But, after traveling for work, it’s the food I cook for (and eat with) my family that brings me the most joy. As moms, we’re always busy, which is why I like to prepare simple and quick recipes for my family.  Try these 4 easy meals for families on the go and see if your family loves them as much as mine.

1. Spaghetti Squash Parmesan 

 

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I modified this recipe based on one I tried from Lidey Heuck, and it never disappoints. If the thought of cooking spaghetti squash sounds like too much to handle, take a look at why it really is one of those easy meals for families on the go. You’ll see Josh helps me a little by cutting the squash. So, invite your husband to cook with you.

Ingredients:

• 1 large spaghetti squash
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 package of ground beef (or chicken, turkey, or meatless alternative)
• ¼ tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• Sliced mozzarella
• Fresh parsley or basil

What you do:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise.
3. Coat both halves in olive oil.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Place squash halves face down on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes.
7. Brown the ground beef and season with oregano.
8. After removing the baked spaghetti squash from the oven, lower the temperature to 350 degrees.
9. Shred the baked squash and drain off any excess water.
10. In a large bowl, mix together the squash, cooked ground beef, marinara sauce, and parmesan.
11. Add the mixture back into the spaghetti squash shells.
12. Top with sliced mozzarella and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
13. Before serving, add fresh parsley or basil.

2. Crockpot Salsa Chicken

With two small children, I’ve been known to cook with one hand while holding a baby on my hip. Moms develop this skill out of necessity. Maybe that’s why I love this recipe so much. It’s not only the easiest, most flavorful crockpot chicken dish ever, you can literally do it with one hand.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup salsa (red or green)

What you do:

1. Turn your crockpot on low.
2. Put the chicken thighs in the crockpot.
3. Pour the salsa over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook for 5-6 hours.
5. Shred and use for tacos, nachos, or even over salad.

3. Keto “Lasagna” 

If given the choice, my husband, Josh, would eat this every week. It’s insanely good and healthier than regular lasagna. And while I didn’t include my preschooler, Reese, the first time I posted the video recipe, it’s a dish your young child can easily help you make.

Ingredients:

• Italian sausage
• 2-pound bag of uncooked broccoli florets
• 16 oz cream cheese, melted
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 bag mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
• ½ cup shredded parmesan

What you do:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. On medium-high heat, crumble and fully cook the sausage in a skillet.
3. Place the broccoli florets on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes.
4. Remove cooked broccoli from the oven and lower the temperature to 350 degrees.
5. Place broccoli in a 9-by-13-inch rectangular casserole dish.
6. Add the cooked sausage on top of the broccoli.
7. Spread the melted cream cheese on top of the sausage.
8. Add the marinara sauce as the next layer.
9. Top with mozzarella cheese and shredded parmesan.
10. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

4. Mac and Cheese Bites

These bites might not count as a full meal by themselves. But adding a side of fruit makes them a favorite for little kids, including mine, and is definitely one of those easy meals for families on the go.

Ingredients:

• Boxed macaroni and cheese (plus ingredients needed)
• ½ cup ham, chopped

What you do:

1. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
3. Add chopped ham to the prepared macaroni and cheese.
4. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin. Fill each space to the top.
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until the top is brown and crispy.
6. Serve after cooling.

What are some of your favorite easy meals for families on the go?

The post Laura Rutledge: 4 Quick and Easy Meals for an On-the-Go Family appeared first on iMOM.

Moms are typically the ones who notice a messy house—toothpaste globs in the sink, socks on the floor—and get frustrated that they have to be the chore czar. But if you want your kids to notice what needs to be done and become adults who understand that maintaining a house is everyone’s responsibility (praise hands emoji!), there are 5 small things to try.

1. Talk about the big picture.

I love a clean house and the ahhh feeling I get when my kitchen counter is clear of clutter. But I understand that not everyone gets that same feeling (especially kids), and that’s OK. So when my kids do something without being told, I try to remember to tell them how much it helps me. “When you noticed your papers were spread over the counter and then put them in your backpack, it took a weight off of me.”

It’s worth the effort to teach your kids how to help keep a house clean or tidy because it’s a practical example of what it means to be part of a family. Family members serve and support one another. They see each other’s needs and step in to help. It also shows our sons that it’s not a mom’s job to do everything. That’s a message they’ll carry into future relationships—a win far greater than a clean house.

