Thursday, January 30, 2014

For All The Busy Moms

This week has been crazy.  CRAZY.

Now usually I'm pretty organized and in general- I have my shit together.  But I won't lie, this week has been rough.

I work from home doing customer service for a local company.  Work was super slow during the holidays.  Which was awesome!  The downside, is that the New Year has brought a rush of incoming customer calls, issues and needs.  So my work load has pretty much doubled.  In addition, I participated in a market research focus group one night this week.  That was 3 hours of my time that I can never get back!  But on the plus side, I did make $200.

We have also been having some car troubles.  Nothing like a horrid screeching noise while driving to make you put car repairs at the top of your To Do List!  And of course, it wouldn't be super fun if we didn't have to take the car back in twice in two days- Yippee!  Yeah- I totally have the free time for that!

Let's add in extra babysitting demands.  Oh how I love babysitting.  Actually, I really do- that wasn't sarcasm right there....  I love the little kiddos and it's a nice break from my own crazy house.  But all that aside- it definitely added to my stress factor this week.

Now the cherry on top is the fact that my husband has been on-call this week at work.  So he's working 15-20 hour days and is battling his own stress and fatigue.  He will also be leaving tomorrow for a solo trip (well, without me and the kiddo) to visit his ill grandma.  It's a much needed visit but as anyone knows- traveling and preparing to travel, brings it's own stress and demands.

So what do we have?  The holy grail of crappy, stressful, busy week's.  The perfect storm if you will.....And I have to admit to letting some things slip through the cracks.  My son hasn't done his workbook lessons in 2 days.  I haven't made my husband a hot breakfast all week.  The laundry is piling up and I keep forgetting to refill our vitamin container.  And we've eaten out 3 times this week.  Gah- that never happens!  I forgot to feed the dogs breakfast yesterday.  Poor Pups!  And I haven't taken my daily walk all week.

So why am I telling you all of this?

It's simple really.  I want you to see how normal I am.  I'm not perfect.  I'm the first to admit to that one- goodness, perfection is way too stressful!  Why put that pressure on yourself?

I am a Mother.

I am tired.

I am overwhelmed.

And I am happy.

Each day, I do the very best that I can.  I strive for hitting my goals and making my family's life better, richer and happier.  Sure, some week's may be more difficult then others.  But I keep at it.

So yeah- this week was crazy.  CRAZY.

But it was also pretty awesome.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

14 Days of Love Challenge



For the last 2 years, I have done what I call, the 14 Days of Love Challenge.  The what?  Ooohh- just you wait, you're gonna love this!

The Love Challenge is basically small acts of love to show your spouse how special they are to you.  Taking the time to celebrate your spouse, is important.  And for added fun- let it be a surprise!

The rules of the 14 Days of Love Challenge are pretty simple.  And really- you can make up your own rules and adapt it to suit your needs.  The sky's the limit here!  But I thought I would share my own personal rules and guidelines just to get you started- here goes!

