tips Archives - Freelance Mompreneur

Stay Inspired – 7 Tips for Finding Blog and Passive Income Ideas in Your Daily Routine

I can’t count how many times I’ve procrastinated on writing a post because I couldn’t come up with a topic. It’s not that I don’t have plenty to say. It’s more like I have too much and can’t narrow it down.

Blogging inspiration comes to me all the time. I have hundreds of random ideas strewn about in chaos. Notebooks, Google Docs, half-filled planners, Post-its, digital notes – ideas are everywhere! Except posted on my blogs getting read.

Being organized hasn’t come easy to me. I’ve been better since 2022, starting with using business plans, keyword research, and brain dumps to have a list of topics to pull from for my blogs. And yet I still post sporadically.

Here’s how I keep coming up with ideas for blog posts and to use for passive income ideas, like my daily doggie care planner and homemade dog food recipe book. And my two new product ideas – homemade cleaning products and DIY doggie toys.

Turning Hobbies and Interests into Blog Ideas and Passive Income Products

As a work-from-home small business owner, it’s important to find ways to create content and products that are both profitable and enjoyable to create.

One way to do this is to tap into your passions and interests. If you have hobbies or interests you’re passionate about, why not share that passion with others through your blog or passive income products?

One of the best ways to turn your hobbies and interests into content is to write about what you love.

Whether it’s a specific craft, a sport, or a type of food, sharing your personal experiences and tips can be a great way to engage with your audience. By creating blog posts sharing your passion and expertise, you can build a loyal following that will keep returning for more.

In addition to creating content, you can also monetize your hobbies and interests by creating passive income products.

For example, if you’re an expert in a particular hobby, you could create an ebook or online course that teaches others how to get started. By leveraging your knowledge and experience, you can create profitable and valuable products for your audience.

Another way to turn your hobbies and interests into profitable content and products is to collaborate with other hobbyists. Whether through guest posting, joint products, or simply networking, working with others in your community can help you reach a wider audience.

And create more engaging and informative content. Plus, working with others who share your interests can be a lot of fun!

Finally, don’t be afraid to share your process with your audience. If you create physical products related to your hobbies, consider sharing your process with your followers. By showing them how you create your products, you can build a connection with your audience and give them a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process. This can be a great way to build trust and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Unique Products and Services in Your Community to Blog About or Sell

As a work from home freelance entrepreneur, it can be challenging to find unique products and services to blog about or sell. But with a little creativity and research, you can find hidden gems right in your own community! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

One option is to focus on local artisans and crafters. Many communities have talented artists and craftspeople who create unique and beautiful products, from handmade pottery to jewelry to home decor.

By highlighting these creators and their products on your blog or in your online shop, you can help to support local businesses while also offering something truly unique to your audience. And it’s always good to shop local! And when you promote them, they often return the favor. A lil quid pro quo between small biz owners.

Another idea is to focus on local foods and beverages. Whether it’s a beloved neighborhood restaurant, a local brewery, or a farmers market specializing in artisanal cheeses, there are plenty of delicious and distinctive foods and drinks to explore in your community.

By sharing your favorite spots and products with your audience, you can offer them a taste of your town while also supporting local businesses. Or start your own food-related business – for people or dogs (a major income opportunity).

Get your copy at Amazon today! Image credit: Sarandipity’s

If you’re looking for a more service-based approach, consider highlighting unique experiences and activities in your area. From outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking to cultural events like concerts and art exhibits, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind experiences to be had in most communities.

By sharing your personal experiences and tips, you can help your audience discover new things to do and see in their own backyards. You can even get in on promotions and discounts for helping promote the businesses.

Finally, don’t forget about the power of collaboration. By working with other local entrepreneurs and creatives, you can create products and content that are truly unique and memorable. Whether it’s a joint product or a collaborative blog post, teaming up with others in your community can help you reach new audiences and create something truly special. Join a bundle or a blog tour!

Message me for guest post opportunities! Image credit: Sarandipity’s

There are plenty of unique products and services to be found in your own community, whether you’re looking to blog about them or sell them for passive income. By getting creative and doing some research, you can uncover hidden gems and support local businesses while offering something truly special to your audience.

