Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
These posts are a deviation from my normal health and wellness articles, but contain tips and strategies to help you manage & organize your busy life.
Whether because of a global pandemic, a tough year, or time just slipped away, sometimes the holidays sneak up on us and bring with them lots of stress! Years ago I started to simplify and plan holidays ahead of time so I would be less stressed out and I’m so glad I did! Simplifying the …
Is doing an art project your worst nightmare? Are the supplies tossed all over the house making it difficult to even pull together the right supplies? Do you dream of a self-contained solution? Having a few creative art supplies available anytime can keep that toddler busy, allow the budding artist to thrive, or the advanced …
Wow… what a crazy 525,600 minutes this year has been! For many of us, the intense challenges of 2020 have been a rollercoaster, a teacher, a frustration, and a very very long 12 months. While it’s tempting to skip over this look back at 2020 altogether, I know I learned many valuable lessons and I …
Let’s see if any of these questions ring a bell: Are you instantly overwhelmed by the sheer number of items on your to-do list? Are to-dos and appointments slipping through the cracks? Are you a mom wearing many hats, always struggling to keep yourself pointed in the right direction? Do you have a fair amount …
I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard the phrase, “I don’t know how you do it all with six kids!” And the secret is…. I don’t. At least not all of it. And certainly not all the time. That’s been one of the many lessons that motherhood has taught me and it led …
I’ve mentioned several times on my podcast that my husband and I have created a business incubator of sorts for our children. It’s a mini Shark Tank model that we will use to teach them business skills and life lessons during their high-school years. It’s easier to do this since we homeschool, and they’ll finish …
I’ll admit — I am not naturally a morning person and if I didn’t have a family to take care of, my morning routine would probably look something like this: Wake up when I feel like it, shower (alone without kids asking for breakfast), take supplements, drink coffee, go for a walk, eat breakfast, then …
You may have noticed that WellnessMama.com recently got a slight website redesign this past week. I seriously dislike updating and redesigning, as the process always takes longer, costs more, and is even more mentally exhausting than expected. One of the things I’ve learned since 2006 (when I first started blogging) is that I’d almost rather …
I must admit… when the capsule wardrobe trend took over Pinterest, I was mostly uninterested. As a mom, I based my wardrobe much more on function and flexibility. Times like pregnancy and nursing required certain types of clothes and limited my options. Then, I discovered the concept of a kids’ capsule wardrobe. Freedom from endless laundry, …
I remember seeing a series of photos of people in what should have been some of the most important moments of their lives (like wedding days, holding new babies, etc.). Instead, they were all on their phones. Not enjoying the moment, not talking to each other, but looking at phones. From a less dramatic perspective, I’ve …
As a homeschooling mom and small business owner, I know what it’s like to be busy. You probably do too. Between kids’ events and activities, work, and keeping up with household responsibilities, moms have a lot of plates spinning. (I know, newsflash of the year.) I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling like house cleaning …
Meal planning makes a big difference when it comes to sticking to a dietary change. It’s easy to cook a quick convenience food or head to a restaurant when everyone is hungry and nothing is defrosted, but a little planning can prevent this! If you have kids, you can let them be involved in the …
Often the problem isn’t wanting to change, or even taking the first step. The hardest part is finding a way to stay motivated once our initial enthusiasm wears off or we encounter setbacks. This is one reason so many of us struggle with keeping New Year’s resolutions! I’m no motivation guru and I’ve definitely had many …
Let’s face it, while the movies portray images of happy families laughing around the kitchen table or in front of the fireplace during the Christmas season, often moms end up more stressed out and busier than ever. I know I fall into the trap, and each year I have to try again to stay focused on …
“How do I do it all…” This is a common question I get, and while my husband and I certainly don’t claim to have mastered this art, we’ve discovered a few tips along the way that really help. The life of an entrepreneur is often busy and stressful, and the life of a parent is …
You all probably know by now that we homeschool (yes, I’m one of those) and I’m often asked about my favorite homeschooling resources. Our homeschooling set-up evolves year to year as the kids get older, and now that I have kids ranging from toddlers to middle schoolers, I’ve been using several online tools that my …
Finding low-clutter toys is a great way to reduce the overwhelming stuff in the house. But any parent will tell you… one thing that can get out of control quickly (but I can’t just toss out) is children’s art. It’s beautiful and important — but it’s everywhere! Art that’s not displayed isn’t being enjoyed, so …
I think I’ve finally arrived at the point in life where I can say … we are minimalists. (And yes, a minimalist family of eight that homeschools.) What does this mean exactly? It doesn’t mean we live in a stark white house (although I would love that!) and it doesn’t mean I threw out all …
Home organization is not my strong suit. To say the least. It is something I’ve had to work on daily to get good at, and something I’m still working on. I’d say that cleaning and organization don’t come naturally to me and they are things I will probably work on improving my whole life. How …
Whether it’s taking a day off from technology or writing thank you notes, reconnecting to traditional forms of communication has been shown (scientifically!) as an excellent means for improving our health and well-being. Handwritten notes are also a way of connecting on a more authentic level. Let’s be honest, when I find a handwritten letter …
With six kids, I’ve done my fair share of seasonal clothing changes and wardrobe organization. Without fail, the youngest kids are the toughest when it comes to clothes. I switched all of our kids to a capsule wardrobe system, but switching to a baby capsule wardrobe was by far the toughest. Baby Capsule Wardrobe … Is …
We recently switched to capsule wardrobes for our kids and will never look back! This minimalist wardrobe method has greatly simplified our lives. We love it and our kids love it too! (Specifics on all of the items we chose at the bottom of the post.) Here’s why I’m so excited! What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? …
I love the adventurous nature of children … what adventure does to their clothing though, not so much. All of my kids love to climb trees, fences, and anything else that’s around, but somehow it is always the boys’ clothing that ends up with the holes and stains. When we made the switch to basic …
I use mason jars for just about everything. You’ll find jars with homemade kombucha in my fridge, and jars with sprouts growing on my counter. They’re sturdy, non-toxic, and versatile containers, making them perfect for the kitchen. Expand your mason jar horizons with these 25 unique ideas for mason jars. 1. Soap Dispensers Turn your …
