For a long time now my little family has been living in survival mode. You could say I'm becoming an expert at homeschooling through stressful times. We're scraping by as I try to make enough to support my family and keep our home in one of the most expensive places in the U.S. on one small income. My husband is disabled so I had to take on … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Relaxed Homeschool Schedule
This past school year the kids were in a charter school that required we follow at least some curriculum, so we gave it a try. We are relaxed, eclectic, unschool type homeschoolers. I don't like to be labeled, but we use bits and pieces of curriculum as needed while most of our learning is through games, field trips, discussion, and everyday life. … [Read more...]
Would You Know if Your Friend Lives in Fear? #WomensLives
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. Join the Monday Matters blog hop after this post. How well do you know your friends home life? Would you know if your good friend or close … [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...]
Heal Anxiety Naturally Get Your Workbook Now
Anxiety is something I have struggled with all of my life. It's hard to recognize until you are already in caught in it's grasp and unable to think clearly enough to come out of it. Recognize anxiety in yourself: throat tightening feeling panicked short breaths or holding breath nervous flustered overwhelmed strong urge … [Read more...]
