Awesome Tips for Flying with Toddlers: Part 3

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I am wrapping up this series on flying with toddlers by covering just basic tips to help you survive when you have to fly with a toddler.  In Part 1 we talked about entertainment, and in Part 2 we talked about food.  Let me know if you have any other good ideas I can add to my list!

Sometimes survival looks like parking your sleeping toddler
under the booth at the airport Chilli's while you eat.

1)  Research

Read the TSA information online about traveling with children.  There's stuff you need to know, like that children under 12 don't have to take off their shoes to go through security, and that you can carry them through the metal detector.  You are allowed to bring extra liquids in your carry on bag like applesauce, milk, yogurt, or whatever else your child needs for the trip.  You can also bring a diaper bag in addition to your carry on and personal item.

It helped me a lot to know what to expect ahead of time.  In fact, I printed off the pages from the website and had them in my purse in case I had to fight some TSA agent about how they treated us.  That turned out to be the farthest thing from what happened.  In fact, everyone was super nice to us.  On the way back home, we even got pulled out of the line and brought to the front, just because we were with a baby.  That was the best, 'cause it was a really long line!

2)  Essential Oils

I am not one of the people who believes that essential oils cure everything from stubbed toes to cancer, and I am not a huge fan of expensive MLM brands of oils.  That being said, I do think that essential oils are very useful in many areas, including using them to help alter moods.  On one of my flights, the worst one, Cricket was so exhausted, but she refused to go to sleep, so she just screamed for most of the flight.  The lady across the aisle from me was really nice and offered me a roll-on applicator with lavender essential oil.  She said sometimes it works on her kids and sometimes it doesn't, but it's harmless, so it's worth a try.

It did work.  I put some on Cricket and some on myself, and we pulled out the iPad to show her pictures.  She calmed down almost immediately and looked at pictures for a while.  It was great.  So yeah, I'll be traveling with some of that next time, for sure.

3)  Travel Potty Seat

This thing wins the award for the single most used piece of equipment I brought.  It's not perfect, and I like the potty seat I have at home better, but this one folds into fourths and stows in its own little plastic bag, which slips easily into a diaper bag.  It was great to have because it made all the potties feel the same to Cricket, which gave her a little comfort in strange bathrooms, and it allowed her to sit by herself, which she prefers, rather than my having to hover her over a toilet awkwardly.

A side note for flying with potty trained toddlers:  Put them in diapers while you travel.  I was hesitant to do that because I didn't want her to regress, but it was totally worth it.  On the trip up, she never had an accident and we changed back to panties as soon as we got there, but on the trip back, when she was tired and upset all day, she refused to go to the potty most of the morning, and of course had a couple of would-have-been accidents.  Also, a lot of toddlers are not potty trained while they sleep yet, and when you are traveling, you never know when they are going to go to sleep, so it's best to already have them in the diaper.

Yes, we had some accidents the first few days we were back home, but she got back on track pretty quickly.

4)  Don't Overdress

I tend to layer my clothes when I travel, because you never know what the temperature will be, but I can say this:  I was almost always hot and I was never cold.  The airports and the airplanes all seemed to be set at 75 degrees at least, so especially hauling all our gear and my toddler, I was sweating most of the day, even though it was cool outside.  Bring a jacket for you and your toddler, but dress in short sleeves.

5)  Don't Overpack

I think this is kind of unavoidable, but let me explain.  On our last flight, apparently the airport was short-handed, because they told us as we got ready to leave the plane that our gate-checked items had been sent to baggage claim instead.  That meant that I had to carry my purse, my backpack, my diaper bag, Cricket's backpack, our coats, and of course, Cricket herself, from the gate all the way to baggage claim without the help of my trusty umbrella stroller.  The moral of the story:  Don't overpack.  As cute as it was, Cricket didn't need her own backpack.  If you can get away with putting a spare change of clothes and the potty seat in your backpack, don't bring the diaper bag either.  You never know when you'll have to carry it all yourself.

6)  Walk the Aisles

When that fasten seatbelt light goes off, you get up and start walking.  Actually, wait until the drink cart has gone through, or else you get trapped.  But yeah, let them walk up and down the plane.  It's annoying, because the aisles are approximately two inches smaller than most women's hips, but just kinda crab walk at an angle and remind yourself that your child is happy for a few minutes.

7)  Sing Songs

When in doubt, trying singing.  It worked for Cricket several times.  Usually toddlers are all about the personal interaction, so songs, silly faces, games of "Where's my nose?" or whatever else your child likes can fill a few minutes when they are bored with all their toys.  I'm pretty sure I sang the Elmo Song for 20 minutes straight on one of the flights, but hey, it worked!

8)  Leave the Carrier at Home

Some people swear that a carrier like an Ergo or a Bjorn is the absolute best way to transport a child while travelling, but I don't see it.  I took my Ergo all the way to Portland and back and didn't use it once.  I can see if you have a young baby that it would be helpful, but for a toddler, the effort of getting her on my back, and then having to carry my bags somehow just wasn't worth it.  Two of the four planes we used were the "Express Jet," which is airline language for "Tiniest Plane We Are Allowed to Use."  Those planes didn't allow rolling luggage as carry ons, so I had to use a backpack, which meant an Ergo was pretty much out of the question.  Not to mention, it's not easy to store and takes up a lot of room.

Even once we got there, I never used it because I have never figured out how to manage it while carrying a purse and a diaper bag.  It takes longer to get her in and situated than to just throw her in a stroller.

Don't get me wrong, I loved using the carrier when she was little, and I still use it around the house quite a bit when she gets clingy and I need to do dishes or vacuum or whatever.  I just didn't see it as very practical for traveling with a toddler.  Others might have different opinions, which is great, but that's how it was for me.

9)  Prepare Your Toddler

Social stories are pictures and videos that go through detailed steps of ordinary life events, like going to the dentist, how to get ready for bed, or going on an airplane.  They are often used for children with special needs to help prepare them for events that are out of the ordinary, but they are really useful for all children.  Several weeks before our trip, I started talking to Cricket about going in an airplane, teaching her words like ticket, pilot, and airport.  By the time we actually left, she could tell you that and airplane goes "up up up in the sky!" and that we were going to "see the clouds!"  I used a great presentation I found on this site.  It was long and detailed, and Cricket asked to watch it again and again!

10)  Prepare Yourself

It is super important to go into this with a good attitude.  And I say that as someone who literally thought she was going to vomit on the way to the airport.  The more excited and positive you are, the more your child will pick up on it.  The more nervous or upset you are, the more your child will mirror that as well.  We used the word "adventure" a lot while we were travelling, and we tried to see the best in each situation as much as possible.  Sometimes we did, and sometimes we didn't, but we tried.  So tell yourself that this will go well, prepare to be flexible, and you at least won't be defeated before you start!


Like I said before, let me know if you have any travel tips that I haven't thought of!  I'm always on the lookout for new genius ideas!

Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series!

Awesome Tips for Flying with Toddlers: Part 2

(This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.)

