your vision, but it also can prevent night blindness.
5. Prevents and fights against diabetes
If diabetes runs in your family, you should take extra precautions for your children. Tomatoes play an important role in preventing diabetes because it can help restore biochemicals that are off.
Additionally, the fiber found in tomatoes can make the symptoms of diabetes less severe. It has been found that fiber leads to a balancing of blood sugars, lipids, and insulin levels.
6. Good for mental health
The antioxidants in tomatoes can promote positive mental health. They can help decrease emotional stress and prevent neurodegenerative disease. With depression on the rise for children and teenagers, you should be especially receptive of anything that will help.
How to Get Your Child to Eat Tomatoes
Like I said before, only one of my kids actually enjoys eating tomatoes. Liam (my youngest) will munch on them all day if I’d let him (although with his eczema I definitely wouldn’t let him).
The others claim they don’t like tomatoes, so I have to sneak them into their diet in other ways. This is easier than it sounds and doesn’t involve a ton of prep work.
Some of the ways to get your child to eat tomatoes include:
Spaghetti sauce
Grilled cheese served with tomato soup for dipping
Raw tomatoes served with ranch
Add diced tomatoes to pasta dishes
Use tomato sauce as an ingredient in sauces or dips
Help your child grow a tomato plant. This is super easy, and they will be more likely to eat the tomatoes that they grew.
Final Thoughts On Reasons Your Child Should Eat Tomatoes
The reasons your child should eat tomatoes mainly revolve around health, but they are also an easy, quick, and healthy snack for when you are on the go, too. By teaching your child to love this food, you are protecting their health now and in the future. You’re also teaching them healthy eating habits and allowing them to take care of their own bodies as they get older.
What is your favorite way to incorporate tomatoes into your family’s diet? Do you ever have to sneak tomatoes into your child’s diet? Tell me about it in the comments!
“Every day may not be good… but there’s something good in every day.”
Alice Morse Earle
This quote from Alice Morse Earle, an American Historian, is one of my all time favorites. It is the best quote for when I am struggling to find the positive aspects of my life. We all (I think) struggle with being a negative Nancy on some of our bad days, but it is so important to remember that there is still good in each day, even on the worst days.
Since we all need some help finding the good in every day, and even the best quotes can’t always pull you out of the funk, I decided to put together a list of ideas to help you (and me) recognize the good in each day. I’m going to print the list and pin it above my desk so it is always in sight, giving me the reminder that even the bad days have good parts.
How to See the Good In Each Day
1. Start your day with a positive thought.
This can be a favorite quote or your own personal mantra, as long as it’s positive and it reminds you of good things, it’ll do the trick. Whatever you choose, it can help set you off on the right foot each day. It’ll be your beginning of the day reminder to look for all of the good things happening in your life and around you.
2. Change your routine.
If you are struggling to get through a bad day or if your bad days begin early in your day, think about your routine. Sometimes your morning or afternoon routine is causing you to only notice the bad things that happen.
By waking up earlier or having a cup of coffee in a quiet, calm environment, maybe you could think about the good part of your morning routine when something bad happens later.
Think of 2 positive things each day.
For me, it is most beneficial to write these positive things down in my planner each day. That way, when I open my planner in the morning, I see the good things that happened the day before, as well as the rest of the week.
It is awesome to have a quick reminder of all the good parts throughout the week as I remind myself of my current day, and I have the chance to positively reflect on each day while I plan for the next day.
3. Visualize yourself succeeding.
If you are anything like me, you may think of yourself as a failure when you mess up or when you are having a bad day. Try to change your own mindset by envisioning yourself succeeding in the future instead of dwelling on your mistakes. Remember, you WILL be successful if you keep being positive.
4. Go for a walk.
Going for a walk can help you see the goodin your day in more than one way. First, walking outside and seeing the natural beauty of the world can be an amazing way to remember all of the good in your life consistently. The plants growing, the birds chirping, the fresh air… all of that is GOOD.