2. Teach your kids to “notice and do.”

Instagram influencer Sam Kelly coined this phrase and uses the concept to help her kids learn how to participate in carrying the load of family life. That sounds like a tall order, and it doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s possible.

She teaches “notice and do” by first talking about what their family’s standard is. Then she breaks it down into smaller steps by pointing out how to notice a messy house. For example, you could explain, “Our standard is that shoes go in the bin in the laundry room. When you walk by a room, look to see if there are any shoes on the floor. If there are, pick them up and take them to the bin.” This takes reiteration and patience!

3. Use the two-minutes-just-do-it rule

My husband has a personal rule that I’m trying to extend to the rest of the family. He says if he sees a task that can be done in two minutes or less, he’ll do it right then instead of waiting. He does tiny things like putting a few dishes in the dishwasher or throwing away the empty toilet paper roll sitting on the tank.

Teach your kids to combine this two-minute rule with “notice and do.” This requires a lot of coaching at first and cheering when the task is done. “Way to grab those books that’ve been in the car and put them back on your shelf. That was easy wasn’t it?”

4. Put tools within reach and teach them how to do the chore.

“I taught you how to clean the toilet! Why does it look like it hasn’t been cleaned in a month?” I shouted to my sons. My older son/spokesperson replied, “We don’t know where the brush is.” It was an excuse, but I understood. I invested $7 to buy a second brush and stored it behind the toilet in their bathroom. Having the brush in view created a handy reminder that they need to chip in.

The teaching part is important, too. Don’t assume they know how to do a chore. You might be surprised by the initiative your kids take when you teach them a new skill. Kids who feel empowered often like to show off what they can do.

5. Let them practice thinking for themselves.

If you want your kids to see the messy house and chip in, they need to learn to observe and analyze instead of just ask Mom for an answer. Again, this takes time and persistence.

When you say, “The garbage man comes tomorrow” and your son replies, “Does that mean I have to take the can to the curb?” try replying, “Good question. If you don’t take it, will it be overfull by next week?” Sam Kelly explains that instead of immediately answering your child’s question about household tasks, use their questions as a teaching moment and show them how to answer these questions for themselves.

What chore do your kids enjoy doing? Why do you think they like it?

The post 5 Eye-Openers When No One Else in Your House Sees the Mess appeared first on iMOM.

I’m not the only mom who flexes a little creativity around snack time. According to a OnePole survey, more than half of us moms use snack time to wave our “cool mom” flag. If you’re looking for your own cool snacks to make, whip up some of these 15 treasures. (And, hey, the ideas marked by an asterisk take less than 5 minutes to put together!)

Imposter Snacks

1. Banana Sushi Rolls* – Peel a banana and gently roll it in granola or a favorite cereal. Slice it into bite-sized pieces like a California roll. If you’re feeling a little extra, slice up a few blackberries to add on top as a stand-in for roe. Or for an extra sticky banana, spread on peanut butter before rolling it in granola.

2. Edible Play Dough Snacks, AKA the Food You Play With Before Eating – Edible play dough uses safe-to-eat ingredients, such as flour, honey, and food coloring. Follow the recipe, and then let your child create shapes and figures before eating. For younger kids, you might need to make the distinction between this version and store-bought Play-DOH. Older kids will appreciate this snack even more when they need a homework brain break.

3. Rootie-Tootie Fruity-Veggie Smoothie – A smoothie just might be the OG of imposter snacks. It feels like a special treat and offers servings of fruit and vegetables! In a blender, add about three cups of frozen fruit (berries, bananas, mango, pineapple, etc), one cup of liquid (juice, milk, or milk substitute), ½ cup of yogurt, a teaspoon of honey, and about a cup of spinach or kale. Blend it and serve it up.

DIY Snack Bar Ideas

4. Happy Trails Mix – Let your child create her own trail mix by providing options like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and whole-grain cereal. You can even add in a few options for her sweet tooth. If you’re concerned about sugar intake, limit her mix to one spoon of sweets for every three scoops of other options. (It’s a practical way to work in some math practice!)

5. Popcorn Party – Offer your family’s favorite style of popcorn and then include various topping options. For example, set out nuts, chopped dried fruit, and shredded cheese. Or chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. The options can be endless, so don’t be afraid to try an unusual flavor profile! Consider watching a classic family movie during snack time, too!