In Part One of this series, I talked about entertainment stuff to bring with you when you have to fly with a toddler.  Now, we're on to the second most important aspect:  Food.

1)  Empty Sippy Cup

Apparently, TSA is supposed to let you bring water through security for children, but I just didn't want to push my luck.  I brought an empty sippy cup, the kind she was used to, and then just bought a bottle of water for myself when we got through security, and poured some of it in.

2)  Applesauce Pouches

You know the ones.  They're everywhere now.  I'm not actually a huge fan because they are more expensive, wasteful in their packaging, and they don't teach kids the same good eating habits as handing them an actual piece of fruit.  However, on the go, they're pretty awesome.

A word of warning though:  Don't use these to try to calm an upset child.  I gave one to Cricket when she was upset, and she angrily squeezed it, resulting in an applesauce eruption all over my clothes and hers.  Not cool.  Also, make sure to pack these in such a way that they don't get squashed in your bag.  I put a bunch in Gladware or somethings similar.  It's a trick we use when we're camping and it works great for crushable things.

3)  Pretzels/Crackers

I packed these in Ziplocks and put them in the Gladware boxes, too.  I brought several different kinds of crackers, just for variety, and actually she didn't eat that much.  Still, they are light and good to have around, and she ate some while we were at our destination, too.

4)  Suckers

I didn't bring these, but the lady next to me on the plane did, and they were great.  She got them at Trader Joe's, and they didn't have any artificial dyes/etc. in them.  (I told her at that point, I didn't care if they had actual drugs in them, but still...)  Cricket had never really had candy before, so the novelty of a sucker kept her occupied for a while.  Suckers are also great for takeoff and landing if your child doesn't use a pacifier but isn't ready for gum.  Giving them something to suck on helps them swallow and equalize the pressure in their ears.

5)  Cereal

There is something about cereal that just captivates most toddlers.  I don't know what it is.  What I do know is that I brought a divided container (the kind you use to pre-measure your formula when they're babies) and filled it with Cheerio's, rice puffs, and Chex, and Cricket drained that entire thing at least twice on our trip.  She can eat Cheerio's for days.  Plus, she loved having the compartments to sort her cereal back and forth. Downside is obviously that this is messier, but I am perfectly happy to clean up the floor if it means she is content for 20 minutes!

Food to Buy En Route

1)  Snack Packs

A couple of the flights we took actually sold snack packs and meal packs.  Mom got one that had a couple of cheeses, crackers, grapes, and apples in it, and Cricket at that entire thing!   If your airplane doesn't have them, lots of the food stands in the airport sell similar packages, and Starbucks even sells them sometimes.   It was good to know that she was getting some actual nutrition in the middle of all the chaos, and it was a pretty big meal for her!

2)  Milk

Starbucks sells cups of just plain milk, and a lot of the airport stands have milk, too.  Most airplanes don't, though, so if you want some for your toddler while you're in the air, you'll have to bring it with you or just get juice.  Again, from what I read, you can bring it through security if it's for your child, but I just wanted to get through that mess ASAP, so I didn't risk it.

3)  Meals

If you do an all-day flying adventure like we did, you're going to have to get a meal at some point.  Just about every restaurant will have a kids' menu, so I just trying to find the healthiest option on there that Cricket will eat.  Usually that means some kind of grilled cheese or quesadilla, and maybe a fruit plate.  Of course, you could just use the snack pack that I talked about earlier as a meal, which did work for us at one point.  It kinda depends on how much time you have.


In Part 3, I will finish this series by going over survival tactics.

Awesome Tips for Flying with Toddlers: Part 1

(This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.)

I recently took a trip to Portland, Oregon, to see my sister get married.  We had a great time, but boy, travelling with a toddler is quite a challenge.  Cricket was almost 19 months old.  Our trip up was great.  She did really well on both flights.  I mean, we were tired, but it was pretty much as good as it could possibly be.  On the trip back, however, she was very sleep deprived and basically screamed most of the way home.

Flying with a toddler is tricky because unlike babies, they aren't content to simply be held and fed.  They want to be up and moving and get bored quickly.  They don't like to be told what to do, and they are upset by strangers and strange environments.  At least, that's how mine is.  Yours maybe isn't like that.

I was very nervous about flying such a long distance with Cricket, and spend a lot of time scouring the Internet, Pinterest (here and here), and my friends, for anything that would help.  Some of it worked, and some didn't.  Based on this trip, I'm compiled a bunch of tips that might help someone else.  This is going to be a three-part series, starting with arguably the most important aspect:  Entertaining your Toddler.

1)  Gel Window Clings

I got this idea from this blog.  I'm not saying this was the best $4 we spent on the whole trip.  I'm just saying it felt like it.

     

 These little things were worth their weight in platinum.  Definitely use the gel clings instead of the plastic static clings, because they are easier for tiny fingers to put on the window.  Cricket played with these for at least half an hour or more each time.  The problem is, they are only really useful if you have a window seat, which we had on only 2/4 planes.

Also, heads up:  these things look like the Jello Jigglers you always wished you could make.  Even my third grade students used to complain that they look delicious and they wanted to eat them, so don't be surprised when your toddler pops one in her mouth all of a sudden.  I can't really blame her.

2)  Doll/Bear/Buddy

I got a doll for Cricket at a consignment sale for $3, so if it got lost or damaged on the trip, it was no big deal.  I waited to give it to her once we were through security at the first airport, and it became her constant companion.  It ended up being great for a lot of reasons.  Of course, having some kind of security while traveling when things are constantly changing was great for her, but there was another aspect I didn't think of beforehand.

Having the doll was a tiny bit of responsibility for Cricket, and it really helped her focus.  When I needed to pick her up or strap her in, I would tell her to grab her baby or hold onto baby in the stroller, and that gave her a job to do.  She loves being "helpful," so having that task kept her occupied for a few minutes while I did whatever needed to be done.

3)  Books

Cricket loves books, so it's no surprise that books were a great source of entertainment.  I brought a couple of her favorite board books and a couple of new ones she had never seen.  I also brought a fabric activity book that I found in a consignment sale.  It was a little more bulky, but it ended up keeping her attention for a good half hour, so I consider that worth the space!

A bonus to books is that those gel clings stick to the board books as well, so Cricket had fun moving them between the window and whatever book she was currently looking at.  And since we read books as part of our bedtime routine, it was nice to have that familiarity wherever we were staying.

4)  Stickers

I got a HUGE sticker book at Aldi for $4.99, and it was great.  All the pictures and stickers were actual photographs, and the stickers were reusable, so they weren't terribly sticky, and Cricket could re-position them at will.  I also brought just a roll of stickers left over from my classroom.  You can never have too many stickers.

As you can see from the picture, stickers are also great when you get to your destination, especially if the place you are staying isn't childproof or doesn't have lots of toys, like a hotel.