Walking also gives you a chance to think clearly with little distraction. It is easier to think things through and remember all of the good when you are on a leisurely walk. Trust me, it’ll help.
5. Live in the moment.
Put your phone away. It’s hard to remember the good in your life when you are constantly staring at a screen.
I make excuses as to why I can’t ditch mine… the kids or my parents might call, I might need to take a picture, an emergency could occur, etc. I’ve been working on just leaving my phone out of sight, however, because 15 years ago I didn’t have a cell phone glued to my body and I got by just fine.
I find myself enjoying life more and really noticing how awesome life is when I put my phone away and just live. This is also something I’m trying to teach and model to my kids.
6. Find something to laugh about.
If you notice that you haven’t laughed at all in a day… seek something to laugh about. Watch a comedy on TV, call your bestfriend and ask to hear something funny, or even write your own funny story.
Laughing can make you feel SO much better. Plus, if nothing else happened that was good, at least you laughed.
7. Remind yourself that you are enough.
You really, truly are ENOUGH. Your kids want you more than they want anyone else in this world… your spouse CHOSE you over all the other people in this world, and you are on this earth to leave your mark. You matter and you are definitely enough.
And even if you aren’t married or have no children… you are still enough. You are still on this earth for a reason, even if it is to only lead a happy life and bring happiness to others. No matter what your destiny is, you are enough.
9. Make time for self care.
This is seriously SO important. At the end of a “bad” day, skip the cleaning and other household chores and just take care of your mental health. Find something that you love to do and spend time for yourself. If you need some self-care ideas, check out this blog post.
Final Thoughts On How To See The Good In Each Day
We all have bad days. It’s a basic part of life, although it doesn’t seem so basic when it’s happening. Turning your bad day around and remembering the good in your life is possible, however.
Finding a way to remind yourself that there is good in each day can turn your mindset around completely. Who knows, you might be able to turn your entire day around and end your bad day in a positive mood.
What is your favorite motivational quote? When do you find yourself needing reminders of the good in your life? Share in the comments… I’d love to hear about it!
The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived… SPRING IS HERE!! Do you know what tiny little event most of us forgot about? Spring sports season AKA: THE BUSIEST SPORTS SEASON OF THE YEAR.
I am so serious… spring sports seem to be busier than any other season. This may all be in my head (and the yearning for a relaxing summer schedule doesn’t help), but it is a problem none-the-less.
This year has gotten even busier for me since my pre-schooler is signed up for t-ball. So now we have our oldest on the high school soccer team, our 11-year-old playing major league baseball, and our preschooler playing t-ball.
How Will We Survive the Spring Sports Season!?
When I realized that we would have so much going on every single day this spring, I began to panic. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t pretty.
Then, after taking a deep breath and reminding myself that I have to do this no matter what, I started brain storming. We have done spring sports every year, the only difference is that this year will be a little (or a lot) busier. I realized I needed a plan.
To start, I started thinking back on our past spring sports seasons and then took notes on the following:
The items I commonly found myself needing but didn’t have
Our dinner predicament
The lack of time I had for anything else in my life (self-care, housework, quality time)
How to be in multiple places at one time (impossible, obviously)
From there, I was able to compile a list of ways to survive the spring sports season this year.
5 Ways to Survive Your Child’s Sports Season
1. Keep an “emergency” bag in the car full of things you might need.
This bag should contain all of the things you find yourself needing, but you never seem to have with you. I always find myself in this predicament where I’m asking all the other moms for ibuprofen or a jacket. This method doesn’t always work for me, so this season I plan on being ahead of the game.
Some of the things I plan on keeping in my emergency bag are:
ibuprofen or Tylenol
bottled water
snacks (for the kids and I both)
a jacket (it gets chilly toward the end!)
sunglasses
sunscreen
small toys for the littles
I plan on keeping this bag in the car at all times, and my goal is to not have to re-pack it each night before heading out.
