Being a stay-at-home mom is not an easy job (that is an understatement by the way), but it sure is rewarding! Below are just 27 of the many reasons I love being a stay-at-home mom.

Quick note: By writing this post I'm not trying to personally demean anyone who is not a SAHM. I'm just simply sharing what I love about the profession I've chosen.

1. I get to chill with the most important people in my life all day long

I feel so blessed to be able to hangout with the kids who I love more than anything in the world.

2. I get to be there for all of their 'firsts.'

The first time my son said, "I luff U" was one of the most memorable moments of my life. His first step was as well. The first time I sneezed and he said, "blesh you" I couldn't help but grin. I love it when my 10-month-old daughter says, 'Hi' or 'Ma Ma.' There are so many memories and experiences I've been there to witness and there will be many, many more. I'm grateful that I get to be there to enjoy, encourage, and remember (or if I'm lucky snap a photo of) all of their precious 'firsts.'

3. I'm there to comfort them when they need it

For the most part whenever they slightly hurt themselves, I try to ignore it so they can learn to cope. But when it is something big - a hard bonk on the head, a bad fall, etc. - I want nothing more than to hold them in my arms and comfort them. My son recently started to get scared of certain things. When he runs to me or when they cry for me I'm so glad I'm there for them.

4. I get to monitor what and how much my kids watch

I appreciate TV and entertainment (especially educational programs), but I also want my children to spend time learning with their hands, developing motor skills, learning through books and play, etc. This is important for baby and toddler learning. I like to be able to limit their screen time and encourage them to do other things.

5. We have relaxing mornings

I generally wake up when the kids are ready to get up. I get them dressed, we have a nice breakfast and take our time. There is no rushing to get out of the door. I know this will change when they start going to school, but for the little ones who are growing so quickly, I like to let them sleep as long as their bodies need and to make mornings as easy and relaxing as they can be.

6. I get to read to them

I love reading to my kids and do so daily. They enjoy it and learn a lot. I adore having both of them sit on my lap as we read together.

7. We play a lot!

My son and I have sword fights or play 'keep away from the ball' on our DIY inground trampoline. We play the memory game (with the cards facing up - making matches and learning words). They love to play 'superman or flying' (I put my son or my daughter on my calfs and I lift them in the air), we play with toys, and they love to tackle and crawl all over me when I'm on the ground.

8. Discipline is much easier and effective for my kids when I am the one sticking with a system consistently.

We went to Alaska on a cruise this summer and they stayed with grandma. When we came back it was miserable getting my son back into good behavior. My daughter was a little 'off' too. Being consistent in discipline and being around my kids throughout the day helps them act better.

9. I appreciate having more time to do the homemaking

Laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. is time consuming! Before kids I worked full time and I still didn't feel like I could get everything done. Now that I am a SAHM, I feel like I'm able to accomplish all of these tasks a little better - even when there is much more work to be done. Don't get me wrong I'm not perfect (none of us are), but I appreciate the extra time I have to do the homemaking.

10. I am my own boss

Stay-at-home moms are typically very busy and work a lot. I like 'beating to my own drum' and determining the things I do in my home. It's liberating and refreshing to set my own schedule, clean things the way I deem appropriate, etc. I'm not a control freak, but I like the freedom of not having a boss.

11. I can save more money

I have more time to coupon, look for discounts, pay bills, make homemade meals, and learn and practice ways to stretch our income. Further, we pay a lower tax bracket (with me not working), and we don't pay for two commutes, two lunches out, daycare, etc. That said, by cutting out my income I did have to supplement some of the loss by working from home.

12. I get to monitor what my kids eat

I like knowing what and how much they are eating. Mainly because my son gets wild when he has too much sugar. Also, I know that there is a lot of junk, food coloring, and additives in foods these days. In moderation that is okay, but I appreciate being able to monitor that and get them to eat a balanced and healthy diet.

13. I don't have to dress up each day

Call me lazy, but there are some days that I like to throw on a T-shirt, put my hair up in a ponytail, and not put on makeup. While most days I do try to be presentable, I like the flexibility that being a SAHM gives me in the 'getting ready' department.

14. I don't worry as much

I'm not a 'worry wart' but it is nice to be able to be with the kids and be mindful of their safety. It is also nice not have to worry about them catching sicknesses from other kids because they are in the home. I know this will also change as they start up school, but it is a perk right now.

15. We can find, alter, and stick to a schedule that works

If my kids don't nap enough and at the right times, their schedule or mood gets off balance. It is nice to be able to find what works best for them and then stick with it. It's also great to be there for signs of excess tiredness, teething, etc. which requires altering the schedule we've set.

16. We get to go on day activities with other moms and kids

We've gone on some great day outings. We go to the Aquarium, to parks, the beach, and other day activities that are fun for the kids and me.

17. They get to go to different play or trade dates

I love setting up play dates or 'trade dates' so my son can learn to socialize and start learning how to develop friendships. It is fun for me to get to know the moms in the neighborhood better as well.

18. I don't have to worry about taking time off of work

It's refreshing not have to worry about time off when the kids are sick, need me to attend an event, we go on an outing, or when I need to take them to doctor or dentist appointments.

19. I have more time to do my favorite things

If I was working full time out of the home with two little ones I know that I wouldn't be able to: workout as much, craft, make homemade Halloween costumes, blog, pursue hobbies, serve in my church and community, make more time-consuming-yet-delicious-recipes, etc. as much as I am able to now. I appreciate having time to pursue some of my favorite things to do.

20. I can rest when needed

Although this is a bit of a rarity, if I was up a lot at night with a sick kid or just really exhausted I can lie down, rest, or nap. This is especially helpful when pregnant with another child. Resting is vital while pregnant and was much easier to do when I was a stay-at-home mom vs. working full-time. I know this because when I was while pregnant with my first I worked full time and never could really get the rest I needed.

21. We learn together

We try to have learning time daily. We use these fun counting bears as a way to learn colors and numbers. We find animals on his world lamp globe, go through flash cards, read, etc. I feel like I teach them in an enthusiastic and dedicated manner because I love them and am determined to help them learn

22. Being a SAHM has improved my relationship with my husband

Although I admit, we aren't a 'model married couple,' we are working really hard to have a strong marriage and we do love each other.