5)  Color Wonder

If you don't know what Color Wonder is, they are markers/paint/etc. that only mark on special Color Wonder paper.  They don't mark on skin, furniture, clothes, or tray tables.  I'm pretty sure voodoo and unicorns are involved, because this stuff is magic!  I got the smallest "kit" I could find.  It just had three markers and a small pad of blank paper, and it came in a little carrying case that doubled as a lap desk.  It was great!  Since Cricket was so young, she can't really do a lot with crayons or colored pencils because she can't push hard enough yet, but markers are usually too messy.  This was the perfect solution!  She made lots of pretty pictures and loved seeing the cause and effect of using the marker and seeing the colors on the paper!

Bonus to the Color Wonder kit:  on the first flight, Cricket spent more time putting the markers in and out of their little slots in the case than she did actually coloring.  Hey, whatever makes her happy.

6)  Small Electronic Toys

I'm not usually big on electronic light-up, talking toys, but for the trip, it was nice to have one or two.  I borrowed a V-tech phone toy from a friend

and found this little tablet at a consignment store.

Nothing like some flashing lights and catchy music to distract her from a near meltdown.  They don't hold her attention for long, but sometimes you just need a few moments of redirection.

7)  iPad (Maybe)

I went back and forth about using an iPad (or similar device) to show Cricket an episode or two of Sesame Street.  We haven't let her watch TV yet, and I really didn't want to start.  However, the first flight back was one huge disaster of overtired screaming, so I decided that for the final flight, it would be ok.  This ended up being a bigger deal than I thought, because the in-flight WiFi didn't support Netflix or other streaming programs, so we had to download an episode from iTunes in the airport before our last flight.  That involved paying $5 for airport WiFi and then waiting 40 minutes for one episode to download on their super slow network just in time to board the plane.  So if you are even thinking about doing this, download whatever you want to watch before your trip!

She watched about 30 minutes of it before she got bored, but it did help.  I wasn't too happy about it, but sometimes you do what you have to do to just get through the day.

The iPad was also nice for showing her pictures from the trip on the way back, which she loved.  That calmed her down after one pretty rough tantrum.

8)  Airport Kids Areas

This of course is not something you can bring with you, but it is something you should know about.  A lot of airports have kids' play areas in them.  Some are small and some are big, but to a toddler, everything new is exciting and it might help you kill some time if you have a long layover.  Cricket loved the little play area in the Birmingham Airport.  It was made out of this shiny foam stuff that was really soft, so if they fell, they didn't get hurt.  The Chicago O'Hare Airport has a fantastic children's play area/museum that we got to see, but Cricket was passed out in her stroller at that point, so she didn't get to try it out.

Check online to see which airports you are going through have a play area, and make a note about what terminal they are in.  Here is a list of some of the big ones.  Sometimes they aren't worth the long trek from Concourse A to Concourse C, but if you're lucky, they might be nearby!

Other things to Try:

1)  Magnet Boards

I have these cool magnet boards from my classroom that I brought, but Cricket really never got into them.  I think she's just not quite old enough to play with them.  She looked at the pictures for a minute, but it was basically just a short book for her, and she lost interest quickly.  Not worth carrying around at this age.  Maybe if she were a little older, so it might work for someone else.

2)  Silly Putty/Play Dough

I didn't even try this because Cricket is famous for not really being into that kind of sticky texture stuff, but I have read several blogs that say this is awesome.  If your child likes that stuff, they will probably be highly entertained by it on the plane.

3)  Bean Bag Ball

I brought one with me and never got around to pulling it out.  The idea was that it wouldn't roll like a normal ball, but she could still play with it some.  I read that one toddler spend a good while just putting one in and out of a (clean) vomit bag on the plane.  Whatever works!

Additional Supplies:

1)  Ribbons/Lanyards

Everyone knows you have like, one square foot of real estate per person on a plane, and inevitably, stuff is going to fall on the floor.  It is a huge pain to try to double over with a toddler in your lap and get stuff, so bring a few long lengths of ribbon to tie to whatever toy is being played with.  Tie the other end to your seatbelt and then whenever the toy falls, you can just reel it back up with the ribbon!  Also, make sure you have pacifier clips.

2)  Wipes

I'm not a super germaphobe, but when something gets dropped on the airplane bathroom floor, you're gonna want to wipe that off.  Wipes are also handy for a million other things, as any mom knows:  wiping sticky fingers after suckers, cleaning tray tables after applesauce explosions, etc.

3)  Stroller

I cannot tell you how helpful it was to have a stroller.  Let's face it:  This is a lot of stuff.  Plus of course, you have all kinds of other necessities you are schlepping around.  The stroller is great to plop your toddler into while you walk/run to your gate, and it's also great to carry some of your gear.

Just bring a cheap umbrella stroller, so it's light and easy to fold up, and if you lose it, it's not the end of the world.  Make sure you put a luggage tag on it beforehand so you aren't trying to do that at the gate in the middle of everything else, 'cause you will have to gate check it.


I will add one more thing:  hide these things as much as you can until you get on the plane.  The novelty of new toys and books does wonders for holding attention.  I even had one friend who individually wrapped all the toys so there was the added entertainment of unwrapping them!

So that's my advice for entertaining your little one while you fly.  Check out Part 2 for ideas on the food situation and Part 3 for basic survival tips.

Task-Oriented and Toddler-Oriented

If there is one thing that would help you get to know me, it's the fact that I am a task-oriented person, not a people-oriented person.  This one tiny fact can help you understand so much about why I do what I do.  I mean, of course, I like people.

Well, I like some people.

I like you.  You're cool.

And of course, I am always trying to get better at focusing more on people than tasks.

For example, if I ever get snippy, impatient, or bossy, check to see if I'm trying to get something done.  Usually, that's it.  (Or I might be hungry.  That's it sometimes, too.)

Not that I use this as an excuse.  I am always working to moderate this side of me, but it is a natural part of who I am.  A people-person would rather sit and chat with someone for hours and leave their kitchen half-cleaned, or their laundry half-folded, or their Facebook half-checked.  That's just who they are.  It's wrong, but it's who they are.

I'm kidding.

Mostly.

Having a toddler around has recently thrown my task-oriented self for a huge loop.  I get really frustrated when I start something and then get interrupted.  It's like a part of my brain just shuts down and ignores everything else until it's finished.

But obviously I can't do that with a toddler.  Everything is interrupted when there's a toddler around.  And you can't really blame them.  They need help with just about everything, even in our house, where we've really tried to give her as much independence and access as possible.

So I've been working on coping mechanisms.  They're  not perfect, but they are the result of over a year of relearning how to do just about everything.  And in the spirit of the article, I will interrupt what I am trying to say periodically with pictures of Cricket trying to distract you.

1)  Make Tiny Tasks

Don't try to tackle an entire project.  Break it up into smaller pieces and focus on completing one of those.

Instead of trying to empty the whole dishwasher, I just try to empty the silverware.  Then the top tray.  Then the bottom tray.  Three separate goals for three separate times.

