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...]
6 Favorite Game Books for Kids
Before the instant gratification of devices, apps, and video games, we kids had to invent ways to entertain ourselves. Remember the Alphabet Game on family road trips? It’s so much easier for us parents to plug kids into a device when they are complaining about being bored, but I challenge you to give your kids the chance to find their own … [Read more...]
Fantastic Field Trips in Santa Cruz, California
There are tons of great places in and around Santa Cruz, California. Here are some more wonderful places to take kids on field trips: The Museum of Art and History (MAH) in downtown Santa Cruz. We scheduled a field trip there with a group of kids for the Art Gallery Tour and Printmaking workshop. Our tour guides were wonderful, patient, and very … [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...]
Healthy Bok Choy Beef Taco Recipe
I've always wanted to get a CSA farm box full of fresh produce, but the pick up places were not very close by, so I have never gotten around to it. I do like to shop at the farmers market, but can't make it there every week, though I would love to. As fast as my family plows through fruit and, well, any food in our house, it's hard to keep my … [Read more...]
How to Create a Homeschool Community
Creating a Homeschooling Community When I started out on this journey to home school my kids, I didn't know anyone who was home schooling. I felt so isolated and alone. None of my current friends, who's kids where already in school, understood what I was doing. I joined a charter school to get to know people, but though that was great for my … [Read more...]
Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe
It's hard to come up with meals every night of the week, so we always have Taco Tuesday and Pizza night on Fridays. Two other nights are leftover nights, so that leaves just three dinners I need to plan for each week and I make enough for those leftover nights, I just mentioned. Another great trick is to make double and freeze a meal for the … [Read more...]
Brilliant Tips to Simplify Family Taco Night
As the days get longer and we are out of the house more with sports or other afternoon activities, coming up with healthy dinners each night, let alone having time to make them, can be difficult. I like variety, but two nights a week are predictable. We always have Taco Tuesday and home made Pizza night on Fridays. Two other nights are leftover … [Read more...]