Solving Personal Challenges and Inspiring Content Ideas for Passive Income

As a work-from-home entrepreneur, personal challenges can often be a source of inspiration for your blog or passive income products. Here are a few ways to turn your struggles into content ideas that can resonate with your audience:

First, consider sharing your personal journey with a particular challenge. Whether it’s overcoming anxiety, managing your time more effectively, or learning a new skill, sharing your experiences and tips can help others who may be facing similar challenges. By being vulnerable and authentic, you can create content that is relatable and inspiring.

Another option is to offer solutions and strategies for overcoming common challenges. This could include sharing your favorite productivity tools, offering advice on improving your mental health, or providing resources for learning new skills. By offering practical tips and insights, you can create content that is both helpful and actionable.

If you’re looking for a more creative approach, consider using personal challenges as a jumping-off point for storytelling and creative expression. For example, you could write a personal essay or poem about your struggles.

Or create an art piece that explores the emotions and experiences associated with a particular challenge. By using your creativity to explore and process your challenges, you can create content that is both cathartic and inspiring. I write a blog dedicated to music as my creative outlet. It doesn’t get many views and isn’t profitable but I still try to add content sporadically.

Finally, don’t forget about community engagement. Creating content that encourages dialogue and connection can build a community of like-minded individuals who can support each other through their challenges. This could include hosting virtual events, creating social media groups, or offering coaching or mentoring services. By fostering a sense of connection and support, you can create truly impactful and meaningful content.

Personal challenges can be a valuable source of inspiration for your blog or passive income products. By sharing your personal journey, offering solutions and strategies, using creative expression, and building community, you can create content that is both authentic and inspiring. So don’t be afraid to embrace your challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth and creativity!

Staying Ahead of Industry Trends for Blogging and Passive Income Success

As a work-from-home solopreneur, it’s important to stay ahead of industry trends if you want to achieve blogging and passive income success. By keeping up with the latest developments in your industry, you can create content and products that are relevant and appealing to your audience. Here are a few tips for staying on top of industry trends:

First, ensure you’re following the right sources of information. This could include industry publications, social media influencers, podcasts, and online forums. By staying connected to these sources, you stay up-to-date on the latest trends, insights, and news.

Another strategy is to attend industry events and conferences. These events can provide valuable networking opportunities and a chance to learn about new products, services, and strategies. Plus, they can be a great source of inspiration and motivation!

If you’re short on time, you can also consider outsourcing your research to a virtual assistant or content strategist. These professionals can help you identify industry trends and create content that is optimized for your audience. Plus, they can help you stay organized and on track with your content strategy.

Finally, don’t forget about the power of experimentation. While it’s important to stay on top of industry trends, it’s also important to test out new ideas and strategies to see what works best for your audience. This could include experimenting with different content formats, testing out new products or services, or trying out new marketing strategies.

So don’t be afraid to stay curious, open-minded, and ahead of the game!

Engaging with Your Audience to Create Content and Passive Income Products.

As a work-from-home entrepreneur, engaging with your audience is essential if you want to create content and passive income products that resonate with them. Here are a few tips for building strong connections with your audience:

First, make sure you’re listening to your audience. Whether it’s through social media comments, email responses, or survey results, pay attention to what your audience is saying. This will help you identify their needs and pain points, and create content and products that solve those problems.

Second, be authentic and transparent in your communication. Share your personal experiences, struggles, and victories with your audience. This will help you build trust and rapport with them, and make them more likely to engage with your content and products.

Third, encourage user-generated content. Ask your audience to share their own stories, experiences, and feedback with you. This not only helps you better understand your audience but also creates a sense of community and belonging among your followers.

Finally, offer value and incentives for engagement. This could include exclusive content, discounts on products or services, or even just a simple shout-out or thank you. By rewarding your audience for engaging with you, you’ll create a positive cycle of interaction and engagement.

I like to say thanks by offering freebies! Like the thousands of dollars in free resources and tools I provide in my email list. Signing up today gets you this personalized printable family calendar that you can use for personal or commercial use.