2. Plan ahead for dinner
I know I’m not the only parent who gets stuck hitting up a fast-food drive thru after practice most nights, right?! I can’t do that again this year! Not only does it leave me feeling like a terrible mom, but it also just makes me feel so unhealthy, bloated, and frustrated with myself.
This year, I plan on using my crock pot for the nights that I know we won’t have time to cook. For other nights, I plan on packing sandwiches and yummy sides to take with us to practice.
Another option is to cook meals that can be reheated the next night for a quick and easy dinner. I plan on using my meal planning printable religiously because sticking to the plan will be so much easier that way.
3. Squeeze in some “free time” whenever you can
OK, I know this might seem impossible, but it is SO important. Self-care is still important, even when your kids’ lives are extremely busy. You have to take advantage when your partner offers to handle all the running around once in a while, or you could ask one of the other moms to pick your child up for practice in exchange for a night where you do the same for her.
Figure something out so that you can get your housework caught up, read a book, watch your favorite TV show, or even take a long shower without interruptions. You can also use this time to spend some quality time with your other kiddos, because quality time can easily be pushed to the back of your mind during this busy time of year.
4. Become comfortable with saying “no”
You don’t have time for everything, and the sooner you admit to that the better off you will be. Be picky about what invitations you are accepting, and be comfortable admitting that you don’t have the time (or energy) to volunteer for a bunch of extra events.
5. Plan carpools with the other parents, or split forces
During the spring sports season you will be spending a large amount of your time with the other sports parents. Chances are, many of them are just as busy as you are this time of year. You can offer the other parents a deal that might just help you both out (and if it doesn’t help them, maybe they’ll just do it to be kind).
The deal:
You take the kids to practice one night, and the other mom does it the next night.
Now, if this doesn’t work for you, you can always split forces with your child’s other parent. Rotating who will be responsible for practice each night can help with your kids’ overlapping schedules. Parent one will be at baseball practice while parent two will be picking up the teenager from soccer practice, and then rotate the next night.
Final Thoughts on Ways to Survive the Spring Sports Season
The spring sports season brings so many mixed emotions for me. While it is the busiest time of the year, so chaotic, and a bit overwhelming, it is so much fun to watch my kids doing what they love and making memories that will last forever.
My goal for this year’s spring sports season is to enjoy every bit of it. With these tips, I’m pretty confident it’ll happen. I can use all the help I can get, however, so leave a comment and tell us your best spring sports season hacks.
When your child begins going to school they will be more successful if they have an expansive vocabulary. Not only will it help them communicate and understand better, but it will also help them learn to read. This is why it is so important to build your child’s vocabulary.
The vocabulary that your child already knows and is familiar with will be what they build their reading skills on. Knowing more words allows children to understand words and stories better, but it also helps them determine what a new word means based on the context of the rest of the sentence.
This all goes back to having a decent vocabulary. You can help build your child’s vocabulary at home before they ever even begin preschool. It isn’t difficult to do, it simply takes consistency on your part.
Ways To Build Your Child’s Vocabulary At Home
1. Talk with your child.
Have normal conversations about all parts of your daily life together. Don’t refrain from using words that the child might not understand right away, and avoid using “baby talk” altogether as it could hinder the process. The child will use the context of the conversation to begin forming a meaning for the unknown words that you use.
In an article written by William O’Grady for the Cambridge Extra (an online linguistics magazine), O’Grady explained that,
“Children need to hear language being used to talk about things …. This is the type of speech that provides children with the raw material they need to learn a language…”.
By talking with your children about normal, everyday things, you are helping them learn to determine the meaning of a word, how to use it in a sentence, how to ask questions and all other aspects of language.
2. Read with your child every day.
One of the best ways to build your child’s vocabulary is to read with them every single day. Every time you read a book with your child, you are helping them learn new sounds and words. Over time, they will start to use the context to fully understand, but they must develop a decent vocabulary before this is possible.
