Search Results for: blog a simple bath solution

A Simple Bath Solution

Posted on by

One of the most stressful times for a new parent can be giving your baby that first bath. You worry about how to hold them, what kind of tub to buy, and what will work best. You feel so awkward at first. My husband and I bathed our newborn for the first time in the kitchen sink. We felt like we had no clue what we were doing, and that it definitely took two of us to give her that first bath at home. Eventually, you get the hang of it. Now, I bathe two kids at the same time … Continue reading →

Large Family Laundry Solutions (1)

If you have a large family (generally defined as at least six or seven members of the family living together), you know how chaotic and busy the laundry room can be. Washing and drying clothes for a lot of people can keep you busy, especially if you have young children who seem to need several changes of clothing a day. Here are some tips to make your laundry a little less hard to handle. And those of use with smaller families (we are a family of five) can also use these tips. Easy sorting One of the toughest things about … Continue reading →

Sometimes, the Simplest Systems Work Best

There is no denying that a piece of single parenting comes down to organization and having “systems” in place that work. Whether it has to do with your custody arrangements, transportation, or just making sure the laundry gets done and the kids get fed—getting some workable systems in place can mean the difference between efficiency and chaos. Before you get too confusing and complicated with your “systems planning” however, it might help to remember that sometimes the simplest systems are the best ones… One thing I have learned raising a family of three kids over the years is that sometimes … Continue reading →

Asthma, Allergies and a Few Frugal Cleaning Solutions

My two year old son recently spent a week in the hospital after suffering a severe respiratory infection. While he had been a healthy baby, now we suspect that he may be suffering from both asthma and seasonal allergies too. During the week of his hospitalization, I had a meltdown. I sent my husband to stay with him at the hospital while I frantically cleaned our home. I hadn’t slept for days and I was determined to kill whatever virus landed him in there in the first place. With my bottle of three-in-one cleaner in hand, I sprayed everything from … Continue reading →

An Easy Solution To Attention-Seeking Behavior

It never fails. As soon as I get on the phone, Tyler has to interrupt me to show me something or tell me something. I’ve explained to him that when I am on the phone he’s not to interrupt me unless it’s an emergency or something extremely urgent. Of course to him everything is urgent. Short of never having a conversation when he’s around or locking myself in the bathroom, what are my options? I understand that he does this to get my attention but it’s not fair, I cry. I should be able to have a conversation with someone … Continue reading →

Our Day of Free Fun

Because we are on a limited budget, it sometimes takes a bit of creativity to have low-cost fun, and free is even better. Today was a good summer day in the free department for the kids. After an early morning dentist appointment (free, but not necessarily fun), we headed over to our local library for their Tuesday morning program. Today, the kids got to make their own bubble solution and wands and also experience making giant bubbles. We went home with the wands and a recipe to make our own giant bubble solution. We took advantage of the trip to … Continue reading →

Two Secrets to a Guest-Ready Home

I don’t have the cleanest home in the world, and not every area is neat and organized.  But it is almost always guest-ready.  So if I get a phone call that someone is dropping by, I usually don’t have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off to straighten things up. So what’s my secret?  I have a couple. Let me share the first one.  It is that I don’t make messes and I don’t allow for them. If there is a struggle you or someone in the home is having, when it comes to messes, then … Continue reading →

10 Mistakes I Made As a First-Time Mom-Part III

Posted on by

I hope maybe one person might learn from my mistakes. But, the truth is that we all have to make our own as we become first-time Moms. So, maybe you won’t take my advice, and that’s OK. Because by NOT taking my advice, you took it, in a way. Remember what I said in part II of this series about trusting YOUR gut? And, for the first 4 tidbits in this series you can go here. Well, last, but certainly not least, are my final three things I learned from my mistakes as a first-time Mom. 8. Don’t buy a … Continue reading →

My Five Favorite Tips to Avoid Burnout

I did not listen to advice telling me to sleep when the baby sleeps. Instead I cleaned. I did not listen to the advice to take time for myself. Instead I planned more lessons and tried to squeeze in some work. I did not listen to advice telling me to not worry about the little messes. Rome wasn’t cleaned in a day. Instead I drove myself to the brink trying to get my overflowing “to-do” list done in one day. Then one day I found myself burned out. I was unable to move. Things that were once a joy were … Continue reading →

When do I clean: Practical Changes

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. ~A. A. Milne I love that quote. It describes my personality entirely. You would be amazed at the items I find and become distracted by while attempting a task or to clean. I once found a Verizon rebate Visa card, sadly, it was expired. Another time I found an old box filled with cards and items I intended to put in a baby book for my third child. I never started it and she is now six years old. While, these finds are good for … Continue reading →