That said, I have noticed that becoming a SAHM has helped our relationship in many regards. I'm not exactly sure why this is. I think some of it has to do with my husband feeling comfortable that our kids are home and well taken care of. I think he likes the system we have. He also appreciates being the bread winner"¦

23. I have an easier time making and prioritizing family dinner

Family dinner is sooo important. Making it a priority in our home helps us with many things including building strong relationships, eating healthy, and spending time together. It is easier to find time to prepare dinner as a stay-at-home mom.

24. I get tons of hugs, cuddles, and kisses all day long each and every day

I get to give and get hugs when the kids wake up, go down for naps, and even get to rock my baby to sleep. I love kissing my baby's chubby cheeks and squeezing her 'bubbly thighs.' And my heart flutters when my son randomly gives me a kiss. It's the best.

25. We giggle and laugh together

I love tickling the kids (not too much to be uncomfortable, just enough to make them laugh). We usually giggle at each and with each other at least a few times during the day.

My son also makes his sister laugh. It melts my heart seeing them becoming such great friends, interacting together, and making each other happy.

26. I get to teach them responsibility and work and make sure they get their chores done

During the day my son puts his dishes in the sink, helps me load and unload laundry, cleans up his messes, and wipes off the table. When he throws the pillows off of the couches, he is required to put them back. I'm trying to be diligent to ensure that he helps and works around the house and so his self confidence grows as well.

27. I have a strong relationship with my kids

By spending 10+ waking hours together daily, we know each other really well. I typically know what to do when they are in one of their many moods. I understand what certain looks, body language, etc. mean. They know I'll be there for them too. I love that when my son doesn't know where in the house I'm at, he'll call out, "mom?, mom?" and trusts I'm there and I'll answer. I love that my daughter crawls towards whatever area of the home I'm in and just wants to be with me. The stability of our relationships, my children's trust and love, and time we spend together is priceless to me.

And although being a Stay-at-Home mom is often very tough and every day doesn't always include all of these amazing moments, the rewards and the things I love about it far outweigh the negatives. These 27 reasons plus some more not mentioned are what keep me dedicated and excited about my stay-at-home mom profession.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Live Like You are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

The post 27 reasons why I love being a stay-at-home mom appeared first on FamilyToday.

I love family photographs! We set out to get ours done, and let me tell you, getting it right can be a big production. But if you are prepared well, I think any family can get amazing family photographs. Here are 10 steps to it.

1. Start planning early

It took me a week to find a good photographer and schedule an appointment. It took about two weeks to gather and decide on the right color scheme and clothes. And it took some time to scout out the spot we wanted to go to and wait for the fall leaves to turn more yellow. Prepping is vital so start at least a few weeks early.

2. Find a good photographer

Since my husband is a professional photographer himself, we have always thought that he could take our family photos. The last time we attempted this was a miserable mess, and we ended up with only three photos we liked. We bought a remote and had all of the professional gear but sometimes we didn't like the angle, focus, etc., and we were struggling with only one wiggly child, with two we knew we needed a pro.

If you have children, I highly recommend hiring someone (and someone professional to take your photos). It is worth the expense. Trust me if I say this because I'm extremely frugal and was more than happy to pay for the photos we now have.

3. Choose clothing carefully

Use solids, patterns, and layering for visual interest. Be careful to not do too much of one thing. I think you should have at least three or more different colors, textures, and patterns that work together but will balance and round off the look. But, this is totally up to your style and taste. Whatever you do, layout or try on the clothes beforehand to make sure they are working well together.

Another important thing to consider is comfort, functionality, weather, and how the colors you've picked will look against the back drop of your photo shoot. I changed the colors of my wedding due to this rule. We booked an amazing venue but my original colors aqua, pink, and silver would have clashed bad. So I changed my color to purple hues and it worked well in the venue. Do the same for your photo shoot.

Plan for cold weather or reschedule if the weather is bad. But don't be afraid if it's overcast. You can get awesome ranges of colors on an overcast day. And if you have kids, don't wear white until you are ready to be photographed. I made sure to put my white shirt on/change after the kids were strapped into the car seats and everything was ready to go.

4. Get help getting ready

I was able to get my neighbor to watch the kids (I paid her) while I got ready. It's difficult for me with two children under three to get ready. If you are stressed when you arrive it will be difficult to enjoy the experience.

Arrange a play date or babysitter to help with small kids so you can look and feel your best.

5. Take extra outfits, diapers, and shoes for little ones

I had a bag of an entire extra outfit (pulled from the closet) for both kids just incase of blowout, etc.

And although my son hopped into the river and got his jeans wet, we just went forward with the shoot. If he would have slowed down, or if it was more serious (a blowout, etc.), we would've stopped and changed.

6. Take snacks and favorite toys to bribe young children and get them to look at the camera.

We had some fruit snacks for my son to keep him happy and our photographer was nice enough to give my son a Cliff Bar.

We should have brought a bell or whistle or something that made a rattling noise and had the photographer rattle it to capture the attention of our 11 month-old but we got lucky and for the most part she was looking where we wanted her to.

So just in retrospect, we would've been better off bringing those things along.

7. If you have kids, don't expect perfection

I admit I was a little disappointed that my son was as wild as he normally is. I was hoping he would sit still and smile for the camera just as I had planned.

Boy was I in for a wake up call! During our session, he didn't stop moving, was in the water and dirt, had sticks and stones and was everywhere all the time - pretty much like normal.

Normally we are pretty strict as parents, but when you are wanting to keep a kid happy for photos you kind of lax a bit. So we did the best we could but let him run free for most of the shoot. And surprise! I was so happy when our photographer sent me the photographs. There were about 100 great photos and 30 we LOVED. Many of the ones I adore are of my son being himself.

So my lesson was learned, now you can avoid it too. Don't be like me and get discouraged if your kids are being kids. Let them be themselves and hopefully your photographer will capture their amazing individual and unique personalities. It can make for some pretty fun and humorous photos that you'll cherish!

8. Suggest edits or edit photos. Print correctly

Post processing is very important. Be communicative with your photographer about what you like or don't like about a photo. Is there a hair stuck to your eyelash? Chances are he/she can edit it out. Is there a blemish you'd rather not see on a large printed canvas? Have them edit it out. Professional photographers can even warm up an image or change the lighting, dodge, and burn, etc.

On this same note, print your photographs at the highest resolution you can for larger prints. You can ruin the best photographs by taking a small file and trying to print it large. Google, or ask your photographer if you have questions on what size photograph (pixels) you need for certain sized prints.

