Mommy Has to Work

5 Important Skills to Teach Your Kids Before They Leave Home

January 26, 2023 By Anne

‍As your kids prepare to leave home, a few skills are essential for them to master to be successful in life. These skills will give them the tools they need to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives. Teaching your children these skills early on will give them the best chance of succeeding in their future endeavors.

Financial Literacy

Learning financial literacy is essential for your children to be successful in life. As soon as your kids are old enough to understand, you should start teaching them about managing their money. Helping your kids establish good financial habits from a young age will set them up for success. Start by teaching your children the basics of budgeting, including how to track their expenses. Make sure they fully understand the value of a dollar by helping them earn their own money, whether by doing chores around the house or by assisting them to get a job when they are old enough.

Cleaning and Laundry

Most of us grew up in a world where housekeeping was a responsibility shared by everyone in the family. This shouldn’t be any different for your children. Age-appropriate household chores help teach kids the ins and outs of maintaining a household and how to properly look after and care for themselves and live respectively around others. Knowing how to clean, use the vacuum, and do laundry, along with any tips and tricks you have picked up through the years, can help them to help you around the house and know how to look after themselves when they leave home.

Cooking

Everyone needs to know how to feed themselves and eat healthily. Part of this is knowing the best foods to eat and what is and isn’t nutritious, and another part is being able to cook. Start by teaching your kids how to cook easy, simple meals, such as following this spaghetti bolognese recipe; then, you can help them expand their skills and help them learn more about why you need to eat certain foods and the benefits of being proficient in the kitchen.

Time Management

Learning how to manage time effectively is important because it allows you to get more done in the same amount of time. This skill is vital in school, work, and in life in general. There are a few ways you can teach your children how to manage their time. You can start by being an example and showing them how you use your time. You can also use planners, apps, and other tools to help you manage your time more effectively. You can also look for lessons and classes to teach your kids how to manage their time better.

Self-Sufficiency

It’s essential that your kids learn to be self-sufficient and not rely on others for help. This is because life is unpredictable, and you never know what might happen. You can teach your children to be self-sufficient by letting them take on some of the everyday household tasks. For example, your younger kids can help feed the family pet or do some light yard work. Older kids can do things like mow the lawn and rake leaves. Kids can also learn to be self-sufficient by taking on household projects. They can learn to do household repairs or basic household tasks like cleaning and laundry.

Conclusion

Teaching your children these skills will help them become the best versions of themselves, and it can help prepare them for the future. These skills are essential for your kids to succeed in their future endeavors and will provide them with the tools they need to achieve their goals. By helping your children develop these skills as children, they will be able to start using them as soon as they leave home.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

4 Ways to Financially Protect Your Family During a Recession

January 24, 2023 By Anne

Discover ways that you can future-proof your finances no matter how the economy changes.

These days, you are likely hearing a lot about a coming recession. For those paying attention, they are taking steps to protect themselves. Being a mom, it can be hard to manage your finances on top of all of your other responsibilities. You are probably wondering exactly how you can best protect your children and your household in the event of an economic slowdown. There are plenty of ways to better save and invest your money, but it’s hard to know where to start. Below is a great starting point for some of the best ways that you can protect yourself and your family financially in the threat of a looming recession.

Step 1: Establish an Emergency Fund

Having money in an accessible account to fall back on is essential in an uncertain economy

You’ll be thankful you started an emergency fund—just in case.

As a mom, it is easy to fear the worst for your family. That is why it is so important to put financial measures in place to make sure your family is never caught in a tough position. The first step you need to take when it comes to planning for a recession is to establish and begin contributing to an emergency fund.

An emergency fund should be an accessible, high-interest account. You should start by looking for an FDIC insured account. These types of accounts allow your money to accumulate interest, while still being accessible enough that you can dip into your emergency fund due to job loss or other unforeseen financial hardships.

It is also important to establish an emergency fund because credit can be hard to come by during a recession. That means, if you are caught in a tough situation without the money to cover lost income, then you may also have a hard time taking out a line of credit as well. In order to avoid having to borrow money at a high interest rate or being denied credit, you should establish an emergency fund.

Step 2: Make Sure You Have a Life Insurance Policy

Having life insurance is essential to protect your children in the future—no matter what happens

Getting life insurance coverage is an important step for any mom.

Part of planning for your financial future is planning for what will happen after you’re or your partner is gone. Not the most fun to think about—but it is super important for your children and other loved ones. One of the great things about purchasing a life insurance policy is that the payout will not change based on the stock market—unlike most other investments.

Life insurance also tends to be very affordable for people who are in good health and on the younger side. For example, if you are in your 20s or 30s, you can secure a cheap term life insurance coverage that will protect your family. Getting affordable term life insurance coverage is the best option for many families because of the cost.