If I'm trying to prepare for a meal or make something during the day, I just do one step at a time.  I might chop onions, and then go push Cricket on the swing.  Later, I'll come back and wash all the potatoes, then leave and change a diaper.  I might boil the pasta, put it in the fridge, and then go read books to Cricket.

It's not just in the kitchen, either.  I might upload pictures from my camera in one sitting, go through and edit them in another, and then upload them to Facebook in a third.  (I don't have an iPhone.)

Or, instead of cleaning the entire bathroom at one time, I might only clean the sink.  Then later, or even the next day, I might clean the toilet.  Then later, the floors, etc.

Sometimes I even prep during nap time things that I can't do until she wakes up, like putting things in the food processor but waiting to turn it on.

If I think of each step as an individual task, it makes it much easier for me to break things up throughout the day.

2)  Prioritize

I plan my day in terms of what I call "time units."  My time units right now are basically broken down into five parts:  Before She Wakes Up, Morning, Nap Time, Afternoon, After Her Bedtime.  I prioritize what I do, not just by what is most important, but by what it is most important to get done during that time period.  For example, she's a light sleeper, so I save quiet things like folding laundry for nap time, and do things like washing dishes in the morning when she is content to play independently.

This prioritizing by time units helps me get the most out of the day and not feel like I'm spinning my wheels trying to do things that I can't seem to finish.

Well, not feel as much like that, anyway.

3)  Constantly tell yourself "My baby is more important."

This is self-explanatory, but worth including.  If I get really frustrated, this is my mantra.  Even if nothing at all gets done all day, I've played with Cricket, she's healthy, and she's cared for.  Mission Accomplished.

4)  Make lists

I know some people don't like lists, but they are my life-support system.  Because of our real food emphasis and my trying to save money by making stuff myself, I have a never ending list of things I need to do or make, like granola bars, cereal, chopping and freezing veggies, making bread, making bath salts, etc.  (That last one is not applicable to the real food part of the conversation.  I do not recommend eating bath salts.)

I also have a list pad on the fridge that is our running grocery list, so when we are out of something, or I think of something we need, I immediately write it down and don't have to remember in a week when I go shopping.

As a task-oriented person, lists help me feel in control.  I can point to my list and say, "Look what I have accomplished!  I have done things!"  I have even been known to add things to my daily to-do lists just so that I can cross them off and prove that I did stuff.  Hey, it works!

5)  Be realistic

I have slowly and painfully realized that I have new limitations now that I am chasing and being chased by a small person.  I've gotten to where I won't put more than about five things on my daily to-do list, because it's almost impossible for me to accomplish more than that.  I just had to adjust to a new normal, and that's ok.

If you are not a task-oriented person, first of all, you probably quit reading this a while ago because it doesn't apply to you, and because you don't feel the need to finish reading just out of obligation like the rest of us.  You also probably think I'm kind of crazy and very uptight.  While that may be, hopefully some of the things I've said ring true to a few people.

Right?

How to Be Awesome at Road Trips on a Budget

My husband and I love to travel.  We have family all over the country, so we have lots of reasons to travel.  Now that I'm not working, doing these trips on a budget is very important, and we've gotten pretty good at it.  We drove to a wedding in Maryland a few years ago when I was pregnant, and managed to only spend $100 per day, including gas, hotel, and food!

We also have a tradition: we visit a new state every year for our anniversary.  It doesn't have to be fancy, and a lot of times it is combined with other events or visits, but we have to at least spend one night in a new state every year.

We just got back from our anniversary trip this year, again averaging about $100 per day, and it made me think about some of the tips and strategies we have been using the last few years for our road trips to help save money.

1)  Drive

Obviously, since I'm talking about road trips, driving is going to be a given, but I put it on here anyway because, even with gas prices so ridiculously high, it's still the cheapest way to travel.  If I had my preference, we would take the train everywhere.  We've done two train trips, and they are definitely the most relaxing and fun way to travel.  Flying is my least favorite because in the last decade or so, they have sucked every bit of joy out of flying.  I only do it when there is no other option.

But driving is cool.  You get to see a lot.  You can stop whenever you want to.  You have lots of entertainment options, and of course, most importantly, it is cheap.  Even factoring in hotels if you have to break up the trip, it's almost always cheaper to drive.

One tip for getting gas a little cheaper:  don't buy it in big cities.   Drive outside the city and usually the price drops by ten cents or more.

2)  Bring Trip Food

This requires a little planning ahead, but it's totally worth it.  One of your biggest travelling expenses besides the hotel is food.  Instead of stopping at gas stations for snacks and fast-food restaurants for meals, try bringing your own food.

• Bring a few sweet treats like M&M's, gummy bears, or whatever else will make you feel like you're on vacation.  
• Bring something salty like chips, pretzels, or crackers.
• Bring a few healthier options that will stick with you, like trail mix, granola bars, muffins, and fruits like apples, peaches, or grapes.
• For meals, bring supplies to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (don't make them ahead or they're gross).  If you are not a sandwich fan (I am definitely not), you can bring chicken salad and crackers, celery and peanut butter, cold chicken, or other picnic foods.  (Stick cold stuff in a cooler.)
• If you decide not to bring meals, you can still save money by ordering just a sandwich or burger at a fast food place, and then using your own chips and drinks, or whatever else you want to go with it.  Burger King and Arby's both have decent dollar menus, and you can save quite a bit that way.
• Bring tons of napkins, paper plates, plastic silverware, Walmart bags for trash, extra empty ziplocks for wet/smelly trash, and wet wipes.

Here's a great blog post by one of my favorite food blogs for ideas on healthy snacks on the go!

Also, last week, One Good Thing by Jillee did a post on saving money on trip foods, too!  Check it out here, for more good ideas!

3)  Drinks

The cheapest way to drink on road trips is to fill reusable bottles like Nalgene bottles with water from home.

That is boring.  No one wants to drink just water on a road trip.

Your next cheapest option is to bring 2-liter bottles of your favorite drinks, along with some ice and plastic cups.  We usually do this one.  You can get 2-liters for less than a dollar, and you better not be able to drink more than one of those in one trip!  Keep the bottles in the cooler if you have space, and you won't even need tons of ice in your cups.  

Your third cheapest option, if you don't want to do that, is to buy fountain drinks at gas stations.  Not bottled drinks.  Fountain drinks.  They are usually like, $.75 for 64 ounces, which is about half the cost of a 12 ounce bottle at the same convenience store.  Bonus points if you get to stop at a QT where they have cherry and vanilla syrups at the fountain!

If you are in an area that has Kangaroo gas station convenience stores, you can also get a "RooCup" for $6.99, and then all summer long, refills on frozen drinks and fountain drinks are only $.25!  That's a pretty good deal if you use them a lot!

As a last resort, you can buy a six-pack of 12 ounce bottles ahead of time and put them in your cooler, but all the above options are cheaper than that.  