9. Choose a location you'll enjoy and fits your personality

We LOVE the mountains. We feel at home in them, and it is a good representation of who we are. I love photo shoots in people's homes, at their cabins, and at locations that mean something to them or that are unique and interesting. Ask your photographer for ideas if you can't think of any.

10. Schedule your photography session when there is good lighting

As a wife of a professional landscape photographer I hear about lighting ALL the time. Light is such an important aspect of a photograph.

Mornings and early evenings are great for lighting (its softer 'sweet light'-as my husband says). Overcast days are also good. Try and schedule your photo shot (if possible) during the times of day when the light isn't super intense and blaring in your face, making you squint and sweat.

Or if mornings or evenings is not at all possible, try to take your photographs in a grove of trees or some type of shade/light mix.

Finally, enjoy and share the end product - that's the funnest part!

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Live Like You Are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

The post 10 must-dos to have amazing family photographs appeared first on FamilyToday.

After I stopped breastfeeding my son, I started to feel sad and down pretty much all the time. I remember telling my husband I felt like God, my family, and the world hated me. I told him I felt like I was not a good mom and that my son deserved better. No matter what he said to comfort me, I still went on feeling that way.

The next few months were dark dark days. I had never had depression before and I didn't realize exactly what was happening until we got a first big snow. I looked out the window and was sad. That's when the light bulb moment happened "¦

All my life I have LOVED snow! I look forward to it each year. I love it so much I even wanted to move to Alaska. So when I noticed that even the sight of snow still wasn't making me happy, I realized that I was depressed.

It's a tough thing dealing with depression and my family (all who have never experienced it before) didn't know what to do or say. My little sister, bless her heart, tried motivating me but the conversations usually ended up with me crying or angrily hanging up on her. My husband felt like he had lost his wife and I felt hopeless. The only thing that made me happy was my son. Yet, when he would cry a lot (because of teething) or when he was sick, etc., I felt even more down.

Depression is like a big black hole of nothingness. It's like a beast that lives inside your mind and you can't tame or control it. It's almost impossible to continue functioning. Many people have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. I struggled with getting through each day. I was often just going through the motions of life, not really feeling a whole lot, except down.

I believe that the reversal of my depression was due to multiple factors. Having come out of the Postpartum Depression, I looked forward to life again. I felt like I had my body and my life back. I was no longer living in despair and feeling hopeless.

This experience taught me so much and I wanted to share what I learned with you.

Below are 5 things I learned from having depression. I also added a few things I did to feel a 'little' better despite being depressed

1. Don't ever judge another (especially if they have depression)

Unless you have been there before, you can't know what it feels like. You just don't know.

2. Some of the worst things you can say to someone who is depressed are

Snap out of it; I'm worried about you; You are sick; You aren't yourself anymore; You need more sunshine; You need to exercise more; You need to be grateful for what you have; You need to have more faith; You need to "¦ Curing depression is just not something that a depressed person can do that easily (if at all).

3. Depression takes time to diagnose and to treat

When you go to the doctor with an ear infection they prescribe antibiotics, you take them, your ear infection goes away, and you are done with it.

With depression it is much different. First, they want to do tests which take time. Then they aren't sure what kind of medication to start you with so you become an experiment of sorts. Ultimately, it's not a perfect science but the one thing you can count on, is that finding something that works takes time (usually a whole lot of it).

4. What works for one, may not work for another

I talked to a few other women who struggled with PPD and they told me what seemed to work for them. I tried everything they all mentioned. Some helped and some made me worse. We all have different bodies, chemical make ups, and hormones so be careful when trying things that helped someone else. Know that what works for them may not work for you and visa versa.

5. The best things you can do and say when someone has depression are

I'm so sorry, I'm not sure what you are going through but I am sorry you have to go through it; You are a very strong person, I admire you being able to get out of bed, hold down a job, or smile (really just tell them its amazing that they are doing things that are difficult for someone with depression to accomplish); I have time on Tuesdays, would you like for me to come over and help you clean, cook, or just hangout? (if they say no, ask again another time, be genuine and offer again if you think they are declining because they don't want to inconvenience you); I'm happy to take your kids during such and such time each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; You are amazing; I'm sorry you are feeling this way; I hate that you have to go through this; I'm here for you, really, if you ever need to talk; etc.

What helped me while I was depressed may not help you or someone you know, perhaps it will though so I'll mention the few things that did help me.

1. Having a break from mothering

I love my son (and he actually was the only thing bringing me joy during this time) but having a weekend off when my husband would take him out on a road trip was a major help.

2. Getting out into the sunshine or if its rainy, dark, or winter, try a Vitamin D spray.

3. Talking to friends about it

4. Crying it out

5. When my husband was ultra supportive and super kind

6. A good nights sleep

Sometimes I couldn't sleep at which time I'd take melatonin and it helped.

7. Working on my blog

I started my blog before I got depressed and working on it shifted my focus and really helped me get through this tough time.

8. Prayer

Prayer helped me immensely because God understands what we are going through and can comfort us. If you aren't religious, try meditation that may help as well.

9. Finally, my mom did a lot of research on this while I was struggling and told me to bathe in Epsom salts to get more magnesium in my body.

I only did this twice before I started coming out of it. It did seem to make me feel better, but because I was coming out of the depression I'm not sure if it helped significantly or not.

10. Saliva samples

Had I not gotten over it when I did, the next step was to take a saliva sample and have it diagnosed. Saliva (through research that I did) shows imbalances better than the blood does, therefore it is easier for doctors to correct the imbalances.

Even though I was truly depressed, I noticed that doing/using the aforementioned things did help me feel a little better. Although I'm not sure why I got better, I just want to tell those who are struggling with depression or know someone who is, that finding a solution is often a delicate matter. Suggesting that someone with depression do X, Y, or Z to feel better will often make them feel worse. It needs to be suggested when they are in a good place and it needs to come out of love.

Often research and other sound findings convinced me to give certain things a try. And luckily, I wasn't so deep that I gave up on getting better. Sometimes people do get that deep though and as hard as it is, loved ones just need to be patient.

My hope in writing this is that there are a few things that I learned or that helped me which will be useful to others who are suffering from depression.

Editor's note: This article was originally written on Live Like You Are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

The post 5 important things I learned from having postpartum depression appeared first on FamilyToday.