While reading a book, it is also the perfect time to stop and explain new words to your child. If you notice a word that they may not have heard before, you can ask them if they know the word and, if they don’t, you can help them understand. You will be able to explain it in a child-friendly way while also explaining to them how that new word fits into the story (the context).
3. Avoid introducing too many words at once.
Children will never remember the words you are trying to teach them if you introduce a bunch all at once. Their little minds need a manageable amount of information. No more than 5 words should be introduced at once.
You can, however, add a previously taught word into the mix along with the 5 new words. This will just help solidify the word that was already taught and won’t overwhelm them.
4. With the help of your child, create a child-friendly definition for new words.
After you explain what a word means, try to come up with a more child-friendly version of that definition. Ask your child what they think the word means, and form the definition from what they say. You will want to clear up any misunderstandings, but try to keep the language the same.
5. Ensure repeated exposure to the word.
When a new word has been introduced to your child, it is up to you to enforce repetition of that word. Without repeated exposure, your child will likely forget the word completely.
6. Show the child an example.
You can show your child an example by showing them a picture. If a picture isn’t an option, show them something that describes the word. For instance, if you are teaching your child the word “furry”, you could show them (and let them feel) the fur of a dog or cat.
7. Show your child the word.
Write the word down and show it to them. Or, if it is printed in a book, show them which word it is. Seeing the word written can help them remember it later.
If your child can write, you could even have them write the word on their own. This also promotes letter recognition.
8. Have your child say the word.
Saying the word is probably one of the best ways for your child to commit the word to memory. By having the child use their auditory sense, they will be able to recall the word more easily next time.
9. Show your child how YOU figure out unfamiliar words.
Let’s face it, everyone struggles with a new word every once in a while, even adults. When you come across a word that you aren’t familiar with, try to figure it out by speaking out loud about it. Let your child see how you figure out a new word. They do learn from you, after all.
Final Thoughts On Ways To Build Your Child’s Vocabulary
Children will be more successful in school if they have a more expansive vocabulary. Not only will it make the process of learning to read a little easier for them, but it will also help them communicate better.
In order for your child to have a large vocabulary, you should spend time teaching your child new words. You can do this by reading and talking to them, promoting the regular use of new words, having them say the words, and by writing the words. Creating a child-friendly definition and example helps, as well, as does showing them how you figure out new words.
Which of these 9 tips you are planning on trying out to build your child’s vocabulary? Do you have any additional tips? Tell me about it in the comments!
The New Year is already here, and I just sat down this morning to figure out my New Year’s Resolution. I wanted it to actually be achievable goals for the New Year. It was a tough call because I can honestly say I won’t be going to the gym every day (or even once a week… I have 5 kids LOL), I also won’t ALWAYS eat healthily so I’m not going to restrict myself there, either. Every resolution that I considered just didn’t seem right.
I instead thought about what areas of my life I wanted to improve in, and things that I wanted to learn about. It seemed that everything I desire fits into two categories:
Instead of heading into the rest of the year with vague resolutions to improve finances, improve our home, and focus on family, I decided to make a list of how I can accomplish all of those things.
I didn’t go overboard. There are so many more things I could have added to my list, but I wanted to start with an achievable goal. I figure that I will be more likely to follow my goals through when I actually have a goal that seems possible, instead of a vague idea to work toward the goal.
I didn’t want this: Spend more time with family. Instead, I wanted something specific: Dates with kids weekly.
Then, I even went further into it and wrote:
“Dates with kids weekly. One kid each week, rotating schedule. After 5 weeks of individual kid dates, one big family outing. Then start over.
Not all of my achievable goals for the New Year were that long, either. That was probably the most complicated one. (List of all 10 of my goals for the New Year will be listed at the end of the post).
Later tonight I plan on sitting down and making a concrete schedule of dates with the kids. I may make and print out a calendar of the whole year and write it on there. Then I can put it into a binder so that the kids can always look and see when their next date is.