4)  Rest Stops

Rest stops are one of the things I love most about America.  I first started to truly appreciate them when we made a road trip with our foster dogs.  Rest stops are awesome.  Most (but not all, shockingly) have restrooms, picnic tables, an air conditioned inside area, and some even have cool stuff like free coffee.  (One time, we even got cider!)  They also usually have vending machines, but you don't need those because you already have all the snacks and drinks you need in your car.

These are great places to get out and have your picnic lunch, stretch your legs, and relax.  If you do all that here, you don't feel like you have to pay for a burger at McDonald's just so you can use their restrooms, and you don't end up eating your PB&J in their parking lot like a creeper.

5)  Hotels

Room accommodations are usually the most expensive part of a road trip.  Best-case scenario is getting to stay with friends or family at no cost.  This is not always possible, though.  It takes some work to find good places to stay that are cheap and also not crack dens.  (It's a fine line.)

Discount websites like Travelocity are usually good ways to find deals on decent hotels.  I can usually tell by reading the reviews and the chain name how good or bad a place will be.  Hotels dot com also has good deals, and they have a user-friendly policy on refunds or rebooking if you aren't satisfied when you get there.

State and national parks also have cabins and chalets that you can rent, and some even have hotels!  They are a lot cheaper than commercial rooms, and they usually have great amenities, not to mention the bonus of getting plenty of hiking trails, museums, petting zoos, lakes, and whatever else that park features.

If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, browse Groupon Getaways and Living Social Escapes.  That's how we found this last Bed and Breakfast we stayed in, and it was great!  You might have to be a little flexible with dates and even locations, but there are some great deals and some fun stuff!

6)  Entertainment

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on shows, events, and fine dining, try some cheaper options.  We usually find local history sites like museums, state parks, or battlefields where you can have a fun time without paying lots of money.  If you stay at a Bed and Breakfast, they usually give a tour of the house, which is always interesting, and they can direct you to local attractions.  Aquariums are another great way to get a lot of entertainment for a smaller price.

We also bring books, games, and magazines with us so we can hang out in the hotel in the evenings and just relax.  Of course, watching TV is always fun for us, too, since we don't have cable at home.  We just don't feel like we have to be out "doing" something every second.  Vacations are for relaxing.

Again, planning ahead can help you here.  Google "Fun things to do in city, state" and you will probably find some great ideas.  I have used that technique on several of our trips!

7)  Food While You're There

Of course, you don't want to survive on granola and peanut butter during your entire trip, so save your trip foods for the ride back.  There are lots of cheap ways to eat when you arrive.

We usually pick one night to have a nice dinner, and the other meals, we find local cafes and diners or eat in our rooms.  

If you make sure that the hotel you choose has complementary breakfast, you know one meal is always free.  If you can find one that has a fridge and a microwave, you can stop by a grocery store when you arrive and pick up a few cheap foods to make for yourself in your room.  You can also keep leftovers in the fridge from when you do eat out and use them for lunch the next day.  Sometimes you have to pay a little extra for a room with these amenities, but it ends up saving you money in the long run.

8)  Plan Your Budget

No one likes to think about money and budgets even at normal times, but especially not on vacation.  Still, the best way to ensure that you stay on budget is to keep track of it.

Decide before you go how much you have to spend, how you would like to spend it, and then make sure you have a reserve in case something happens (like a car malfunction, a medical emergency, or just really needing to buy another souvenir).

Monitor your spending.  Keep track of receipts and card usages.  Use cash as much as possible because it makes it so much easier to see what you are spending.  If you have to spend more on something than you planned, adjust accordingly.

For example, when we went to Seattle for our anniversary several years ago, we ended up going to the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, which was one of our favorite destinations of all time.  However, since it ended up costing more than we had planned, we decided not to go up in the Space Needle.  It wasn't nearly as important to us as the awesome time we had in the Science Fiction Museum.

9)  Souvenirs

Everyone loves to buy souvenirs.  I love to buy souvenirs for myself and pretty much everyone I am on speaking terms with.  Sadly, though, that does not work with my current budget.

When we first got married, we decided we needed a "thing" to collect.  We chose magnets.  Wherever we go, we make sure to get a magnet to remind us of our trip.  (We have an awesome refrigerator.)

A lot of times, a magnet may be the only item we buy on a trip.  If we have extra money, we might get something else, but we don't feel like we have to.  We also don't usually get gifts for people from our trips unless we get one as a thank-you for watching Cricket or house sitting or something.  It's just not practical.

10)  GPS

This is not absolutely necessary, but it does actually help.  If you have a GPS, you don't have to stop and buy a map when you get lost.  You don't spend extra gas money wandering around looking for your destination, and you know your time schedule and how far to the stopping place, so you don't end up having to stop at a McDonald's and buy something just so you can use the restroom, only to find out you are two exists away from a rest stop!  You can also quickly find a hospital, car garage, or anything else you might need in a strange city.

11)  Take Care of Your Car

Make sure your car is in good shape before you leave, to avoid costly repairs on the road.  Check tires, oil, and that weird humming noise that just started last week.  Keep a tire pump in the trunk, along with jumper cables, and whatever other tools you are comfortable using.  The more you know about taking care of your car, like how to change a tire, the less you'll have to pay for.

(And I say all that as someone who knows absolutely nothing about cars, but whose husband is awesome at doing that kind of stuff.)

I hope this helps you save some money on your next adventure.  Road trips are tons of fun, and they don't have to cost tons of money.  A little planning and you can have a blast for just a few bucks!

And by the way, that B&B we stayed at was The Inn of the Patriots, and it was awesome.  If you're in the South/North Carolina border area, it's the perfect place to spend a weekend!

Encouragement for Homeschool Moms from a Teacher

I recently attended a homeschool conference, and I had a blast.

I know.  Cricket is only 15 months old.  Why on earth would I need to go to a homeschool conference?

Well, first of all, it was free for parents of preschoolers, so it was a fun way to get information and start thinking about what we are going to do for school and how we are going to do it.

Secondly, I got CEU's for keeping up my teaching certification, which is awesome because as I may have mentioned, it was free.

Third, I am a total nerd and I'm really excited about homeschooling!  And it was just really fun.

I learned a lot and had a great time listening to the workshops and browsing the vendor fair.  There are so  many options available now for homeschoolers that we just didn't have when I was being homeschooled!  It's really awesome.

However, as a certified teacher with classroom experience, I felt a little like an outsider at times.  (And not just when people were bashing public and private schooling to support their decision to homeschool.)  I walked into the gymnasium full of curriculum vendors and book sellers and booths about different educational philosophies, and I got excited.  This was my world!  There are lots of things I don't know, but I do know this.  This is me.

But lots of others around me had a different reaction.  They were overwhelmed, terrified, and completely unsure what to do.  They were scared to make a "wrong" decision that would scar their child for life or educationally deform them in some way.  They were intimidated.

Basically, they were first-year teachers.

I so wished I could have just taken them all in my arms and told them that it would be ok.  Over and over again as I heard comments in conversations or workshops, I thought of different things I wished they knew so that they wouldn't worry so much about trying to be the perfect teacher or have the perfect home classroom or pick the perfect curriculum.

