Survival Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Travel with Kids, 2.0 Parent Version!

Memorial Day weekend is here. Your family is heading out for a much needed vacation. But wait--traveling with kids--that sounds like more headache than holiday. And it will be, if you don't follow these parent survival tips. Enjoy stress-free car travel with kids. Follow my lead. Parent Survival Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Travel with Kids

Easy, Homemade Mother's Day Party Dads and Kids Can Make

As a 25-year mom of four, I've been the guest of honor at many child-hosted Mother's Day and birthday parties. Our children learned to throw a budget, homemade bash from me and my husband. For a guy, my husband is great at party-planning. Dads, here are tips from the master's knee, on planning an inexpensive Mother's Day party with your kids, that your wife will love!  Dad-Inspired, Kid-Friendly Mother's Day Party, Homemade and Cheap

Mother's Day Activities for Moms Who Have Lost Children and Kids Who Have Lost Moms

 Mother's Day is a favorite holiday for me. I have four lovely kids plus my mother, step mother and mother-in-law still living. Mother's Day can be bittersweet for kids who have lost moms. And what about the mother who has lost a child? Mother's Day may just be bitter for her. Here are ways to acknowledge Mother's Day (or just survive) if you or someone you love has lost a child. I've included ideas for children (even adult kids) who have lost moms, too. Mother's Day Activities for Moms Who Have Lost Children

Dinner Tweaks to Help Overweight Kids

The holiday season is notoriously the most difficult time to be on a diet. I can follow my weight loss plan just fine until mid-November. When the stores start touting Thanksgiving and Christmas treats, my resolution dims. For overweight kids, the holidays are especially difficult to navigate. Here are dinner tweaks to help your child stay the course and still enjoy the feasting. Use these food swaps for any dinner time meal preparation. Kids won't even notice the difference! Food Swaps to Help Fat Kids Diet

Trim Costs on Kids' Christmas Presents

I like the holidays, but honestly, Christmas expenses dim some of the joy. Shopping for four kids, my holiday spending can quickly get out of hand. When I overspend, this Mommy Santa grows less jolly with each incoming bill. Debt-ridden is no way to start the new year. Here are penny-pinching tips to keep kids' Christmas present costs under control.  read more

Making Kids Thanksgiving Helpers (not Hindrances!)

In holiday party preparation, children may be more of a hindrance than a help. Parents may find Thanksgiving not so thankful and Christmas not so merry if they're juggling shopping, cooking, party planning, housecleaning and childcare. Here are ways kids can help with holiday party planning. Tips work for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Day, and any party year-round.  Read more

Easy, Hands On, Creative Christmas Holiday Gifts for Kids to Make

It's almost Christmas and the kids are bored; not a good sign! Here's a solution: set up an old craft table and put them to work making gifts for grandparents, care-givers, god-parents, scout leaders, aunts and uncles. Here are quick, easy, inexpensive gift crafts. Read on...

Free Printable 4th of July Activities

4th of July Free Printable Coloring and Games
The 4th of July, or Independence Day, is the day we the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Need some easy free printables for the 4th of July? Here are free printable games, coloring pages and activities to enjoy. Click here...