Your Life is Full of Ways to Make Money – Use Them!

One of the first tips I give aspiring business owners and freelancers is about using daily routines for blog content. Daily life inspiration for blogging is a great way for staying creative for passive income success.

I’ve written previously about hobby-based passive income products and finding niche ideas in your daily life, like making money from the seasons. Try using these blogging tips for inspiration from daily life to build your business. And monetizing personal challenges through blogging is another way for staying creative for passive income success.

Check out more career advice on this topic on my blog Sara Trimble Freelancing.

5 Tips for Small Business Owners to Avoid Burnout

As a mom of multiple kids of multiple species, I’m used to feeling exhausted, lost, and confused. And as a writer, I’m used to experiencing overwork, blank page syndrome, and a stubborn muse.

But when you’re a business owner, you don’t have the luxury to call into work at the last minute, or skip making something, or ignoring your clients. Doing any of that would result in zero clients and no money! As a business owner, your entire goal is to get customers – paying––that want to buy what you offer.

There are unique challenges for being a work from home business owner compared to a brick and mortar business. It can get lonely when you’re a solopreneur, leading many to seek like-minded business owners on social media. And for most of us, we end up sucked into the black hole that is animal videos, hilarious memes, and life hacks that make us feel xennial and Gen-X folks feel like dumbasses!

5 Tips to Prevent Small Business Burnout

Tip 1: Prioritize Self-Care:

As a small business owner, getting caught up in the day-to-day demands of running your business is easy. However, neglecting your own needs can quickly lead to burnout. That’s why it’s important to prioritize self-care. This means taking time for yourself to do things that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy.

By making self-care a priority, you’ll be better able to handle the stresses and demands of running a business.

Tip 2: Set Boundaries

It’s important to set boundaries between work and personal time to avoid burnout. This might mean creating a schedule for yourself and sticking to it, avoiding work-related tasks during certain hours of the day, or taking breaks throughout the day to give yourself time to recharge.

By setting boundaries, you’ll be better able to manage your time and avoid overworking yourself.

Tip 3: Delegate Tasks

As a small business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything on your own. However, delegating tasks to others can help lighten your workload and free up time for you to focus on other aspects of your business or personal life.

Consider hiring additional staff, outsourcing certain tasks, or even asking friends and family for help when needed. By delegating tasks, you’ll be able to focus on the things that matter most to you.

Tip 4: Take Time Off:

It’s essential to take time off from work to prevent burnout. This could mean taking a vacation, taking a long weekend, or simply taking a day off to recharge.

By taking time away from work, you’ll be able to come back refreshed and better able to handle the demands of your business. It’s important to remember that taking time off is not a sign of weakness, but rather a necessary part of maintaining your mental and physical health.

Tip 5: Seek Support:

Running a small business can be challenging and lonely at times. That’s why it’s important to seek support from others who understand what you’re going through.

This might mean joining a business networking group, finding a mentor, or even seeking out a therapist or counselor if needed. Having a support system in place can help you stay motivated and avoid burnout.

Prevent Your Small Business From Slowing Down Due to Burnout

In summary, by prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, delegating tasks, taking time off, and seeking support, small business owners can avoid burnout and maintain their motivation and passion for their work. It’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is not only essential for your own well-being, but also for the success of your business.

Battling the Mid-Summer Blues While Surviving Summer for WFH Mompreneurs

Hey there, fellow busy mompreneurs and dadpreneurs! Can you believe it? Another school year looms ahead while summer is in full swing, and our little people are growing up right before our eyes.

As a mother, this time of year always brings a mixed bag of emotions. This year, more than most; my firstborn graduated from high school. Come August, our three remaining children start senior year (last year of high school), 8th grade (last year of middle school), and 5th grade (last year of elementary school).

But before I reach that point, I’ve got to survive summer as a work-from-home mompreneur. It can be exhausting to juggle the work day of work-from-home moms with the unique challenges of keeping kids of all ages occupied for the entire summer.

