Family Life Archives

20 Fun Family Night Ideas

January 11, 2018 by Selena Robinson 2 Comments

How many times have you heard the kids say “I’m bored” over the past month? I couldn’t possibly keep count of how many times my kids have said it. My best estimate is 982. And I think I’m guessing too low.

We are pretty conservative with screen time, so we only allow the kids to play on tablets or individual electronic devices a couple of days a week. Instead, we try to use our evenings to spend time talking about our days. Which is great.

But sometimes you just want to have an entire evening when the family has fun. And that’s why I’ve rounded up these suggestions for family night! These fun family night ideas are perfect for spending the evening together, no matter how old (or young) the kids are! Read through them and see if you can find a new way to spend time as a family!

Are you a board game fan? Be sure to check out this list of fun family games under 20 bucks!

20 Fun Family Night Ideas

1. Head to the driveway to play this Sidewalk Chalk Math Game!

2. Help the kids practice recognizing emotions with this How Am I Feeling? Social Skills Game!

3. Let the kids go “wild” with these Printable Animal Charades!

4. Relive your own childhood with these Classic Backyard Games!

5. Challenge the kids to engineer their own projects with these STEM Minute to Win It Games!

6. Play the classic Flour Game with all the kids!

7. Too cold or wet to play outside? This indoor Ping Pong Toss is simple to set up!

8. Make this Chocolate Popcorn Snack Mix for a sweet and salty treat!

9. Then let the kids make up these DIY Printable Popcorn Boxes to share their snacks!

10. Can’t have popcorn without a good movie! Plan a family Doctor Dolittle Movie Night!

11. Have some simple sensory fun with this stretchy DIY Flubber!

12. Do you have the board game Jenga? Turn it into quality time with this DIY Conversation Jenga idea!

13. The kids will love snacking on these Homemade Corndog Bites as you share a few games!

14. Bake a cake with the children and then let them try this lovely Cake Painting art activity!

15. Combine candy and popcorn in these crunchy M&M Popcorn Brownies!

16. Break out the earmuffs and play this exciting Balloon Stomp Game!

17. These easy peasy Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies are simple enough for the kids to bake!

18. Try a simple Family Storytelling session together!

19. Put together several simple games for a family Minute to Win It Party!

20. This sweet Peanut Butter Popcorn would be perfect for a movie marathon!

Want more ways to have fun with the kids?

See even more ways to spend an evening on our Indoor Play Pinterest board!

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Slowed Down Parenting in a Sped Up World

October 30, 2017 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Did you know that the Earth rotates at a speed of about 1000 miles an hour? I remember learning that in school and thinking “It doesn’t feel like it’s going that fast to me!”

Fast forward 25 years and I think it feels like it’s at least that fast, maybe faster. Maybe I just needed to be an adult to realize it.

Have you noticed that life just moves faster than it used to? We have the privilege of homeschooling our children, which gives us a lot of flexibility regarding our schedule. But even with our own daily routine, it still feels as if the days are just flying by.

Sunday evening is like the climb up a steep drop on a wooden roller coaster and from Monday morning on, it’s like we’re heading down at top speed and I’m just trying to hold on until the end.

That is not the life I intended for my children. I don’t want them flying through the years, only to look back on their childhood as a thrill ride that went by too fast.

So I’m committing to learn how to parent with intention – slowing down our parenting, even though the world is speeding up. Here’s how.

Images c/o: Wavebreakmedia / depositphotos

How to Parent with Intention in a Fast-Paced World

Scale back.

Many of us, homeschooling parents included, are simply doing too much. I’m living with ADD and I tend to take on way too much: too many work assignments, too many interests, too many homeschooling activities. It’s no wonder that I started feeling frazzled a few years into my life as a mom.

Late last year, I decided to see how it felt to scale back. Instead of saying “Yes” to every opportunity that came along, I started saying “No” – just to try it. Guess what? It felt fabulous. I found out that my days with my four children are already pretty full and didn’t need to be crowded with more.

Sit down.

Something else happened when I scaled back. I found that I had more time to sit down with my children. Instead of just overseeing what they did, I starting sitting with them to see what they were learning, how they felt about it, and what it inspired them to do.

I also started sitting down for more relaxed activities with them: reading, playing, drawing, crafting – all things that I thought I was too busy to do before. After the initial disbelief (“Mom? You’re actually doing this with us?), they started talking to me more openly about their interests and feelings. It was like getting to know them on another level.

Stay close.

My oldest daughter is in the throes of tweenhood and she’s feeling apprehensive about entering the next stage of her life. She’s worried about transitioning to high school, choosing a career, navigating her life among her peers, and deciding who she actually wants to be in life.

She’s been a little…difficult during this time. And it’s seemed like she doesn’t want my input, help, or advice as she prepares for this part of life. But I’m learning to stay close, to remain nearby – always available, always supportive, always reassuring. Because of that, she’s opening up to me more, inviting me into her life. If I had been too busy to scale back or sit down, I would have missed the signs of her budding independence and how I needed to adapt to it.

How do you keep your family close, even when life gets busy? Do you have any tips for how to parent with intention? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments!

Don’t miss these other parenting tips!

And see even more tips for a happy family life on my Parenting with Joy Pinterest board!

What to Do When Your Tween Shuts You Out

September 21, 2017 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

You ask your tween “What’s wrong”?” She looks down and away from you. Replies “Nothing.” You say “No, there’s definitely something. You can tell me about it. What’s going on?” She responds “Nothing! Why do you keep asking me about it?” before folding her arms and retreating to her room.

If you’re nodding along as you read this exchange, then congratulations! You’re probably parenting a tween too!

My husband and I have four children, but we are in the midst of parenting our very first-ever tween. And when I say that it is a learning experience, please believe that we are the ones getting the education.

I remember catching an attitude with my mother on a handful of occasions, but she was of a different generation. (The generation that hoped you would call the cops on them.) So her method of handling attitude problems was… different than the one we’re trying with our kids.

As a result, parenting tweens has been a brand new experience for my husband and me. After beating my head against a wall for weeks, we’re finally starting to see some improvement. Which is why I thought I’d share some things I’ve found that work when your tween shuts you out.

Having some issues with a younger child? Don’t miss these tips for how to show love to a defiant child!

Image c/o: duplass / depositphotos

What to Do When Your Tween Shuts You Out

Don’t take it personally.

First, try not to take her attitude personally. She may direct the bulk of her attitude toward you, but a lot of times, you just happen to be nearby at the time. And worse – you’re actively trying to find out how she feels, which may not be a topic she wants to discuss.

I kept thinking “she’s doing this just to bother me” or “she just wants to see me get upset”, but that’s not really true. Very, very few kids are malicious toward their parents. They’re just a little self-centered, which is normal. Before you reach out, try to check your own emotions at the door.

Share their world.

Your tween has plenty on her mind – from schoolwork (a big one) to her favorite movies or songs to the opposite sex (which may be a new and unnerving interest). Try to take an active interest in what she likes, even if she doesn’t talk about it.

