Seasonal

Spring Cleaning: Give Your Home an Extreme Makeover

For our grandmothers, Spring was the season for cleaning because the weather had warmed up and the coal-fired furnace wasn’t needed 24/7. As a result, the dirty soot it created would start to subside in the springtime. It was better for the mothers of yesteryear to wait until then before they started cleaning.

I’m not sure what my excuse is.

This article, which offers a basic tutorial to spring cleaning, gives parents vital tools and techniques for decluttering, organizing, and cleaning basics. At just under 900 words, it’s the perfect complement to Spring issues, but the lede can be reworked to fit any season.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Home Management, Seasonal, Spring

Romantic Dinner on a Dime or a Last-Minute Valentine

A night out on the town for Valentine’s Day is a tad overrated. Not only do busy parents feel the pressure to find a babysitter and beat the crowds to the restaurant, but they also have a weighty tab to contend with at the end of the night. Or maybe you just forgot and need to pull a quick night of romance together.

Beat the Valentine Budget blues by preparing a quiet, yet romantic meal at home. This 850+ word article includes suggestions for a romantic dinner at home. Recipes and images are included.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, Budget Living, Food, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Romance, Seasonal, Valentines, Winter Holidays

Have Yourself a Healthy, Little Christmas

OK, I’m not advocating a completely sugar-free Christmas, but how about a Reduced-Sugar holiday? This time of year can be filled with excess, and eating sweets is at the top of that list of things we “excel” at. While enjoyable, your sugar intake can lead to loss of appetite, mood swings, tooth decay – and children bouncing off the walls.

“Have Yourself a Healthy, Little Christmas” suggests very do-able options for the family who wants to maintain traditional fun — but without the hyperactive children. At just over 700 words, this piece also includes a better-for-you cookie recipe that kids of all ages will enjoy.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, Cooking with Kids, Holidays, Nutrition, Seasonal, Winter, Winter Holidays

Cooking Out with the Kids

Graduations, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Post-Baseball Game get-togethers, these are the events that signify summer. They are also occasions that scream for a BBQ. What a perfect time to do some cooking (out) with the kids! Featuring kid-friendly Fruit Sparkly Coolers, Cheesy Taters, Homemade Ranch Dip, Garlic Bread, a great Soy-Ginger Marinade, and Easy Ice Cream Sandwiches, this article covers all the bases. (One-time rights are available. Article word count is 683, additional sidebar is 135.)

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, Afterschool Enrichment, All reprints, Cooking with Kids, Food, Holidays, Party Ideas, Seasonal, Summer

Viva La Fiesta! A Cinco de Mayo Meal from the Kids' Kitchen

What kid doesn’t like Mexican food? Tacos, tostadas, tortillas — there’s something for everyone. And a family doesn’t have to pay a high price at a full-service restaurant or settle for the drive-thru pseudo-taco stand. Parents and kids can prepare easy Mexican food at home. And what better time to try it than Cinco de Mayo?

Featuring a brief history of Cinco de Mayo and enrichment activities as well as several kid-friendly recipes, this piece is sure to bring a festive flair to any home. (706 words)

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Cooking with Kids, Family-Friendly Activities, Food, Holidays, Seasonal, Spring

Summertime….and the Cookin' is Easy

Summer is full of fun — and wild and crazy schedules. We parents are tempted to beat a path to the nearest fast food joint rather than hassle with cooking on hot days. But, there must be a better way.

Take one rotisserie chicken, add a few prepared ingredients, and voilà! a quick and easy dinner for four. At 521 words, this article presents a number of simple, quick, and delicious menu ideas based on prepared ingredients. Each menu’s ingredient list guarantees access to the quick check line. Now we’re cookin’!

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Food, Managing Mealtime series, Seasonal, Summer

Make a Big TO DO Out of Summer! Plan to Have Fun!

Pretty soon parents all over will be making their summer “to do” lists: clean out the garage, repaint the kitchen, have a yard sale. But, really, summertime is made for lying in the hammock more often than mowing the lawn. And an exceptional summer takes a little planning. Otherwise, September will come and you’ll find that you and the kids have spent the last three months in front of the television set (or just worked on that list of chores). Life is so much richer than that! Now is the time to plan to have fun this summer.

At 1176 words, this article suggests creative ways to spend time this summer — fun for the whole family. From homemade water parks to trips to the ballgame, no one will be at a loss for entertainment this season.

Filed Under: 1000 - 1300 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Family-Friendly Activities, Seasonal, Summer

The Summer Play Day: It’s Not Just for Toddlers Anymore

Summertime, when children everywhere have free time on their hands, can be a challenge for parents who want to provide fun experiences for their kids, yet know that planning those experiences also involves some work and creativity. A regular summer playday for kids of all ages is the answer! It’s the toddler playgroup all grown up, and it’s easier than you think.

Featuring our family’s very own Camp Wannalaffalotta, this piece offers real life examples for keeping kids entertained and safe during the summer. At 1087 words it gives parents step by step instructions on how to set up the playday as well as fun activities to mix it up with.

Filed Under: 1000 - 1300 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Family-Friendly Activities, Seasonal, Summer

How Do You Spell Love? M.O.T.H.E.R.

Hallmark cards, flowers, candy. Those are all sweet gifts to give Mom on her special day. However, sometimes it’s nice to think a little outside the box of chocolates.

This article offers some alternatives to those good ole’ standbys. At 850 words, it suggests creative gift ideas that come together to spell MOTHER, as in an acrostic. For example, M is for massage. What Mom wouldn’t love that? Gift ideas range from the extravagant to the absolutely free, but all will demonstrate your great love for the mom in your life.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Budget Living, Gift Ideas, Mother's Day, Motherhood, Seasonal, Spring

The Snow Must Go On? Activities for the Next Snow Day

Snow days can be blessing or a curse, depending on who you are. Teacher? Blessing. Kid? Blessing. Parent?

Well, that depends on your perspective. When we parents aren’t well-equipped, we tend to dread the task before us. Having the kids home without a plan, can make one quake in his or her snowboots. But, a “snowday” can be a blessing for everyone in the household when Mom and Dad have a few tricks up their sleeves.

This article provides parents with creative ideas and plans for making that day of road and school closures a success. At around 920 words, it suggests a range of activities from recipes to crafts to scavenger hunt dinners.

Filed Under: 500-1000 words, All reprints, Family-Friendly Activities, Seasonal, Winter

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