  • Begin the challenge on February 1st and end it on Valentine's Day.
  • It's not about money- try to keep the spending limit small.
  • Do at least 1 thing per day for your spouse that is out of the ordinary.
  • This is not about your children.  This is strictly something for your spouse.
  • Try to incorporate handmade items as much as possible.
  • It's the thought that truly counts!
So there you have it.  Pretty simple rules, right?  But I bet now you're wondering just what in the world you can do, make, give etc to show your love.  Especially for 14 days straight!  Not too worry- I've got you covered!  Here's a few things that I have done in the past for my husband.  
  • Buy a romantic or funny card and send it with them to work in their lunch bag.
  • Tie balloons to their car.
  • Grab takeout from their favorite restaurant and plan a candlelight dinner for after the kids are in bed.
  • Write a romantic message on the bathroom mirror.
  • Bake their favorite treat- my husband LOVES my Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting.
  • Set a "reminder" on their phone with a sweet love message.  Perhaps schedule the reminder to pop up while they are on their lunch break with a surprise- "I Love You" message.
  • Write a love letter.
  • Buy their favorite chocolates, beer, ice cream- whatever and surprise them when they get home.
  • Plan a romantic date night mid-week for just the two of you.
  • Cut hearts out of your kid's construction paper and leave a trail of hearts to the bedroom.  Make sure to write a special love note on each one!
  • Buy them their favorite magazine and give them quiet time to enjoy it.
  • Put their favorite flower on their nightstand.  So it's the first thing they see when they wake up.
  • Text a picture of you smooching and say "sending you kisses..."
  • Surprise them at work and take them out for a lunch date. 
  • Rent their favorite movie, make some popcorn and have a quiet movie night after the kids are in bed.
  • Change the ring tone on their phone to "your song".
  • Go to a movie and make out- make sure you sit in the very back!  Or go for a drive and "park".
  • Buy a bag of Hersey's Kisses and get creative!  A trail of "kisses", a pocket full of "kisses" etc.
  • Treat them with a small gift card- Starbucks, a favorite store etc.
  • Tell them something that you love about them everyday.  But write it on a small piece of paper and put it somewhere where they will find it throughout the day.  Jeans pocket, wallet, sock drawer....
Whew!  That's quite a list!  Hopefully this will help you to get started on your own Love Challenge.  And yes- this will totally work if you wanted to do something special for your kids.  You could easily do a Love Challenge for your kids and one for your spouse.  However, I typically just do one for my husband but keep it on the "down low" so the kiddo doesn't feel left out.  You could also have your kids join in on some of the ideas and activities.  

For me- celebrating Valentine's Day is more about showing someone how very much they mean to you.  I fully realize that it's a "greeting card holiday" but it's still fun to celebrate. Take the time to let your spouse know how important they are to you.  And what better time to do this, then Valentine's Day, right?




Saturday, January 25, 2014

Affection in Marriage

Showing affection in your marriage should be a top priority for you.  If you have kids or will be welcoming children in the future- it is equally important that your children are a witness to your affection for your spouse.

Be the type of wife who kisses her husband in the kitchen.  Who holds hands while walking through the mall.  The kind of wife who cuddles on the couch or plays footsie's while watching a movie.  Touch your husband in a warm and loving manner.  A caress on his arm, a hug around his neck, a silly pat on his butt.  Grab his face, look him in the eyes and kiss him.

And do this all in front of your children.

Why?

Because children will become what they see.  If they witness how very much their parents love each other, they will one day show this affection to their own spouses.  They will model your behavior and will come to understand what a healthy and normal, loving marriage looks like.

Our son sees my husband and I kissing all the time.  Seriously- All.  The.  Time.

Never underestimate the importance of giving your spouse your love and affection.  By doing this you are not only showing your husband how much you love him, you are also showing your children what it means to show love.  Be generous and affectionate with your feelings and it will be returned to you twofold.



Tuesday, January 21, 2014

To All the Naysayers


It seems that when you decide to homeschool- everyone and their Mother has an opinion about it.  And it's not always a good one!  I fail to see how my choice in how I raise my child and how we choose to educate him is really anyone's business.  But I suppose that people will always question those who go against the norm...

So here's the answer that I give when met with the inevitable questions.  "It's the choice we felt was best for our child and our family."  End quote.  Really- that's all you need.  There is NO reason to blab on and on about public school vs homeschool.  About government influences, lack of religion, poor behaviors, peer pressure etc.  Just be honest and be brief.  You don't owe anyone an explanation, even though they might think you do.

And of course whenever people find out that I'm a Traditional Housewife- they have an overwhelming desire to open their mouths and insert their foots.  Hmm...perhaps that's why I don't go around sharing this aspect of my marriage?  The reality is that my marriage is private.  So unless I've opened up to you (Hello Blogland!) or specifically asked for your advice and opinions, it's best to keep your mouth shut.

Now there are of course people in your life that are worth sharing and opening up to.  This post is not for them.  You should absolutely talk about your lifestyle and choices with those valued friends and family members who can respect your choices.  But let's face it- many can't.  Don't waste your breath on these folks- they are simply not worth your time.

The reality is this- I'm not willing to compromise for anyone but my husband or child.  So to all the naysayers, I have this to say-

I am so very happy with Me.  I know who I am and I like myself.  I'm not changing.

I have a fulfilling marriage.  My husband and I are happy with how our marriage operates.  

