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Adore Them Parenting

Practical Positive Parenting Advice and Resources

Practical Positive Parenting

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Karissa Tunis

Your No Fear Career

The office can be a scary place. There are demanding clients, bosses who bully, conniving coworkers, and people who play politics. It seems that fear, mistrust, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed run through the veins of professionals at every level. When left unchecked, this fear creates a negative work environment that stifles innovation and sabotages service – the very things needed to gain a competitive edge. That is why Robin wrote Your No Fear Career, and that is why we are sharing this review here.

The flip side of fear is faith. When we have faith in our talents, our team and our product or service, we simply can’t be in fear. But how do we have faith in our company and in ourselves when demands are coming at us so fast and the future seems so uncertain?…

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Side Hustle for the Future

Side Hustle for the Future

For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection

The following is a common scenario: You need money so you get a side job. This side job makes you some money quickly, & there is little risk involved & not much of a growth curve. You make enough money to put yourself into a better position financially, & you will stop that side job as soon as you get on your feet with a full-time job that makes ends meet.

I understand why people take on these side jobs, but I want to present a different scenario in this article…

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Get Started. Even Without a Perfect Plan

I am a researcher. I like to look up options, and find the “right” way to do things. But sometimes you just have to take the leap! Sometimes you have to settle for “good enough,” and just get started.

Because quite frankly, there is no substitute for personal experience.

You will not get any closer to your goals by following someone else’s tutorial. You have to figure out your own path, you have to make your own mistakes, and you have to have confidence in yourself despite those mistakes….

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Learn More About Tradecraft Specialties – Customized Beds for Kids

Tradecraft Specialties was founded in Lancaster County in 2013. They pride themselves in designing, engineering and handcrafting specialized products and customized beds for kids

After Ken’s daughter made a unique request for a special purple race car bed, he set out to create just that. The crib-to-bed transition for their daughter was so successful thanks to this bed that they knew they were onto something!…

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Jewel of Change

This article is written by Tyler E. Johnson
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

Cutting my hair was somewhat of an impulsive change I made one day when I was secretly having a melt down. An action that was birthed from a moment of despair has blossomed into something so liberating. I feel empowered, confident, and nothing short of boss. My creative mind is running wild and everyday I become more comfortable with myself and trying new things. The power of change, the different aspects of change, and how amazing continuous elevation feels is very real. …

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Dear First Time Breastfeeding Mother

first time breastfeeding

As a first time mother of a 4 month old, I have found breastfeeding to be one of the most wonderful experiences of motherhood. When my son was 2 months old, I finally let go of the way I thought breastfeeding was supposed to be and embraced the reality of what it actually was. Mothers, here is my advice (based on personal experience) if you are planning to breastfeed.

This article is written by Sandra Noojin
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection

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The Importance of Family Routines for Sanity and Creativity

Some folks say that routines and predictability are boring.  That may be true, but boring can be a good thing.  In today’s article, we’re going to explore the benefits of having family routines for everyone, from toddlers to adults.  I’ll reveal a few of my challenges in this area as well.

Without routines and structure, life is chaotic.  From infancy to old age, we all feel better and function better when there are consistency and predictability in our day….

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20 Quick Tips to Simplify Life

20 quick tips to simplify life

After polling a few friends on their favorite tips for simplifying their lives, I compiled this list to share with you. Here are 20 quick and easy tips to simplify life.

While all of these may not work for your phase of life, hopefully they can spark some ideas that you can begin to implement and try today 🙂

This article is written by Karissa Tunis

For more on this topic, check out the full Simplify collection

20 Quick Tips to Simplify Life

 

 1.  Learn to say “No” more often

Also, learn that not every “No” needs an explanation.

Discover how to say No to your kids without losing your mind

 

2.  Look long-term at your calendar

Try this as opposed to just day/hour, when making commitments.

Discover how to better organize and enjoy calmer days

 

3.  Keep organized chore lists to simplify life

This is great for your kids and even for yourself!

Discover and take advantage of these free printable sticker charts

 

4.  Schedule cleaning and housework days

Everyone thinks to schedule doctor appointments and work meeting, but what about your days at home? By giving yourself a block of time to get things done at home, you will feel much more accomplished and better balanced!

Discover how to pick your days and organize your focus

 

5.  Turn off notifications and simplify your life

Turn off notifications for all of the apps on your phone, and then only turn back on the ones that you truly need. It is amazing how freeing it can be when your phone isn’t dinging all day long!

 

6.  Try doing the bare minimum for a week

There will still clearly be things that you have to do, but you will realize where your priorities lie. Then you can work on letting those smaller busy-making items go.

Discover how to find the balance between work, home and play

 

7.  Delegate responsibilities to simplify life

This can be much easier said than done, but you don’t have to handle everything on your own!

Discover how to make your life (with tweens/teens) easier

 

8.  Surround yourself with others that have a similar mindset

People who tend to over-schedule will make you feel like you should be scheduling more too.