When compared to permanent life insurance, there is a major cost difference. The reason why term life insurance is so affordable is because your policy expires after the duration or “term” is up. After the term, you will lose your coverage—but it is expected that by that point you will have enough savings to provide for your family after you’re gone. Permanent life insurance on the other hand guarantees a payout and some of the accumulated cash value can even be used to cover expenses while you’re alive. Though this is an enticing perk of permanent life insurance, many opt for a cheaper term life insurance policy that offers the same coverage amount.

Step 3: Focus on Long Term Investments

By managing your investments with the future in mind, you can weather the recession

A financial advisor can help you manage your investments.

As the stock market fluctuates, the value of your investments will change. However, you won’t necessarily lose money unless you decide to sell off your stocks and bonds. Because of this, it is best to make sure that you—and your financial advisor, if you have one—are making the right investment decisions.

For example, it is never a good idea to sell when the market is in a recession—unless a specific stock or industry is completely tanking. By holding on to your investments through the ups and downs of the market, you can better strategize to sell when the market is doing well. That way, you can avoid incurring any major losses due to a recession.

As you age and your kids grow up, you will probably want to begin lowering the risk of your investments and making your money as accessible as possible. That way, you won’t be majorly affected by any changes in the economy when you and your children are older.

Step 4: Keep a Diverse Investment Portfolio

By ensuring that no one market can affect your entire portfolio, you are keeping your family financially secure for the future

By making sure your money is in different markets, you can avoid major losses due to recession.

One of the best ways that you can “recession-proof” your finances is by making sure that your investments are diversified and are not strongly correlated. A good example of this is the relationship between stocks and bonds. In general, when the stock market shows signs of instability, the value of bonds will increase. By investing in both, you will keep your portfolio stable when the stock market fluctuates during a recession.

If you aren’t currently invested in stocks and bonds, there are still ways that you can make sure your finances are diversified. For example, if you own your home, that is a real estate investment that can help you stay stable in the event of a recession. On the other hand, should home prices drop, you should also keep money in cash and in your emergency fund to make sure you can weather whatever the economy brings in the future.

As a mom, it can be extremely difficult to manage finances on top of all of the other responsibilities you have as a parent. However, in just a few steps you can future-proof your finances for your family. Whether this article inspired you to get a cheap term life insurance policy or to look into new investment opportunities—you are on the right track. Life can be unpredictable—and so can the economy—but that doesn’t mean you have to be constantly worrying. By using these tips, you can protect yourself and your family from feeling the effects of a recession.

Anne

Essential Components Of A Perfect Birthday Party

January 21, 2023 By Anne

Birthdays are a special time to celebrate, no matter how old you are. Whether it’s a small family gathering or an elaborate party, the key ingredients to making your birthday memorable and fun are having the right people around, good food, and plenty of entertainment. Here are five components that can help make your next birthday party the best one yet.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

1) The Guest List & Invites

Who you invite and how you invite them can set the tone for your entire event. Are you planning an intimate gathering with close friends and family? Or do you want to have an all-out celebration with everyone in your social circle? Think about who is most important to you, and make sure they’re on the guest list! Once the list is finalized, it’s time to send out those invites. Try something unique like a custom video invite or hand-written postcard – this will get people excited for your event before it even begins!

2) The Food & Drinks

No birthday celebration is complete without delicious food and drinks! Think about what kind of cuisine would make sense for how many guests will be attending. Whether it’s finger food or a full-course meal, having eatables available throughout the evening always helps keep the energy high. If possible, try to serve local dishes that fit in with the theme of your party – this adds another level of personalization to your special day! Regarding beverages, always provide non-alcoholic options such as juice or tea in addition to alcoholic ones for those who prefer not to drink alcohol.

3) The Birthday Cake

For many, the birthday cake is the highlight of any celebration! You can either buy a cake from your local bakery, or you can choose to bake your own. Whichever option you choose, make sure the cake looks great and tastes even better! If you decide you want to try and bake your own, you should have a look online for some recipes and tutorials to ensure that yours turns out perfectly. For example, you can learn how to make sacher torte at baking-sense.com. This classic recipe is sure to please, so it’s an excellent choice for any celebration!

4) The Setting

Where you choose to host your birthday festivities will depend on how many guests are attending and what kind of activities you plan on having. Make sure whatever venue you choose has enough space for everyone so everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling cramped. If space isn’t an issue, hosting at home can be ideal as it’s more personal and private. But if there will be many guests or specific activities like karaoke or dancing, renting out a hall may be better suited for your needs.

5) Decorations & Entertainment

You want people talking about this birthday party long after it ends, so think about adding decorations that reflect yourself personally or some creative theme like Under The Sea. Balloons, banners, etcetera all add color and vibrancy, which gives off a festive atmosphere! Music is also essential – whether it’s playing classic tunes from yesteryear or today’s top hits, having music playing throughout the night keeps everyone grooving!