My child is awesome.  He's happy and healthy and he's pretty funny too!  Your parenting advice is not needed or wanted.

If you can't respect the choices that my husband and I have made to parent, educate and raise our child then you have no place in our lives.

And to all you fellow Homeschooling Moms and to all the Traditional Housewives- listen up!  Be yourself and screw anyone who doesn't like it.  Be happy in your marriage and confident in your decision to homeschool.  Once you do this, no one can hurt you.  Happiness comes from within and no one can touch that!


Saturday, January 18, 2014

Betty Crocker Chili

I'm not even kidding- this is Ms. Betty's very own chili recipe.  Circa- the 1950's straight out of the big red book that all our Mama's and Grandmama's have.  And it's our favorite.  Super simple, easy to make, filling and SO good.

I have doubled the recipe so there's enough for leftovers the next day.  This will feed a normal family of 4 for one meal and enough for lunch the next day.  Perfect!  I have pretty much left it as is- although I do add more chili powder & 1 extra can of kidney beans- adjust to suit your own tastes.  Enjoy!

Chili Ingredients
Betty Crocker Chili

2 lbs organic grass fed ground beef
2 cans organic kidney beans
2 cans condensed tomato soup
1 large onion, diced
4 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons flour
6 tablespoons water

Cook the ground beef and onions and drain the fat when done cooking.

Mix the chili powder, salt, flour and water in a small bowl.  This will create a "paste".  Add this paste to the ground beef and onion mixture and allow to thicken- should take just a couple minutes.
Mix & Add to the Beef & Onions

Finally, add the condensed tomato soup and your canned kidney beans.  Side note- I usually cook with ALL organic ingredients.  However for this chili recipe, my family personally prefers the taste of the Campbell's condensed tomato soup.  I know....I know...but until I can find a similiar substitution, this is what I use.
Add Beans & Soup 

Simmer on low, as in- super duper low, for at least 1 hour.  The longer, the better!

Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, green onion- whatever your heart desires!



Friday, January 17, 2014

A Morning Checklist for Traditional Wives

Looking for ways to improve your marriage?  Striving for peace and happiness in general?  Well, have I got the perfect "to-do" list for you!

Below is a list of things that I aim to do every morning.  In the last couple years- these small things have made a big difference in my own marriage.  My husband and I are closer now then we ever have been.  We are content, happy and satisfied in our marriage.  What more could you ask for?


7 Things Every Traditional Wife Should Do Before Your Husband Leaves for Work


  • Start Your Morning with a Kiss.  You may feel silly if your spouse is still asleep.  But trust me- this will make YOU feel closer and more connected to THEM.  So walk your butt around to the other side of the bed and give them a sweet peck on the cheek.  It's worth it.
  • Do Something Nice for Your Spouse.  Bring them a coffee in bed, or hang up the bath towels that never got put away last night.  Make the bed for them or lay out their work uniform.  The idea here is to do something nice and unexpected- just because.
  • Eat Breakfast Together.  This last year I finally started making my husband a hot meal before work.  Don't ask me why I never did before...I just didn't.  However, I have really come to appreciate that quiet moment over the breakfast table.  Our son has usually eaten already and is off playing or reading- so it's just my husband and I.  It's the best!
  • Snuggle in Bed a Little Longer.  Wake yourself up a few minutes earlier then normal and spend the time cuddling with your spouse.  A few minutes at the very beginning of the day can set the whole tone for the rest of the day.  Start it off right!
  • Pack Them a Lunch and Include a Sweet Surprise.  I always make my husband a lunch for work because if I don't do it- then he simply won't eat lunch.  But having the same thing day in and day out can get boring.  So I try to switch it up and at least once or twice per week I will include something unexpected.  His favorite licorice, a love note or even "I Love You" written in sharpie on his sandwich bag.  Take a few extra minutes to make their day special.
  • Start the Day With a Cheerful and Clean House.  I am usually the first one up and downstairs in the morning.  I have a ritual- open all the curtains, turn on the lights, light a few candles, pick up any dogs toys and other items left out from the previous day and sit down to a cup of coffee.  By the time my husband comes downstairs- the house is light and bright and the smells of breakfast are drifting through the air.  Who wouldn't want to wake up to that?
  • Send your Spouse to Work with a Lingering Kiss and a Warm Embrace.  Even if you've had an argument the previous day, your super tired, not feeling well- whatever.  Just do it!  Now this may seem like a pretty obvious thing- but you'd be surprised how many married people I know that don't do this.  So if you do nothing else on this list- do this one.
Seems pretty easy, right?  It's truly amazing what a few simple tasks in the morning can accomplish in your marriage.  And really- you don't NEED to be a Traditional Wife in order to do these things.  Anyone can- the idea here is that you do it.  Make your spouse feel valued and treasured- there's no better feeling in the world!