Discover what you should look for in a friend

 

9.  Don’t do things just because you think you are supposed to

Take the step back and truly think about your reasons for participating in certain activities, events, and other stressors.

Discover why/how one family dialed their life back to the basics

 

10.  Make crockpot meals as much as possible

There are many wonderful, healthy, and delicious recipes out there that will not require all day in the kitchen.

Discover family meal recipes, print out free recipe cards, and try the delicious crockpot recipe below

crock pot chicken recipe
Katerina's Finest

Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock Pot

Try this simple yet delicious crock pot chicken recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Chicken Thighs with the bone, skin removed
  • 28 oz Tomatoes crushed or diced, from a can or fresh
  • 1/2 Red Bell Pepper sliced into strips
  • 1/2 Onion large, sliced
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs such as basil or parsley for topping

Equipment

  • crock pot

Method
 

  1. Season chicken with salt and black pepper and cook it in a pan for a few minutes.
  2. Place the cooked chicken in the slow cooker.
  3. In the same pan, sauté with Extra Virgin Olive Oil the red and green bell peppers (season with salt and pepper) and onion until golden brown. Add to the slow cooker.
  4. Add all the rest of the ingredients listed above. Give it a quick stir and cover.
  5. You can either set your crock pot to LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4 hours.
  6. When the timer beeps, remove lid and keep the crock pot on HIGH one hour to help the sauce thicken if it is watery.
  7. Serve with rice or pasta.

 

11.  Limit activities and family outings to only a few days a week

Activities and experiences are important for children. However, so is that genuine, innocent, imaginary play that is unprompted by others! Our kids are only young once, and they only have one childhood – so give them a good one!

Discover the importance of play, and how trading activities for more play time can be beneficial for the entire family

 

12.  Screen time has to be earned

Screen time should be earned through chores and/or quiet time spent reading or coloring. Note – Quiet time helps the day to feel simpler

Discover the importance of a home library

 

13.  Laundry Strategy

Come up with a laundry routine and strategy that works for you!

Discover and try this simple laundry system

 

14.  Declutter and simplify your life instantly

Physically touch every object in your house and ask yourself “Does this serve a purpose or bring me sentimental joy?” If not, get rid of it. Note – Having Less makes chores go by faster, reduces cleaning time, and is less for you to pick up and organize at the end of the day

Discover tips to get organized for every area of your home

 

15.  Allow kids to help you with daily chores

It doesn’t always have to be for money, and it will give you more quality time together, examples – setting table, putting away laundry, etc.

Discover age appropriate chores, the benefits of teaching responsibility, and download free sticker charts below

 

16.  Plan meals by the month

Finding a few key recipes that you can make on rotation, or picking a day to prep a bunch of food for the weeks ahead, can be extremely helpful!

Discover new recipes here, or try these tips and strategies for stress management

 

17.  Stay out of stores

Not only does buying less help you to save more money, but it also saves on clutter.

Discover what questions you should ask before making a purchase in order to shop smart and shop simply

 

18. Toys!

Often times little toys and accessories for our children just equals more little toys and accessories for us to clean up. Consider instead saving money longer to buy a larger toy, or plan for a special treat/event, instead of so many little items/things.

Discover how to organize the toy room

 

19.  Set up a Google Calendar

Or use an app that allows your whole family to work off of the same schedule.

Discover options for setting up a family calendar

 

20.  Seek Advice

Listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos, and read books that encourage minimalism and organization for additional tips.

Discover books on minimalism via our affiliate links below

 

For more on this topic, check out the full Simplify collection

 

20 quick tips to simplify life

My Simple Laundry System – A family laundry method that works!

simple laundry system

Laundry used to stress me out and I felt like I was trying one laundry system after another. Since it stressed me out, I would avoid doing laundry for as long as possible. I would let the piles grow and grow until we were all out of clothes. Then I’d finally have to tackle this now daunting task. It was nearly impossible to get things under control, and it was something that weighed on me day in and day out.

Something as simple and mundane as laundry shouldn’t be the bane of your existence! So I knew that I needed to find a better way of doing things……

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Dialing It Back To Basics

Dialing it Back to Basics

If you are like me, then you might be guilty of occasionally (or often) binge watching Tiny House Hunters, or Tiny House Builders, or honestly – any of the tiny house shows! They are incredibly fascinating, and I am so intrigued with watching other people pair down their lifestyles. Their simplicity is so appealing, and it has totally inspired me to dial my family’s life back to basics.

To watch these people sell, purge, and pair down their belongings into under a thousand square feet of cozy living definitely has its appeal! And if I wasn’t married with 3 growing children and a house full of fluffy pets, I may even consider joining the movement!

But what I have realized over the years is that you don’t have to move into a legit tiny house to pair down your life. In fact, you can dial your life back to basics in a way that totally fits you and your family. It is a little scary at first, but it can quickly turn into an exciting adventure that encourages you to embrace more simplicity in all areas of your life! 

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