My husband's friend came to stay with us for a day or two. He wanted to do a load of laundry and I told him I would show him how to use the machine. He told me he knew how to use a washer machine and I was shocked. Then I realized that not all men are as lucky as my husband (who hasn't done a load of laundry for over 5 years). He said that my hubby must have it pretty good to have lived here 4 years and never done a load of laundry! Smiling, I agreed.

Laundry is more enjoyable for me than many other tasks. That said, I do sometimes get frustrated at how quickly it piles up and how it never seems to end. Then I remember that for centuries before my time, people had to hand wash laundry.

When I remember this, my slight frustration turns to gratitude. We are very lucky and blessed to have machines and convenient supplies to do our piles of laundry!

That said, it can get costly but there are many ways I've found to save hundreds, even thousands, on laundry costs.

1. Vanish wrinkles without ironing

Avoid last minute ironing (or ironing altogether). Spray your clothes with a solution of lavender oil and water before putting them on and the wrinkles will disappear. Lavender oil is a fibre relaxant so the creases just drop out.

Or you can hang your wrinkled clothing item in bathroom near your shower but far enough away that it won't get wet. The moisture from a warm shower will smooth out the wrinkles and it should be ready to wear after you get out. Also, hanging wet clothing to dry often prevents wrinkles from forming in the first place.

Finally, if you spritz the clothing item with a bit of water, throw the item in the dryer for 5 minutes, and take it out, it should be wrinkle free.

2. Dry up grease stains with chalk

Grab some of your children's white chalk to keep in the laundry for absorbing greasy stains. Simply rub it on and the chalk powder will absorb the grease, making the stain easily removable when washed. Don't have chalk? Use baby powder instead.

3. Test your machine

I tested our machine and it cleaned the same on one rinse cycle as two. So I have made it permanently a one rinse cycle machine. The time is cut in half, the water in half, and the clothes are just as clean. If you haven't, test your machine to see if you can do the same.

4. Set yourself up for washing success

Learning the best water temperature setting for your wash will help you to get the best results.

As a guide:

• Cold water is good for fine fabrics and delicates, knits, denim, colors, and clothes that may shrink.

• Warm water works best with whites and lights. Combined with detergent, the water temperature helps lift soil and stains.

• Hot water is the best choice for heavily stained items and throughly clean dish and bath towels and wash cloths

5. Hang teenage to adult-sized AND expensive clothes out to dry

I always hang all of my husband and I's clothes to dry. The quality, color, and sizing of our clothing lasts much longer. Drying can shrink, stress, and fade clothing. Hanging my clothing out for over ten years has saved me/us considerably - plus we save money by not running the dryer near as much.

That said, I choose to dry our towels, socks, and undergarments for convenience. I also dry most of our children's inexpensive clothing because they grow out of them so quickly and I'm not as considered about them lasting for years.

6. Rip or cut the dryer sheets in half

You increase your box of dryer sheets by 100% when you tear each one in two. Half a sheet works really well and saves money.

7. OR Use Wool Dryer Balls in the dryer

Wool absorbs moisture, therefore, buying or making your own wool dryer balls is a great way to both cut costs and cut drying time. They also make a great alternative to dryer sheets because as they bounce around the dryer, it has a softening effect.

8. OR Use Aluminum Foil as dryer sheets

Try using some aluminum foil instead of a dryer sheet. Simply take some aluminum foil and roll into a tight ball. Depending on the size of your load you may need more or less. Throw these in the dryer with your clothes and eliminate static electricity. Aluminum foil "dryer sheets" can be reused over and over too, saving you money.

9. Once in awhile, recharge your towels by laundering with vinegar and baking soda instead of detergent.

Boost absorbency and get rid of the towel stank for good. All it takes is two washes in hot water; the first with 1 cup of vinegar, and the second with 1 cup of baking soda.

10. Clean your washing machine regularly

You can clean a top loading or front loading machine with white vinegar or bleach. Follow the instructions for your specific machine.

11. Use a salad spinner to help handwash-only and delicate clothes dry faster

Tired of waiting for that delicate, lacy dress to dry? Throw it in a salad spinner real quick to get most of the water out. This helps your delicates dry quicker but doesn't ruin them. Just make sure you hang them or lay them flat (depending on the instructions on the tag) to dry so they will retain their shape and color.

12. DIY Fabric softener is as easy as having a bottle of vinegar on hand and your favorite scent of essential oil.__

Vinegar itself is a great addition to your wash loads of blankets, hoodies, and sweatshirts because it helps keep them fluffy and soft. Adding 48 drops of a scent to a cup of vinegar is a nice 1% dilution of the oil and a great way to add a bit of scent to your load.

13. Read tags before purchasing clothing

Avoid purchasing 'dry clean only' clothing as much as possible. This will save you considerably in the long run.

14. Money-saving hacks for already purchased 'dry clean only' clothing

I never dry clean anything without a coupon because they are so readily available and usually save me a lot! Look for coupons, deals, and specials online, in the mail, newspapers, or fliers.

My husband and I have also found that it is best to wear our fancy 'dry clean only' clothing on outings/dates/church events/etc. when we won't have our young kids to care for. Almost without fail, our little kids soil our clothing, so we do our best to wear machine washables around them.

Finally, some 'dry clean only' clothing can be hand washed and dried flat or line dried. I have a few such articles of clothing. This is something to research if you have multiple 'dry clean only' articles of clothing and are trying to save money.

Bonus Tips

There are a few ways to help keep your whites bright.

• Hang them to dry in the sun. The sun naturally dries, whitens, and bleaches clothing.

• Add a single aspirin to your machine load of laundry to keep whites from getting dingy.

• You can also add in 1 cup of baking soda as a natural brightener for whites and colors alike.

• Add bleach to the washer

Did I miss any inexpensive laundry hacks that you know about?

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Live Like You Are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

The post 14 inexpensive laundry hacks that will save you hundreds appeared first on FamilyToday.

My mom has always told me that I'm a great cleaner, which is weird because I do not enjoy it. I love blasting music and getting a slight work out in and I like the end result, but I dread cleaning. I feel like it is the most monotonous task of my life - not to be overly dramatic or anything. So, to keep the time I spend cleaning to an absolute minimum, I use these 13 tips.

1. Create a Schedule

Create a weekly cleaning routine to keep messes from piling up and to make cleaning the whole house seem less overwhelming. The important thing is that you get yourself into a simple rhythm of daily upkeep of your home.