Related Posts

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The NO Grocery Store Shopping Challenge


If you're like me- chances are you shop at the grocery store weekly.  I used to go every other week but since we've changed our diet and started eating many more fresh items, I find myself there every week.

Now every few months or so, my family does what we call- the NO grocery store challenge.  It's pretty simple really- just skip one of your regular weekly trips to the grocery store.  The challenge is that you must eat only the foods in your fridge, freezer or pantry.

The benefits to doing this are HUGE!

The main reason for doing this challenge is of course financial.  By skipping a regular weekly trip to the grocery store, you are not spending the weekly grocery money as you normally would.  For me, this is roughly $150.  If I can- I try to put this money into our savings.  But let's say that you had some unexpected car problems or a medical bill that needs to be paid.  This is a great, simple way to "earn" a little money for those unexpected bills.  I also do this challenge when my paycheck is a little less then what it should be or if we need a little extra money for Christmas or my son's birthday.

My family also does this challenge before we leave for a vacation.  Mainly because we want to use up all the food in the house so it doesn't spoil while we are gone.  Added bonus- I don't feel so guilty about eating all the cheese!  And also- we can then add this savings to our vacation fund.  Now that's pretty awesome!

Another wonderful benefit to doing the NO Grocery Store Challenge is that it's FUN!  Seriously, my son loves when we do this!  We eat things we don't normally eat and meals can get pretty creative- especially towards the end of the week!  A favorite in our house is called "Snack Night".  Basically, we eat cheese and crackers, the last couple pickles in the jar, some leftovers that have been sitting in the fridge, the last of the chips & salsa and I might pop some popcorn.  And Snack Night wouldn't be complete unless we set up a card table and ate it in the living room while watching TV- just like I used to do growing up.  Ah- think of all the fun memories!

Finally- the last benefit to doing this challenge is that it's a great time to use up some less then desirable items that you've had sitting in your fridge, freezer or pantry for far too long.  Big chunk of roast with just a little freezer burn?  How about that double batch of Lentil Meatloaf that was less then tasty?  Two cans of mismatched soup that are about to expire?  You get the idea here- it's time to clean out your food supplies and get creative!

I recommend doing the NO Grocery Store Challenge at least every six months.  My family averages it about every 3 months or so- but I guarantee you that once you start, you'll be hooked!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Leading by Example

No parent is perfect and we are certainly no exception.

But we are big believers in leading by example.  Modeling the behavior and actions that you want your child to follow.  Wow- what a lofty idea huh?  If you've ever read any parenting books or listened to so called parenting "experts" you've probably heard a lot of similar ideas.  Leading by example.  Yes, well....that's all well and good, but how do you translate that to real life?

Oooh- I'm SO glad you asked!  I have THE perfect example for you.  I didn't plan it, there was no great thought behind it- it simply happened.  And it was awesome.

It all began when I ordered a new pantry in an effort to work towards my New Year's Goals and Resolutions.  Unfortunately, my pantry was delivered to the wrong address less then a 1/2 mile away.  The woman who lived at that address took the time to call me and inform me of what had happened.  She even offered to have her husband haul my 200 lb pantry over to my house.  All 3 boxes of it! Thankfully, I was able to notify UPS and they went back and picked it up and delivered it to the correct address this time.

Where's the lesson in this?  Hmm....just you wait.  It's coming.

I had a few phone calls back and forth with this kind lady in our efforts to coordinate the correct delivery.  She took the time out of her day to do something nice and for that- I am very thankful.  So today while my son and I were out running errands, I told him that I wanted to do something nice to say thank you.  We talked about it and decided that a small gift card to Starbucks would be a nice way show our appreciation.