6. A Quesadilla Fit for a Snack – When our kids hit a growth spurt, we often need to expand our definition of cool snacks to make. During those seasons, our kids just need more food! While it might be a staple for dinner, let your child build his own snack-size quesadillas using taco soft shells with filling options, such as cheese, beans, and veggies.

Snacks for a Hot Day  

7. Frozen Watermelon Popsicles – Puree seedless watermelon and pour into popsicle molds for a classic summer treat. Or pour them into an ice-cube tray and add popsicle sticks.

8. That Time Princess Peach Visited Anna and Elsa* – Sometimes cool snacks to make get that way because of their name, like this one for all the Frozen and Mario Brothers’ fans in the house. Simply, slice peaches and pop them in the freezer. Then enjoy them for a healthy, sweet treat. (No princesses or plumbers were harmed in the making of these snacks.)

9. Cool as a Cucumber (but with a Ninjago Kick)* – Slice cucumbers into rounds. Sprinkle with a touch of chili powder and a squeeze of lime juice for a refreshing and slightly spicy snack.

Yogurt Three Ways

10. Double-Dippin’ Yogurt Fondue* – Finally, give your child permission to double dip with his own bowl of yogurt! Give him pretzel sticks to use for spearing and dunking sliced fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, and cantaloupe. You can also include dried cereal loops, angel food cake cubes, or even dried cranberries or cherries.

11. The Perfect Parfait – Layer yogurt, granola, and your child’s favorite chopped fruits for a colorful and nutritious parfait.

12. Frozen Yogurt Bites* – Make yogurt pops by pouring yogurt into ice-cube trays and freezing them. Add fruit chunks or granola for extra flavor and texture.

Snacks for Your Little Sweetie Who Loves a Little Salt

13. Round ‘Em Up Rice Cakes* – Grab your favorite rice cake, spread on smashed avocado, and add sliced tomato.

14. Row, Row, Row Your Pepper – Using small bell peppers, slice in half like a little canoe. Fill the peppers with smashed avocado or hummus and let your little sea captain avoid the hangry storm brewing.

15. Pita Pizza Pizzazz – Spread tomato or pesto sauce on a whole-wheat pita bread. Sprinkle with cheese and your child’s favorite pizza toppings like chopped veggies or pepperoni. Bake at low heat until the cheese melts.

Which cool snacks to make for kids do your little munchkins gobble up?

The post 15 Snack Ideas to Earn Cool Points With Your Kid appeared first on iMOM.

It’s me. I was that woman, and eventually, I got tired of staring into the fridge. It was time to plan some easy family dinners.

I’ve come to enjoy meal planning, but ideas for easy family dinners don’t always pop right into my head. I have a few go-tos, but I also appreciate a good, curated list that shares meals that have gotten a thumbs up from kids and moms. So, I figured it was iMOM’s turn to share our own list. Many of these 20 recipes are five or fewer ingredients, some the kids can help with, and they’re all delicious. So which one’s for dinner tonight?

Super Easy Family Dinners

1. English Muffin Pizzas

Kids love miniature foods, so why not let them build their own personal pizzas? All you need are English muffins, sauce, cheese, and your kids’ favorite toppings. A couple of tips: Chop pepperoni into tiny bites, toast the English muffins, and warm the sauce before putting the pizzas together. Once the toppings are on, just pop ‘em back in the oven to melt the cheese under the broiler.

2. Proper Nachos

You don’t need a recipe for nachos, but I need to tell you something. I made nachos all wrong for years. I just learned three things that have taken my nachos to the next level. First, bake the chips for a few minutes before adding any toppings. Second, cover them with shredded cheese and do another super quick bake. And third, mixing your ground beef with refried beans helps it stay on the chips. You’re welcome.

3. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

So simple. So obvious. Sooooo delicious. Drop chicken breast into a crockpot with a jar of salsa and taco seasoning and let it cook on low for six to eight hours or high for four to six. Shred the meat with tongs or a couple of forks. Then put out taco shells and the toppings your family likes best, and let everyone walk around the counter and build their own tacos!

4. PB & ?

Peanut butter and jelly might not seem like a dinner food, but have you tried a “PB & ?” Put out a variety of ingredients—honey, sliced banana, sliced strawberries, Nutella, granola, marshmallow fluff, and, of course, peanut butter—and let everyone create their own sandwich. Butter the bread (before adding fillings) and heat in a skillet for a warm crunch. Serve it with a salad, or french fries if you want your children to cry tears of joy.

