Practical Positive Parenting Advice and Resources
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!…
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. …
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
…
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….
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
Also, learn that not every “No” needs an explanation.
Discover how to say No to your kids without losing your mind
Try this as opposed to just day/hour, when making commitments.
Discover how to better organize and enjoy calmer days
This is great for your kids and even for yourself!
Discover and take advantage of these free printable sticker charts
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Come up with a laundry routine and strategy that works for you!
Discover and try this simple laundry system
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
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
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
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
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
Or use an app that allows your whole family to work off of the same schedule.
Discover options for setting up a family calendar
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
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……
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!
…
When you have kids, every day can look a little different, which can make scheduling very frustrating! Trying to plan for the day, and stick to exact times, can feel daunting. But, I love this alternative plan! Time blocking allows you to schedule for the day with some built-in flexibility! This way, each day feels a bit more manageable.
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
Life can get crazy, and it can be challenging to find that balance in life! Sometimes we may need to focus more on work, and other phases require more attention at home. And what about your social life? Sometimes that can become a priority for a period of time. It can be hard to juggle it all – especially at the same time! But we’ve got great news! ……
Adore Them has articles that explore all of this and more! We have content that touches on career success, the importance of routines, and the joys of being home and raising your family. Best of all, these resources are all free! Take advantage of these insightful articles, inspirational quotes, printables, videos, recipe, conversation starters, and more! Find fresh motivation, and start figuring out new ways to incorporate a better life balance today!
Also, learn how to find balance between work, home and play; or discover 5 (nice) ways to get ahead
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
There’s a beast in the entrepreneurial world that a lot of people don’t talk about. And that’s the relationship aspect. When you’re in a relationship as an entrepreneur, it can sometimes get downright tense. Which is why this week, we’re exploring what a business relationship looks like. And talking all about how to make sure you’re tending to your relationships, while chasing your dreams.
This article is written by Erin Shebish
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
Yeah, I know. I said I was on a content break but I couldn’t resist this opportunity to talk about relationships.
I can’t talk about relationships on my own! That’s not fair. So this week you get to sit with me AND my husband while we dig deep into our own relationship road bumps.
Jon and I began our relationship while I was already immersed in the entrepreneurial world. He thought he got it. I thought he got it. He didn’t. And that wasn’t because of just him. It wasn’t because of just me. It was lack of communication.
Communication is at the heart of so many relationship issues. We often expect our partners to be mind readers and know exactly what is going on all the time. But the truth is that they aren’t.
Encourage your partner to sit down with you and have real discussions about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Share with them those big dreams and let them know that they’re important to your big dreams.
Don’t forget to make time for the ones that you love. There is a lot of buzz about hustling round the clock to make things happen but if you’re not spending time with the ones that you love, success won’t amount to much.
Counseling isn’t a dirty word. If you’re struggling with communication or even if you’re feeling disconnected, go talk to a professional. Your relationship is important. Make sure you treat it with care.
For more on this topic, check out the full Work Life Balance collection
Featured Contributor: Erin Shebish
So what are business boundaries? And why do I need them? Let me tell you…. How many times have you slumped down in your seat only to realize how completely and utterly spent you are?! You’re tired, the list of things to do is never ending, and you can’t seem to get your head above water.
Friend, I get it. I’ve been there.
Being a business owner is tough, regardless of the type of business you’re running. Blogger, handmade business, client based business… It doesn’t even matter. It’s not a frolic through the flowers.
Add to that list being a mother and well… it can be totally overwhelming.
But here’s the thing. You can change your life right now. Because chances are that if you’re feeling the overwhelm, you’ve been neglecting one important thing.
Boundaries….