No doubt, you want to reduce the hours you work so you can spend more time with your children while they’re out of school. But you also want to keep your kids entertained and educated during the times that you have to work.

And you don’t want to have to take on the extra cost of childcare options like daycare, babysitters, nannies, or out-of-home care.

As a mom of four, with older children and young kids spaced out aged 18 to 10, boys and girls, I’m all about having a light work schedule that allows me to make maximum income without taking on a new job. The secret to making a lot of money during the summer months without a lot of work time? Passive income!

My Five Favorite Tips for Small Business Owner Work-from-Home Moms During Summer Break and Back to School Madness

As most schools around the country are gearing toward the end of summer vacation, many work-at-home moms are floundering to create a plan that incorporates the important tasks for their work schedule with the final days of fun for a personal life.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve delayed doing something with my kids, saying there’s always next year. Only here it is, 2023, and I’ve got older boys who aren’t as interested in doing things the girls like. Take it from this blended mom – love your little boys while they’re young! They grow up faster than the girls and want distance sooner. 😭

I learned a valuable lesson from years of being a single mom struggling to raise my kids with little income and no free time to figure out how to make things better.

Want to know the secret?

Use the events of your everyday life to make money. Here are five great ideas for helping WFH Mompreneurs survive summer break and the madness of back to school.

So, here are five great ideas for helping busy moms balance the day-to-day tasks of their online business with the daily tasks of a full-time stay-at-home mom with kids on summer vacation.

1. Use Affiliate Marketing for Creating Passive Income

For years, I’ve been into making money effortlessly—earning cash without putting in too much effort. The cool thing about this method is that once you’ve created a product, you’re pretty much set and don’t have to worry much about it anymore.

One way to make money with ease is through affiliate links. As an affiliate, you simply recommend a brand or product to others, and if they make a purchase, you earn a commission. Now, there are plenty of shady and untrustworthy places out there, but if you choose the right programs, it can be a legit way to boost your income. The best part? You don’t need to invest a lot of time to keep the money flowing in.

My favorite way to promote affiliate links is with blog posts. You can promote these posts through social media to get further reach. It’s a great way to ease the parental guilt of spending too much time on your favorite social sites.

Need help getting attention to your blog? Or want to explore guest blogging? Contact me for opportunities!

2. Add an E-Commerce Store Launch to Your To-Do List for Extra Income

So, there’s this other way I found to make some extra cash for your small business without having to work too hard every day. It’s all about having your own e-commerce store. Right now, I’m handling an Etsy online store and a WooCommerce store on my website.

When I first considered selling digital products through online stores, I was totally overwhelmed. The whole process seemed so complicated and scary.

So, for a few months after opening my stores, I kept them empty with no products. But then, one day, I couldn’t resist the FOMO (fear of missing out) anymore. I realized that if I didn’t showcase my products, I wouldn’t make any sales at all.

I must admit, I was super worried about my state of mind and I had major imposter syndrome and felt overwhelmed. But when I finally took the leap and gave it a try, it turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve made for my small business.

If you need help kickstarting your online store, I invite you to join my Free 7-Day Stock Your Store Challenge, launching on October 1st.

Keep in mind that later on, the challenge will become a paid service. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to start your own online business with 100 products in just one week!

3. Help Your Kids Develop a Sense of Creative Pride and Business Entrepreneurship

As a small business owner, I’ve realized that educating our kids about crucial business know-how is never too soon.

Chill, child labor law crazies! No violations here!

We’re all about finding quick and easy ways for them to earn money without sacrificing too much time or effort for each project.

I’ve discovered that encouraging my kids to come up with their own products to sell helps them develop a strong sense of character and teaches them the value of earning money through their ideas and hard work.

Additionally, it’s a wonderful opportunity for quality time with each child and enjoyable family moments during group meetings and projects. By instilling self-reliance in your children from an early age, you can reduce the likelihood of them having to settle for lower-paying jobs like our oldest son did when he worked for less than minimum wage at a grocery store.