5. Mac. And. Cheese. Bar.

Yes, it gets a pause after each word because it’s just that good. Whip up your preferred mac and cheese and then set out a variety of add-ins. Here are some of our kids’ favorites: salsa, diced chicken, Doritos, hot dogs, blue cheese and buffalo sauce, and meatballs with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

6. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

This combo has been around for decades for a reason. Jazz up your tomato soup by adding some Italian-style diced tomatoes. And offer extra ingredients to the grilled cheese like a slice of turkey bacon. Oh, and here’s a fun tidbit: If you don’t have any softened butter to spread on the bread, mayo works just as well.

7. BBQ Beef Sandwiches

This one couldn’t get any easier. Or any tastier. It’s just three ingredients. Serve on a soft bun with a side of carrots or green beans, and you’ll have happy campers.

Easy Family Dinners

8. Mexican Ground Beef Skillet

Make this recipe on game day, or shake up your Taco Tuesday routine. You can serve it with tortilla chips, in a bowl, or wrap it up in a burrito. It’s all in one pan, so clean-up is a breeze.

9. Mississippi Pot Roast

The hardest thing about this meal is spelling it. Mississippi Pot Roast is just five ingredients and can be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. One of the moms on our staff says everyone in her family gobbles it up. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice with a side of veg.

10. Chicken and Rice Bowls

Bowls are all the rage, but you don’t have to go out to enjoy a delicious one. Fill bowls with chicken and rice and let everyone customize their bowl to their liking. Put out two or three kinds of vegetables, different sauces like sriracha or teriyaki, and cheeses like goat or shredded colby jack.

11. Brinner Sandwiches

Breakfast for dinner (a.k.a. brinner) can fall flat sometimes. Try making brinner sandwiches from English muffins, egg, and turkey bacon. Or flip some mini pancakes and serve them filled with breakfast sausage patties and a dab of syrup. We didn’t say this meal is healthy, but it is delicious!

12. Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas

If you love the taste of enchiladas but not the labor, this dish is right up your alley. Definitely wait to add the corn tortillas until right before serving, or they’ll get soggy. Or leave out the shells and serve it with tortilla chips instead.

13. Lasagna Soup

It’s ooey and gooey and all in one pot. This recipe includes ground beef, sausage, spinach, and three types of cheese! Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients. This recipe is a piece of cake!

Not-as-Easy Family Dinners (But Still Not Difficult)

14. “Even Kids Will Eat These” Stuffed Peppers

My kids love red bell peppers. I could take ’em or leave ’em, but if it means getting an extra vegetable on the plate, I’ll tough it out. These stuffed peppers are their favorite. Use foil “bumpers” to keep them from falling over in the baking dish.

15. Cheesy Turkey Meatball Skillet

Yummy and healthy, your kids will gobble up these meatballs faster than you can say “It’s turkey.” Don’t be intimidated by the task of making your own meatballs. It’s easy and cheaper.

16. Salmon Bowls

If your kids enjoy salmon, you’ll want to put this one on repeat. Grill some salmon and use packaged sticky rice. Add everything you’d want in a sushi roll or bowl: edamame, cucumber, green onions, avocado, spicy mayo, soy sauce. You can’t go wrong!

17. Coconut Chicken Curry

I always claimed not to like curry, and then one day, my husband said, “Are you sure?” He made chicken curry, and now we have it once a month. The kids inhale it. Serve it over rice, and you’ve got yourself an international comfort food everyone will request over and over again.

18. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This one comes from iMOM creator Susan Merrill’s Sunday Supper series. The dumplings are a little more involved, but this meal is perfect for a family dinner around the table.

19. Muffin Tin Turkey Meatloaf

Meatloaf had a bad wrap when I was a kid, and I can’t figure out why. Maybe it’s because it has the word “loaf” in the name. If your kids are anti-loafers, this muffin tin-shaped turkey meatloaf will get them to change their tunes. They’re healthy, packed with protein, and pair perfectly with a green veg and fingerling potatoes.

20. Change Your Life Chicken

My own kids ask for this regularly. Why is it called Change Your Life Chicken? Because it’s so delicious, and cleanup is ridiculously easy. The star of the show is the crispy skin on the chicken thighs, but your kids will love the green beans and carrots just as much, I promise.

