by Jan Hayner

All of us have come across the same problem from time to time…isn’t there anything to do that doesn’t cost money?

There are many things for you to do with your kids that you may have overlooked in this hurry-up world of ours, and it’s only natural that after you read this you will wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself.

So, just chalk this up to a re-learning experience and revisiting your youth!!

Do you remember those summer nights when you and a bunch of your friends would play kick-the-can, red light-green light, or ghost tag (with the flashlight)?
Do your kids (or the neighborhood kids) know how to play these games?

How about going on a hike thru a park or wooded area and just for fun, pack a picnic lunch, stop near an old tree, and rest awhile.

Why not go swimming at an inland lake or a water park.

Build sand castles. Read the rest of this entry »

With preparation and organization traveling with children can be a pleasant experience. Here are some organizing ideas and organizing tips to make your holiday traveling easier and less stressful.

Pack everything the child will need or want in a carry on bag that can be used in the airport and will clear security. It might be a favorite toy, simple electronic gadgets, and favorite foods. If they are old enough to understand explain what to expect when arriving at the airport starting at the ticket counter, proceeding through security and then the wait before boarding the plane. Because many airlines charge for checked bags make the best use of children’s carryon bags by using a larger ones for them. By doing this you may be able to check fewer bags.

If your child is old enough let them have their own carry on with treats, books, music, phone etc. This will be their personal item that is allowed—like a lap top or a purse for an adult. It will be most helpful to you if their carryon is a backpack that the child carries. Bring an empty water bottle for liquid, juice, water etc. that you can fill up after you leave security and before you board plane. Read the rest of this entry »

Traveling with kids can be a very enjoyable vacation or it can be a visit through the land of insanity. Every parent searches high and low for the best kids travel tips prior to heading out across the great unknown with their darling children in tow. The constant banter of arguments in the back seat, one sibling repeatedly touching the other or the other siblings invading the “invisible line” of the other siblings side of the car, can continue until the parent’s eyes want to cross.

Regardless of where you’re going on your vacation, chances are at least one of the kids will get bored along the way. That’s why it’s essential to have a variety of kids travel games in mind before you even leave the house. Being prepared is crucial. That way when your kids start shouting “Mom, are we there yet?” you can respond with something better than just “No.” Read the rest of this entry »

Moms are naturals at providing entertainment for their children. They can make the contents of their purse become hours of fun and distractions. Some dads seem to have more difficulty. They trouble finding fun things to do without spending money or turning on the TV. Here are some easy tips for dads when they are in charge of entertainment:

• Go to the park. Children of all ages love to go to play at the park. And the best thing is, most communities have at least one! Parks can provide hours of free entertainment, sometimes without much interaction from the adult. Dads may get a group of dads together and have a get together while the kids play (but don’t call it a playgroup!). That way the can socialize and have fun with the children.

• Go to a local sporting event. If your children are older than 4, they will probably enjoy going to a local sporting event with their father. Find out the schedule of the city ball leagues and make a plan. The admission is usually free or fairly inexpensive. Take some cash to buy some popcorn or hot dogs and make an event of it! Not only will it be fun, you are supporting local events. And, since it is cheap, if they get bored, you can leave. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer is here. Kids are home and just when you think all is fine and everyone is happy, you hear those words you dread… “Mom, I’m bored”.

Yes, school keeps our kids busy during the day and homework keeps them busy at night. But during the summer months, it is easy for kids to get bored. It’s as if our kids rush to get everything done that they want to do in the first couple weeks of their summer vacation. Then entering the third week they find they are bored and have nothing to do.

Here are some simple summer time tips that may help.

1) If you don’t have a swimming pool, take your kids to your local community swimming pool. Or if you are near the beach (that’s where I would be). I have a baby pool that my kids find themselves having alot of fun in when they are bored and it’s hot outside.

