Things learned that school won't teach you. Where to start?! How much time do you have? I feel like school taught me nothing! Well, yes, I learned my ABC's and 1,2,3's, but now that I'm homeschooling my kids, I'm learning so much more! And sadly, learning how little I retained from a public school education. Read to the end for homeschooling … [Read more...]
3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
Drastic measures had to be made! We had switched to a gluten-free diet and began to eat mostly organic whole foods, with no artificial colors or flavorings. A Paleo diet, but with dairy. Not letting go of cheese and milk yet, if I can help it. My sons tummy troubles were almost immediately better just by going gluten free! I didn't know at the … [Read more...]
Homemade Immune Boosting Chicken Stock Recipe
My family was sick for what seemed like forever. I needed to get them well and there are many natural ways to boost your immune system. I had already made 3 ingredient slow cooker chicken and used that for my favorite home made chicken noodle soup. I had saved the bones and what little chicken broth was left in the crock pot after cooking the crock … [Read more...]
Give a Meaningful Gift this Holiday
Welcome to Monday Matters! Spread awareness to help important causes and start your week off right by making a difference each Monday, even if that is just to pin, tweet, or share to pass this information on. Are you planning your holiday gift giving already? Gearing up for Black Friday Deals or Cyber Monday? If you're like … [Read more...]
How to be Part of #GivingTuesday
What is giving Tuesday? We have a day for thanks, two days for deals with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and now a day just for giving! People all over the world are giving back, doing good, and helping others. What can you do to get involved for Giving Tuesday? Here are some simple prompts to get you thinking on how you can give back. Give … [Read more...]
Top Four Ways to Raise Grateful Kids
In our world of instant gratification and distraction, it can be hard for kids to take the time to realize how good they have it, how much they have, and to be grateful for it. And it can be hard for you as well, as a parent, to be an example of gratitude.For Thanksgiving this year I wanted to share tips that I have learned along the way in … [Read more...]
How to Have Stress Free Back to School Mornings
Even a homeschool family feels the pressure of back to school time. Well, this family does anyway. My kids attend classes and getting up in the morning is not something we are used to as a daily routine. It can be especially hard to get going after the summer break! I'm not a morning person myself, so usually end up rushed. I don't have time to … [Read more...]
Creating a Homeschool Schedule- Include Your Children
Will I ever have a schedule that works that I can stick to? Probably not. Things are always changing; the kids needs, my needs, our goals... But, I can keep trying, right?! Since the over scheduling and then freaking out episodes of the fall... we've had no schedule at all! a very relaxed schedule as far as "school" type stuff. We have our … [Read more...]
Can You Work and Homeschool? 5 Ways to Find Time
Yes, you can work and home school. As with most things, where there's a will, there's a way. If it's important to you, you find a way. Homeschooling was something I became passionate about once I understood that it is what is best for my kids and my family. Circumstances led me to have to work at least part time, so I did childcare … [Read more...]
Sneak Peak at the Future of Californias Great America
This post is sponsored by California's Great America, all opinions are my own. My family and I were offered a trip to California's Great America Family Theme Park along with a luncheon where we had the opportunity to hear about upcoming improvements to the California theme park. I went to Great America many times growing up, it was even the … [Read more...]
Who are your kids? Do you really know them?
I'm usually a go, go, go, type of person, non-stop. I like to do things myself if I want to see them get done! However, I've had some health issues and have had to be home to attempt to rest. To be forced to relax was extremely difficult for me. It did help that anytime I tried to do anything, such as a load of laundry or put the dishes away, I … [Read more...]
Is Childhood Life or a Step Before Life Begins?
Help! A strange kid is talking to me! It was an open house. There were lots of people there with questions and only a handful of adults whom I could safely assume worked there. I waited patiently to be shown around and have my turn gleaning answers to my anxious questions as someone who was unfamiliar with homeschooling and still very unsure. I … [Read more...]
Why “Me Time” is Over-Rated
How can I cope without ME TIME? I constantly hear moms complaining that they don't get away enough, they don't have time off from their kids, or they can't afford to go out with the girls, so they are miserable and feel like a horrible wife and parent. I want to extend some encouragement to these moms who are at their wits end and just can't … [Read more...]
End the Bedtime Struggle
Put a stop to the Bedtime Battle of Wills Sleeping kids are so sweet and calm, but before that calm, so many parents go through a nightly battle. By the time their precious kids finally pass out, they are angry and exhausted. Getting kids to go to bed doesn't have to be a war of wills, but it does take parents willing to stick to their word, stop … [Read more...]
The Gentle Secret to Keeping Kids in Bed
Snuggle Time Snug in bed, when it's quiet and still, that's when my kids want to talk to me about their worries, future plans, their day, all that is on their minds. I used to shush them and tell them it's time to sleep. Someone was always up 5 minutes later and I'd walk them back to bed. This would go on for hours! Now, each night I snuggle up … [Read more...]
Adorable Easter Craft – Spring Baby Chicks
Are you looking for a last minute DIY Easter craft you can actually do? Something that doesn't require a ton of time or obscure supplies? If you're like me, you waited till the last minute to decide, hey, lets do some Easter crafts together! And why not! Holidays are about spending time with family. Don't worry about perfection, but enjoy time … [Read more...]
Welcome to Natural Parent Guide
You may have noticed some changes around here and on my social media accounts. I have changed the name from Sandy Toes Creations to: Natural Parent Guide Why did I feel the need for change? Over the past few years the topics that I care most about have become clear and I have narrowed down what I post to just these things. The topics I love … [Read more...]
A Different Life for Us
I haven't written anything personal in a long while because life has been in such turmoil the past year. Much longer than that, actually. I was working multiple jobs to afford living in one of the most expensive places in the U.S. I love Santa Cruz. I grew up there, my friends are there, I have memories everywhere I look. I love the redwood … [Read more...]
How to Teach Kids Smart Money Management When You’re Not Great at it
I want my kids to learn good financial skills, but I know I'm not great at it myself. I'm so worried about teaching them the wrong skills! I've taken some financial planning courses, but there is so much information it can be confusing and overwhelming. I need something to explain in the simplest terms, in a way that is easy for me to share with my … [Read more...]
Make a Statement Beautiful Handmade DIY Gift Tags are Easy
I have horrific writing. I often can't even read my own notes! So, creating beautiful handmade gift tags is something I have tried and failed at and had given up as a lost cause. I'm better with drawing pictures than trying to create nice letters. However, I was invited to attend an event in Sacramento, California with some other fun bloggers to … [Read more...]
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