Share your favorite easy family dinner. We’d love to try it!

The post 20 Easy Family Dinners Your Kids Will Eat Up appeared first on iMOM.

The solution, at least in my life, is meal planning. What about you? Do you a) like meal planning and want to up your game, b) want to do it but can’t find a system that works for you, or c) have zero interest whatsoever?

Meal planning for busy moms isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. So whether you chose a, b, c, or a category all your own, here are 10 ideas that will help you conquer this task and always have an answer to “Mom, what’s for dinner?”

To Group A: You’re pros ready to up your game. It is time.

1. Double your plan.

I used to plan meals for one week at a time. Then I stretched it to two and now (my husband thinks I’m crazy), I’m considering shooting for four weeks. I won’t make four separate plans. I’ll just duplicate what I did for weeks one and two and grocery shop with that in mind.

This is a money saver. There are no more chicken thighs sitting lonely in the back of the freezer. It’s all getting used. There’s a plan and a purpose for every ingredient.

2. Make dinners that can become lunches.

When we have leftover lasagna, my kids beg to take it to school in their thermoses the next day. Sometimes, knowing they can bring it for lunch gets them to pass on serving themselves seconds. If you can plan dinners that save you time, energy, and money on lunches, you’ve hit professional-level meal planning.

3. Buy frozen food for the end of your plan cycle.

If you plan stuffed portobello mushrooms for dinner seven days after your grocery trip, you’ll be stuffing slime. Use the fresh veggies first, and save frozen ones for the last days before your next trip to the store.

To group B: You struggle to stick to a system. Let’s fix that.

4. Forget about variety. It’s quicksand.

Meal planning for busy moms doesn’t have to mean you never repeat. Quite the opposite because we’re creatures of habit. You know the 10 meals your family enjoys. Rotate them over two weeks.

5. Shoot for easy.

Neither my husband, nor I are gourmet chefs; we don’t own a mandolin, and we don’t have time to braise anything, whatever that means. The best recipes are the ones that are so simple you can’t mess them up, and you practically have them memorized.

6. Determine where you’re saving your ideas.

Sometimes we lose steam on meal planning because we exhaust ourselves searching for ideas. Whenever you find a recipe that sounds good, text it to yourself. Your text thread will be a little digital recipe box! Did you find a recipe in a magazine or cookbook? Snap a pic and text it to yourself.

To group C/the “don’t care” crew: I can’t believe you’re still reading.

7. Ask yourself why you care.

You’re still here, so there must be something about meal planning that piques your interest. Consider why you care (even just a little). How could meal planning make your life better?

8. Now take a baby step.

You’ve named your motivation. Let that push you to take a baby step. Try planning one meal per week. Make it a double batch. You’ll save money by not wasting the other half of that onion; you’ll have two nutritious meals; and you’ll have answers to two days of dinner interrogations!

9. Take an even smaller baby step.

Plan for takeout. Is that really meal planning? Well, takeout is a meal, and if you write it down, it’s a plan. And knowing you have a cooking break tomorrow can motivate you to make a healthy meal today.

10. Make it worth your while.

When I first started meal planning, I told my husband, “I’ll plan it, but you have to cook it.” I loved not having to rinse beans, dice peppers, or flip quesadillas. It made the chore of meal prepping worth it.

I know it’s daunting to meal plan. Some people are naturally better than others. But you should celebrate your effort, no matter how small.

What are your best tips for meal planning for busy moms leave them in the comments below. Need more to get you motivated? Check out this episode of the iMOM Podcast and subscribe to get new episodes every Monday.

The post 10 Ideas That Will Help You Conquer Meal Planning appeared first on iMOM.

He was right. I was going into the office on a day I normally don’t, and I hadn’t planned my breakfast or lunch. I said to him, “I can’t imagine if we had to pack lunch every morning. It’d be a hot mess in here.” Packing lunches in the evening is a rule we set a long time ago, and it helps our mornings run much more smoothly. There are a lot of other house rules for kids that are total game-changers. Here are 21 of the most useful I’ve heard or set for my family.

Some house rules for kids cut down on chaos.

1. Don’t come out to the breakfast table until you’re completely ready for school—hair, teeth, shoes. It makes for a calmer and more efficient breakfast. Then use flossers on the way to school.

