Expectant parents are often faced with a difficult choice: staying home with their baby or going back to work and relying on childcare. Another option growing in popularity is to have a home-based business so you can make a living while taking care of your infant. If this is the path you’re planning on taking, follow these four steps to ensure the success of your new venture – written by Amanda Henderson for Real Simple Mama.
Continue readingTag: routine (Page 1 of 2)
Watching your child start school is so beautiful. And so stressful. And so terrifying. My oldest child is going into first grade this year, and I have one more who will head to kindergarten in 2020. Here are all of my suggestions for how to survive the first week of kindergarten, both from the perspective of the child and from a mother’s heart.
Continue readingThere is a lot of confusion and misinformation over what a stay at home mom actually does all day. Some people forget that she exists, some think that she just lays around or shops online, and others are happy in their ignorance. I got really tired of being ignored and unappreciated so I thought I’d write down everything I did in a typical school day from when I got up until I went to bed. It’s the painful honest truth: This is what a day in the life of a stay at home mom really looks like. Read and be amazed.
Continue readingJuggling a family schedule can be pretty insane, and it seems like it just gets more complicated as your kids get older. I currently have a kindergartener and a three year old, and I wanted to show what our schedule looks like on a daily basis. I’ll also give you some suggestions when building your own routine at home. Look no further for a sample daily schedule for a toddler and a kindergartener! Continue reading
Every kid goes through some sort of crazy developmental phase around two to three years old. It’s hellish for everyone involved: parents, caregivers, siblings, and the toddler themselves. We’ve all heard of it and we all dread it, the terrible twos. I’m going through this now with my second child and I have lots of suggestions for you. So buckle up (and maybe pour yourself a strong drink), and let’s talk. Continue reading
Our oldest will be going to kindergarten this fall in a public school! My husband and I are teachers by profession, but this is our first time going through the “school readiness” process as parents. After speaking with teachers, parents, and online sources, we’ve compiled a list of things to do to prepare your child for kindergarten. We’re publishing this information in hopes that we can help other parents, especially if this is your first rodeo with a child going to school! Continue reading
Autism is a very real condition which affects so many families that you’ve probably heard of it at least once. It’s life changing and eye opening. But not enough people really understand it, or know what it’s like to have a loved one with autism.
I interviewed my friend Brienne who has a son with autism. I wanted to know what their daily life is like, what it was like to get that diagnosis, and what a mom has to say about life with autism. My hope is that we can reach more people so that they understand that having autism does not make you less capable, less lovable, less worthy of love and respect. People with autism are people too, and they deserve to be loved and respected like everyone else! So have hope and be kind, always. Continue reading
Our cloth diaper journey is coming to an end. My second child is starting to use the potty and soon I’ll be able to wash and fold our stash for the last time. It’s been a crazy adventure and one that I don’t regret! But since I’m always honest here on RSM, I thought I’d look back and tell you about the trouble with cloth diapers. Because sometimes they suck. These are the negative things about having fluff, what’s driven me crazy and what hasn’t worked for us. But don’t worry – as usual, I have tons of photos and suggestions for every complaint! Continue reading
Shopping with your kids can be fun! No, I’m serious! I actually love taking my kids to the grocery store: they’re generally calm, cooperative, and eager to learn all about healthy choices. I’ve lined up all of my best hacks and strategies to help you have fun when you take your kids to the store, too! Continue reading
Sleep regression sucks. At any age. It’s always a dark curtain of despair in which well-meaning, loving parents turn into zombies, and wonderful children transform into shadows of themselves. A sleep regression can last just a few nights, or months. Sometimes there’s a clear explanation, and sometime it’s beyond mysterious. We’ve been through it multiple times with both of our kids, and I’m here to throw down every damn solution that I can think of. Because I remember: sleep regression sucks. Continue reading