How to Talk to Your Kids about the Economic Crisis

“How can I talk to my kids about the economic crisis?” It is a common question that most parents face today. As prices on consumable goods rise, from food and gas to the cable bill, and families feel themselves pinched, even the youngest children are starting to notice that things around them are changing. Neighbors and friends may be moving away, favorite stores and restaurants may be closing, and everyone seems to have to sacrifice something they enjoy just to get through this time. Parents should see this time in our history as a teaching moment, but the lessons should … Continue reading

The Internet and Homeschooling, part 2

Homeschool parents are finding ways to use the internet to enhance the schooling aspect of homeschooling. The mystery of lesson planning is solved by a quick search. Frugal homeschoolers can save their budget with free printables and unit studies ready to download. Students who bore easily with textbooks can take a break playing online educational games. YouTube helps many frustrated students who need tutoring in just about any subject. Adventurous homeschoolers can be whisked away on virtual field trips. Many art museums, zoos, and historical locations offer an online peek children will enjoy. Consider looking up a country you are … Continue reading

Potpourri of Cheap Summer Fun

Are you running out of affordable ways to keep your kids busy during the last days of summer vacation? August is quickly coming to an end, but for some families, money for summer fun ran out a long time ago. Now is the perfect time to use up any supplies you might have leftover from early summer projects or parties. For example, if you have any extra water balloons in your home fill them up and place them in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. When your kids start singing the “I’m bored” blues, cut away the balloon … Continue reading

Special Needs Podcast Roundup – Week of November 8, 2011

It is time for this week’s Special Needs Podcast Roundup. This is where to find brand new episodes of your favorite podcasts that focus on topics relevant to parents of children who have special needs. You may also find podcasts that don’t always focus on special needs, but have produced an episode that is relevant to this podcast roundup. Mayo Clinic has an episode that was released on November 3, 2011. This episode is called “The Impact of Epilepsy”. In this episode, Mayo Clinic Dr. Jerry Shih explains the far reaching impact of epilepsy. Special Kid School Talk has an … Continue reading

Barnes & Noble Has a Kid’s Sale- For Just Four Days!

Barnes & Noble is having a sale on Kid’s books, toys, and items that are holiday favorites. This sale is going to last for only four days. It started December 3, 2010, and will continue through December 6, 2010. This is the perfect time to shop for gifts for the children in your family! A great way to encourage reading, and literacy, is to make certain that there are plenty of great books on hand, for young readers to pick up and enjoy. Take the time to read to your children, but don’t forget to let your children catch you … Continue reading

Teaching Children Self Reliance

Often when we think about preparedness and self-reliance the focus turns to food storage and a financial reserve, but have you prepared your children for adulthood? Have you taught them self-reliance? These are important skills to teach your children. It is not fun for a child to go off to college and not know the basic skills to take care of their laundry or how to cook. But there are additionally skills you should teach your children as well. One important skill that you should be teaching your children is to manage money well. You can do this in many … Continue reading

Fun Earth Day Activities for the Whole Family

Happy Earth Day! Today is a great day to talk to your children about the environment and ways you can help preserve the planet as a family. The following fun projects can help you get the conversation started: SEASHELL WIND CHIME If you live near the beach, then spend Earth Day combing the sand for seashells (if you are landlocked, then head to the discount store and purchase a few bags of shells). Then, use the natural items to create a simple wind chime, which will encourage you to appreciate the breeze on a daily basis. Materials: Plastic milk jug … Continue reading

Movies Week in Review June 30th-July 5th

Are you looking for something good to throw in your DVD player this week? We just might have something that will fill the bill. We started out our week with a look at “The Magic School Bus: Creepy, Crawly Fun,” which teaches children some basic principles of science in a fun, entertaining way. I always learn something myself when I watch these shows with my children. Then we learned about “Wall-E,” the phenomenal new film by Disney Pixar. You’ll be blown away by the effects and the charm of this film that blogger Heather Long called “Quite simply the best … Continue reading

Food Storage: Doing Our Best

Are you discouraged about your food storage? It can be frustrating to think of buying, organizing and storing all of that food. Honestly the sheer volume of food that it takes to make up a years supply can be staggering. It is important to not become discouraged in the process. In his talk “Lay Up in Store” Bishop Keith B McMullin said, Wives are instrumental in this work, but they need husbands who lead out in family preparedness. Children need parents who instill in them this righteous tradition. They will then do likewise with their children, and their stores will … Continue reading

Dreaming Dreams, Growing Up and Becoming a Man

When I was a boy I used to dream of growing up and becoming a singer on the stage in front of thousands of people. We didn’t have computers, or video games to entertain us. All we had was our imagination. My mom grew up loving Elvis. We used to hear his music all the time at home on the radio. Sometimes when I would get bored I went outside, found the old broom, and made it my “microphone” for an hour or so until I got that Elvis out of my system. Those poor neighbors. As I grew older … Continue reading