For example, if your child is listening to a song, ask about it in a positive way. “Who’s that by?” “That’s a great song. I like it! Does that artist have any other songs you like?” Please, please, please don’t say something like “What’s that junk? That doesn’t sound like music! We had real songs in my day!” Just don’t. If she’s open to sharing more, sit down and listen. If not, give it time and don’t push.

Be patient.

Which brings me to the third thing to remember when your tween shuts you out: be patient. Your tween needs a lot of time to process her feelings and thoughts. Pressuring her to talk about them right away can make her more confused and frustrated. Give her time to decide how she feels and what she wants to share and then be willing to listen to it all, no matter how strange, halting, or uncomfortable it sounds.

Once she starts to open up, be receptive to it all or she may retreat behind her wall of silence again. That’s the last thing we want.

How do you handle it when your tween shuts you out or tries the silent treatment? What do you do to let them know you’re still there for them? Share your expertise in the comments!

Don’t miss these other parenting posts!

Plus, get more tips for thriving as parents on my Parenting with Joy Pinterest board!

What to Take to Your First Blogging Conference

August 3, 2017 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Blogging is a pretty solitary occupation, isn’t it? We spend a lot of our time sitting at the computer by ourselves. Then we spend a lot of our time taking pictures and editing them – by ourselves. Then we spend a lot of time promoting this content across social media – also by ourselves.

Bloggers do get a lot of social interaction from fellow creators and partners online, but this profession is not at all like a traditional one, which means you can end up basically working on your own.

For a lot of bloggers, a blogging conference is the first time they can experience the synergy of interacting with like-minded entrepreneurs who just get it. They understand the work, the struggles, and the tips that can help push a website to the next level.

And that’s why I’m so thrilled to be attending my very first blogging conference ever this fall! I’ll be going to FL Blog Con in Winter Park, Florida and to get ready I’m taking along some wonderfully cute business cards from Basic Invite!

But that’s not all I’m taking and I’m so glad that I have plenty of time to pack so that I won’t forget any blogging conference must-haves. If you’re new to blogging meet-ups (like me), here’s what to take along to your first blogging conference!

Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for this post and I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

What to Take to Your First Blogging Conference

Think about all of the things you use for blogging. What comes to mind? You probably use your laptop, your phone, your camera, and, of course, your chargers.

Guess what?

You should probably bring them ALL with you. Which means you’re going to need a fairly good-sized bag.

Like this one! I got this rolling mobile office bag about a year ago and it is a perfect size. It has space for a small laptop (like my Lenovo Yoga), my camera, and my other supplies. Plus, it rolls, which means no aching back!

But there’s one other thing you absolutely MUST bring with you to a blogging conference…

Business cards!

Why You Need Business Cards for Your First Blogging Conference

Bloggers work online so much that we can forget how to do good old-fashioned networking. And you can’t do that without a business card.

Using a business card gives you a great way to let content partners and brands know exactly who you are, what you do, and how to find your site.

Plus, business cards add a layer of professionalism to your occupation. They show you’re taking your job seriously.

I received a set of customized business cards from Basic Invite and they are so, so gorgeous! I can’t wait to hand them out at the conference!

When it was time to order my blogging business cards, my initial thought was “There’ll probably only be, like, five different designs I can choose from. Ho-hum.”

I was wrong. Basic Invite features a wide range of customizable business cards for all kinds of industries. The Vertical Color Block Business Cards are the ones that caught my eye. If you’re looking for an eye-grabbing business card, this is a great one. It’s a little unusual, but still very professional-looking.

With Basic Invite, you can change almost everything about the card. Users can select:

The colors
The fonts
The amount of text
The placement of text

For example, I wanted my business card colors to mimic my blog colors (teal and gray), so I found bold colors in those same shades. Since Basic Invite is one of the few websites that features a nearly unlimited color selection, you can have a blast “trying on” the different colors and seeing how they look on your cards – right in the preview pane!

I also wanted the text on my cards to reflect the grade levels addressed on my blog: Preschool through Grade 6. So a little playful, but also a little serious. And I think these fit that theme well!

And don’t worry, I’ve already put my business cards and my card holder in my bag. There’s no way I can forget them now!

If you’re heading out to your first blogging conference, check out the stationery options at Basic Invite. Besides the gorgeous business cards, they also have gobs of options for other occasions such as baby shower thank you cards and inexpensive birth announcements. Stop by today and start designing your own!

Learn more about Basic Invite by following them on social media!

And for more ideas to boost your blog, don’t miss the tips on my Blogging Smart Pinterest board!

When Your ADHD Child Worries

July 4, 2017 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Until I was an adult, I had no idea what the symptoms of ADHD were, much less that I was living with it myself. But as I began exploring the symptoms, I found out that excessive worrying is one of the hallmark symptoms of this disorder.

As our children grow, we’ve noticed that some of them are what I would call “physically anxious”. For example, our hyper child actually becomes irritated when he has to sit down for long periods of time. But others are “emotionally anxious”. One of our boys has low energy and can be sluggish, but inside he’s a boiling kettle of emotions, including lots and lots of worries.

What can you do when your ADHD child worries? How can you help them manage these big emotions while they’re still small? Read on to find some tips that are working for us and to pick up a free resource your kids can use to process emotions themselves!

If you enjoy this post, don’t miss these pointers for how to show love to a defiant child too!

Image c/o: londondeposit / depositphotos

When Your ADHD Child Worries

This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

Comfort them.

First, try to comfort your child. No one can think clearly when they’re upset, especially not a child. Let him or her know that you are there and ready to help. But make sure that the way you comfort them is geared toward that specific child.

One thing that works with my hyper child is physical touch. If I hug him or bring him close, he calms down quite a bit. For my emotionally anxious child, holding his hand seems to work better. He doesn’t respond as well to hugging. If your child doesn’t respond to physical touch at all, just sit nearby and say “I’m here to help” or something similar.

Respect them.

It’s important that we make sure our children feel that we value their emotions. If we just hug them or hold their hands and “pooh-pooh” their feelings, we’ll seem patronizing. But when we respect our children’s emotions, we model that behavior for them. They will learn to stop and give their feelings attention, rather than ignoring them or pretending they don’t exist.

Follow up physical touch or verbal reassurance with active listening. Sit down near your child, give him or her direct eye contact, and then listen to their feelings. Be sure to offer feedback that shows you are taking an interest in their expressions.

The Ultimate Guide to Brain Breaks eBook

Guide them.

Once your child expresses his or her worries, show them how to process them and go forward. For example, one of my children worries constantly about how he is viewed by others. He has actually let that fear stop him from speaking up about something he didn’t want to do, which shows that he’s especially susceptible to peer pressure.

To help, we talk with him about his feelings privately – away from his siblings. We’ve also found that helping him brainstorm how to talk about his fears has given him a lot more freedom to express himself to us.

We also work with him to explore his likes and dislikes, so that he can become more vocal about expressing his interests without fear of rejection. It’s helped him to stabilize his emotions quite a bit.