He helped me pick out the gift card and helped with the Thank You card.  He watched me write the note, include the gift card and put her address and a stamp on it.  He was a witness to both this woman's kindness and our appreciation for her actions.

After all was said and done he said to me- "Mom, you know we didn't have to do all that.  But I think I understand why we did."

And there it is.  Lesson learned.  Hopefully remembered and some day- to be repeated.

It is my firm belief that true parenting happens in these quiet moments.   When you as a parent are given an opportunity to model exceptional behavior and to lead by example.  It's important for us to remember that our children are always watching, silently observing and one day- repeating.  

Monday, January 13, 2014

Tips for Homemade Weeknight Meals

If you've been following my blog- you know that I'm a big fan of cooking from scratch.  We don't eat many processed foods and eat mainly organic, vegetarian and a non GMO diet.  As anyone who eats a "special" diet will tell you, this can be tricky.  Especially when you are gone all day, or have to eat an early dinner or you will be arriving home late and hungry.  Below are a few things I try to keep in mind when planning dinner- especially on those busy weeknights!

  • Cooked in one pot.
  • Cheap to make.
  • Healthy, minimum of processed foods & made without GMO's.
  • No meat or very small amounts of meat.  Meat is NOT the focus of the meal.
  • Quick to prepare.
  • Can easily be reheated to consume at a later time.
  • Filling.
  • Enjoyed by all.
I also use my crock pot at least once per week and keep my freezer stockpile full of yummy, healthy, homemade meals.  We do not eat out during the week- at all.  There's no takeout, no trips to the fast food drive thru- nothing.  And on the weekends, I try my best to keep our meals out to just one.  Everyone is entitled to a break from the kitchen- and let's face it, eating at home all the time can get boring!  But that means that we are eating all but one meal at home every single week.  Whew!  That's a lot of time in the kitchen!

I also keep in mind what our activities are during the week.  If we are spending lots of time in the car travelling to sports, lessons and classes- then I need easy lunches or snacks that can be eaten in the car.  If my husband will be working early mornings and won't have time for a hot breakfast before work, then I try to bake some muffins or his favorite, pumpkin bread, so he can easily eat this on the road.

And let's not forget the importance of maintaining health.  For example, this weekend we went to the movies and actually purchased movie theater popcorn.  Yum!  However, the downside is that this can wreak havoc on a clean diet.  So I balanced this unhealthy treat with green smoothies for all!

The key here is planning.
Every Mom needs a
 few "cheats"!

And I will totally admit to having a few "cheats" in my pantry and fridge!  Annie's macaroni and cheese and Amy's frozen veggie burgers are our favorites!  But I try to keep these processed foods to a minimum!


Now- your probably wondering how my 8 year old son does with a diet like this.  Well- he's pretty much grown up eating this way, so it's normal for him.  However, he is like many other kids his age and does occasionally balk at some of the things on his dinner plate.  Lentil Loaf anyone?

The reality is this- I'm a busy Mom.  I simply don't have time for meals that require extraordinary amounts of time to prepare.  I also have a normal kid who just wants to eat normal food.  And let's not forget to add money into the mix!  I just don't have a shit ton of money laying around to devote to all these strange "health" foods that I see so many of my favorite bloggers writing about.  Oh- and my husband.  He loves, loves, loves his red meat and potatoes.  So I can't prepare foods that are too "crazy" or he won't eat them.  As you can see, this is a delicate balance.

Here's a list of our favorite homemade meals.  Most of them fall into the guidelines above to make it super easy to prepare during the weekdays.  You won't find weird ingredients that require a super secret detective mission in order to locate.  These are normal items that every single grocery store stocks.  Many meals contain our favorite meat substitutes- lentils, beans, quinoa and barley.  If you are just starting out on your organic, vegetarian journey- I suggest you start with these great substitutions! They are very easy to prepare and the price is right! By the way, I do NOT recommend meat substitutes or many of the "vegetarian" items on the market today.  Most of these products contain soy protein isolate which is very bad for you.  Just say no!