2. Do the Easy Stuff First

Start simple. Spiff up a few low-traffic rooms quickly and easily, so that you're motivated to tackle bigger cleaning tasks in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. "You'll be inspired to finish the rest of your home." Depending on your household, the dining room, living room, or a home office are good places to start.

3. Stay Focused

It is so easy to get carried away when you start cleaning. I often start decluttering and organizing and realize I've only done a small section of my home when I should've completed it! I've found setting my phone to be an alarm and giving myself just enough time to complete the task before the alarm goes off keeps me focused. Your timer is your housekeeping friend, use it! Also, streamline your routine by removing as many distractions as possible: Set your phone to vibrate, shut down the computer and keep the TV off.

4. Clean As You Go

Cleaning as I go through my day saves so much time! Even though at first it will seem like you are cleaning all the time, eventually it becomes second nature and you won't even think twice about it! Such as:

• Clean out the shower while you are taking a shower.

• Wipe out the sink after you brush your teeth.

• Empty dishwasher before you cook or eat.

• Put dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher instead of piling them in the sink first.

• Soak pots immediately after cooking.

• Clear the table right after dinner.

• Start the dishwasher right after the dinner dishes are put in.

• Before you take the trash out, pick up any additional trash you can spot on your way out the door.

Simple clean-as-you-go tips, yes, but if you use them they will save hours in a day!

5. Hold a Timed Decluttering Session Every Day

Set a timer for 12 minutes and have everyone pick up as much clutter as they can in that time. Have your kids pick up all of their toys. This not only results in a cleaner home, but it also teaches your kids to be responsible and help with household chores. I know a lot of mothers who like to do this before going to bed. They like to wake up to a cleaner house in the morning. It's amazing how quickly you can clean things up.

6. Prepare

Pick out the comfiest clothes you own that can get dirty. You need to be able to maneuver without worrying about your clothes. Wearing an apron also helps so you can place sponges, old toothbrushes and wipes in your pocket. Turn on some fun upbeat music. Get your cleaners ready. I use vinegar and water to clean a lot of surfaces.

7. Don't Allow The Clutter To Build

It is easy to just stack items on the counter or in a closet and forget about them. Don't allow that to happen! I don't know about you, but when I shove everything into a box, closet, or junk drawer, it sits for months! When you are done with something, be it a coupon that came in the mail, your coat - whatever - put it where it belongs or in the general location. Sometimes I don't have time to file very important paperwork in their designated folders. So I'll set the pile of papers on top of the file and come back later to file them away. The important part is that all of the paper on top of my file needs to go in there. I've already sorted through the junk mail, put the coupons in my coupon binder, etc.

If you do your best to put everything in its home or very near its home, clutter will not build. On this same note decluttering, is not the same as cleaning. So I recommend getting a babysitter if need be and setting aside 8 hours every spring and fall to do a 'home declutter.' This way you stay on top of the clutter and can clean during 'cleaning time.'

8. Have labeled bins or use a cookie sheet/tray for each room in your house

Set them out in a central area in your home. Fill them with items that go in the rooms. When you are done cleaning and straightening up, take each bin/tray in the appropriate room and put objects where they go within the room. Doing this will decrease time cleaning/increase your efficiency.

9. Get things organized

A place for everything and everything in its place. When items have a "place to live," it is easier for you to keep your home organized. If you don't have this down pat yet, don't get discouraged. It's taken me about 3 years to get a good system down in my house, even then sometimes 'places' change. The important thing is to be working on designating places for items to go.

10. Rotate items in and out of storage more frequently

I've found that if I go through my kids clothes every 5 months and box up what they have grown out of or that doesn't fit the season, we have more room in their closets. I rotate my holiday decor in and out, shoes/winter clothing, etc. get boxed away during the hot months. Crafts that I'm finished with but have left overs get boxed or shelved and labeled. Make use of boxes and storage and you will drastically cut down on laundry and clutter.

11. Let your appliances do the work for you

Appliances can cut down on a lot of 'elbow grease.'

12. Keep a Thrift store/Garage sale bin

When I realize I no longer need something, I put it in our designated bin in the garage. On occasion if the item is valuable, I'll resell it. If not, I'll wait until we have enough things to hold a garage sale. Whatever isn't sold then becomes a tax-deductible donation to a local non-profit thrift store.

13. Do a load of laundry (or two) a day

When I first was married a load of laundry every day or two was perfectly satisfactory. Now that we have 2 kids under 3 I'm lucky if two a day meet the need. I've found that doing a load in the morning, the next when I remember in the day and the final drop into the dryer at night keeps the laundry flow going smoothly. After vacation it is not abnormal for me to do 8 loads in a day and those days are dreaded. So doing 1 or 2 a day keeps things much more manageable.

I hope these 13 tips shave off some serious cleaning time for you like they do for me!

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Live Like You Are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

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I love being a mother. But it can get tough. I always looked at toddlers that were having huge melt downs and thought to myself, "man I hope that my kid isn't like that." Well, now I have one who is exactly like that. Of course I love him to pieces, but man can he scream!

My son melts down at just about anything. He cries if his granola bar breaks in half. He screams if he drops his fork and I replace it with an identical one. If he is wearing a shirt for bedtime and doesn't want to take it off when I change him in the morning, we experience a huge melt down, etc.

Usually by the time breakfast is over, he's already cried, shrieked, screamed, and melted down over a handful of times because of things I feel are fairly meaningless. After a few months of this, I read up on why these toddlers cry so much. I pretty much read what I knew in the first place "¦

I know he has the best of intentions. I know that he's a smart boy just frustrated with his limited vocabulary and difficulty expressing himself. He has big emotions in a small body and it's difficult for him to handle them. He's just trying to figure everything out. And just when he thinks he has it figured out, his fork drops, or he has to change his favorite shirt. Eighteen months to about three and a half is a tough time for our little ones. Some toddlers have much more difficulty with it than others (our son is one of them). I guess that's why they call it the "terrible two's."

When we see the frustration starting to build, we do the following

1. I tell my son Denali (our 2 1/2 year old) to 'use his words.'

I even sing the song from Daniel Tiger, "Use your words, use your words." On occasion he will use them and we avert a melt down.

2. We give him choices between clothes and colors, and other items

This works about 30 percent of the time.