Plus, it might be fun to put a memento from the date in the binder afterward. Then, next year on New Year’s Eve we can look back at all of our date memories from the year.
I wanted to figure out a plan to implement each of the things I wanted to achieve. Once I narrowed it all down and wrote out my detailed list, all of the fun ideas came naturally when I began typing up my plans. The “date binder” was one of those that just came as I was planning.
So – back to the achievable goals for the New Year. Instead of just choosing one or two vague ideas of which areas I wanted to improve in, I came up with 10 smaller achievable goals.
10 Achievable Goals For The New Year
Follow chore/payment chart (blog post about that is coming soon so check back!!)
Start seeing a larger increase in the savings account.
Hire someone to do the yard work. (so serious. we can never keep up and I’m sick of stressing about it.)
FREAKING LAUNDRY. (and yes, this is how I wrote it on my list. I guess this one might be vague but I will be typing a schedule for everyone in the house to follow.)
Dates with kids weekly. One kid each week, rotating schedule. After 5 weeks of individual kid dates, one big family outing. Then start over. (We have 5 kids, hence the 5 weeks. If you have less/more, adjust the number accordingly).
Crunch numbers for vacations for the year before January 14th. Come up with a savings plan and a plan of when to make payments by February 1st.
Lose 40 pounds. 10 pounds every 3 months. First goal: Lose 10 pounds by March 1st.
Buy “clutter baskets” for each person in the home. Put anything they’ve left lying around the house in those baskets and distribute accordingly after school.
Final Thoughts On Achievable Goals For The New Year
All 10 of these goals are achievable goals for the new year. I won’t have to make a HUGE change in my lifestyle, I’ll just have to plan a little better and look for ways to cut costs while also making more money. Plus, I just need a plan to contain all the freaking clutter that my family accumulates each day.
I never follow through with my New Years Resolutions because I never come up with a list of ways to actually accomplish my goals in life. This time is different.
It may sound crazy to have 10 New Years Resolutions, but if they really are achievable goals for the new year, you can hit your goal sooner and see all the progress you have made. Plus, when you do accomplish one, you can come up with an even bigger goal next time.
Did you set any goals for yourself for the New Year? Tell me about them in the comments!
As a mom, I wanted to be home with my littles. I worked a full-time job, and I was depressed every single day because I would have to drop my littles off with a babysitter and spend the next 9 hours away from them. When I picked them up at the end of the day, they were usually grumpy and clingy. Then, we would get home, have dinner, work on homework with the big kids, give baths, and then it was bedtime. I had to make money in order to supplement my husband’s income, so it wasn’t possible for him to be the only one making money.
I felt like I literally never had time to cuddle, play, and spend time with my kids. It was so hard on me. Plus, the cost of child care was just ridiculous, it didn’t make much sense to work. I quit my job and began trying different things to make staying at home a long-term possibility.
What I Tried
I began my stay-at-home mom journey thinking I would open my own daycare out of my home. Quickly, I realized that it wasn’t for me. I felt like I never left work, I still wasn’t able to give my kids the attention I wanted to give them, and I was more overwhelmed and stressed out than before. Plus, it made my house SO MESSY.
Next, I decided to try freelance writing. I began researching, and I found my niche there. This one really does work for me, but I’ll get more into that later.
Then, there was taking surveys. This works, but it isn’t something I still do. Again, I’ll get to that more in just a little while.
I’ve tried direct sales in the past and those are just definitely not for me. I don’t like to sell, apparently, and I hate making my friends and family feel obligated to buy things that they don’t really want.
I’ve also tried selling clothes on the Facebook marketplace, doing transcription work, and rating ads on Facebook. I have tried a wide variety of ways to make money from home, and a handful of things I have tried have worked to help me earn more than $1,000 a month!
How it Has Helped My Family
$1,000 a month may not seem like a ton of money, but it has really made all the difference in living paycheck to paycheck and having a little spending money each month.
