Get unlimited access to ListPlanIt for 30 days. Then pay just $5/month!
I never celebrated May Day as a child, but now that I have my own children, it seems only right to celebrate the start of such a spectacular month! Make May Day baskets to hang on the neighbors doors. Decorate a Maypole and let the children run and skip around it. Visit a garden center […]
As great as the weekend is, it is always nice to when Monday rolls back around. Here are some of the reasons why: My active daughter is off to school. My husband is off to work. I’m tired of a very unstructured weekend. I’m ready to get back to a consistent routine. My stomach hurts […]
Maybe it goes back to my school days. There is just an energy among a group of young people on Fridays. The weekend is coming! Then in my “working” life, I couldn’t wait to be home for the weekend, where I could sit in my pjs all day if I wanted. Today, as a SAHM, […]
We recently have created a MOMS Club playgroup where we discuss “Hot Topics” for moms. Our first month, we discussed sleep aids for children who were not napping, having trouble going to sleep, waking up too early, or waking in the middle of the night. These are just a few: Use a nightlight (closet light, […]
If you have not discovered Letterboxing, then let me tell you about my family’s new favorite weekend adventure! Good citizens all over the U.S. and beyond have placed letterboxes in hidden places. Then create clues to help you find the letterboxes. It is similar to anther activity called Geo Caching, but I love that letterboxing […]
Last night, our family all sat down to a big bowl of salad and everyone agreed that we wanted to do that more often. Kids may think they don’t like salads, but with some of these additions you can turn a side dish into a nutritious, filling main dish that the whole family will love. […]
No one likes to consider the unthinkable: fleeing your home, family in tow, with just the clothes on your back. Hopefully, there would be a chance to grab a few valuable things on your way out. It is a good idea to map out a plan in your mind, or even on paper, just in […]
You may have to ease into chapter books for children. Maybe alternate between picture books and chapter books. Once they have caught on to creating pictures of the story in their mind, they will beg you for more! Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Harriet the Spy by […]
There is no scientific way to measure the quality and readability of a book, but these are books that have both entertained and educated my children in the early years. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Blueberries for Sal […]
April is Autism Awareness month. Until last year, I knew almost nothing about autism. Now I have a very dear person in my life who has been diagnosed with autism. Chances are that everyone will soon know someone that is affected by some autistic disorder. Here are some things that everyone should be aware of: […]
It is an epidemic of epic proportions! How do we make the decisions that are right for our families and then stand behind them after we’ve made them without the added pressure of Mommy Guilt? TV – This is my number 1! I feel guilty every time I turn the TV on for the kids. […]
Yesterday was Maine Maple Sunday! Sugarhouses all over Maine opened their doors to the public to demonstrate how maple syrup is made. After tasting the delicious maple ice cream they were offering, I wondered what else I could do with maple syrup. Click on the recipes below to discover all the ways you can use […]
Here are a few items that everyone’s Spring toybox should hold. Start collecting now and by the time hot weather arrives, your kids will be eager to go out and play. Kite Frisbee Kickball or soccerball 4 orange cones (for instant goals) Tennis balls Whiffle ball and bat Waterguns (one for each child) Jump ropes […]
Here in Maine, Spring is a celebration of survival from the winter months. We have just spent 3 very challenging months buried in the snow. New life has begun or will begin soon. There is much to begin to consider, prepare, and accomplish in the upcoming seasons. Members to ListPlanIt will find the lists they […]
Anybody who has ever celebrated Easter or another variation of a spring holiday has probably participated in one of the following activities. Start now by planning your family’s fun for this upcoming weekend. Easter baskets prepared Easter parade in various cities OR have your own! Egg hunt Religious service/ceremony Easter dinner with family and friends […]
If you can decide on these basics, then finding the right recipes should be a snap. It helps to have a clear plan before you start to fill in the details. Brunch or lunch? Ham or lamb? Roasted or scalloped potatoes? Green beans or asparagus? Leafy green or fruit salad? Loaf of bread or dinner […]
I woke up Tuesday morning with an achiness, but it seemed to dissipate by the end of the day. When I woke up Wednesday, I knew I was sick, but little did I know that that sickness would be so awful! Today (Sunday), I am happy to report, I am feeling much better – FINALLY! […]
Each family has a ritual that is special to every member. You might participate in certain rituals daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly. For more information, check out my eHow article about How to Develop Family Rituals. Religious services/ceremonies Family dinnertime Reading at bedtime Holiday celebrations Chores Trips to the same spot every year Family […]
There are so many great online resources out there for moms. Here are just a few of the ones I think are beneficial to a broad assortment of mamas. ListPlanIt.com – For as little as $2.50 you can find over 300 printable lists and planning pages to organize your life and put your world in […]
I am an all-or-nothing kind of personality, so we used the “Hard Core” method of Potty-Training. These are some of the strategies that I employed when potty-training my children at the ages of 20 to 26 months. Choose a starting date and clear your calendar for the week. Buy or borrow a portable potty chair. […]
Breakfast is an important part of the day, but it is easy to neglect a meal that tends to be rushed and mundane. Here is a list of quick and easy breakfast foods to keep in mind when looking for more diversity without sacrificing nutrition. Dry cereal (the old standby) Hot cereal (oatmeal, malt-o-meal, grits) […]
When you need to get childcare for an evening, be sure to use some or all of these questions to help you decided if the candidate is right for your family. What can you tell me about yourself? How much experience have you had babysitting? Have you ever watched children of the same age as […]
Some of these might involve a bit of prep work, and others depend on the use of convenience foods (such as frozen meatballs), but all are quick when in a pinch for a healthy dinner. 1. Fajitas Tortillas, onion, green pepper, cooked chicken or steak strips, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Stir fry vegetables in […]
The Internet is amazing, but overwhelming. This list of sites covers a wide array of interests, and each site listed can give you the information that you need without having to spend your valuable time searching and searching. Network for Good.org – An easy way to give to all of your favorite charities in one […]
Ask these questions over dinner on Valentine’s Day. Get your children involved as well for a fun way of family bonding. You may think you know their answers, but you may be surprised! What is your favorite book? What is your favorite movie? What is your favorite game? What is your favorite childhood memory? What […]