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WELCOME TO HOMEBODIES
March 27, 2007
Volume 8, Issue 13
Weekly encouragement and empowerment e-zine
for stay-at-home parents and working parents
considering the at-home lifestyle
Your Hostess - Cheryl Gochnauer, author of
"Stay-at-Home Handbook", "So You Want to Be a
Stay-at-Home Mom", "Mom to Mom" and founder of
http://www.homebodies.org
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THIS WEEK'S ARTICLES:
"Me-Time for Moms" by Homebodies founder Cheryl Gochnauer
"Creative Baby Keepsakes on a Budget" by Homebodies columnist Kim Danger,
founder of Mommysavers (http://www.mommysavers.com)
"Easter Eggstravaganza" by Homebodies columnist Tawra Kellam, co-founder of
Living on a Dime (http://www.livingonadime.com)
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ME-TIME FOR MOMS
Homebodies
By Cheryl Gochnauer
homebodies@comcast.net
Copyright 2007
As a homeschooling mother of children ages 7 to 22, Kendra knows firsthand
the importance of putting mom into time out on a regular basis:
“I was re-reading your article on mommies needing a break (but was
interrupted by three of my children),” she writes. “After I got them what
they needed and finished the article, I decided to e-mail you and encourage
you to get this message out to as many mothers as you can.
“Several years ago when my husband and children asked me what I wanted for
Mother's Day, I replied that I wanted a night away in a hotel and a day off.
They were not only very surprised, but rather hurt at the idea. They did
give me my request, but have never repeated it.
“I don't think any of them really understand,” Kendra says, “although we
joke about it occasionally. In fact, we have a standard joke about March
Madness - not the basketball games, but the time of year when ‘Mommy loses
it’ much easier than at other times. The lack of daylight plus the middle of
winter school blues combine to make this month extra hard for me, so rather
than get upset all of the time, I joke about it with them. It doesn't change
the facts, but it does help me cope with it.
“I try to let new homeschooling mothers know this side of homeschooling,
along with the good parts. Moms who homeschool are normally around their
children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is great having my children home
and I wouldn't trade it, but there are times when it would be nice to have
that break.” Kendra figures that, outside of going to church, two or three
months can zip by before she gets a chance to treat herself to some
well-deserved downtime. “If new homeschooling moms could begin with having
the break built in, it would be so much better for them,” she says.
Dad often holds the key to maintaining Mom’s sanity. “I know one family
where the father had Mondays off,” Kendra says. “He stayed home with the
children that day and did the schooling, and the mom did whatever she wanted
to for the entire day. I know most men can't do that,” she admits, “but even
just part of that day would be great.”
*****
It’s tough to be a good mom or dad when you’re so wiped out, you have
nothing to give to your family.
What are some things you do to recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your
love of at-home parenting?
Write Cheryl at homebodies@comcast.net, and we’ll share some ideas in an
upcoming issue of Homebodies.
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CREATIVE BABY KEEPSAKES
ON A BUDGET
Mommysavers
By Kim Danger
sydney@mommysavers.com
Copyright 2007
Ask any mom with grown children – the baby years go by too fast. Wouldn’t
it be nice if you could freeze time and hold on to all those cute little
expressions, mannerism, and milestones? Here are some creative yet simple
ways to capture those precious moments without spending a lot.
CLAY HANDPRINT
Make your baby’s handprint in clay at home for a fraction of the cost of a
prepackaged kit. Mix 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt,
and ¾ cup water. Heat over medium heat until boiling, then lower heat and
stir until thick. Spread mixture in a mold like a whipped topping container
or margarine lid. When cool, press your baby’s hand into the dough to form a
handprint. String with a pink or blue ribbon and use a toothpick to write
the date before it dries
HANDPRINT BOOK
A handprint book is a creative way to record baby’s growth. Purchase a
journal or scrapbook with unlined paper (such as a small scrapbook). On each
page, write baby’s age and use an inkpad to do his handprint. Add journaling
about what baby is doing at the moment and what he has recently learned.
BABY’S FIRST CALENDAR
You can make a baby’s first year calendar at home using a regular calendar
or custom-make one on your computer. In each daily square, jot down a
comment about your baby that day. Your comments can range from the very
ordinary (Nicholas loved playing peek-a-boo today) to a significant
milestone (Emma took her first steps today!).