2. Make bedtime and lights out two specific times. The quicker the kids get their bedtime routine done, the more time they can spend reading. If lights out is 9 o’clock and it takes until 8:55 to get settled, that only leaves five minutes to read.

3. If you have a child who wears an article of clothing for five minutes and then puts it in the dirty laundry pile, use my You Toss It, You Wash It rule. If you catch him putting clean clothes in the hamper, he gets to do the next load from start to finish.

4. Have little ones who are early risers? On the weekend, the child who gets out of bed last (potty doesn’t count) gets to decide what’s for breakfast.

Others keep things clean or tidy.

5. In warm months, keep school shoes in the car. Have the kids walk out in flip-flops and socks. Then on the way home, shoes come off, and flip-flops go back on. Warning: You might have to revisit this rule as your kids’ feet get smellier.

6. If your kids don’t wear uniforms, put a hanging shoe rack on their bedroom doors. On Sundays, have the kids load them up with outfits for the week—socks and hairbows included.

7. Whoever brushes his teeth last cleans the sink before exiting the bathroom. This is a great house rule for kids who spit a lot of toothpaste back into the sink. It also gets them moving more quickly in the morning.

8. If you finish off a staple item, tell Mom or add it to the grocery list on the fridge.

9. Make your bed every day. It instantly makes the room look tidier and sets the intention for the day.

10. The “everything in its place” rule says that before bed, everything should be set for the next morning. School clothes are set on dressers, and backpacks are packed and set by the door. Breakfast plates and cups can even be set out.

11. The “important papers” rule says that if something needs to be signed, reviewed, or approved, it has to go in a designated spot. Mom’s not responsible for signing a progress report that’s stuffed at the bottom of your backpack.

12. Earn bonus TV time while folding laundry. Folding time equals screen time.

And some help family members show love and respect.

13. Use T.H.I.N.K. to choose your words. Is what you’re about to say true, honest, important/inspiring, necessary, and kind?

14. The hand-on-the-shoulder rule is helpful if your child wants your attention while you’re talking. Instead of interrupting, she puts a hand on your shoulder. Then, if you don’t want her standing there while you’re trying to have a conversation, touch her hand to acknowledge her need. This is a nonverbal conversation that communicates “I need you, Mom” and “I see you, and I’ll be with you in a moment.”

15. If Mom or Dad calls your name, the proper response is not to shout back, “Yeah?” It is to come to wherever Mom or Dad is.

Others minimize fighting or arguments.

16. When splitting or portioning out food, one cuts or scoops and the other gets to choose the plate. We call it “One divides, the other decides!”

17. Post the dinner plan for the week. Kids get one veto and can swap the meal for their official veto meal which is the same every time and is something they can prepare themselves.

18. After dinner and dessert (if you have it), the kitchen is closed. If the kids are still hungry, they can have a piece of fruit.

19. Mom always gives a time’s-up heads-up. It’s a five- to 10-minute countdown to turning screens off. When time’s up, no complaining.

And some house rules for kids keep them safe.

20. No screens in the bathroom. Closed doors and the internet are a bad combination.

21. No locked doors. Kids’ bedroom doors can only be closed with a parent’s permission and never when friends are over.

What house rules for kids do you have in place to help keep your family life running smoothly?

The post 21 Game-Changing House Rules for Kids appeared first on iMOM.

There’s no “easy button” for Thanksgiving. Everything must be straight out of Grandma’s recipe book, and the house needs to look like it belongs in Magnolia Journal. Or does it? Could a mom, say, cheat a little and preserve some sanity? Absolutely! And here are 5 Thanksgiving hacks to help you do it.

1. Clean only the areas you’ll open up to your guests.

Yes! You can do this! Where are the areas that you don’t want people to enter? Is it your master bedroom, laundry room, or basement? Is it that one guest bedroom where all the “stuff” goes? Close the doors and focus on the other parts of the house. Cleaning only the areas that matter will free up a lot of time and energy.

Bonus Tip: Don’t let yourself get distracted by deep cleaning. This is not the time to clean every window or reorganize the closet because that will take up too much time. Stay focused!

2. Make the meaningful dishes yourself, but buy the rest.

Let go of the thought that every dish should be homemade. It’s at your house, so you get to decide what’s homemade. Think about which recipes are traditions that mean something special (it might not even be the turkey!) and buy the rest from a store or restaurant.