Some fun things that your kids (including young children) can do to start making money before they’re even old enough to have an official job include:

Painted rocks
Custom stepping tiles
Custom floor tiles
Wall art
Kid’s books
Recipe books
Friendship bracelets
Custom Jewelry
Paracord accessories

4. Become a Published Expert in Your Chosen Comfort Zone

With the growing popularity of AI writing tools like Jasper (get 10,000 bonus words for free by signing up with this link!), Copy.AI (sign up for your free account), Chat GPT, Bertha (free words or images), and Rytr (try for free!), many people have started experiencing the fear that freelance writing jobs are becoming irrelevant.

I’m quite happy to say that I don’t see that trend coming true anytime soon. As a busy mompreneur that has yet to onboard virtual assistants to handle the millions of business tasks, I’ve used AI several times throughout the past year.

It’s a great way to keep organized and stay on top of your work. But it’s not a quick fix. You still have to tweak things to your specific voice, niche, and clientele. Knowing the needs and pain points of your clients can help you create the perfect products that your customers can’t resist buying.

What I’ve realized over the last six months is that even if ten different entrepreneurs use the same exact items – PLR (private label rights), graphics bundles, and AI chat tools – our unique viewpoints and life experiences can help us create completely unique pieces that appeal to totally different customers.

I’ve learned that using your unique viewpoint and skills can be the easiest way to develop a good book full of great tips that help your clients take the first step to start their own home-based business. There are plenty of places to sell your digital books, including Amazon KDP. Not ready to start with books? Go small, with a mom blog.

Be sure to follow my mom lifestyle blog for real-life stories from the trenches of a no-guilt IDGAF Xennial Mom.

Need help figuring out who your perfect customer is and what they want from you? Grab your dream client template on sale with the coupon BIZBEGINNER.

5. Make Simple Money with Summer Camps and Vacations

If you have a large home and you don’t mind catering to visitors, you can make a substantial income by hosting a summer camp. However, there are regulations for this, such as having the proper insurance policy, safety protocols like background checks, classes and courses, and licensing.

Summer camps can be a great way to involve your older kids in a summer job without them having to leave the house. And it can help them develop important life skills that they can use for future endeavors while teaching crucial personal needs skills.

You often also have to have your home inspected and approved to be safe for children to be present. Not into having kids at your home? Look into hosting public readings at your local library, giving you a great opportunity to promote any products you may create for kids.

Need kid activity products? Grab this Survive Summer as a Mompreneur bundle full of activities to keep your kids busy with quiet time while cutting down on screen time.

Have younger kids that you want to teach business and work ethics with hands-on experience? Assigning your kids with simple daily chores, like a load of laundry, tidying up a living room, keeping quiet during the younger siblings’ nap time or when you schedule calls, and helping with meal plan prep are easy ways to start.

Interested in a planner that can maximize time management of your family’s schedule? Grab my extensive life management planner on sale until 5/31 using code CONTAINTHECHAOS. Now is a great time to plan your entire year with ease to have a better time this summer. The two best times to get your life organized are yesterday and now.

Need some school-themed activities to keep your kids occupied and educated? Check out some of my favorite products:

Homeschool Panner and Posters (Canva Templates)
Mushroom themed Homeschool Planner (Canva Templates)
Kids Printable Themes and Templates
PLR Cook Jar Membership 2023 (Try a Freebie here)
Complete Blogger Template Toolkit
The Bundle Profit Pack
Affiliate Marketing Superstars Course
Digital Product Starter Kit

Use These Five Ways to Survive Summer When You Work From Home

If the last five years have taught us anything, it’s that there are dozens of ways to make money from home without having to devote extra time out of your day to your efforts. I love using the season of life to create new ideas for work from home jobs. Incorporating passive income has been a blessing, allowing me to earn money without having to work, like during a road trip or a kid’s swim lessons. There are plenty of ways to earn money minus the obstacle course hassle of phone calls, Monday morning traffic jams, and nervous deep breaths before corporate board meetings.

Cut the stress of traditional work by investing full force in your work-from-home opportunities. And set your kids up for future success by teaching them of hard work and product creation from a young age. Once you learn how to start spotting income opportunities, it becomes easy peasy to develop future ideas.