Since helping our kids to express their worries has helped us, I thought you’d like to try this free worry journal with your kids! It’s called “My Little Book of Big Worries” and it’s for helping anxious kids to process their feelings and how they can talk about them.

Use this printable feelings journal for kids to help your children write down their big worries in a pocket-sized printable book! Children can use this journal to write down what makes them feel sad, anxious, or worried and brainstorm how to express these feelings to their moms.

Here’s a quick look at how to put this printable mini-book together:

Print both pages.

Take the first page (which contains the front and back covers) and fold it in half horizontally. This is the front and back cover half.

This is the inside page half.

Fold the first page in half horizontally again to form a small book.

Then fold the second page in half horizontally also and then place it inside the first “book”. You should end up with an eight-page book. Add a few staples along the front edge to secure it.

The assembled book should look like this inside:

Let the kids use these pages to jot down their biggest concerns and how they can talk about them with you! After all…

For a limited time, get your copy of My Little Book of Big Worries free when you subscribe to our newsletter! To sign up, just use the widget below. You’ll receive access to our special password-protected subscribers page in your welcome email. 🙂

What do you do when your ADHD child worries? How do you help them manage their big fears? Share your tips and suggestions in the comments!

Need more help to parent your child with ADHD? Don’t miss these posts!

See more parenting help for kids with ADHD on my ADHD Tips Pinterest board!

How Do You Do It? – Confessions of a Fake Supermom

May 30, 2017 by Selena Robinson 2 Comments

Being a mom in the 21st century is pretty exhausting. It’s true that our mothers and our grandmothers had fewer modern conveniences than we did, but they also had much, much lower expectations. No one expected them to try to “do it all”.

Yet, most of us moms live under that expectation EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Personally, I get sick of it. And what’s worse is that people think I actually live up to it!

Whenever I’m out with my kids, I get asked “How do you do it?” Friends ask me that. Family members ask me that. Even perfect strangers stop in the middle of Aisle 9 of the grocery store to ask me that!

Well, here’s a newsflash: I don’t do it all, I’m not good at everything I do, and I’m not always a happy mama to my kids. In short, if you’re looking for a perfect mom to admire, then I have to confess: I’m a fake supermom!

Image c/o: cboswell / depositphotos

Confessions of a Fake Supermom

Confession #1: I Really Don’t Do It All

I do homeschool my children. I do work (both outside and inside the home). And I do work out. So if you’re just outside looking in, it can really seem like I’m doing “it all”. Well, I’m not.

I use a lot of online homeschooling resources to ease the amount of time I spend teaching the kids. We also use a year-round school schedule that allows us to have school lessons three days a week only, which gives me a lot of flexibility.

My employer is very understanding and allows me to get most of my work done from home virtually. Without that concession, there’s no way I could have a job outside the home. My online work is also flexible. If it weren’t, I wouldn’t be doing it.

And I do work out, but not as much as I’d like to and not in the kinds of activities I’d like to. I wish I could attend gym classes regularly, lift weights more often, and take up more sports. But I just don’t have time for all of that. Maybe in a few years.

If any of you have pictured me as an all-day homeschool teacher with two full-time jobs on the side who’s in perfect shape, I have to burst your bubble and tell you it’s not so. I’ve learned how to do some of everything I want to do. But I can’t do it all. No one can.

Confession #2: I’m Really Not Good at Everything

With all of these interests, I must be a jack of all trades, right? Wrong!

I have ADD, which means that I get interested in all kinds of things. Almost on a monthly basis. And while that keeps my life interesting, it also makes it very difficult to stick with something long enough to truly master it. So I end up being kind of okay at a lot of things, but great at almost nothing.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to force myself to finish what I start, which has drastically reduced the number of interests I have. But I’m not good at everything I do and I may never be. Which is just fine.

Confession #3: I’m Not a Happy Mom Everyday

By nature, I’m a pretty sunny person. I tend to be positive and upbeat…for the most part. But parenting is hard, even when you’re a naturally happy soul. And there are days when I feel so sad I can barely stand to get up in the morning.

I don’t talk about it a lot, because it doesn’t change anything and because I know it will pass. Complaining doesn’t help me much. I still have to be a mom and I have to keep going, whether I feel like it or not. But the fact that I don’t vent a lot doesn’t mean I don’t struggle. I do.

In fact, I think that might be something I talk about more on the blog. What do you think?

If you’ve been struggling trying to make yourself live up to some perfect image of a superwoman or supermom, let me reassure you of this: There are no supermoms. Every mother who looks like one isn’t really one. Which means you don’t have to try to be that either. Take it from me: an honest-to-goodness fake supermom!

Need more parenting tips for the real mom life?

And get more support on my Parenting with Joy Pinterest board!

What to Do When Homeschooling Feels Like Too Much

May 2, 2017 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

I’ve been a homeschooling parent for almost nine years. More than that, I’m a homeschooling graduate. You’d think I’d have this stuff down by now.

But last week, it happened. I had an utter and complete homeschooling meltdown. My children were behaving horribly, I was behind on lesson planning, I was exhausted, and I was defeated. It literally felt like I was drowning.

Ever been there?

Homeschooling is a wonderful lifestyle for families. It gives us a lot more freedom, flexibility, and time with our kids. But it also takes a lot from us. And, after a while, it can feel draining, especially when things aren’t going so well.

Despite my years of practice, I still have times when homeschooling feels like too much to handle. Yet, here I am, back on track and still homeschooling. Here’s how I keep going, even when I’m ready to give up on homeschooling.

Image c/o: Jaykayl / depositphotos

What to Do When Homeschooling Feels Like Too Much

First: Remind yourself it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.

Sometimes homeschooling parents, moms in particular, get exhausted and frustrated and then feel guilty about feeling that way. Once we get onto that carousel of emotional guilt, it’s very, very hard to get off. The days begin with super high expectations and then end with a crash when lessons don’t get completed or children don’t behave.

It’s perfectly okay to feel like this. Parenting is hard. Teaching children is hard. (Don’t believe me? Ask a public school teacher!)

Take a breath, acknowledge how you honestly feel, and then give yourself grace for experiencing a normal human emotion.

Second: Focus on the now.

A few months back, I heard an actor do a quick mental meditation exercise on television. He said “Focus on this moment you have right now. This moment now is the only one that matters.”

And, really, he was right. As parents, we can start to think so much about our children’s future that we bury ourselves in a sea of worries.

What if my children don’t pass their tests?

What if they have to repeat a grade?

What if homeschooling turns out to be a huge mistake?

What if they hate me for insisting on teaching them at home?

NO ONE can life a happy life while carrying that kind of mental and emotional weight, and you shouldn’t attempt to be the first.

When you’re overwhelmed, think about the moment you’re in. Are your children healthy? Are they (relatively) happy? Do you have the things you truly need? Then, for this moment, you and your family are fine. Make yourself stop and appreciate the security of it.

Third: Throw yourself a lifesaver.

There are many, many situations we face in which we have little to no control. Homeschooling, generally, is not one of them. We have plenty of say-so in how we teach our children, what curriculum we use, and which homeschooling method we implement. Use that authority to make homeschooling work for you!