Bonus Tip: Two popular restaurants to “cheat” from are Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel.

3. Use elegant but disposable plates and napkins.

This is the best Thanksgiving hack, if you’re willing to put your mom’s old china back in the cupboard. Have you seen the disposable plates that look just like real ones? They’re sturdy, pretty, and not very expensive either. Your guests might not even notice. And after it’s all over, the worker bees of the family will be happy there are fewer dishes and more time to play games or veg out!

Bonus Tip: While plastic or paper plates are awesome, plastic silverware tends to break when cutting your food. So unless you need extra silverware, stick to your usual flatware. It’s easy enough to throw it in the dishwasher afterward.

4. Use what you already have.

For some reason, hosting usually gives me an urge to buy a bunch of new things. And while it’s kind of fun, it will take a lot of your time and money. Use what you have. Look around your house. Need activities? Gather iMOM’s printable Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt, playing cards, and board games and put them out on the tables. Need decorations? Use tablecloths you already have, and fill bowls with apples or pears. Keep it simple.

Bonus Tip: Put your kids to good use and have them create place cards for each guest. They don’t have to be fancy—they’ll be cute, and that’s even better.

5. Make it a potluck dinner.

If your house was volunteered as the best location for Thanksgiving this year, then you have the right to make it a potluck! As the hostess, you can provide a few big items like the main dish, plate settings, and drinks. Let the guests provide the rest! Even those who have a bit of a drive can bring something simple like a pie or chips.

Bonus Tip: Create a SignUpGenius to ensure you don’t end up with four sweet potato casseroles.

6. Eat at 6.

For some reason, most people have their Thanksgiving meal at noon or in the early afternoon. But why add pressure to the day by eating so early? By moving it to 6 p.m., you’ll give yourself more time to prepare. And if certain people come early, they can help you cook.

Bonus Tip: In addition to changing the time, change the date! By hosting on Saturday, you add flexibility for those who work during the week.

The whole time you’re preparing, keep the big picture in mind. The goal of the holidays shouldn’t be to impress but to enjoy each other’s company. You can’t enjoy anything if you are stretched too thin. So do whatever you have to do to make sure you have a little energy left over to be present with the people around you.

What are your best Thanksgiving hacks?

Don’t forget to take time to relax and laugh with your family when you’re all together. Check out these 15 Fall Riddles and Jokes on All Pro Dad!

The post 5 Thanksgiving Hacks for Busy Moms appeared first on iMOM.

So it’s time. We need a toy purge. But we can’t stop there. I want living with less to be the new normal. I want minimalist kids and a minimalist toy room. Not because of the aesthetic, although a tidy house makes my heart happy. No, I want it because I know it’s good for their bodies, minds, and spirits. So I’ve got 7 steps we are going to take to get to the point of having (and being happy with) less.

Several studies have observed the negative effects of too many toys, but I’m thinking big picture here, too. I want my kids to grow up to be adults who love people and not possessions. But I can’t fill their lives with all the things and expect them to have a magical shift in priorities one day. I have to start out the way I want to end up. So let’s get started.

1. Do a preemptive purge.

If new toys are coming in at a birthday or Christmas, clear some space. The kids will probably be more willing to part with old stuff when they are excited and anticipating new things. This also will help prevent new toys from getting pushed aside and never played with. Fact: I have the same rule for my closet. If something is coming in, something else needs to go out.

2. Pray through the purge.

Have a conversation with the kids about the importance of being generous with their things. As they sort through toys, ask them to pray for the kids who will receive them and ask God to give them even more joyful memories. Living with less is a lot more doable when you remember how much less others have.

3. Sort it out.

Make four piles: keep, donate, maybe, and toss. Tell the kids the goal is to make the donate pile the biggest. If you’re having trouble deciding what to keep, these criteria will help: Have they played with it in the past nine months? If it’s been collecting dust for the same amount of time it takes to grow a human, they can live without it. Do they look for it when it’s missing? Does it bring them joy or does it cause fights?

4. Make a “maybe” bin.

If you have a bin or two of stuff you were just not sure about, rotate them in and out of play. If you rotate toys out for 6 months and no one has missed them, it sounds like they could be donated. Rotating bins is also a great way to freshen up playtime without buying new toys.