Someday soon I hope to update this blog with all the recipes!  But for now, I hope this list will provide you with some great inspiration.  Enjoy!
Lentil Chili

Lentil Chili
Minestrone Soup
Bean Burritos
Quinoa with Black Beans, Corn & Cilantro
Macaroni & Cheese
Cheese Enchiladas
Broccoli & Cheddar Soup
Black Bean Soup
Chicken and Dumplings
Taco Salad Bar with beans (no meat)
Red Beans & Rice
Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos
Baked Potato Soup
Lentil & Barley "Meatloaf" Muffins
Betty Crocker Chili
Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
Broccoli & Cheddar Soup
Pinto Bean Tacos
Baked Potato Bar
Black Beans & Quinoa Chili
Tator Tot Casserole
Veggie Fajitas
Lentil Stew
Enchilada Casserole
Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Veggie Barley Soup
French Bread Veggie Pizzas
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Black Bean Chili
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Nachos with beans (no meat)











Saturday, January 11, 2014

Homeschooling- We are Still Learning

We've officially been homeschooling for 5 years now.  Ask any homeschooling parent and they will probably tell you that the process of teaching their children began at birth.  I agree!  However, we "officially" started when William was 3- so almost 6 years ago now. While he did attend a preschool program one morning every week- we spent most our days learning at home.  So you could say that we are pretty much out of the newlywed phase of homeschooling.  We've been doing this long enough that we should have it figured out by now, right?  Wrong.

Don't I wish!

I think where I struggle the most as a homeschooling Mom is maintaining the balance.  I am ever mindful that I have shit to do.  Always.  Dinner's to make, dogs to feed, laundry to fold, dishes to wash, errands to run.  Oh yeah- and lets add in working a Jobby Job, not to be confused with all the work I do at home as a Wife and Mother.

So is it any wonder that Friday night rolls around and all I want to do is make myself an adult beverage, put my slippers on and watch Real Housewives.  By myself.  Alone.

There's one thing that no one really talks about in homeschool land.  The pressure to be all and do all while teaching your child.  The expectations are higher.  People are waiting for you to fail.  If your homeschooled child doesn't act a certain way, know all the answers to EVERYTHING, have perfect manners and excel at sports- then most people view you as a failure.  And let me tell you- they are quick to tell you so.

Another common misconception is that because you homeschooling Moms (or Dads) are home all day, that your house is in pristine condition.  But lets be honest here....it probably looks like every other normal house on your street.  At least I know mine does!  Sometimes my guest bathroom is gross.  I can go weeks without vacuuming.  I hate folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher.  Some days I'm too tired to cook a homemade meal.

  Really- I'm just a normal Mom.  Doing normal Mom things....I just happen to be teaching my child at the same time.

As I said before, it's been 5 years now since we began our homeschooling journey.  Yes, I certainly know more about homeschooling.  And I feel more comfortable in my role of teacher- but I'm still learning.  If you speak to me 10 years down the road, I would probably tell you the very same thing.  It's a learning process and just when you think you've got it all figured out- life throws you a curve ball.

Oh well, guess I need to learn to play baseball now too!


Monday, January 6, 2014

Battling Entitlement

There's a new trend emerging with today's generation- Entitlement.

Ah, entitlement.  The end result of pampered, spoiled kids who have never really had to work for anything- including all those baseball trophies lining their bedroom shelves.  Everyone's a winner, right?  So what's a parent to do?  How exactly do you stop your child from growing up to be a self absorbed entitled brat?

Not too long ago someone who was once close to us had the nerve to preach about my son's behavior.  Oh geez.  Parenting Rules 101- DO NOT EVER CAST JUDGEMENTS ON ANOTHER WOMAN'S CHILD.  Especially when you have no children of your own!  Ah, yes- parenting advice from non-parents.  Don't you just love when that happens?

I will be the first one to say that my William is NOT perfect.  I like to think he's a normal 8 year old boy.  Yes, on occasion he does get a little whiny and develop a strong case of the "I Wants".  What child doesn't, right?  Especially around Christmas time, yikes!  But have no fear- Mommy shuts that business down right quick!

Here's a few things we do to ensure our child is well loved and adjusted.