Are you exhausted from planning lessons? Use prepared unit studies to make planning less strenuous. Do you despise teaching math? Try Khan Academy as a stand-in math teacher. Do you feel lonely spending all day with the kids? Get them out of the house (and yourself around some other adults) by attending library storytimes, local museum events, and more!

You are absolutely not tied to any homeschooling curriculum, method, or schedule, no matter how much money or time you’ve invested in it. When you feel like you’re drowning, throw yourself a homeschool lifesaver and float for a while instead of trying to swim on your own.

How do you manage your emotions when homeschooling feels like too much? What do you do to get yourself back on track and recommit to teaching your children at home? Share your tried-and-true tips in the comments!

Be sure to read some of my other homeschooling support posts!

And see even more tips for homeschooling successfully on my Homeschool Tips Pinterest board!

How to Restart Your Career After Motherhood

February 16, 2017 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’ve never regretted my decision to have children. Motherhood has been tough and demanding, yet I have loved every day of it. But I didn’t love what it did to my career.

Before I became a mom, I had a budding career as a tax accountant. In February 2004, I received a promotion – my third in six months – and began managing the entire payroll department of the upscale staffing service where I worked. Two weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant.

After looking into daycare rates in our city, we realized that it made no financial sense for me to continue working after our child was born. So I opted to become a stay-at-home mom. And that’s what I remained for the next several years.

Once we had our last child, I started thinking about returning to the workforce. But my resume had an eight-year gap and I had no recent job experience or training to land something new. Worse, I didn’t know what I wanted to do or how to get started finding it out.

Over time, though, I discovered how to reboot my post-motherhood career. And now, I’m working at a job I love, on a schedule that works for me, and still staying at home with my children! If you’re wondering how to restart your career after motherhood, these three tips are a simple way to begin.

Photo by Daxiao_Productions / depositphotos

How to Restart Your Career After Motherhood

1. Find your passion. Being a mother places an extreme demand on your time. That means that you won’t have the time you had before to pursue a brand new field. What will make up for that time crunch?

Passion. If you are truly passionate about what you are pursuing, you’ll stick with it, even when you’re exhausted or under pressure. How do you find your passion?

Think: What gets you excited? What topics do you read about or talk about the most? What do you look forward to doing each day? Those are good starting points for finding your passion. And once you’ve found your passion, you can start choosing a potential career field.

2. Research the market. Once you’ve found the sector you’d like to work in, dig a bit deeper. What does it take to be successful in that field? Does the amount of time and effort required fit with the lifestyle you want to live?

For example, I wanted to return to my first love: writing. But I also wanted to stay at home and continue homeschooling my kids. Obviously, becoming an English professor was not in the cards, because of the rigor of attending graduate school. So I had to adjust my career goals to ones that would fit well with the kind of life I wanted to share with my family.

3. Get an updated education. Many career fields that did not require a college degree in the past now do. And this is where years away from the workforce due to motherhood can really start to show up.

I had been to college in my teens and graduated, but my chosen discipline (Accounting) didn’t fit my new career goal (Writer). Further, a lot of the information I had learned had been updated and revised. I wondered what else I might have missed as I spent the years doting on my kids.

So I went back to college using online distance learning. I completed my English degree and now work from home doing the job I love – writing.

If it hadn’t been for online schooling, I probably wouldn’t have been able to pursue the career I wanted and that’s why schools like Ashworth College are such a great asset for busy mothers.

Can’t find a babysitter? You don’t need one with Ashworth. You can “attend” class right from your home on the computer, using a class schedule that works for you.

Plus, Ashworth is affordable. Compared to similar schools, Ashworth’s tuition costs, on average, five times less. Which means you can graduate debt-free, something I, frankly, wish I would have done.

Whether you’re a mom of many or a mom of one, a veteran mother or a first-timer, it is possible to restart your career after motherhood. If you take the time to find out what you’re passionate about sharing, do your research, and get the kind of education that will prepare you for your next career, you’ll be on your way to a rebooted career you love!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ashworth College . The opinions and text are all mine.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

December 20, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

I love my slow cooker. If I was single, I would marry it.

Before I had children, I wasn’t really much for cooking. I would grab something out of a can and eat it on my way to my second job. Naturally, after I got married, this had to change.

And when I discovered the magic of the crockpot, I learned that I didn’t have to love cooking. It would do the cooking for me! I went on a crockpot learning binge, finding all kinds of recipes that I could put in that thing.

Then I learned that a lot of slow cooker recipes are still time-intensive! I might have to find up to 20 ingredients. I might have to prep a lot of vegetables. I might have to scour the grocery store trying to find some kind of special seasoning.

With that much work, I was missing the point of the slow cooker – which is to do less work! So I was thrilled to come across this slow cooker red beans and rice recipe. It was already pretty easy, but I adapted it to be even easier. Because…I’m still not much for cooking. 🙂

I hope you love this! If so, be sure to try our easy vegan crockpot rigatoni for another simple slow cooker dinner!

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

You’ll need the following ingredients for this dish:

16 oz. bag of light red kidney beans
1 package of smoked sausage links
1 package frozen seasoning mix (onions, green peppers, red peppers)
Chicken bouillon
White rice

And that is it. Really. There are only five ingredients.

Start by rinsing the kidney beans and draining them in a strainer. Place them in the slow cooker. Cut up the sausage links into 1/2 inch circles and put them in the slow cooker as well.

Open the bag of frozen seasoning mix and toss the entire thing into the slow cooker. Now you’ll add your liquid.

The original recipe called for chicken broth, but chicken broth is kind of expensive. So I buy a container of powdered chicken bouillon and add about four teaspoons of it. Then I add seven cups of water.

Just for flavor – I add a little Cajun seasoning on top as well.

Put the lid on top and cook it for seven hours on Low.

About 30 minutes before the red beans and sausage are done, I cook the white rice. That way, it’ll be hot when the food is ready.

Dish the rice into bowls and ladle some of the beans and sausage on top. We’re done!

I might add a pan of biscuits to this, but this cooks up so large that I usually have enough for dinner the next night too. Win!

Get the full recipe below!

Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

Adapted from http://littlemagnoliakitchen.blogspot.com/2012/08/crock-pot-red-beans-and-rice.html

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 7 hours

Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes

Servings 12

Ingredients

16 oz light red kidney beans
1 package of smoked sausage links
1 package frozen seasoning mix (onions, green peppers, red peppers)
4 tsp chicken bouillon
White rice

Instructions

Rinse the kidney beans and drain them. Place them in the slow cooker.
Cut up the sausage links into 1/2 inch circles and put them in the slow cooker as well.
Open the bag of frozen seasoning mix and toss the entire thing into the slow cooker.
Add four teaspoons of powdered chicken bouillon and seven cups of water. Season to taste.
Put the lid on top and cook it for seven hours on Low.
30 minutes before the beans and sausage are done, cook the white rice.
Dish the rice into bowls and ladle some of the beans and sausage on top.

Don’t miss these other simple recipes for the family!