So I will tell you what I wanted to tell them, and maybe some of them will end up reading it and feel better.

1)  Teachers don't just use one curriculum.

In college, we are taught that curriculum is a tool.  It is something that we use to achieve an end goal.  It is not, in and of itself, the end goal.  As a matter of fact, what they teach us in college is how to teach without a curriculum, because they figure we should learn the hardest way possible, and then if we have one, great!  That just makes our lives easier.

Use your textbooks as tools to teach what you want them to know.  If they need extra practice, use the practice problems.  If they master it quickly, you don't have to do all twenty-five long division problems that day.  The objective is mastery of a skill, not numbers of problems or pages in a workbook.

Sometimes I had to add to the text book, like when we noticed that our particular curriculum was really weak in writing and composition.  We found some other workbooks that covered what we wanted to cover, made a booklet out of them, and added a writing workshop class.  Sometimes I took away from the textbook, like when we took out a few chapters in the science book so we would have time to do a health unit.

Other times, the textbooks are just too repetitive.  I don't think we ever finished a penmanship book in my class, and we didn't need to.  We had gone over all the letters individually at least twice, and the rest is just practice.  We practiced a lot, but I didn't get hung up on finishing the book just for finishing's sake.

Also, don't get too tied up in any one curriculum.  The manufacturers will all tell you that you won't need anything else besides their product line, but that's never true.  No curriculum is perfect and you will find their weaknesses.  Remind yourself that it's just a tool.  The goal is education, not pages covered.

2)  Teachers don't love being stuck in a classroom.

It's funny to me that a lot of homeschoolers try to create a replica of a classroom in their home, while most teachers try to create a replica of home in their classroom.  Homeschoolers get little desks for their "school room."  Classroom teachers get couches, beanbag chairs, and pillows to make students more comfortable.  Homeschoolers get posters, chalkboards, and bulletin boards.  Most classroom teachers hate bulletin boards and love to take their kids outside.  Not that I'm against any of those structured things, but you don't need to feel like it's not really school unless it looks like a classroom.

As long as they are able to learn and are not too distracted by the novelty of a change of scenery, (I've had those kids, too) reading their history on the couch or doing math in the backyard is awesome!  By all means, have the desk and chalkboard, (I probably will) but you don't have to force all learning to happen in one room.

3)  Teachers have off days, too.

I heard a lot of people talking about how they get discouraged when things get in the way and they don't finish their lesson plans.  That is the story of a teacher's life!  There are days when we stayed on the playground a little bit longer than usual because it was just so pretty outside, or I just needed some peace.  There were days when we have extra free reading because a colleague needed her kids to join mine for a while so she could attend a meeting.  There were days when we had pep rallies, fund raiser rallies, fire drills, tornado drills, intruder drills, power outages, water outages, program practices, or any number of other interruptions that threw off our lesson plans.

When interruptions happen, you just decide what still needs to be done, rearrange your plans, and fix it.  Don't over-stress about it.  You don't have to be perfect.  Teachers are humans, too, and schools are full of things that interrupt.  I'm not saying get lackadaisical about your lessons, but if it's the first nice day of spring, and your kids can't take their eyes off the sliding glass door, let them go outside instead of finishing that math lesson.  Or, let them take their math outside and do it on blankets in the yard!  It'll be fine.

4)  Take each fad lightly.

One thing I learned in my History of Education class in college is that the educational community loves a good fad, and you can't find a much better example of a pendulum swing than in the back and forth of educational philosophies.  Every ten or so years, a new thing comes out, backed by the latest research and supported by giants in the field.  This will be presented as the answer to every problem that teachers/principals/parents/janitors have ever had in a school.  They will assure you in no uncertain terms that this new thing will equally benefit students with learning disabilities and gifted students.  It will make teachers' lives easier.  It will enhance test scores.  It will level the playing fields.  People in the community will love this thing so much that they will literally throw briefcases of money at the doors of the school as they drive past.

It's not true.  It is probably really good for some students.  It will confuse the heck out of other students.  Some teachers will love it.  Some teachers will probably hate it.  Some parents will probably protest it.  Some administrators will fight for it.  And in a few years, almost everyone will forget about it because a NEW awesome thing has come along that will do all of that for real this time!

Don't take all of this too seriously.  It is much more important to focus on the learning styles of your children, your own teaching styles, and making sure that you cover all the basic information that you need to cover each year.  That will keep you busy enough.  Trust me, no one has the time, the energy, or the money to keep up with all the education fads.

Remember, no single approach works for every student or every teacher.  Period.  Good teachers are always trying new things from new angles with new wording to try and reach that one student who didn't quite get it the last time they presented it.

Do keep up with education research and listen for sound ideas that are best practice and not just a hot new gimmick.  Talk to education professionals you trust and get their feedback.  They've probably seen a lot of it before and can tell you which ideas are good and which are just the next craze.

5)  Don't be afraid to ask for help.

As a teacher, I ask for help all the time.  I refer students to specialists and therapists when they have learning disorders, speech problems, emotional difficulties, or other sensitive issues.  I send my students to art teachers, music teachers, and PE teachers.  I send students to the principal for discipline issues that have exceeded my capacity to address.  I have conferences with parents to discuss academic, social, behavioral, spiritual, and physical needs.  I read tons of books, blogs, and magazines to keep up with new ideas and new research (and to know what fads to watch out for).  I am always talking with other teachers about ideas, projects, victories, and frustrations.

It makes me so sad to see so many homeschool moms trying to do it all themselves.  They think that if they ask for help, it will be admitting that they are inadequate or that they can't do it.

You have to ask for help.  You will burn out if you don't.  Ask another homeschool mom to be your "teaching partner" that you can talk to when you are stuck on an idea, or when you just need to vent some frustrations.  Hire a tutor if you are hitting a brick wall in math and your child doesn't seem to understand the way you are saying something.  Join a co-op so that your kids can do chemistry experiments that you couldn't afford the supplies for on your own or so they can learn a language that you don't know.  Ask your spouse to help with discipline issues if necessary.  Subscribe to Mailbox Magazine, the most amazing teacher's magazine for elementary grades, and try some of the organizational tips they suggest.

Just, whatever you do, ask for help!  No one will look down on you, and you will be helping your child as well as yourself.

6)  Keep your options open.

If homeschooling is working for you and your family, that's awesome.  I would high five you if I could see you.  If not, here's something to remember:

Not every school is a good fit for every child or every family.  Like I said earlier, different approaches work for different children.  Don't be afraid to reevaluate from time to time and make sure that homeschooling is the best fit for each of your children, and for you as a teacher and a parent.  I have known people who homeschooled and said it was the worst mistake they've made for their family.  I've known people who homeschooled and absolutely loved it.  I can't say it enough:  Every child, every parent, every family is different.  Don't feel pressured to do something that isn't working.  Don't feel like you "failed" because you change your mind.   It is merely an option that you tried for a while, and now you would like to try another option.

