FUN HURRICANE GAMES!!!

You're stuck inside during the storm and wondering how you're going to keep the kids occupied?  Have no fear!  Here are some cool games to keep them busy!!!
1. Create a crossword puzzle Using weather related words, create a crossword puzzle.  Then, ask someone to find the words that are hidden.  Remember, your kids can either find the words or make the puzzle himself!
2.  Surf the net.  Storms can be really exciting!  Surf the internet for some fun weather related facts and videos! Here's a cool site http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm
3.  Play the Name Game.  This game can be fun for adults and children!  The first person picks a name of a famous celebrity like Michael Jackson.  The next person must say the name of a celebrity that starts with the first letter of the last name such as Jessica Simpson.  The next person would say a name that started with S and so on...that's it!  Enjoy!
4.  Flashlight games.  If your stocked up on batteries and the power goes out, you can play flashlight tag or make shadows with your hands!  Make sure you have plenty of battery life so you don't compromise your safety!!!!
5.  Eat Ice Cream.  If the power goes out for extended periods of time, there is a dangerous chance that your ice cream will melt so make sure you enjoy some yummy treats!!

Creative Parenting Trick

You know those times when your child says something to you that may be appropriate but is on the fence of being disrespectful? Kids are great manipulators and they are at saying what they can get away with even though it may be disrespectful. Here are two questions to keep kids from becoming the smart mouth that drives you crazy!

1. "I'm not sure why you are talking that way?"
2. "O.k...let's start this conversation over again. Let's turn this around!" Now stand up, turn around and sit back down again and have your child do the same thing!

4 Easy Tricks to Make Your Mornings Run Smoothly

1.  Plan your week
Sundays are a great time to think about your week and prepare.  Look at the calendar and take some time to think about what needs to be done and how it needs to happen.

2.  Talk about your week
Talk to your kids and significant other early during the day on Sundays (not at 9pm as everyone is going to bed).  It's often helpful to talk about expectations and/or plans over dinner when you have every one's attention (as opposed to while the kids are watching t.v and might not be fully paying attention).  It may even be helpful to ask for them to repeat back to you what you said so that you are assured that they heard you.

3.  Get things ready
Think about what you can do the night before to make the morning easier.  Since I have a newborn, I like to take the formula container (which is already measured out and filled) and 2 bottles with water in them to bed with me so that I can easily prepare them at night.  I also fill my daughter's sippy cup with milk and put it on the bottom shelf so she can get it herself in the morning.  If you're a coffee drinker, make sure it is ready the night before so all you need to do is push a button in the morning.  Finally, make sure your dishes are done.  The last thing you want to do is come down to a sink full of dishes in the morning!

4.  Get up early
As hard as it is to drag yourself out of bed in the morning, allowing yourself enough time in the morning is the single most important thing you can do to get a good start to your day.  Waking up (or even working out) before your kids wake up can be a great way to get your thoughts organized and get some alone time before everyone wakes up. 

How Stay at Home Moms Can Keep Their Sanity

Being a Stay at Home mom is definitely not an easy job! There are times when your day feels like one very long bumpy road.  One thing that I find extremely helpful to stay happy as a Stay at Home mom is to view my stay at home status as a profession. The word profession is defined as a job that has duties and results in a payment or a return of some kind. Technically, if I wasn't at home with our daughter, we would be paying for childcare so in a way, I am being reimbursed in the big picture. Not only that, but my reimbursement is watching my daughter smile, give hugs, and learn new things.

When I see my stay at home mom role as a job, I am better able to handle stress and stay professional. I know that the word professional sounds weird but it is really important to not take things personally and stay focused on the responsibilities at hand. As much as I love being able to give my daughter hugs and kisses all the time (and I do!) it's nice to also step away and just do my job!


Next, any CEO of a successful company will tell you that organization is very important. Your home is no different and needs to have systems, goals, and rewards.

Having goals as a stay at home mom can help you to stay focused.

Write down your goals as a stay at home mom (i.e. keeping kids safe, healthy, etc.)  Then incorporate your goals into a flexible schedule.  Having a schedule is SOOOOO important. My schedule is pretty flexible but I definitely prioritize eating and sleeping times for the kiddos. Having a schedule is very important for helping everyone understand what is expected of them and when and even help us to stay focused. Children respond very well to routine and time frames.

Create a support system for yourself.

This is SOOOO important and is so often overlooked! In any job setting, people have mentors, supervisors, and coworkers...you should too! Set yourself up with a friend that you respect and admire and make you set up times to talk to them about issues and struggles or just listen as they go through the same things you do. I am really big on scheduling (on the calendar) 'moms night out' or dinners with a friend at LEAST once every 2 weeks...this can really be a sanity saver!

Take a Personal Day

If you work hard during the day and accomplish most of your goals, than you deserve a break (without feeling guilt about taking a day to yourself). Every job as personal days and a stay at home mom should too!

Get out of your sweatpants.

Every office has a dress code to make people appear and feel professional. There's an old saying that you should "dress the part" if you want to succeed at something. Sometimes it's the little things that can help you feel more important and give you motivation throughout your day. Get out of your sweatpants and put on something that makes you feel like you look nice and it might be enough to help you feel good about yourself when you walk past the mirror. (by that I mean jeans and a sweater-let's be real!)

Picture yourself as the person you want to become. If being a stay at home mom is something you truly want, take the time to create the role you wish to attain and set yourself up with all the tools you need to make it happen!