3. We make something he needs to do sound and seem super fun like putting on shoes or his jacket.

For example we will say, "Wow, look at those awesome, amazing Lighting McQueen shoes! Mom has her shoes, dad has his shoes, Denali do you want to put on your awesome light up shoes on and be like mom and dad?" Yes, it's a mouthful, but if we act excited and use good tones he will quite often comply.

4. We try to let the non-essentials slide

For example, if he wants strawberries instead of blueberries, we give him the strawberries. If he wants to play with a non-toy that won't hurt him or break easily, we let him.

5. We are firm on nap time

Often, he becomes too tired to handle his emotions and needs to recharge. Nap times are life savers. If refused, he has quiet time for at least an hour or two and then goes to bed a little earlier than normal.

6. We set up plenty of play dates with other kids

My son, Denali is a strong-willed social boy who loves to be around others. Play dates usually help him burn off energy, learn, socialize, and feel special.

7. We have him go to timeout for when he misbehaves

He has to stand with his head toward the wall for about a minute or two. Timeout is especially effective for him!

8. We teach him

We ask him to look us in the eyes, (we kneel down so we are at his level) and teach him that what he is doing or perceiving may not be the most correct. For example, we tell him he needs to share his crayons with his friend he is coloring with. Or, we explain that the granola bar is OK even if it is broken, etc. This is suggested by many professionals but I can say that with our son, honestly, it rarely works. Maybe one day it will.

9. We limit TV time

I've noticed if we limit the time he spends watching TV, he is better behaved.

10. We make sure to have one-on-one time and family time (without electronics)

I take him on mommy-son outings often. Dad takes him out too. I read to him alone, have tickle wars, jump on the tramp together, etc. By doing this we are trying to show and remind him (that despite growing older and having a little sister) we will always love him. One-on-one time really helps to reduce his melt downs.

Yet, even doing our best and implementing all of these tactics often, we still experience multiple crying, screaming, and whining episodes each and every day.

I asked my sister what she does because her son easily wins the award for crying episodes. She told me what she found to really help combat the melt downs was making a designated "crying chair." When their son was crying (and wasn't in trouble) he was sent to sit on the crying chair. As soon as he was done crying he was allowed to get off. After a day or so he realized what was going on. He only went and sat on the crying stair when he was crying. He wasn't being punished, he was simply being asked to sit and calm down.

We began doing this with our 2 1/2 year old. He has a crying step and it is the top step in our garage or the bottom step on our back patio (the reason why it is outside is so he can calm down without waking up our baby, which has happened too many times to count). In the winter we will change the location.

This is not a punishment. We do not send him onto the crying stair for hitting, spitting, biting, etc. He goes to timeout for those grievances. He only goes to the crying stair when he is crying over something but hasn't broken a rule.

We are so happy my sister gave us this advice. Not every child will need a crying stair/chair. But if you have one who, despite your best efforts and implementing many of the tips I shared above, cries or screams incessantly, it may work for you as well as it does for us!

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Anita Fowler's blog, Live Like You Are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

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Market corrections have historically occurred about every 6-8 years in America, the last being in 2008-2009, and before that 2002. Some have been much worse than others. But the last two, in the past 15 years, experienced over a 40% drop. Many investors and economists say that we are at a place where a market correction could very likely occur this year or next.

Some market corrections hurt countries worse than others. In 2008, the real estate market was badly hit. In 2001, it was the dot com crash. Although these corrections hurt specific markets, they had widespread tentacles which affected the entire economy. The result of these market corrections included but were not limited to: loss of income (lower wages), job loss (high unemployment), higher prices on food and other necessities and commodities, foreclosures, inflation, etc. This next market correction (predicted to occur this year or next), could be better or worse, there is really no way of knowing.

Now, to make myself clear, I am NOT a 'dooms-dayer.' I don't like to sit around and think about the economy dropping; people losing their jobs, homes, etc.; an increase in prices of necessities and commodities; and businesses closing. I don't speculate on how bad things will get or the exact month it will occur. These things are out of my control and I prefer to be optimistic. That said, I do believe it is always good to be prepared for an economic downturn especially because they have historically occurred in cycles and we are on the brink of a downturn based on the cyclical pattern.

So in case we do experience these unfortunate events, here are a few steps to protect your family and loved ones "¦

1- Have food set aside

You should store food for your family for three months but it is best is to have food for one full year. You should also have water to last you two weeks. It is doubtful that you'd need water in an economic downturn. But just in case of another kind of emergency (earthquake, etc.) during a downed economy, it isn't a bad idea to have water storage. Along the same lines, store seeds for a garden. If needed, you can plant a garden. Although most won't be able to do this, having chickens, pigs, goats, or cows could also help keep fresh food on the table.

2- Protect yourself financially

Have three months of living expenses set aside. You never know if your main income will be hit - or disappear altogether. If something does happen and you have three months worth of expenses set aside, you will have time to look for more work, sell or trade items, and if applicable and it comes down to it, you'll have time to try to sell your home (and not lose all its equity by being foreclosed upon).

3- Get out of debt

Do your very best to get out of debt as soon as possible. The less debt you have, the more financial freedom you'll enjoy (especially in a down economy). Many think they can get out of debt besides their mortgage and be fine. Until you have your primary residence paid for, you are still at the mercy of the banks and lenders.

4- Stock up on essential items with coupons while they are on sale

If you have room in your home (or can make room), it is a great idea to stock up on toilet paper, diapers, wipes, contraceptives, feminine hygiene products, etc. for at least a few months. Also, stock up on items you may not be able to afford in a recession like clothing. I go garage selling and have clothes for my kids for the next two years. I get them for .50-$1.00 an item so I can afford to stock up. I'm stocked up on tooth paste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc. These items are fairly affordable now. In a down economy the prices will rise.

5- Have a form of protection

Fire arms (with ammunition), non-lethal TigerLights, etc. When people get desperate violence is often a result. It's important to be able to protect your family.

6- Learn how to be frugal and thrifty

Trade items, buy used, make them do, get resourceful. Learn to sew and mend clothes, re-learn homemaking skills that our ancestors performed. There are so many ways to save money. Often we spend more just for convenience. Don't get overwhelmed if you feel like there is too much to learn. There is a saying that I love, "By small and simple things are great things come to pass." Saving a little here and there really does add up.