Speaking as someone who, as a child, was in public school, private school, and homeschool, I can say that I enjoyed all three of my school experiences overall.  There were things I liked about each one and things that I didn't like.  I wouldn't change any of it, though, because all of it together made me who I am.  You will not ruin your child if you decide to try a different option.


I hope that all this is an encouragement to someone.  Homeschool parents are amazing.  Your sacrifices and hard work are a precious gift for your children.  I hope to join your ranks one day, when Cricket is, you know, walking and talking and stuff.  I loved being homeschooled, and it holds a special place in my heart.   I hope that you enjoy it, too, and that your kids have as many wonderful memories of these days as I have of my homeschool days.

You can do this.  You are awesome.

How to Be Awesome at Pinterest

Pinterest is one of my favorite websites of all time.  It's like a haven for crafts, hobbies, cooking, DIY, and random bits of information you never knew but really NEED to know, like how to get the stem off of a strawberry with a drinking straw.

Pinterest is responsible for over half of what I cook on a weekly basis, three-fourths of the projects I try, and  80% of my Internet time.

Actually, I have cut back on it quite a bit recently, but I'll be the first to admit that it can be a real time suck.  My typical Pinterest encounter goes something like this:

--Hmm...I need to print out that recipe for crock pot orange cashew chicken.

<click>
<click>

--Oh, cool!  I didn't know you could heal a paper cut instantly with chapstick!  Need to remember that!

<pin>
<click>
<click>

--Haha, those eCard memes never get old!  

<like>
<click>
<click>

--Ooo!  That's a great craft to do with toddlers that really IS both cheap and easy!  We should do that tomorrow!

<pin>
<click>

--WHAT?!  How have three hours gone by?!  I need to get dinner started!  Now where is that recipe for crock pot orange cashew chicken...

So yeah, Pinterest gets a bad rap, but it's only because it's so awesome you can't stop looking at it.  It's actually been a huge boon for bloggers, and in reality, it saves time because instead of combing through a dozen or two blogs, I can see topics and ideas quickly and organize them efficiently.  There are several blogs that I have started following just because I realized I pinned a bunch of their stuff and would probably enjoy more.

However, just like Facebook, you can waste plenty of time there if you want, and also just like Facebook, there are a few rules that should be followed.

1)  Don't pin more than 5-10 of any one thing at a time.

I know this is hard, and I do this sometimes, too.  When you find an awesome board, you just want to pin everything on it!  Resist!  When you pin 50 examples of "your style," the rest of us who follow you have to scroll down for five minutes to get past all the pins of "shabby chic couture" to get back to the Oreo cream cheese layer cakes and five minute ab-toning exercises that we came for.

2)  Use a permanent link if you add a pin.

There is nothing more frustrating on Pinterest than finding an awesome pin for Hungarian mushroom soup  and then going to print off the recipe only to find that it just links to a picture that is somehow even smaller than the one in the pin.  Not cool.  Don't pin a picture from Google.  Pin the actual link.

3)  Don't post an entire article in the description.

Pins are supposed to be a summary.  It's annoying when you have a huuuuuge pin that has an entire recipe written at the bottom.  Just share the name and link and let people click to find the recipe themselves.

4)  Do something you pin.

Obviously it is impossible to do everything you pin, but every now and then, try something!  That way, you can give feedback for others and you might come up with some new ideas to pin!  I have a Mission Accomplished board where I repin all the things I've tried, and it's great to look back and see what worked and what didn't.

5)  Be nice.

This is actually a universal rule of humanity, but since apparently some people didn't pin this on their "Board of Things I should Always Do," it bears repeating.  You don't have to leave an unkind comment and you shouldn't pin things that are inappropriate.  Just be cool.


That's really it.  Unlike most other online communities, the Pinterest community is pretty easy-going. I rarely see someone being unkind, and they make it easy to follow or unfollow people or individual boards.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go read about 50 things I can do with kale.

How to Be Awesome at Saving Money: Part Two

I did a post earlier on the mentality behind saving money.  I covered things like shopping at stores with overall lower prices, deciding where to spend and where to save, etc.  Those are the big-picture ideas.  Once I got my head around those things, I started taking practical steps to start saving money.  I basically just comb through every aspect of my life, looking for ways I can cut back and save.  Below are five of the biggest things that I have worked on over the past two years to save money.

(Note:  I included links to other websites for products or services I use.  I am not getting paid to endorse these things.  They are just things that have helped me, so I included the links in case you wanted to use them as well.)

1)  Budgeting

No one likes to talk about this, but it works.  I used to have a super complicated budget that involved keeping track of every transaction and subtracting it from two separate ledger sheets.  It was too complicated, so of course, I couldn't keep it up.

My method now is much simpler.  In the areas that I have discretionary money, I simply use cash.  I have a book of envelopes from the Dave Ramsey system, and each pay day, I put an assigned amount of cash into each category.

For example, I put $50 into the entertainment envelope.  Then, when we decide we want to eat out or see a movie or go to an event, that's the money I use.  When I run out of money, I have to decide if I'm going to take money from another category or just do without.  I do sometimes take from another envelope, but then I know that I'll have less for that fund when the time comes.

It's really simple.  It doesn't require writing anything down or saving receipts.  It has saved me so much money by forcing me to see how much is being spent and to acknowledge when I am out of money.

I used to be opposed to this because I said I didn't feel safe carrying around cash, but let's be honest.  Carrying around a debit card or credit card is just as dangerous, and someone can do just as much damage. Plus, I don't carry it all around with me.  I just take out what I need for the day.  That's also extra incentive not to overspend!

I don't do all my spending in cash.  For "non-negotiable" expenses that don't change and can't be controlled, I use my debit card.  Those would be areas like utilities, mortgage, gas, medical, etc.  I just use the envelope system for groceries, entertainment, baby needs, clothing, and spending money.

2)  Meal Planning

This has been a huge help for me.  I'm always surprised that so many people are against meal planning, because it makes life so much easier and it saves so much money!  I only go grocery shopping once each pay period, so before I go, I sit down with my calendar (it has a place to write a meal on each day) and my shopping list.  I go through Pinterest to pick out a few new recipes, go through a cookbook or two, and go back through my calendar to see which favorites I haven't made in a while.

I like doing it on the calendar because then I can keep in mind upcoming events and weekly schedules, like an upcoming dinner at church, or the days Brian works late, when I usually don't plan big meals.

As I go through each recipe, I read the ingredients and write what I need on my list.  I try to include a few meals that use ingredients I know I already have, so I don't end up with tons of food just sitting around in my pantry.

I also plan leftover days.  Usually once or twice a week, I just write "leftovers" for the meal.  I try to plan it after one or two days where I know the recipes make big batches.  That way, I don't end up wasting food that turns into science projects in the fridge, and it works as a "day off" for me, where I can focus on making staples like granola bars, bread, or whatever else we're out of.  I also might plan a leftover day when I know I'll be out of the house all day.