PATCHWORK MEMORIES
Hate to throw out or get rid of your baby’s cute infant outfits? Create a
blanket made from squares of your favorite baby clothes. It is sure to be a
cherished heirloom for years to come.
BAPTISMAL KEEPSAKE
If you know how to sew, make your baby’s baptism gown out of your wedding
dress train. It is a special way to reuse something that was very meaningful
to you at one time, and leaves your dress intact you want to pass it on to a
daughter someday.
PRESIDENTIAL CONGRATS
Send a photocopy of your baby’s birth certificate to the address below to
receive a free congratulatory note from the president:
White House Greetings Office
Room 39
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
SAY CHEESE!
Take your own portrait photos using a sheet and some props. Use simple props
that won’t distract from the subject: a few strands of pearls, a metal
washtub, fresh flowers, a ball or a teddy bear, some tulle, a wagon, or
antique toys all add appeal to your photos without distracting from the
subject.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TABLECLOTH
Start a “birthday tablecloth” for your child. Have guests sign the
tablecloth, noting their favorite memory of your child from the past year.
You can also do your child’s handprints on it with an inkpad. Be sure to
date each entry. Over a period of time your child will have a wonderful
keepsake.
*****
Kimberly Danger is the owner/publisher of Mommysavers.com, an online
resource for parents interested in saving time and money. Portions of this
article are excerpted from her book, 1000 Best Baby Bargains, available
online at Amazon.com. Ms. Danger lives in Southern Minnesota with her
husband and two kids.
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EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Living on a Dime
By Tawra Kellam
editor@livingonadime.com
Copyright 2007
OK, so the kids noticed on the calendar that Easter is approaching and they
want to make a huge production of dying eggs. In the past, the little
stickers you bought at the store sufficed, but now they want the real thing.
Here are some old standards with a few new ideas for you.
Before you decorate Easter eggs, cover the entire table with newspaper. Keep
a huge roll of paper towels or rags handy for messes. Have each kid wear one
of dad’s old (now disposable) tee shirts. To make egg stands, cut toilet
paper roll cores into one inch cylinders and use for egg stands. Decorate
with stickers or paint.
DECORATING EGGS THE TRADITIONAL METHOD:
Hard boil eggs. Fill several mugs with boiling water and add 1-2 tsp.
vinegar. Place a few drops of desired food coloring in each mug. Place eggs
in mugs for several minutes until eggs reach desired shades. Remove with a
spoon. Place on paper towel to dry. When dry, polish with a small amount of
shortening on a paper towel. Buff until glossy.
You can draw or write on the eggs with a light colored or white crayon
before dipping. The drawing will remain white after the egg is dipped. To
clean out mugs, put a little bleach water in the cups and soak for a few
minutes.
GLITTER EGGS - Place 1 tablespoon each of glue and water in a cup. Stir the
mixture and then paint the eggs with it. Sprinkle with glitter. This can
also add sparkle to already dyed eggs!
CREPE PAPER EGGS - Wet a white or dyed egg. Dab torn pieces of colored
tissue paper or pieces of pretty colored napkins on the eggs. When the paper
dries, the paper falls off and leaves the color behind on the egg.
DECOPAGED EGGS - Tear small pieces of wrapping paper, napkins, stickers, or
clip art. Mix equal amounts of glue and water. Paint egg with glue mixture.
Place paper on top and then cover with more glue mixture. Let dry.
SPOTTED EGGS - Place 1 tsp. of cooking oil in dye. Dip the egg. The oil will
cause the dye to make an irregular pattern on the egg.
WAXED EGGS - Dip a portion of the eggs in melted paraffin or candle wax.
Then dip them in the dye. Remove from dye. Dry and peel off the wax. The egg
will be white on one half and colored on the other half. You can also dip in
dye before waxing to get two colors.
*****
Tawra Kellam is the publisher of http://www.LivingOnADime.com/ and is an
expert in frugal living. Tawra and her husband paid off $20,000 debt in 5
years on $22,000 a year income.
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PUBLICATION INFORMATION
Copyright 2007 Cheryl Gochnauer. All rights reserved. For permission to
reprint an article, please write homebodies@comcast.net.
All articles are printed with the author's prior consent. It is assumed that
any questions, tips or replies to questions may be reprinted. All letters
become the property of Cheryl Gochnauer.
Cheryl Gochnauer does not assume responsibility for advice given. All
advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and
applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe
and suitable for their own situation.
Homebodies is a free weekly e-mail newsletter.
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