  1. Put them to work.  Seriously!  It's healthy for a child to do age appropriate chores and other household tasks just like everyone else in the family.  Being part of a family unit means doing things for the good of the family.  While my son doesn't have a set chore list- he is expected to do things to help out whenever I ask him to.  This includes taking out the trash/recycle, picking up dog poop, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning his room, putting away his own laundry etc.  He does NOT get paid for these tasks because this is what's expected of him as part of our family.  
  2. Give them opportunities to earn their own money.  When a child has to work for their money, they think long and hard before spending it.  Suddenly it has a value- a worth.  So whenever my son comes to me and says he wants to make some money, I write down a list of things he can do (above the normal, expected items) to make a little money.  He can then choose from this list.  Some things I've included are: cleaning his toys in the garage, washing the cars, organizing the pantry, vacuuming the baseboards, yardwork etc.  Depending upon the time involved and the task, the dollar amount varies.
  3. Encourage them to save their money to use towards a big purchase.  This teaches children to wait for the good things in life and not to seek instant gratification.  For example, when we moved into our house a few years ago, we finally had a big backyard and my son really wanted a swing set.  He saved all this birthday, Christmas and chore money for well over a year in order to use it towards buying a swing set.  When children save and learn to wait for what they really want- you best believe they treat it with respect.  
  4. Give them a dose of reality.  Just because the neighbor has a trampoline does NOT mean we need a trampoline.  And just because your school friend gets to go to Hawaii every summer does NOT mean that we will.  And for heaven's sakes- do NOT buy them something every single time you leave the house.  Seriously, I know a few people who do this...Life is not balanced, equal or fair.  Best they learn that now in a loving environment so they can navigate through the real world as a functioning adult.
  5. Teach your children to be grateful.  Now this can be hard. Teaching the meaning of "thank you" and truly meaning it, is something that many adults struggle with.  We encourage a grateful attitude with things that can't be bought.  Yes, it's nice when someone buys you a new Lego set for your birthday but what's more important is that they thought about you.  That they took the time to pick out
    something they knew you would really like and enjoy- now that's something to be grateful for!
  6. Encourage them to be responsible.  The responsibilities can vary and should be age appropriate.  If your children keep forgetting to bring their lunch to school and you bail them out everyday and take it to them- what exactly have they learned?  By simply giving them the responsibility of remembering to bring their own lunch, they will grow up knowing that there's not always someone to swoop in and save them.  They learn to do for themselves- which is a good thing!   
  7. Teach them to give back to others.  Modeling a kind and giving heart is the best way to show your children what it means to be a good person.  Encourage them to give to others, spend time volunteering as a family, adopt a needy family for Christmas, donate to charity or help out a neighbor in need.  Teach your children what it means to do good deeds for others without expecting anything in return.
These are just a few of the things that you can do for your children.  I suppose to some it may seem harsh.  But we balance this with a lot of love, praise and encouragement.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

10 Truths Every Homeschooler Already Knows


  1. We march to the beat of our own drum.  We are trail blazers, free spirits and in general- we do what we want, we we want to.  Simply because we can.
  2. Sometimes we forget what grade our kids are in.  Seriously- this has happened to me.  Someone asks you what grade your child is in and you get this blank stare- ummm....3rd?
  3. We fail to see the importance behind tests.  Yes, we get that as our children get older and perhaps go to college- they will have to take tests.  But right now?  Why take a test when we already know how our kids are doing?
  4. We have no idea how to line up.  Ever been on a homeschool field trip?  The concept of forming a nice, neat line is foreign to us.  And further more- why would we even do this?  Makes no sense to us at all.
  5. We don't fit in with normal.  We sew our own clothes (project!) and grow our own food.  Some of us have farms or just several chickens running loose in the backyard.  We wear a lot of tie dye.  We like comfy shoes and usually don't wear makeup.  We take our kids to GMO protests and make signs for animal rights.  We are different.
  6. Sometimes we forget what day it is.  Yes, I have to admit that when you are home everyday having fun, learning and playing Legos it can be super easy to forget what day it actually is.  Many times the only way I know is that my phone beeps a reminder at me that I need to do something that day.
  7. We don't understand why we have to ask permission.  Spend any amount of time inside a public school classroom and you'll see all these well trained children asking permission to get up for some water, to go to the bathroom or sharpen a pencil.  Homeschoolers just do what needs to be done.
  8. We are much better socialized then public schoolers.  Yes, I said it.
  9. We do not all fit into one mold.  Homeschoolers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, cultural backgrounds, religions, etc.  We homeschool for many different reasons.  Our families include 1 child, 10 children, foster kids, special needs, gifted, 2 Moms, grandparents, etc.  We are not all the same.
  10. We are rule breakers.  And there it is- perhaps the biggest truth about all homeschoolers.  We challenge the norm, we question the rules and many times, we make up our own!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Resolutions and Goals for the New Year