There were months in the past when we couldn’t even pay all of our bills. This resulted in late fees, overdraft charges, and it was incredibly detrimental to mine and my husband’s credit scores. It would seem like no matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t get ahead and stay in a good place financially.
I am so serious when I say that this $1,000+ every month has helped us reach our short-term financial goals, keeping us ahead of our bills, leaving money for saving, and for doing fun things as a family. Now we will be able to begin saving for the bigger expenses, such as putting new flooring in our home or remodeling our kitchen.
5 Ways to Make Money from Home
Freelance Writing –
This is, without a doubt, my favorite way to make money as a stay-at-home mom. I love to write, and if I had known it could be so easy to do online, I would have done it YEARS ago. After doing my research, I determined that TextBroker was the best place for me to start since I had never done freelance work before. I started out as a 3-star writer and quickly made my way up to a 4-star writer. As a 4-star writer, I earn .014 cents per word. So, for an article that is 2,500 words, I would earn $35. I get paid from Textbroker every Friday.
What I do on TextBroker is choose a job from a wide variety of topics, read the client briefing, and decide if I want to accept that job. They are all writing jobs, obviously. I actually write quite a few blog posts on TextBroker. By submitting the article to them, I am giving them permission to list themselves as the author. I no longer own the writing once I have submitted it to them.
Rating ads on Facebook –
I do this through a company called Appen. Appen used to be called LeapForce, so maybe you have heard of them before. I applied with Appen without fully understanding what the job was. It’s not that I was oblivious to what I was applying for, I kind of understood, but there are many different projects available. I applied for a few different projects, and I was accepted to the Nile Project. The Nile Project pays $11 per hour to rate ads on Facebook. It is SO easy. Tedious, but easy. The only catch is that you can only work 1 hour per day on this project. That’s okay, though, because it quickly adds up. I only get paid from Appen one time a month. There are more opportunities on Appen that don’t require rating ads, but that is the only one that I currently do.
Simple –
Simple is actually a bank account that I use for my spending money. I also make around $200 a month on Simple. I just tell people about the bank account, all of the perks that it has, and then I send them my link to sign up with. They will receive a debit card in the mail and, once they activate their account, I transfer $1 into their account (I never even need to know their account information, other than their e-mail address). They spend the $1 that I sent, and then I get $20, and they also get $20. It’s a win/win for both of us!! Plus, they get an awesome bank account out of the deal, too.
I wouldn’t typically do something like this to earn money, but I am actually so in love with Simple that I tell people about it all the time. Might as well make some money by talking about it, right?! I love it so much because it has the option to add savings goals. When you enter your goal, it tells you how much you have to save each month/week/pay period, and as long as you do it each time, your goal happens on track. There are separate areas you can put the money for each goal, too.
I have 4 goals going for myself right now. One is more mine and hubby’s annual trip to South Haven, one is for a Chicago trip with the kids, one is for new flooring, and the other is for Christmas next year. I love this option, and I love how easy it is to use it. Plus, I love that it is so easy to read and figure out.
Another awesome part about Simple is that it has an area to input all of your expenses. Since this account is the one I use for spending, I actually haven’t had to input any bills. Instead, I input things like groceries and gas, because I consider those to be my spending.
If you are interested in Simple, just click the link, send me an email, or drop a comment below. I will, of course, help you out and answer any of your questions.
Start a blog –
There are so many ways you can make money with a blog. You can make money through affiliate sales, ads, and sponsored posts. Those are just a few of the options… the possibilities are pretty much endless. Having a blog is also SO much fun. I love being able to express myself, be creative, and meet other people like me in the blogging community. There is no pressure with having a blog because you can do it all on your terms. If you start a self-hosted blog, you have full control of all aspects of your blog.
I have a self-hosted blog through Bluehost, and I use WordPress as the platform. If I wasn’t self-hosted and just used a free site from somewhere like WordPress, I might not be able to make money in the process. It is so easy to set up a blog, and so much fun once you get started.