Just doing this will save you so much money.  You are using up the leftovers, planning meals around what ingredients you have or will buy, and you're not being tempted to go out to eat just because you can't think of what to make.  It really works!

3)  Netflix

This may seem like a weird thing to put in a list of ways to save money, but the idea is that you pick one area of entertainment and pretty much just stick with that.  We don't have a ton of entertainment money, so we decided that Netflix would be our one main resource.  For $7.99 a month, we just get the instant streaming feature, not the mail-in movies.  The instant streaming doesn't have as many new releases, but it is cheaper and it has tons of television shows and lots of good movies.  We don't watch that much television anyway, so it definitely has enough to keep us busy.

Sure, every now and then we get a movie from one of the "Box at the Grocery Store" companies or go see a movie in the theater, but most of the time, we just use the instant streaming.  It has worked out really well for us.

4)  Library

Every couple of years, I rediscover the library.  I'll go in for the first time in forever and come out thinking, "Man!  This is a great idea!  Someone should have thought of this a long time ago!"

It really is a great resource.  Of course, they have books, but they also have movies, including new releases.  Usually you have to get on a waiting list for those, but still, it's free!  They also have books on tape and  events for kids and adults.  Not to mention they have computers and Internet access, which I used a lot before we got our own.  You can even check out e-books for your e-reader!

Besides just what they offer, libraries are a great place to visit when you want to get out of the house, but don't want to spend money.  You are encouraged to hang out!  Most have a kids' section with toys, puzzles, etc. that will keep them occupied for a while, and ours even has a playground next door to make the outing a little longer.

Lots of people tell me they don't use their library because they always end up with late fees.  I encourage you to sign up for their email list.  I get emails me three days before my materials are due to remind me.  Plus, they have an option to renew online, so if I know I can't get over there in time, or if I forgot and it's the last day, I can buy myself more time to return them!

Libraries are totally worth getting reacquainted with.

5)  Stop Spending Money

This might seem kind of harsh, or maybe too simple to have to say out loud, but it actually is worth thinking about.  A huge part of saving money for me has been learning more self-control.  When I had more disposable income, I would see something at the store that looked cool or fun or that I thought would make my life easier and I would just get it.  If I saw something I didn't really need but had been wanting, I would just get it.  Now, I go home and think about it for a while.  If I still think it's a good idea, I make sure we have the budget for it, and I'll get it, but most of the time, I just have to say no.

One thing that helps with this is to give myself an alternative that doesn't cost money.  For example, "No, Self.  I'm not going to get a Blizzard today.  Let's go home and make smoothies.  They're healthier anyway."  Or, "No, Self.  I don't need to buy that cute toy for Cricket.  I just made her some new discovery bottles and she's having fun with those.  I will go home and put it on my Amazon Wishlist and maybe the Amazon Fairy will send it to me."

I use a list when I do grocery shopping, and I try really hard to only get 3 things or less that aren't on the list. (There's always something I forgot to put on there, so that's why I can't say I don't get anything that isn't on the list.)  I only go grocery shopping once per pay period, which helps with the temptation to buy extras, and I rarely go into stores just to browse, because I almost always find something I "need."

I try to find places to hang out that don't  involve money, too.  My default hang-out spot when I was working was Starbucks, which is awesome and fun, but is also super expensive.  Now, I prefer the library, going for a walk with friends at a park, or just inviting people over to my house.

Of course, occasionally, we go to the movies or get ice cream or whatever, and that's important, too.  If you try to cut out everything, you will hate it and give up quickly.  That's why you have that entertainment budget I was talking about.  You know how much money you have each month, and that's what you use for fun stuff.  I also have a little bit in the budget just to blow on whatever.  It's the miscellaneous money that I use for whatever comes up.  That's important to include in the budget, because there are always things you aren't planning on.  Just make sure you stick to the amount set aside.


There are lots of other ways to save money, but this is a good start.  If you can set a budget, start planning your meals, pick one cheap primary form of entertainment, frequent libraries instead of book stores or movie stores (are those still a thing?), and work on self-control, you will be surprised at how much you can start saving!

And you still don't have to use reusable toilet paper.

How to Be Awesome at Giving Advice

Chances are, whether you are young, middle aged, or older, whether you are male or female, whether you are in a relationship or not, whether you are expecting a child or not, you have probably heard, and probably given, pregnancy advice.  It's like we, as human beings, can't help it.  We see a pregnant woman, and we just can't resist the urge to tell her how we know it's a boy or a girl, how she should or should not be doing that, how we know what the baby is doing right now, etc.  I am so guilty of this.  I grew up hearing people around me give that advice, so naturally, I passed it along as well. 

The thing is though, the more I read and research this whole pregnancy thing, the more I realize that a lot of the advice that we are so familiar with is actually completely wrong.  Most of the time, it's harmlessly wrong, but sometimes it actually has consequences.  Either it causes the mom to go way out of her way and inconveniences her for no reason, or it may actually be bad advice.

So today, we're going to play a little game.  I'm going to give you some common pregnancy advice, and I want you to tell me which pieces of advice are true.  First one to get them all right gets a shout-out!  (I numbered them so you can just use numbers in your answer.)

1. If the mom has cold feet, the baby is a boy.
2. A lot of heartburn while pregnant means the baby will be born with lots of hair.
3. Refusing to eat the heel on a loaf of bread means you're having a girl.
4. Dangling a wedding ring over your tummy shows the gender.  (If it spins side to side or in a circle.)
5. If you see a mouse while you are pregnant, your baby will be born with a hairy birthmark.
6. If you carry out front, it's a boy.  If you carry in the middle, it's a girl.
7. Eating berries causes splotches on baby's skin.
8. If you sweat a lot, it's a girl.
9. Taking a bath can drown a fetus.
10. If you crave orange juice, it's a girl.
11. Stretching your arms over your head can cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the baby's neck.
12. If you carry high, it's a girl.  If you carry low, it's a boy.
13. If you carry high, it's a boy.  If you carry low, it's a girl.
14. If you have dry hands, it's a boy.
15. If you crave greasy foods, you will have a short labor.
16. If you wear high heels, your baby will be cross-eyed.
17. If you get angry a lot, your baby will have an angry personality.  (Or sad or stressed or whatever.)
18. Drinking Castor oil will induce labor.
19. If the baby's fetal heart rate is fast (over 140) it's a girl.
20. You should avoid eating peanuts while pregnant or you increase the risk that baby will be allergic.

Ok, tell me which ones are true.  :o)

**UPDATE:  Given how many people have told me several of these, I am really suprised at how many people answered correctly.  The answer is, none of them are proven to be true.  Several people brought up good points about annecdotal evidence or further studies needed, which are both valid, but as of right now, none of these "facts" have any scientific studies to back them up.  Congrats to The Watcher in the Dark, Megan F., Djinn, and Michelle H.  You are smarter than an old wives' tale (or something like that).  :o)