How to Raise Money This Year With Lessons In Kindness

by Jamie Jeffers | Sep 4, 2019 | Parenting & Household Tips

It seems like every time they come home from school, they’re bringing another flyer asking you to buy more things you’ll never use.

And (of course) there was an assembly that whipped the kids into a frenzy over the thought of winning their own Xbox system.  

Not only do you resent the fact that you have to break your child’s heart again this year (because there is no way you could sell enough to win that Xbox!)…

But you also have to wonder what they’re learning from all of this.

Look, you understand that the school needs to raise money.  And you appreciate that they are trying to be creative instead of hiking up your fees.

But should raising money be done in a way that almost encourages greed?

Isn’t there a better way?

Well I can tell you that there absolutely is.  Not only does this fundraiser turn the tables and teach children about kindness and giving to others…

…but they also don’t ask you for any money.

Sound too good to be true?  Don’t worry, this is a legitimate fundraiser that many schools and groups have used with great success.

Here’s how it works.

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Family Staycation Ideas That You Can Afford AND Will Adore

by Jamie Jeffers | Jul 15, 2019 | Parenting & Household Tips

Wondering what to do when you can’t afford a family vacation? These ideas are affordable, but a ton of fun for the whole family!

While stuck in line at the grocery store, you decide to do a quick Facebook scroll.

There’s a cute baby picture or two.  Some people debating the latest news story.

But the next line?

Another beach photo.

It feels like all of your friends and family are taking fun trips.  But you know it’s so far out of the budget this year, there’s no way you can afford it.

You wonder if your family will regret not getting away together.  What will the kids tell the teacher when she asks what they did over the break?

Well, families can spend great quality time together without going away on an expensive trip.

You can even make fantastic memories that no one else can compare to!

Let’s talk about some fun (but affordable) things to do when you can’t afford a family vacation.

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What I Wish I Knew Before My Child’s Hospital Stay

by Jamie Jeffers | Apr 29, 2019 | Parenting & Household Tips

You have enough worry about your child’s condition. You shouldn’t also have to wonder what the hospital stay will be like. Here’s what you need to know.

When your kids are mostly healthy, you’ll get a reminder from time to time that you should be grateful for that. 

Maybe it’s another mom sharing the story of their chronically ill child.  Or a Facebook page that follows the journey of a child as they go in and out of the hospital.

Even so, it was quite the shock for me to learn that our own otherwise healthy 5 year old needed a serious surgery followed by a 5 day hospital stay.  

As the date of the surgery drew closer, I realized I’d have to get out of that shock and prepare both of us for that hospital stay.

What would we need to bring along?  What should we expect the experience to be like?  I had no idea. 

Luckily, some experienced friends gave me some tips to make our stay easier.  

But even with their help, things happened that I wasn’t ready for.  

So let me share our experience with you in the hopes that we can make your hospital stay a little less stressful.  (Because there’s already plenty of that to go around.)

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