And get more ideas for easy dinners on my Family Meals Pinterest board!

How to Save Big on Homeschool Field Trips with FieldTripZoom!

December 15, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

I’m a homeschooling mom, which means I love, love, love taking my kids on homeschool field trips. There’s just one little teeny tiny problem: It’s expensive!

I’ve found lots of really great frugal field trip places in Atlanta that we’ve visited often, but other than those, it can be tough to afford really educational outings, especially as my kids get older and learn about more complex topics.

So I was excited to learn about FieldTripZoom – a virtual field trip service that offers streaming homeschool field trips you can watch from your home! Talk about a homeschooler’s dream come true!

Read on to see how we’re using FieldTripZoom to make field trips affordable for our family! Plus, learn how to score a 10 percent discount on an annual membership for you and your kids!

Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for this post and I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. (Affiliate links are provided here for convenience. For more, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Why Homeschool Field Trips Can Be So Expensive for Families

I’ve only attended a handful of live homeschool field trips since our last child was born and there’s a good reason for it: MONEY. As I browse available programs in our area, most of the sessions that look really educational are based on a ticket price per child.

That might work if I only had one or two children, but four? Take a modest field trip price of $10 per child, multiply it by four, and now we’re looking at $40 just to get in if there’s no charge for parents.

Unfortunately for us, most of these field trips are held at locations on the side of Atlanta that is exactly opposite where we live. Which means I have to factor in an additional tank of gas and pack a lunch. By the time all is said and done, I’m looking at $80 – for a one to two hour field trip. That’s a bit steep on our budget.

Needless to say, I’ve passed up a lot of homeschool field trips over the years.

How FieldTripZoom Makes Homeschool Field Trips Affordable

How does FieldTripZoom help me save on homeschool field trips?

With FieldTripZoom, I don’t have to shell out a separate ticket price per child and I don’t have to fill up on gas again that week just to drive across the city to an awesome program. I can just sign on to my FieldTripZoom account, join the virtual field trip, and watch with everyone!

For example, these are my four relaxing in the living room and watching a field trip about nutrition. My boys each have toys (which would probably be a no-go in a real-life program) and my preschooler is listening in too!

As the presenter asked questions, the kids got to get up and answer them via chat. They were actually arguing over who could answer each one! When we’ve attended field trips in the past, they’ve been a little hesitant to participate, but at home they were ready and willing!

This was a really great session, because the presenter talked about the importance of nutrition and how it is distorted by the food advertising industry.

This is where I had Tigger sit up and take notes. As a middle schooler, we’ve been really working with her to learn how to think critically about what she sees and hears. This information really reinforced that.

And when we got to the section about exercise, I nearly jumped for joy. (I’ve been trying to coax her into a more active lifestyle for months.)

On FieldTripZoom, you can see the entire program schedule for the academic year and decide which ones you and your kids would like to attend. They’re conveniently listed by grade level, so it’s easy to spot which topics are a good fit for your kids’ age ranges. But be ready to sit down and scroll a while: There are over 300 annual programs to choose from!

The Nutrition program was geared toward several grade levels. But I also wanted to choose a few programs just for Tigger, who’s in sixth grade this year, so I signed up for a few programs for grades 6 and up only.

This one on the Civil War – presented by the University of Virginia – was absolutely excellent. It was a truly informative presentation about how the Civil War got started and why the Confederacy lost.

Talking about American history can be a little dry, especially for active kids like my middle schooler.

But look at her face! She had so much fun participating in the discussion and learning more about this topic! And we never even had to leave the house.

Benefits of Virtual Field Trips for Homeschoolers

As we’ve attended these sessions, I’ve come to value some other benefits of virtual field trips for homeschooling families of all kinds, not just big families on a budget like us.

This virtual field trip was a trip to Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. We got to follow the host as he walked us through the market, introduced us to local vendors, and talked about the history of the place.

If I had tried to tour a place like this in person, I would have spent most of my time corralling my youngest, telling my oldest to pay attention, and trying to keep my boys from touching things.

Since we were attending virtually with FieldTripZoom, though, I didn’t have to worry about any of that! The kids just laid on the floor and watched. We talked about what we saw and heard and it was as no-stress as can be.

Now, hang on, because I’m about to really blow your mind. 🙂

We’ve even attended one of our homeschool field trips in the van. I had signed up for a FieldTripZoom virtual field trip hosted from the Alaska Sea Life Center, a place we’ll probably never visit in person, and I didn’t want the kids to miss it.

So I downloaded the Zoom app, signed on with my unique session link, and the kids watched as I drove!

It doesn’t get much better than that! And with the traffic we deal with in Atlanta, I will definitely make use of sessions when we’re “road-schooling”.

So the big question is: How much does FieldTripZoom cost? And I’m actually going to tell you the answer: $49.95 a year. That’s it.

For that price, you get access to as many of the virtual field trips as you want for as many kids as you want on as many dates as you want. It’s an incredible deal for homeschooling families, particularly those that have multiple kids.

And now – through December 31, 2016, save TEN PERCENT on an annual FieldTripZoom membership with this promo code: 01336. Here’s a handy image you can refer to when ordering.

Do you have questions about FieldTripZoom that I haven’t answered here? Still not sure if it’s a good fit for you? Let me know and I’ll do my best to fill you in based on our experiences! In fact, we have another field trip scheduled for this Friday, so I’ll have even more to share afterward. 🙂

To learn more about FieldTripZoom and all the programs that will be available for virtual homeschool field trips this year, follow the company on social media!

Keep Your Kids Safe Online with the Gryphon Internet Router!

October 18, 2016 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I am part of the pre-Internet generation, which means I remember when there was no such thing as the Internet as we now know it. In fact, I remember the day when we had our first modem installed. It was a really big deal…until I realized that waiting for ONE page to load would take an hour or more.

The Internet has definitely come a long way since then. Now pages load in the blink of an eye, which can be great in some ways and not so great in others. Faster speed means that more information is available to our kids than ever before and not all of it is good for their little minds.

Which is why I’m excited to share news about a brand new way to keep kids safe online, without hovering, asking tons of questions, or invading your kids’ rooms. Read on to see how you can keep your kids safe online with one simple trick!

Disclosure: This is a paid advertorial post for a product I believe will be of value to families. For more, see our Disclosure Policy.

Why Online Safety for Kids Matters

The digital age brings a wealth of information and conveniences, but we cannot ignore the risks it poses for the family. Most children are exposed to the Internet at the age of six, which would be fine, except for the fact that 70% of children see inappropriate content by accident.

The average family has 10 Internet-connected devices and counting, creating new security threats and vulnerabilities. However, the existing parental control tools are often complicated to use. Plus, they tend to be rather expensive, requiring annual subscriptions.

How the Gryphon Internet Router Works

What is the one simple trick to keeping kids safe online? The Gryphon Internet Router! It’s a powerful yet convenient approach to online safety.

Gryphon combines a high-performance WiFi router and a simple-to-use smartphone app, making it easy for parents to manage the connected home from anywhere. All security features are built directly within the router itself, eliminating the need to install additional apps on your connected devices.