7- Learn how to work, fix, and repair things (AND teach your children)

Growing up, I honestly thought we were poor. My dad and mom had very long lists of chores we had to get done each and every day. Saturdays were PROJECT days. We learned how to tile, hang sheet rock, perfatape, re-shingle a roof, fix plumbing problems, fix sprinklers, do laundry correctly, and many other skills. I thought we had to do all of these things ourselves because we were poor. I have since learned that my parents were teaching us vital life lessons and skills. These would enable us to fix things, be more self-sufficient, save money, and most of all, empower us with a life long and vital work ethic. Prepare your family by teaching them skills and making them learn how to work hard.

If you think about it, if the economy were to tank and your main income was gone or severely hit and you had done these seven things, you and your family would be completely protected for at least three months (or more). You'd have living expenses covered, food, clothing, and other necessities taken care of. You could breathe easy for at least a few months while you find another source of income or take action to liquidate your assets.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Anita Fowler's blog, Live Like You Are Rich. It has been modified and republished here with permission.

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Having a baby is both difficult and rewarding: recovering from labor can be extremely difficult; adjusting to a newborn's schedule seems nearly impossible; and I'm the first to admit that cleaning up from blow outs and constantly trimming microscopic fingernails isn't the funnest. However, experiencing the joy of a baby sure outweighs the negative aspects. After having my son, I realized just how quickly the baby stage zooms by. In the blink of an eye, he outgrew his newborn clothes. Then seemingly overnight he was sitting up, and soon after that he was in size 3 diapers and no longer much of a baby at all. I'm now going through the same thing with my daughter. She's growing so fast, and I'm really trying to cherish the moments I have with her.

On my blog I wrote a post 19 Must-Make Memories for Parents of Toddlers. I want to add a prequel to that post and write about 21 Must-Cherish Memories for Parents of Babies.

1. The day he was born

The moments starting when you went into labor and ending in the instant you first laid eyes on your baby comprise a unique and special experience to be cherished forever.

2. Her teeny-tiny-ness

Her tiny perfect finger and toenails are fascinating. Or how about her eyelashes? Can you believe something so perfectly tiny is yours?

3. Sleeping in your arms, on your chest, or right next to you

I love to hold my daughter and watch as she sleeps.

4. His toothless grins

When did having no teeth ever look so cute?

5. Darling tiny sneezes

I don't know why babies sneeze so much, but it sure is endearing.

6. When she starts to recognize you

I love it when, in a crowded room, my baby turns her head and eyes to me. A month and a half after giving birth to my son, I had to have an emergency surgery. I couldn't carry him for a week. One day he was screaming and crying until my mom laid him next to me. He immediately calmed down, cuddled up and fell asleep. I feel so privileged to be my baby's favorite person in the world.

7. The innocence

I think babies have invisible crowns on their heads. Their perfect innocence is incredible to observe.

8. Dressing her up

Playing 'doll' has never been so fun. You get to pick out darling clothes and dress her up. Although it can be a bit tricky at times (bobbling head and all), I sure have fun dressing them and showing them off.

9. How easy he is to move around

Picking up a 15 pound baby and moving him around from place to place is easy. Once he starts getting into the high 20's and 30's, it's a bit more strenuous. Cherish the 'light-weight' stage.

10. His immobility

Yes, this is something to cherish. If this isn't your first, you know what I mean. When he starts crawling, the stress factor goes up a notch. Right now you can enjoy your baby without worrying about baby-proofing everything in sight.

11. Kisses

Although she can't kiss back, I love to kiss those chubby checks, squishy hands and toes, and soft face.

12. Her squishy chubby thighs

When Aurora (my daughter) hit 2 months, her thighs and arms became so chubby. I love squeezing her little fat rolls.

13. The simplicity of her diet

Toddlers know what they want to eat (and what they will refuse). I love having a baby because they are easy to nourish; being able to just feed her milk is less stressful.

14. Babies have such amazing facial expressions, even when little

I love to see their smiles, frowns, confused looks, and the like.

15. The ability to have the baby fall asleep anywhere

With my 2 1/2 year old, we are at the stage of the game where he needs to be in a bed for nap time (if we have any hope for him taking a decently restful nap). Babies fall asleep in your arms, in the car seat, in the carrier, the wrap, the restaurant, you name it. If they are fed and tired, they'll sleep anywhere.

16. How friendly and happy everyone around you is when you have a baby

Having a baby seems to make people overly nice, happy and kind. At church, the grocery store, a blog conference, etc.-anywhere I go with my baby, people are always so friendly, smiley, and attentive. Somehow babies have a special power to bring the best out of those around.

17. Baby chattering

Nothing is so cute as when your baby looks you in the eyes and tries to talk. his little chattering noises are music to the ears.

18. The softness of her skin and hair is just so cute

19. Cherish the 'free-pass' you get on looking should I say, 'not the best.'

It is no secret that new moms don't get much sleep, and for the majority of us it does take awhile to get back into our pre-preggo jeans. I try to cherish that 'free-pass' and even slack a bit on putting on make-up and curling my hair "¦ but it usually is because I'm busy enjoying the baby cuddles.

20. Sibling love, if applicable

One of my most favorite things about having a baby is to see her older brother adore her. He is always saying, "babee cute, babee hug, babee hold, babee sleep." I can't get over the joy I feel when I see my children bonding.

21. Finding out what makes them unique

My son was so observant and would love to suck on his binky while looking around. My daughter is totally different. She won't take a binky and has to be held. Loud noises scare her. No noise seemed to startle my son. And he was always blowing raspberries, which made us laugh. My daughter smiles huge each time she sees me and has the most gentle constitution. Their unique characteristics are so darling and endearing.

These are the things about my babies that I will do my best to cherish forever.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Anita Fowler's blog, Live Like You Are Rich. It has been republished here with permission.

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Editor's note: This article was originally published on Anita Fowler's blog, Live Like You Are Rich. It has been republished here with permission.

There are some awesome ways to save money on medical bills during pregnancy, labor, and post partum. Some I found after searching for hours online and talking to insurance representatives for my first pregnancy. And a few I didn't find until my second pregnancy and really wished I had known about them for my first!

1. If you are planning to conceive, choosing the lowest out-of-pocket maximum plan or the lowest pregnancy deductible option can potentially save you thousands.

My husband and I were going to try to conceive so I choose to pay for a higher premium with an $1,500 out-of-pocket maximum. Although I was paying an extra $100 a month, I saved over $2,000 because the next option up was a $5,000 out-of-pocket maximum.

