Jessica Fisher

Father Love: How Dads Nurture Kids in Their Own Ways

laMod — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 04:03:56 +0000

Basketball, rough housing, watching TV, and video games? Many a mom has shook her head wondering where’s the value in that? But, dads nurture and love their kids differently. And that’s okay.

Meet six dads and see how their care for their kids looks different, but is just as important as how moms care for the flock.

621 words.

Spring Cleaning: Give Your Home an Extreme Makeover

laMod — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:21:55 +0000

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.

Romantic Dinner on a Dime or a Last-Minute Valentine

laMod — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:01:17 +0000

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.

Good and Cheap Eats? How Healthy Food Choices and Frugality Can Coexist

laMod — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:51:00 +0000

It would seem that the healthy food is the expensive food. Most parents I know want to feed their children the best possible nutrition, but doing so can often be cost-prohibitive. Is it possible to feed a family healthy choices on a frugal budget? I believe it is — with a little know-how and savvy shopping.

At just under 1200 words, this article provides helpful suggestions for the parent who wants to feed her family healthy, budget-friendly food. Frugal recipes that kids will gobble up are also included.

Have Yourself a Healthy, Little Christmas

laMod — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:44:00 +0000

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.

Wanna Be a Coupon Queen?

laMod — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:50:00 +0000

Years ago I would clip a coupon here or there and use them only for items that I would buy anyway. It was great justification to buy fancy or organic items. I didn’t see how clipping coupons really saved me any money since the generic was usually cheaper anyway. What I didn’t know was that there is a trick to using coupons wisely.

Since our family started shopping with coupons in a more effective way, we’ve reduced our grocery bill by about $200 a month! I have become a coupon queen, I guess.

Any grocery shopper can save big on food costs. With simple directions and lots of helpful links, this 1200 word article will equip your readers to win the Battle of the Budget. A 110-word sidebar is included.

Clothing Your Kids Without Losing Your Shirt

laMod — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Seems every time I turn around one of my children has outgrown his clothes. Just like the lawn that constantly needs to be mowed, my kids, indeed, are growing like weeds. Sweet ones, but quick growing, nonetheless.

Most parents, in a panic to get their kids dressed in the best, head out to shop only to find high ticket prices and a stack of credit card receipts to schlep home. There is a better way. This 1000-word article details a frugal plan of attack that enables parents to find good deals without the debt.

Mother of Six Remains Sane and Loves to Write About It

laMod — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Wife, Mom, Homemaker, Teacher, Food Enthusiast, Writer. I wear a lot of different hats these days. With my husband, four sons, and two daughters, I make my home in San Diego. After five years of living in Kansas, our family recently returned to Southern California where I was born and raised. Although there are many aspects of Midwestern living that I appreciate, I can echo Dorothy when I say, “There’s no place like home.”

With this large, but precious crew, life is never boring. Parenting six kids ranging from toddler to teenager provides me with lots of humorous and instructive material. I enjoy writing about a number of topics, including parenting, homekeeping, cooking, and family fun. My work has been published in over 90 regional parenting publications.

Lest you think I’m writing purely from anecdotal evidence, know that I draw much of my expertise from my educational background. I earned a B.A. in French Literature at the University of California at Santa Barbara; that’s a lot of writing – both in French and English! A year later, I received my Master’s degree in Education, also from UCSB.

I spent one year living abroad, studying at l’Universite de Bordeaux in France and traveling throughout Europe. For several years I worked in the California public school system, teaching English, French, and Yearbook.

A former high school teacher, I now spend my days caring for my husband, children, and home. I have the added privilege of providing my children with private instruction at home. (That’s legal jargon for: We homeschool.)

Bake Me a Cake as Cool as You Can

laMod — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Remember your favorite birthday cake? I do. It was two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion, on a sesame-seed bun. You guessed it. It was a Big Mac cake on my 4th birthday when I’m sure my parents spent a small fortune to mark the occasion.

Birthdays hold a special place in the memory of a child. But, birthday cakes shouldn’t hold a special place in our finances. In fact, the average parent can whip up a pretty cool cake with some toys, candy, and a boxed mix. Promise!

This article explains how it can be done with ease. The accompanying three photos, included in the purchase of the article, will inspire adults with their simplicity and wow the kids with their vibrancy. (If you would like to print the photos without purchasing this article, a separate reprint fee applies.)

Veg Out! How to Get Your Children to Eat Fruits and Vegetables

laMod — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:55:00 +0000

I recently had lunch with a registered dietician. I let her order for me! What better way to know that I was eating the right thing? Our conversation led to her dispelling many of the food myths I’d heard over the years. She conceded that nutrionists differ on everything but one thing – fruits and veggies. We need a lot of both, but most Americans are not eating enough.

Many a parent struggles to eat the right foods. How much greater is the challenge to feed our children what’s best. This article outlines creative and practical suggestions for parents to solve that dilemma. Parenting six young children of my own, I am all to familiar with the mantra, “Eat your veggies.” Illustrated here are some clever solutions, including a sidebar of helpful resources and recipes. (858 words + 190 word sidebar)