4 Month Sleep Regression and What Monitoring Can Catch
Many parents feel blindsided when a baby who was finally sleeping longer stretches suddenly starts waking constantly again. The 4 month sleep regression can be exhausting and confusing, especially when it feels like nothing in your routine has changed. Understanding what is actually happening developmentally can make it easier to respond calmly instead of feeling […]
How Parents Can Reduce Allergy Triggers in a Child’s Bedroom
Do your kids have allergies? Bedrooms can be a big place that triggers allergies because of so many reasons. But there are things you can do, that don’t cost a lot of money, that will make your child’s bedroom a place that will be comfortable for them to sleep without worrying about itchy eyes or […]
7 Low-Cost Ways to Improve Quality of Life for Seniors at Home
I’ve recently been to the home of a few seniors who are aging at home and got to see what accomodations have been made to help them thrive. Some of the changes were larger, but many were surprisingly simple and inexpensive while still making a huge difference in their comfort, safety, independence, and overall quality […]
How Daycare Prepares Children for the “Big School” Transition
One might think that daycare is essentially glorified babysitting, but daycare has a lot of benefits. Beyond simply providing childcare while parents work, quality daycare programs help children develop important social, emotional, and academic skills that prepare them for school and life. From learning independence to building confidence and communication skills, daycare can play a […]
New “Scratch and Dent Store”
I made a new discovery the other day that made me really excited. I used to visit scratch and dent stores a lot, stores that had banged up cans and and boxes for a fraction of the price that regular stores would have them, but I haven’t shopped at one of them in a while, […]
Why the Best Tutors Teach Students How to Learn, Not Just What
A good tutor can make a world of difference. I recently needed to hire a tutor when I was taking statistics, and with his help I was able to get an 80 on the final when I otherwise certainly would have failed. But the biggest thing he gave me wasn’t just help memorizing formulas, but […]
Everyday Bottle Care Guide: Can You Wash Bottles in the Dishwasher
I nursed my babies exclusively, in large part because I didn’t want to have to deal with the headaches of bottle feeding, in large part washing and cleaning the bottles after use. To save energy, many people use a dishwasher to clean their baby bottles. But is it safe? Read on. While dishwashers can be […]
The Lost Life Skills of Home Economics
In my school growing up, we didn’t have home economics classes, but I know many who did. This class taught important skills that are helpful for life and help save money. Things like cooking from scratch, planning meals, budgeting, and basic household management may not sound exciting, but they can make a huge difference in […]
A Very Edible Nature Walk, Part 2
I wrote the other day about the amazing edible plants I found on my walk near and through the woods, but ran out of room within the post to write about them all. So here is part two of the amazing wild edible plants growing in my backyard, and there’s a good chance most of […]
How Immigrant Families Can Tackle U.S. Immigration Paperwork Without Blowing Their Budget
Back when I was still married, there was a time that my family was considering moving to the US. Because my then husband was South African, moving would entail a whole immigration process with expensive legal fees and lots of paperwork, which is part of the reason we decided to not move. (We wanted to […]