2) Set an hour aside and show your kids your creativeness. Maybe you have a plain picture frame laying around and you would like to personalize it. Grab a few buttons, beads, uncooked macaroni noodles, and have your kids choose the places they would like to add these items and glue them on. You can even use finger nail polish and paint stars and smiley faces on the frame. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for something to do with your children on those rainy days, when everyone seems to be cooped up indoors? When my daughter was small, we used to do craft projects together. It quickly became a ‘rainy day’ tradition in our household.

I feel it’s important to spend quality time with our children. These days, too many children are sitting in front of a television watching TV shows, or playing video games. I don’t find this to be quality family time.

Here are 4 easy craft projects that you can do with your children. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s time for intervention. The glorious wonder of school, and the way it manages to keep even your hyperactive children busy from 8 till 3, is that is has structure, a routine, and activities with purpose. (Or, at least, it’s supposed to.) You need to have structure, a routine, and activities with purpose, too. Kids know when you’re making stuff up on the fly, and they know when you’re just inventing busywork. They resist. We all resist pointless instructions designed to distract us from what we really want to do. Problem with the kids (younger ones, that is) is that they don’t always know what they really want to do.

The way to thrive in summer time is to take what teachers of all kinds have figured out and use it for non-school life. Public, private, and home educators know that a structure gives them (the teachers) the freedom to not have to make decisions constantly. Routines give the students freedom to take responsibility and initiative. Purposeful activities make everybody feel better, because the day has been spent in learning and doing profitable things.

Apply this knowledge to your life. Here’s how: Read the rest of this entry »

Summer is just around the corner and soon the kids will be out of school for their Summer vacations. You might be asking yourself, “How will I keep the kids busy?”

I think these craft ideas are great for bible school, girl scouts, cub scouts, daycare arts and crafts projects and even to keep your little ones entertained if you are a busy mom who works from home.

Photo Refrigerator Magnet

1 plastic lid from a potato chips canister
scraps of construction paper or scrapbooking paper
all-purpose white craft glue
scraps of ribbon, yarn, lace, rick-rack, buttons, beads, sequins
2″ piece of magnet
child safety scissors
pencil
mini-wallet size photo

Have the kids trace around the lid onto a piece of colored paper and cut out the round shape slightly inside the traced line. Glue the paper onto the lid making sure that about 1/8″ of the lid shows around the edges. (you want the lid to frame the paper shape). Take the mini-wallet sized photo and glue it in the center of the lid frame. Glue ribbon, yarn, lace or rick-rack around the edges of the lid and a piece of magnet on the back. Kids can also add additional embellishments such as buttons, beads and sequins if desired.

Read the rest of this entry »

Devotional for kids

“I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.

“And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends.

“And you are my friends if you obey me.” John 15: verses 12, 13 and 14 [The Living Bible]

I felt lonely as a child. I was almost five. I had 13 wonderful sisters and brothers to love me and take care of me. I had wonderful, caring parents who loved Jesus. They met all my needs.

I was never alone. I always had playmates in my sisters and brothers. There was always some excitement going on at our place. In fact, the neighbor kids loved to hang out at our place. It was kid friendly. We had a huge front yard and a thirty acre woods in the back. Read the rest of this entry »

This week we’ll be talking about ways to connect with our kids. Have a great tip or idea? Email me or post a comment below!

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I Work from Home to be With My Kids But Work Keeps Getting in the Way!

Does this sound like you? Yep, me too. How can we bring in the extra income that our family needs, yet still be a full-time Mommy? There is a delicate balance that every work-at-home-parent has to find. Here are a few ideas that I have used – perhaps they will help you to find your own balance!

Invest in a timer – and use it!
I’m talking about those old-fashioned ticking kind of timers with the loud, annoying bell. This timer can be used to give your kids a set amount of time to do a task you ask them to do, and it can be used to give yourself a set time to work.

I often will tell my girls “Mommy needs 10 more minutes of work time, then we can play. I need to finish (xyz) and it will take me this much time – IF you will not interrupt.” I have found that this works amazingly well – it keeps me on track with the time I tell my kids, and they know that when that bell rings, Mommy is fair game! Read the rest of this entry »