by Jamie Jeffers | Jun 26, 2017 | Parenting Tips
Choose one of these Mom approved most durable backpacks for your student. Buy once and save year after year!
When my oldest was going into kindergarten, I took him to the store to choose a brand new backpack.
He was so excited to find one with his favorite super hero! And off to school he proudly went.
But by Christmas break, that backpack was ripped and ruined. The cheap material wouldn’t stitch back together. (Not that I’m much in the seamstress department to begin with.)
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by Jamie Jeffers | Jun 21, 2017 | Parenting Tips
Inside: Are your kids always bored? Let’s talk about kids these days…and it isn’t about screen time. Here’s an idea you might not have considered.
Summer is here, and the battle with boredom has already begun. Life these days is hectic as we try to keep up with busy schedules and bucket lists. So when there is down time, kids aren’t sure how to handle it.
If you’re like me, you love the idea of having a slow summer. And you regularly tell your kids that it’s ok to be bored. But in reality, when the kids get bored, they spend more time bickering with one another.
I think there’s a solution that’s easy to overlook in today’s times. I’m so thankful to The Humbled Homemaker for letting me share my thoughts on this subject today! Be sure to click here to read Why Your Kids Are Bored At Home (And It’s Not What You Think).
Welcome to Medium Sized Family!
Are you new to the Medium Sized Family blog? I’m so happy to have you here! I’m Jamie, wife of one and mother to 5 kids. We’re digging out of debt and have implemented a #yearofno that helped us pay off thousands so far.
Here you’ll find money saving tips (including a popular series every Friday called The 5 Ways We’ve Saved Money This Week).
Some posts you might like to start with:
I’d love to learn more about you! You can leave a comment here or join us on our Facebook page (where we’re ALWAYS chatting about something!)
by Jamie Jeffers | Jun 12, 2017 | Large Family Life, Parenting Tips
This list of fun things to do with the family is a must have. Keep it on hand and draw ideas from it all year long.
As you scan the latest school newsletter, one certain date catches your eye.
Because next to that date are two little words that demolish your usual schedule.
“No school.”
Why the kids have a random day off of school in October is neither here nor there.
Either way, you need to figure out what that day is going to look like.
Hey, I’m all for having a lazy day where we sit around in pajamas and do nothing. (For once.)
And letting the kids learn to be bored can pay off big time.
But if you want to go just.one.day without the kids at each other’s throats (because he said no girls are allowed upstairs…and she hit me first)…then what you need is a plan.
And after you print off this list of fun things to do as a family, they’ll be too busy having fun to fight.
Well, fingers crossed anyway.
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by Jamie Jeffers | May 29, 2017 | Parenting Tips
Looking for a responsibility chart that actually works? Try this free printable, and be sure to use the tips to make the most out of this method!
There are few things that can set off the Mom monster faster than a kid who dumps a mess on the counter you just scrubbed.
Or the one who drops his socks in the middle of the floor you just cleaned.
I know. I can feel the blood rushing to my head just thinking about it. And I know I’m not the only one!
It’s high time we let those kiddos who are so good at making the mess learn how to clean it up.
Amiright?
What you need is a tool that makes it all easier. Something we call the responsibility chart.
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by Jamie Jeffers | May 22, 2017 | Parenting Tips
Looking for fun things to do on your birthday that don’t cost an arm and a leg? Get a few new surprises to spring on the birthday boy or girl this year!
When he woke up, the first thing he did was (of course) come down the steps.
Except that today, there were streamers blocking his exit into the living room.
What could he do…except bust through those paper ropes like the KoolAid Man going through a wall.
Ooooo yeah!
You can bet he felt special from the moment he woke up. After all, it’s his birthday.
He only gets one per year. And every little moment you give him throughout the day fills your heart with joy, at least as much as it does his.
Making a birthday feel special doesn’t take a ton of money.
And here’s a hint…it doesn’t have to be Pinterest perfect either.
Here are some super fun things to do for a birthday…they are gonna love it!
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by Jamie Jeffers | May 15, 2017 | Parenting Tips
Looking for a special way to mark the end of the school year? Try this awesome low cost idea…but you better be good at keeping secrets!
What do you remember about your high school graduation?
A few things spring to mind for me.
The staff member in charge of seating made arrangements so that couples were seated by each other, so I got to share the day with the man I’d later marry. (So thoughtful!)
Later, I had a graduation party and received special gifts including a nice flute that would improve my playing abilities as a music major.
But the most special gift I received at the end of the school year was a copy of Dr. Suess’ “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!”
Inside was a special note of encouragement my Mom had written just for me.
I never forgot about that book (in fact, I still have it!). And as my first born son was wrapping up his kindergarten year, I decided to go ahead and buy the book for him, too.
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I'm Jamie, and I want to help you afford a beautiful life with your family. 