When you use the app, you can set up individual users and their devices separately, which makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your children’s Internet activity without standing guard over their shoulders.

Setting up the Gryphon router takes just three steps and a simple tap with the Gryphon app. Among other things, the Gryphon app lets you:

Grant access to specific websites
Restrict internet access during various times of the day (such as during sleep and homework)
Monitor your connected home devices like thermostats or cameras to prevent hacking

And all right from your smartphone!

The app even features a social collaboration tool, so you can work together with fellow homeschooling parents to create a safer Internet for everyone, by recommending and rating specific websites.

Plus, you can also “see” which websites your children are frequenting and view parent ratings to see which ones are kid-friendly…

…and which ones might not be.

How to Learn More about the Gryphon Internet Router

The people behind Gryphon have worked hard over the last year on the design and the software platform and they have launched a Kickstarter campaign today for the final production of Gryphon. You can visit the company website to find out more about the product and the campaign.

The video below also highlights how the Gryphon router works and some of its convenient features. Check it out and support the Kickstarter to make this product available to families everywhere!

Fun Family Games for Under 20 Bucks

August 26, 2016 by Selena Robinson 7 Comments

When I was a kid, my parents loved board games. We had a lot of them. Sometimes when I was bored, I’d get one out and play against myself. (Please say I’m not the only one who did that…)

Naturally, I have a ton of board games for my kids also. But – if you haven’t noticed – board games have gotten pretty expensive! If you’re trying to find a new board game for family game night, you might have a hard time finding one that won’t break the bank.

So, I thought I’d share a list of fun family games that all cost less than 20 bucks a pop! Many of these are favorites of our kids (and some are even ones I loved as a child), so you’re sure to find a new family game night classic!

Why not turn your family game night into a tournament? You can play one game, then the winners play a different game, and so on until you crown the ultimate family game night champion!

Make your next family night even more fun with these awesome ice cream recipes for kids and these delicious cookie bar recipes you can make together!

Fun Family Games for Under 20 Bucks

This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.
1. Blokus

2. The Game of Life

3. HedBanz

4. Beat the Parents

5. Melissa and Doug Suspend Game

6. Scrabble Crossword Game

7. Operation: Classic Edition

8. Trivial Pursuit: Family Edition

9. Yahtzee

10. Pictionary

11. Pay Day Board Game

12. Stone Soup: Cooperative Game for Kids

13. Charades for Kids

14. Family Feud: Fifth Edition

15. Parcheesi: Royal Edition

16. Education Outdoors: Camp Board Game

17. Classic Checkers

18. Bugs in the Kitchen Board Game

19. Tapple: Word Fun for Everyone

20. Jenga: Classic

21. The Awkward Family Photos Movie Caption Game

22. Say Anything: Family Edition

23. Connect Four

24. Candy Land: 65th Anniversary

25. 5 Second Rule Jr.

Use these activities to make family game night extra special!

Get tons of parenting inspiration from my Parenting with Joy board on Pinterest!

This post is part of the Family Fun unit study roundup! Visit the other posts below for family fun ideas!

Our Bucket List for Fall Family Fun from Crafty Mama in ME

Fun Family Games Under $20 from Look! We’re Learning!

Family Movies and Games for Family Night from iGameMom

Nature Scavenger Hunts from Our Daily Craft

Family Fun Fall Activities from FrogMom

Apple-Themed Family Fun Night Ideas for A Fun Fall Party from Schooling a Monkey

Funny Bedtime Stories for Kids fromCraftCreateCalm

Using Bouncy Bands for Kids with ADHD

August 24, 2016 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Can we talk about wiggle worms for a minute? As I’ve mentioned extensively on the blog, we’re homeschooling multiple children with ADHD, which means that wiggly kids are an everyday occurrence around here.

Using a simple fidget is a proven way to help kids with ADHD improve attention span and executive functioning. And, since attention span is important for successful homeschooling, fidgets are pretty much a necessity in our family.

But, a lot of fidgets are rather…distracting. They go around the finger or the hand and are designed to be moved with the other hand. Which means that my other kids are staring at my fidgety kid fidgeting with his or her fidget. Not ideal. 🙂

So I was thrilled to try Bouncy Bands! These inconspicuous fidgets are awesome for keeping kids attentive without attracting too much attention. Read on to learn more about this great product!

Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for this post and I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

What are Bouncy Bands?

Bouncy Bands are simple resistance band fidgets for kids’ feet. They’re designed to go around the legs of a desk or chair, so that kids can rest their feet on them and move them whenever they feel like it.

Here’s a look at the chair model.

And the desk model – which is particularly good for older kids who might have longer legs.

When you buy a set of Bouncy Bands, you can expect to receive a box like this.

Inside are the band, the support pipes (which come in blue or black), and a simple instruction sheet.

Assembly couldn’t be easier. Just wrap the band’s left and right holes around the tops of the support pipes. Done!

However, here is the issue we faced: The band’s pipes wouldn’t fit around our dining room table legs. And the dining room is where we homeschool.

So I bought a simple stackable school chair. But then I discovered that the support pipes STILL wouldn’t fit around the legs. (The legs of this chair are kind of oblong-shaped.)

Eureka! I just removed the support pipes and the band fit just fine.

BTW, if you want to get a chair that these pipes are sure to work with, try this model. If you want to try the desk version, this school desk should do the trick.

Using Bouncy Bands for Kids with ADHD

Our seven-year-old is, by far, the most active of our kids. He’s basically in constant motion. So he was the best tester in our family for Bouncy Bands.

I had him sit in a chair and read a book while using the band as a fidget. Guess what?

It worked!

I thought he would bounce his legs like a maniac and get even more worked up. But he didn’t. He just bounced them occasionally – very gently – and kept his eyes on his book. I was thoroughly impressed.

Want to see Bouncy Bands in action? Check out my video review from my YouTube channel!

To learn more about Bouncy Bands, visit the product website for details about assembly and to read more reviews! Plus, keep up with Bouncy Bands on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook for more!

Need more tips for homeschooling kids with ADHD? Follow my ADHD Tips board on Pinterest!

Don’t miss my Homeschooling with ADHD ebook! It’s packed with tips and suggestions to make this special homeschooling journey a success!

Road Trip Games for Kids

June 24, 2016 by Selena Robinson 5 Comments

Along with summer comes the old-fashioned family road trip. We drove to New York this past spring and, let me tell you, four kids in a minivan for 18 hours is quite an ordeal. So I thought, “We should probably bring some games for the kids next time.” You know, to maintain our general sanity.

So, I put together a list of really awesome road trip games for kids that will definitely be going on our buy list for this fall. Next year’s road trip is going to be the best yet. 😉

15 Road Trip Games for Kids

These posts feature printables and books your kids will love on road trips!

Follow my Summer Activities for Kids board on Pinterest for more ways to make summer fun this year!

This post is part of the Road Trip Activities Unit Study roundup! Read more great road trip activity posts below!