If you are interested in how to start a blog and what to do once you have started one, I wrote a blog post about it a while ago. Feel free to ask me about this anytime!
Taking surveys –
Taking surveys is fun and all, but it is very time-consuming. I don’t actually do this one to earn extra money, but I have in the past. My 14-year-old stepdaughter recently just started doing it herself and has actually earned a decent amount of money with it. She wanted to earn some money for Christmas shopping, and she has almost finished buying everything she wanted to buy. It definitely does earn you some money, just not as much as other options.
How I Do It
So for me, I prefer to use TextBroker, Appen, and Simple to make $1,000 or more each week. At a minimum, I work to earn $200 a month on Appen, $600 a month with TextBroker, and $200 a month with Simple. When I have a goal in mind, I can always work a couple extra days with Appen, or accept one more article than normal on TextBroker. With Simple, it is more about getting lucky when someone agrees to use your link to set up a bank account, so I don’t usually push myself to talk about Simple anymore than I normally do. Textbroker is the easiest way for me to earn even more money each month.
I have 5 kids… their ages are 14, 10, 4, 3, and 1. I obviously cannot work for eight hours a day. Between meal times, play times, preschool drop off and pick up, I have to squeeze work time in at specific parts of the day. This usually means waking up before the kids and knocking out an hour of work. Then later, at nap time, I squeeze in another 2 hours of writing (if I’m lucky).
Sometimes after I pick my preschooler up I can put a movie on and let them eat popcorn in the living room while I finish up what I had been working on at nap time. The rest of my work has to wait until after the kids’ bedtime. After they go to bed, I work for an hour (two at the most) and then have to stop to spend time with my husband. It is a little complicated, but I make it all work out. All of that may have confused you, so here is an easier glimpse of my daily schedule as a work-from-home mom:
My Work/Mom Schedule
5:30 AM – Wake up, making coffee, wake 14 y/o up for school
5:40 AM – Work for one hour (usually TextBroker)
6:40 AM – Wake other 4 kids up for school and get the toddlers/preschooler dressed. Feed everyone.
7:40 AM – Leave for preschool drop off
8:20 AM – Arrive home, begin playing, reading, and singing with the toddlers. Snack time during.
10:00 AM – Craft/activity or table toys
11:00 AM – lunch, and then we clean up the house
12:00 PM – nap time
12:15 PM – Mama works
2:15 PM – If toddlers aren’t already awake (they usually are), I wake them up and get them ready to go.
2:40 PM – Leave for preschool pickup
3:20 PM – Return home. Sometimes turn on a movie, have a snack, and mom finishes some work.
4:15 PM – My 10-year-old gets home from school, homework and talking and playing follow
5:30 PM – Daddy comes home!! YAY!
6:30 PM – Dinner should be ready to serve
7:30 PM – Baths and bed
8:30 PM – Mama Works
Every day for us is very busy and I feel like I am always on the go, or something is always waiting to be done. I love it, though, and I wouldn’t change it for the world because I love being home with my kids. Being able to take a spontaneous day off just because I want to spend extra time with my littles is the best part about working from home. I love making it to class parties and other school events, too. Every bit of this schedule is worth it to me.
Final Thoughts on Making Money From Home
It doesn’t have to be hard to make money from home. I make money online every single day, and I can work as much or as little as I want. You are literally your own boss, and that is so amazing. You can take time off whenever you want, work overtime if you want, or just work for one hour every day. It doesn’t get much better than that.
With the ways I have begun working from home, I can look ahead at my finances or goals, and work extra hard one week to meet a need or want. Being able to decide how much money I am going to make that week is so cool to me. It really puts me in control of my finances, and I work so much better that way. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have found, and I know it is only up from here.
If you have any questions about how to make money from home, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I wish I had found these opportunities sooner, and if I can help you out at all, I would love to do so!
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