Friday December 18, 2009
Stay-at-home moms are usually labeled as housewives who take care of their young kids while the husbands are at work. Cheri redefines that stereotype and blogs about her life on her site, Feminine Wiles.
Image Courtesy Feminine Wiles
She's a committed stay-at-home mom who recently went through a divorce. While her kids are 14 and 12, Cheri's continued her commitment to staying home for them.
"As far as I can tell, our children need our guidance and support more -- not less -- as they get older," she said in the Family Photo Gallery feature. As a single stay-at-home mom, her challenges may be slightly different than SAHMs who are married but her family is doing great. "No question, going through a divorce and now, living in the aftermath, has been the most devastating situation that I -- and each of the kids and the entire family -- has gone through. Still, as one of the kids so aptly put it a few months back, 'It sucks, but we're a lot better now than we ever thought we could be a year ago.'"
Feminine Wiles is a blend of Cheri's days mixed with delicious recipes that fit perfectly with the topic she's blogging. She has a knack for combining every day activities with related recipes and that's what makes her blog special.
Are you a SAHM with a blog? Submit your blog to be featured on the About.com Stay-at-Home Moms site. You could be the next Mom Blogger of the Week.
Become a Facebook Fan | Follow Me on Twitter
Thursday December 17, 2009
Are you thinking outside of the newspaper for free money? Turn to the Internet for savings before buying anything.
I make five quick stops to find deep discounts:
- Your Favorite Search Engine
Type the store's name in the search box followed by the words "coupons" or "coupon codes" to find websites with discount codes.
- Store's Website
Many stores post coupons on their site for in-store and online purchases. I've saved $15 on shipping, 50% on shirts and taken advantage of buy one, get one free deals on everything from toothpaste to toys.
- Manufacturer's Website
Companies have improved on posting coupons on their sites. Visit the brand's website as well as the parent company's site to make sure you're finding all of the coupons available.
- eBay
eBay allows sellers to list their coupons since most manufacturers don't have restrictions on transfers. I've bought a $25 off coupon for office supplies for $2 and coupons adding up to $50 of savings on baby items for $4. I used every one of those coupons too!
- Twitter
If I can't find a coupon, I turn to Twitter. With so many moms using the social networking site, I can tell them what I'm looking for and if they know where I can find a coupon. I've been told who has the lowest price, who's accepting double coupons and which sites have printable coupons.
Thrifty Thursday Tips from About.com Parenting Guides:
Become a Facebook Fan | Follow Me on Twitter
Tuesday December 15, 2009
This is the time of year we pack on the pounds and say we'll worry about it next year. We often forget, or even don't know about, all the goodies our kids are taking in this time of year, though -- the cupcakes at school parties, the cookies at family gatherings and the hefty holiday meals that aren't always the healthiest.
Photo © LotusHead / stock.xchng
We end up with a thicker middle we vow to get rid of with New Year's resolutions. Our kids end up sugar buzzed until spring.
With obesity on the rise for school-age children and more than 30% of adults being overweight, it's tempting to eat rice cakes instead of allowing ourselves and our kids to dive into a plate of divinity and candy canes. But there are so many ways you can enjoy holiday food without having leftovers follow you into the new year.
Part of the holiday fun begins when you cook with kids. You can make low fat, delicious treats with a few substitutions to your normal recipes and prepare healthy holiday feasts that are only missing the calories, not the flavor.
Low fat doesn't mean you won't be able to prepare your holiday favorites either. Recipes for low fat eggnog, sugar cookies and gingerbread men put you in control of the sweets your children are eating over the holidays.
You don't have to deny yourself and your kids completely, of course. A little indulgence can be balanced with family activities, whether it's rainy day fun or just winter play.
What are some of the ways you curb the calories around the holidays?
Become a Facebook Fan | Follow Me on Twitter
Tuesday December 8, 2009
When I was growing up, Atari, Smurfs, Pound Puppies, Monchichis and Merlin were some of the gotta have it toys. Their popularity tanked over the years but there are plenty of classic toys that have survived kids' ever-changing interests.
Decades of Kids Have Played With the Corn Popper
Photos © Apryl Duncan
Barbie and Hot Wheels are probably the most-recognized toys that are still popular today. But there are other toys you may have forgotten about from your own childhood.
You'll often find me doodling on my son's Etch-A-Sketch. I still draw terrible lollipop trees.
I loved my wooden Corn Popper when I was a toddler. My son prefers to swing the new plastic version above his head.
Watching my child play with modern versions of my toys takes me back a few years. It also makes for great then and now photos to compare our childhoods.
Take a walk down memory lane. Share your favorite toy from your own childhood that's sold for today's kids.
Become a Facebook Fan | Follow Me on Twitter
More Holiday Gift Ideas