In conclusion, if you want to make sure your birthday celebration is one to remember, start planning early and pay attention to the five components listed above. With careful thought and preparation, you will be able to throw a party that everyone will be talking about for years to come!

Anne

The Best Ways to Make Exciting Meals with Chicken

January 21, 2023 By Anne

Image from Pexels – CC0 License

Let’s face it, chicken isn’t always the most flavorful of meats. It can even be pretty bland compared to some other options. However, the relatively mild taste of chicken also means that it’s perfect for taking on all kinds of flavors. You can cook it in many different ways, giving it new textures and flavors. Cuisines from around the world use chicken, so you can find inspiration from just about anywhere you can think of. Whether you like it spicy, buttery, or served up with plenty of vegetables, you can make chicken a whole lot more interesting if you’re willing to explore some different ways of cooking it.

Marinate It

One of the best ways to get lots of flavor into meat is to marinate it. A marinade will slowly infuse your chicken with flavors so that, when it’s time to cook it, it will taste delicious. After marinating, you can grill your chicken, bake it, fry it, or do whatever you feel like doing. There are so many different options for marinades too, so you can choose whatever flavors you like. You could opt for some Asian flavors, some classic BBQ, some Mexican spices, Italian seasonings, or whatever you feel like having.

Image from Pexels – CC0 License

Roast It

Roasting a whole chicken is a really economical way to cook with chicken. Once your chicken is roasted, you can use different parts of it for different meals. Start off by serving slices of the breast with roasted vegetables and other sides. Then use the leftovers for whatever you feel like, whether it’s a curry, burritos, stir-fry, or anything else that calls for shredded chicken. You can roast your chicken with plenty of different flavors, from simple rosemary and garlic with salt and pepper to some more spices or other seasonings. You can even use the bones to make a stock.

Bread or Batter It

If you want to give a different texture to your chicken, adding a bread crumb or batter could be the way to do it. These are typically added before frying, but you can also bake for a low-fat alternative. You could make a perfect breaded paillard chicken, some Southern-fried chicken, or maybe some sweet and sour chicken or General Tso’s chicken. Whether you choose to bread or batter your chicken, you can add whatever flavors you like to create a delicious coating. Just make sure you take the right steps to get it to stick.

Image from Pexels – CC0 License

Fry It

Instead of deep-frying your chicken in oil, consider sauteeing or stir-frying it. This gives you a huge range of options, from fajitas or tortillas to chicken fried rice. By frying things on the stovetop, you can add whatever seasoning or flavors you want. Just be careful not to overcook it, because it can easily end up dry if you’re not careful. Your pan should be hot, and you should cook it for as short a time as you can while ensuring it’s cooked through.

Chicken is incredibly versatile and goes well with so many different flavors. You can do what you like with it and create some delicious meals.

Anne

4 Ways to Make the Food You Cook, Taste Amazing

January 21, 2023 By Anne

Flavour and seasoning are often overlooked when it comes to recipes. That being said, they are an essential part of cooking. This is especially the case if you have some fussy eaters in your family. So, how are you meant to know how to add flavour, if you have never been shown? Find out here.

Learn how to Taste

A lot of people have no idea what they are tasting for. When they do taste, if it’s a little flat they end up adding more salt. If this sounds familiar then you need to remember that when the areas of the mouth are stimulated, your food will taste far more balanced. If one area of your mouth isn’t stimulated then food can taste too salty, sweet or fatty. If you think about French fries then you may normally add salt, which is fine. When you add vinegar, and then dip it in ketchup, you will be ticking all of the flavour profiles of salt, fat, sour and sweet. It’s all about balance, and when you are able to take this approach and taste your food properly, you will soon find that you see way bigger improvements in your cooking. If you want something to experiment with then find a great recipe on smoking a whole chicken at jerkyholic.com.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Always Finish with Acid

Lime juice, lemon juice, wine or vinegar are all very good options here. If you can add some freshness to the dish then this will lift the flavours and it will also cut through some of the heaviness, or the fat. A lot of people are used to seeing a lemon wedge on their dinner if they are having fish but don’t think about using acid for other meals. Acid is great at transforming vegetables and if you add this, along with some salt and butter then you will see a huge improvement in your cooking.

Mix up Textures where Possible

The way that you taste your food isn’t at all limited to the flavours that you have. At the end of the day, the texture of what you eat is very important. Just make sure that your meal contains a lot of textures, whether it is crisp, soft or crunchy. You also need to try and mix various textures by trying to layer your bowl. If you can do this then you will soon find that things work in your favour. Top your meals with toasted seeds if you want a crunch or drizzle some yoghurt on top of things if you want that mouthfeel.

Don’t Limit your Dressings

Why not make your own dressing? Homemade dressings are very quick to make and they are also very low in sugar and salt. Don’t limit them to salads though. You can also add them to vegetables, stews, soups and more. If you can do this then you will find that you can get the best result out of your cooking experience and you can also get more flavour too.