Road Trip Activities from 3 Boys and a Dog
How To Stay Busy On An RV from Crafty Mama in ME
Road Trip Games for Kids from Look! We’re Learning!
Best Children Audio Books for Road Trips from The Jenny Evolution
Alphabet Travel Tic Tac Toe from Letters of Literacy
Kids Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Game from Schooling a Monkey
How To Turn Family Travel Into Learning Experiences from iGameMom
Are We There Yet? Maps For Kids from Books and Giggles
5 Fun Things To Do On A Road Trip from The Usual Mayhem
Outdoor Breaks for Road Trips from FrogMom
Best Family Road Trip Music from Bambini Travel
Road Trip Notebooking Pages from Year Round Homeschooling
Travel Journal from Embark on the Journey
Printable Road Trip Games from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading
Road Trip Activities from Tales of Education at Home
Car Scavenger Hunt from Planet Smarty Pants

3 Tips for Exploring a Nature Trail with Kids

May 6, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

As a bookworm, I haven’t been much of an outdoor mom. But my kids absolutely love the outdoors! So I’ve been making an effort to get them outside more often.

Which means I was psyched to join the A-Z of Outdoor Activities series! And for today’s entry (Letter E), I’m sharing 3 Tips for Exploring a Nature Trail with Kids! If you’re ready to hit the trail with your littles, see how we made it fun!

3 Tips for Exploring a Nature Trail with Kids

Let them set the pace.

Nothing makes a child hate something more than being made to do it on a timetable. I know, I’ve tried and failed at that with my kids.

When you get outside, everyone should be able to relax and feel at ease. And that means letting the kids set the tempo.

On our trail hike, the kids started off slowly…

…and then picked it up quickly afterward. I just told them to stay within eyesight, which they did (for the most part).

Stop and examine nature.

The whole point of a nature trail is to see nature, right? So, be sure to look out for interesting sights as you go. Don’t just focus on finishing the trail.

We came across this rotten tree trunk, which had become home to a spider web and lots of creepy crawlies. It was gross, but also kind of neat?

But it was mostly gross. 🙂

Have a goal in mind.

If your kids tend to lose interest in things quickly, you can keep them going along the trail by setting an endpoint as a goal to reach.

My kids needed the extra incentive of seeing something special at the end of the trail, so we chose a route that ended in a small waterfall. All the way down the trail, they kept saying that they were excited to see the falls.

And when we got there, they wanted to stay and just watch it for a while.

Seeing how the water “fell” and then formed a stream was pretty neat for them too.

They’ve talked about this experience almost non-stop since we left. And we’ve already made plans to visit the trail again! This was definitely a win for our family.

Want more ideas for having outdoor fun with your kids? Check out my Outdoor Play Ideas board on Pinterest!

This post is part of the A-Z of Outdoor Activities series from Crafty Kids at Home! Follow along to see all of the awesome outdoor activities shared this month!

How to Create a Spring Cleaning Plan of Attack

March 21, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

Ah…spring cleaning. To quote a song from an episode of Rocko’s Modern Life, “It’s a sick, disgusting job, but it’s gotta get done!” Pretty much.

I hate cleaning, which is one reason why I outsource most of our housework to my kids. But I generally get excited about the idea of spring cleaning. The actual chore, though, is not one of my favorite pastimes.

This year, however, I’ve actually managed to get some stuff done! And I did it by creating a spring cleaning plan of attack. (Yes, I’m basically saying that spring cleaning is war. It’s either the germs or me.)

Here are the three tips I used to tackle spring cleaning this year!

Image c/o: odua / depositphotos

How to Create a Spring Cleaning Plan of Attack

Clear the clutter.

One of our biggest problems was that we simply had too much stuff. When I see clutter, I can’t even visually get past it to see what else needs to be done. That stuff had to go. The book “Simple: 30 Ways to Declutter Your Life” gave me a nice motivational kick-in-the-pants to get started.

So I gathered up a ton of our board games and sold them at a consignment sale. Then I had all the kids go through their closets and try on all their clothes. What didn’t fit went into grocery store bags and into the clothes collection boxes in our area.

I also had a lot of stuff that needed to be filed or shredded. I had the kids sit on the floor and separate the things to be filed according to category. Then I could just put each category away at once. The shredding I took care of myself.

Once all of that was done, I could finally start thinking about the actual work of cleaning.

Divide and conquer.

Now it’s time to divide your house into individual areas that you can reasonably complete. Our house isn’t large, but the thought of cleaning the WHOLE thing from top to bottom is a bit too much for me.

So I think “Kitchen”, “Living Room”, “Bedroom”, etc. And, depending on how much has to be done, I might divide it even further: “Sewing Table”, “Bookshelf”, “Ridiculously Junky Kitchen Drawer”. (You know you have one.)

Tackle one zone at a time.

Alright. You’ve got your decluttered home. You’ve got your territory marked. Time to get to work! Do one area at a time and focus on one task at a time.

So, if you’re working in the living room, you might do all the surfaces, then the windows, then the floors. Or if you’re cleaning your bathroom, you might start with mirrors, then walls, surfaces, bath, and finally toilet. (Unless you’re the kind of person who wants to get the toilet out of the way first. Which is genius.)

And that’s how I managed to actually spring clean my home this year! For more homemaking tips, follow my Taking Care of Home board on Pinterest!

What’s your spring cleaning plan of attack? Share your tips in the comments!

How to Spring Clean Your Life

March 3, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

Spring is nearly here, which means that spring cleaning is nearly here. I’m not a fan of housework, but I love spring cleaning. The weather is warming, the air is fresher, and it’s a great time to declutter and simplify. I’ve been decluttering my house for the past month and it’s starting to look…somewhat like a house again.

But, this year, I thought: I really need to give my whole life a good spring cleaning and that’s what I’m going to do! In this month’s edition of the Monthly Goals linkup, read how you can spring clean your life!

How to Spring Clean Your Life

I started reading the book Simple: 30 Ways to Declutter Your Life a few weeks back and it’s been a really great reminder of why it’s worth it to make your home into an actual place where humans can relax and live. (Mine had pretty much become a diner/storage unit.)

That’s when I realized that my life itself has kind of become a hoarder’s paradise too. My email inbox is super dee duper full. (Actually, all three of them are full.) My housework schedule is too hectic, since I do have four children who can help. And I’m training for a marathon, but I’ve been filling my belly with actual junk. Mostly because I’m too busy to plan a good meal.

So it’s time to simplify and declutter every part of my life, which is what I’m doing this month! If you want to spring clean your life (simplify it and remove the junk), check out my goals for March!

My Life Goals for March 2016

As I did in January and February this year, I’m setting a new list of life goals for the month of March. And, like in those previous months, I’ll be setting one for each part of my life.