5. Do a secret purge.

If your kids are too young to reason with, you might have to do a cleanout while they’re sleeping. My sons are at their dad’s house every other weekend and I use that as an opportunity to sort through those overflowing bins. Not once have they asked me for a toy I purged. Not once.

6. Keep it up with mini-purges.

Living with less means it actually has to be part of your routine, not just a yearly dump. So once you’ve done the purge, keep it up with random giveaway days. Once or twice a month, tell your kids to find three toys to give away (or to toss, if it’s broken). Pick a specific recipient like the local coffee shop that has a play area or the treasure box at school. If clutter is really getting to you, try iMOM’s Clutter Jail. It’s a great (and fun) way to encourage kids to be more responsible with their toys.

7. I do. You do. We do.

If your kids see you cleaning out a drawer, they’ll be more likely to follow suit. So when you ask them to give away three things, grab three things from your closet or make-up drawer that you’re ready to donate or toss. Making it a family activity not only will make the habit stick, it also will help the whole house feel more tidy.

What strategies do you use to encourage your kids to part with toys? Is living with less possible with kids?

The post Time for a Purge: 7 Steps to Living With Less appeared first on iMOM.

That’s what I think of when I think of the Christmas season, cozy scenes with family. But sometimes we end up running around, overwhelmed, and disorganized. Christmas can seem like it comes and goes so fast we wonder where it went. We want you to cherish every moment and help you make this season a special time with your loved ones. That’s why we put together a collection of holiday calendars to help you make this the best Christmas ever. Look through them and find the Christmas calendar or calendars you need!

Calendar Love: 30 Day Holiday Challenge

Calendar Reason for the Season: Printable Advent Calendar for Kids

Calendar Prep: 7 Week Holiday Planner

Tell us! What is your favorite memory from the holidays?

The post Every Calendar You Need for the Holidays appeared first on iMOM.

You can imagine my surprise, then, when I found myself at home with an actual toddler and preschooler—and it was hard. I constantly felt pulled in too many directions. If I was doing housework, I felt like I was neglecting my kids, who just wanted to play and snuggle and have my attention. After all, I thought, doesn’t everyone say to enjoy these years before they grow up and leave me behind? But if I stopped working to spend time with them, I quickly felt guilty about the laundry and dishes piling up around me. No matter what I did, I couldn’t win. Why can’t I be a good mom? I needed a way to prioritize and focus before I completely lost my mind. And that’s when I discovered a miraculous invention: a kitchen timer. Here’s how this housekeeping tip has completely saved my sanity.

How It Works

Decide on a task and set a timer for 20 minutes. Before you start it, make sure your children are tended to—snacks distributed, potty taken care of, no pressing needs. Explain to them that mommy will be happy to help with anything they need as soon as they hear the “beep” at the end. (It’s not a perfect system, of course, but it really does help to cut down on interruptions.) Then it’s time to hit “go.” For the next 20 minutes, challenge yourself to see how much you can accomplish, almost like a mini race against time. And remember, you’ll get a break in less than one episode of PAW Patrol.

When time is up, stop. Don’t set it again and keep going. Don’t even push through for five more minutes. It’s time for a break. This could be a genuine break, like hiding in the bathroom and reading or catching up on Facebook (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything). Or you can set the timer for another 20 minutes and use that time to focus solely on the kids—play a game, make a craft, or have a dance party. Whatever it is, you can give them your complete attention. No need to be distracted by the thought of the housework you should be doing, because you have a plan in place for that.

Why It Works

Setting a timer allows singular focus on the task at hand. It also gives us a taste of freedom after a given amount of time, so we don’t feel sucked into one particular job for the entire day. And no matter how unpleasant the job, we can do just about anything for 20 minutes!

Of course, it’s not really about setting a timer at all—it’s about setting boundaries and giving ourselves grace. I needed to learn that it’s OK to clean the kitchen sometimes even though my daughter wants to play with her dollhouse and that it’s OK to play with dolls sometimes even when the kitchen is a mess. Moms, we need to find contentment in making progress without demanding perfection. We need ways to balance the many hats we wear, and I found one easy trick at the push of a few buttons.

What is your best sanity-saving tip?

Katy Epling is a writer and speaker who loves to share about motherhood, special needs parenting, faith, and more. She and her husband Jon live in northeast Ohio with their three wonderful children.

The post How Setting a Timer Saved My Life appeared first on iMOM.