Well here it is- 2014.  Seems only right that we begin the New Year talking about resolutions, or as my son calls them- revolutions.

I for one, am not too big into declaring a New Year's resolution simply for the sake of doing so.  Seems pointless to me.  However, I do believe in setting goals.  Personal goals, goals for your family, goals for your home, etc.  Goals are great!  And since I love organizing and planning- goals are something I think about often.  They don't simply pop up at the beginning of the new year as a resolution that I'll forget about several months later.

The New Year is a chance to re-evaluate your progress, make some changes and perhaps add in a few new goals.  My advice is to break it down into categories and try to set realistic goals.  Think about your time constraints, finances, your life, when outlining what you want to accomplish in the coming year.  Basically, set yourself up for success!


The categories that I use are pretty straightforward and easy for everyone to adopt.  Or come up with your own- whatever works best for you!

Personal

  • This is strictly for your own self improvement.
  • Things such as drink more water, give yourself quiet time to reflect, work on your patience & understanding, read more books, drink less caffeine etc.
  • My personal goal this year is to go for a 20 minute walk at least 5 times per week.
  • Last year's goal was to reduce stress.
Family
  • Items can include- visiting with family more often, watching less TV, spending more time together, eating meals at the table each night etc
  • My goal for my family this year is to take a few small, mini weekend trips together.
  • Last year's goal was to focus on the father/son bond and have my boys spend more time together just the two of them.
Health/Wellness
  • Is there a change you've been wanting to make in your diet or your family's diet?  How about spiritual health?
  • Lots of great topics covered in this category- eating more veggies, meditating, going vegan, adding supplements, taking up yoga, attending church, eliminating GMO's and processed foods and on and on the list goes!
  • My health and wellness goal for my family this year is to get rid of the toxic cleaners and soaps we use and to find a better alternative.
  • Last year's goal was to eat out less, especially fast food.
House/Home
  • Such a fun category full of projects and home improvements like adding a garden to your backyard, cleaning the carpets, buying a new couch, organizing the garage etc
  • I usually have several tasks to accomplish in this category each year.  And this year is no exception!  This year I hope to build an outdoor firewood storage, add a 2nd pantry for my food storage, replace the nightstands in the master bedroom and re-tile the fireplace.
  • Last year's goals were to build my son's swing set, put up shelves in the living room, frame more pictures and get a fridge/freezer for the garage.
Emergency
  • The wild card category.  Most people don't think about this category when setting goals but don't overlook its importance!
  • Items in this category include, starting an emergency cash savings, buying a fire extinguisher for your home, putting together a car BOB, starting a freezer stockpile, making sure you have a well stocked 1st aid kit, etc
  • My goals for this year are to increase my food storage and complete a weekend without power challenge to see how we can better improve ourselves and our home in the case of a major storm.
  • Last year's goals were to finish our BOB's, increase our savings, add carbon monoxide detectors inside the home and get a fridge/freezer for our garage so we could increase our freezer stockpile.
So there you have it- whew!  Now that's a lot of goals for the new year!  But when you break it down into categories, it doesn't seem so overwhelming.  To better increase your chances of success you can assign yourself a task to focus on each month.  For example, this month I am choosing to focus on buying a second pantry and getting the husband to assemble it so that I can continue to work throughout the year on increasing my food supplies.  Next month, we will be taking a small weekend trip to celebrate my son's 9th birthday.

I love setting goals and I love accomplishing my goals.  Good luck to you in the New Year!