Family: This month, I’ll be working on teaching my kids to cook. I’ve outsourced almost all the housework, except this. Now’s the time.
Finances: I need to develop a solid budget for our necessities and include a fixed amount for “fun” stuff. “Nickel and dime” spending really adds up if you’re not careful.
Fitness: I’ve started eating wayyyy too many carbs lately – and not the healthy ones either. Time to go back to eating clean at least once a week.
Work: This one is going to be the hardest of all. I’m actually going to attempt to empty my work email inbox. As of today, there are 1,665 messages in it. Yikes.
Home: Kids just grow like weeds, don’t they! One week, you buy them new clothes. Then you have to do it again the next month and before you know it, you have clothes they haven’t been able to wear in years! All of the kids’ clothes that don’t fit are getting out of my house THIS MONTH.

Get more home decor and maintenance ideas from my Taking Care of Home board on Pinterest!

An InLinkz Link-up

Couch to Marathon: March Running Playlist

March 1, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

March is here, lovelies! And that means warmer running weather is just around the corner! Tigger and I are busy training for our second 5k in about two weeks and we are so thrilled to be done with early morning runs in 20-something degree winds.

Since it’s a new month, it’s time for another entry in our Couch to Marathon series: The Ultimate March Running Playlist! Read on to check out my tunes for this month!

It’s also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky! Read our features from last week and catch the newest posts below!

The Ultimate March Running Playlist

Everything In Its Right Place – Radiohead

Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder) – Maxwell

Tú Eres la Razón – Olga Tanon

Can’t Let Her Go (Album Version) – Boyz II Men

Beat It (Single Version) – Michael Jackson

Back To Where I Was – Eric Hutchinson

Enjoy The Silence (Original) – Depeche Mode

Carnaval – Maluma

The Boys Of Summer – Don Henley

Shame (12″ Version) – Evelyn Champagne King

Jungle Jazz – Les Tambours du Bronx

True Companion (Album Version) [feat. Tony Morales] – Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons

For more running motivation, check out my Bye Bye Baby Weight board on Pinterest!

Linky straight ahead!

This week we have some great links to share with you. We are very excited to bring you another great opportunity to linkup with us!

Welcome to our 72nd week of Laugh and Learn – Home & Family Linkup! Laugh and Learn Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

New: We have decided to expand our linkup to home and family categories! You are still welcome to share homeschooling or parenting posts with us. That will always be part of the #LaughLearnLinkup!

Each and every week, all of the hosts will pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on three blogs.

We are also sharing the top four posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Reminder: Please share this linkup! You can help us build a great family, home, parenting, and homeschool group.

Laugh and Learn Linkup was created by Tina from Los Gringos Locos. We want to thank her for this opportunity and send her big hug on her new adventure.

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Selena

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

Haley

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help them learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids, and their funny antics. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
Stumble Upon

Most Clicked on Link

Things To Know Before Having Your Third Child by Perfectly Imperfect Love

Selena’s pick for this week…

365 DAYS HANDS-ON HOMESCHOOL ACTIVITIES – ONE FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR! by Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Note from Selena:

Sometimes it’s tough to think of a great activity that my kids can really get into. This is a super list – one activity for every day of the year!

Sarah’s pick for this week…

Six Reasons Live, Online Classes Work for Special Needs Homeschoolers by Currclick Blog

Note from Sarah:

We recently began using some online sources to teach our kids. It began as a way to give me a bit of a break, but our special needs kids have thrived because of it. It’s been a pleasant experience and we plan to continue supplementing with online classes.

Haley’s pick for this week…

Southern Style Skillet Biscuits by That Recipe

Note from Haley:

I absolutely love homemade biscuits! The kids do too, and for some reason I have never thought to cook them in a cast iron skillet.

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I am That Mom Who Uses TV as a Babysitter

February 29, 2016 by Selena Robinson 4 Comments

I grew up watching tons of TV every single day. Later on, I realized that this was not the healthiest way to spend a childhood, so I rigorously monitored our children’s TV use.

Tigger didn’t watch any television until she was 2 (per the AAP recommendations). Somewhere between my third and fourth pregnancy, though, I discovered something wonderful: TV is seriously awesome for kids!

So these days, I don’t hesitate to use TV as a babysitter. In fact, it actually seems to be making me a better mom! Here’s how.

Image c/o: djedzura / deposit photos

Why I Use TV as a Babysitter

There are several reasons why I don’t mind using TV as a babysitter, but I’ll just stick to three:

TV is a super educational supplement. Depending on the topic, sometimes the TV actually does a better job of teaching something than I do. The kids and I watched a six-minute video about ancient Egypt about a week ago and they remembered more from that than they did from a week-long lesson I did about it a while back. Sigh.
The kids discover new interests. Kids have a way of wanting to discuss the exact same thing every single day for eternity, so it can be tough to get them to break out and try something new. Enter TV! When the kids and I watch a good kids’ program, they always learn about something they didn’t know before and that usually leads to a brand new unit study topic they’d never have found before.
I need a break. For real, sometimes I just turn on the TV and go into emergency shut-down mode. The kids get to watch a show or two and I get some much needed quiet time.

How I Choose Good Television Programs

The key to making this work, though, is choosing excellent children’s television programs. Generally, I watch a few episodes of a new program with the kids to get a feel for it. As I watch, I consider three things:

Is it kid-friendly?
Is it educational?
Does it make the kids want to learn?

If the answer to all three is yes, then it’s a keeper.

One of my kids’ all-time favorite shows is Wild Kratts. They are seriously fanatics of that show. They get so excited as they learn about animals, plus they love Chris and Martin’s hijinks, so it’s a win-win. These are the kinds of kids’ shows that make excellent babysitters.

So, yes, I use TV as a babysitter and (with supervision) it’s doing an awesome job with my kids! How about you? Do you use TV to “babysit” your children? What are your favorite kids’ shows? Share your tips in the comments!

For more parenting tips, check out my Parenting with Joy Pinterest Board!

This post is part of the “I am That Mom…” linkup from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read about how my fellow bloggers manage motherhood!

And if your homeschooling motivation is somewhat…lacking these days, reinvigorate your mojo with this wonderful homeschooling ebook!

Homeschooling: what to do when you want to quit

How to Teach Kids to Cook

February 16, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

I’ve made a bucket list of things I want to do by age 35. On that list are the following:

Run a marathon (currently training)
Write a novel (okay, that one might not happen)
Do no housework at all (that one is DEFINITELY going to happen)

I am so over housework, you guys. Over it. And right now, the kids do pretty much everything, except ironing and cooking. So today I’m sharing some tips on how to teach kids to cook that I’ve been using. They work!

Today is also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky! We had a blast last week and we’d love to see your newest parenting, lifestyle, and homeschooling posts!

How to Teach Kids to Cook

It’s been hard for me to let my kids into my kitchen. Let’s be honest: They spill things. They drop things. And they occasionally…shudder…break things. But those things happen to all aspiring cooks and they’ll never get any better unless they practice!

So we’ve taught Tigger to cook several meals and we’re starting with our boys as well. Head over to Thinking Outside the Sandbox to see how we’re doing it!

How to Teach Kids to Cook – Thinking Outside the Sandbox

For a look at one of our first baking experiences, check out our post How to Teach Kids to Bake!

And don’t forget our awesome list of great children’s cookbooks!

Onward to the linky!