2. Adding to the first point "¦ If your family is otherwise healthy and you can, split up onto two different plans. By choosing a less expensive plan for them (a higher deductible) and by choosing a more expensive plan for yourself (lower deductible) you will also save significantly.

Now I'm not entirely sure if this is possible on private work plans, but in the Marketplace I am on my own plan and my husband and children on another. We do have to do this because they are Native American and I'm not. But even if we didn't have to split up, I would still want to because I always need the health care because of pregnancies and other issues and they rarely use it.

3. If you are 'Fertile Myrtle' and can easily get pregnant any time, why not try conceiving in October, November, December, January, February, or March? This way almost all of your expenses are accrued in one insurance year. Most of the prenatal and postnatal bills will go towards one deductible and maximum out-of-pocket limit, which will also save you big time.

Both of our children were born towards the end of the year. We only had to pay one deductible/max out-of-pocket for each child which was really cost efficient!

4. If you plan to breastfeed, call your insurance and ask them if they include a double electric breast pump for free. With the recent changes in medical laws, many insurance providers are mandated to give free double electric breast pumps and lactation consulting.

I called my insurance and they supply a free pump. I just need an order from my doctor. The rules for my particular insurance is that you have to get the order within 12 months of giving birth. Once I have the doctor's order, I can drive about 15 minutes and pick mine up. That's at least a $130 savings.

5. Call the hospital and ask them if they offer any discounts for pre-paying or paying before you check out of the hospital.

When pregnant, I called the hospital billing department to see if they offered any discounts. They said if I paid for our baby in full before leaving the hospital, we would receive a 25 percent discount. Just asking and paying before we left (which was only a few weeks before we had to pay anyway), saved us $275.00.

6. Leave the hospital when you can.

If you haven't met your out-of-pocket maximum, are doing well, and have your practitioners approval, don't stay longer than needed. Hospitals will charge anywhere from $800-$1,500 a day.

7. Do your due diligence before seeing a new doctor or hospital to make sure it is in-network with your insurance.

Despite confirming with an ultrasound office that they were in-network, I was billed $1,200 because my insurance said they were out-of-network. I sent in a dispute, called the hospital, and called my doctor who referred me. The dispute from the insurer came back denied because according to my insurance, the doctor's office that referred me and the ultrasound office that confirmed they were in-network were at fault. I'm in the process of working with the two offices now. I've come to find out this happened to six other women as well. So far they have reduced our bills 49 percent and are working on reducing them more. Make sure you are in-network by confirming with all parties.

8. Always take responsibility for your own care, read over your benefits, and check multiple sources for major procedures.

Being on the marketplace has taken the insuree's responsibility up a notch. I now call my insurance and the doctor and triple check rates, responsibility, coverage, etc. before setting up appointments. Before I began doing this there were just too many misunderstandings that have cost me a lot.

9. Claim your medical expenses

If you incur significant medical expenses and you are eligible to itemize deductions, you can deduct a portion of them from your income tax. Tally up all premiums, bills, pharmacy charges, etc., and give it to your accountant or input the number into a software like Turbo Tax to get a deduction if applicable.

10. If possible, get the first checkups and needed medical work done for your baby during the first 30 days.

Most insurance policies place a newborn on the parent(s) plan for 30 days after birth. If you have already met the deductible for your baby and he/she needs something besides a wellness check-up (i.e. circumcision, cleft lip, etc.) and you can do it within that 30 day time frame, you will save money.

11. Check around to see if labor and recovery will cost less elsewhere

Not all hospitals charge the same. While this shouldn't be the main determining factor of where you receive your care, it may help to know what each hospital charges in advance, especially if you are paying a percentage of the bill.

For your convenience, here is a list of many of the aforementioned questions to ask the hospital and a few others:

• How much does labor and delivery cost (VBAC and Cesarean), and does it include anesthesia?

• How much is newborn care, and is there a newborn daily charge? Does it include baby items such as a nasal aspirator, diapers, etc.? If you are having a boy and are planning on a circumcision, is it included in the price?

• Are the following items additional or included in the quoted price: watching TV, toiletry items, Tylenol or ibuprofen, suppositories, use of breast pump (if needed). If they do charge extra, it may save you to bring your own. Even if they are included, I find they don't supply enough, so I take many of my own healing items.

• Do you get a discount for being in a semi-private vs. private room?

• Discount for leaving early?

• Discount for paying in advance or before you leave the hospital or all at once?

• Are the doctors who may see me while in labor all considered in-network?

• Is the anesthesiologist who may see me also considered in-network?

Other ways to save on medical bills would be seeing if you qualify for medicaid, home birthing (if you are low-risk and have professional help), and perhaps having the baby at a birthing center (although I checked and having my baby at the hospital was less expensive for me). Have you found any other ways to save on pregnancy-related medical bills?

The post 11 secrets to save thousands on pregnancy-related medical bills appeared first on FamilyToday.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Anita Fowler's blog, Live Like You Are Rich. It has been republished here with permission.

I have a very strong-willed two year old. As a result, he is often in time out. I've been looking for better ways to discipline him. I was told about a constructive yet fun technique from an acquaintance, Doree. I am so excited about it.

Doree told me that a few years ago her oldest son was always acting out. She felt like she spent the entire day correcting his behavior. Determined to find a more constructive way, she created the "Rewind System."

What is the "Rewind System?"

Whenever her son committed a minor infraction, such as not being soft with the baby, taking his little brother's toys away, etc. she'd tell him, "go rewind yourself." He would stop what he was doing, shake his legs and arms and walk backwards (rewinding himself). Then he would redo the situation in a more appropriate manner.

She said that at first her son needed a lot of help figuring out the proper way to act, but before long, he could "rewind" and redo it all on his own.

This technique, which she now uses with her other children has made their home much more peaceful.

Does it work?

Since she started the "Rewind System" she no longer spends the entire day correcting her children's behavior.

Not only has the "Rewind Yourself System" taught her children how not to behave, it is effectively teaching them how to act appropriately. It has been a very constructive form of discipline for her family.

I'm super excited to have learned this technique and am starting to use it with my son. He is a little young, but as he gets older I think he will learn more from being corrected in this manner rather than always being sent to time out.

Have you tried something to fun and constructive to correct unwanted behavior from your children?

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