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I include information about free and paid summits, masterclasses, bundles, challenges, products, and memberships every week.

Use Affiliate Marketing for Creating Passive Income

For years, I’ve been into making passive income – earning money without doing much work. The cool thing about passive income is that once you create a product, you’re basically done. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.

Affiliate links are a super easy way to make money without putting in a lot of effort. Basically, you recommend a brand or product to people, and if they buy it, you get a cut of the profits. Of course, there are some shady places out there that you want to avoid. But if you join the right programs, it can be a legit way to make some extra cash. The best part is that you don’t have to spend a ton of time to keep earning money.

Personally, I love promoting affiliate links through blog posts. It’s a great way to get the word out, and you can also share the links on social media to reach an even bigger audience. Plus, it’s a nice way to justify spending all that time on your favorite social sites.

Need help promoting your blog or want to try guest blogging? Hit me up for some awesome opportunities!

How to Keep Kids Busy During Summer for WFHM

As a work-at-home mom, keeping your kids engaged and entertained can be challenging while you focus on your work. Summertime can be an especially challenging time for a work-from-home parent juggling a full-time job while having young children home full time.

To keep up with a regular work schedule while having young kids around, I’ve come up with the best ways for work-at-home moms to keep younger children occupied throughout their work day. And I also have tips for free time activities for older children. Fill your to-do list with fun activities for the whole family without ruining your work time for a memorable summer.

Tips for the Working Mom to Keep Kids Busy

If you want to keep your regular work hours while your kids are home for the summer, it’s a great idea to get things in order and establish systems.

As a 20-year veteran of working from home, I’ve discovered several helpful tips for planning kid activities that can help keep them busy while you work.

Create a Daily Schedule

Developing a daily schedule is a great option for helping establish a routine for your children. It gives them a sense of structure and predictability, reducing anxiety and making them feel more secure.

Include specific time slots for work, breaks, meals, social time, and activities with your kids. This way, they know when to expect your undivided attention and when they should engage in independent activities.

For school-aged children, dedicating quiet activity time is an excellent way to create set times for educational activities. By implementing a daily schedule, you can provide your children with a reliable framework for their day-to-day activities. It helps them develop a sense of discipline and responsibility, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Moreover, having designated time slots for individual tasks allows your children to focus and concentrate more effectively. This improves their productivity and helps them achieve better results in their educational endeavors.

Additionally, the inclusion of social time helps foster connections and friendships, promoting social and emotional development. Overall, a well-structured daily schedule not only provides stability but also encourages growth and self-improvement for your children.

Get this Daily Schedule for signing up for my email list.

Set Up a Designated Workspace

Designating a specific area for your children to engage in independent activities while you work nearby is important. This area should be well-stocked with age-appropriate materials to keep them engaged.

Include books, puzzles, coloring books, art supplies, board games, building blocks, or any other toys or activities that your children enjoy. Train sets, sidewalk chalk, watercolor books, and materials for art projects like pipe cleaners, paper airplanes made from a piece of paper, and sensory bins are some favorite toys for younger kids.

To ensure a rich and stimulating environment for your children, you could consider adding additional items to the designated play area. Some suggestions include educational toys like sorting and stacking games, musical instruments such as xylophones or tambourines, storytelling props like finger puppets, and science kits for hands-on experiments.

Furthermore, you might also want to include interactive technology tools like tablets or educational apps, which can provide educational opportunities while your children have fun.

Additionally, consider including outdoor play equipment like swings, slides, or a small trampoline to encourage physical activity and exploration. Remember that the purpose of this space is to allow your children to explore their interests and develop their creativity.

By expanding the range of materials and activities available, you can further facilitate their cognitive and physical development, while also fostering a love for learning and independent play.

Encourage Independent Play

Independent play is crucial for your child’s development as it fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-reliance. It provides them with an opportunity to explore their own ideas and interests, develop their imagination, and learn how to entertain themselves.

Encourage your children to engage in independent play by providing them with open-ended toys and materials that allow for limitless possibilities. These can include building blocks, dollhouses, play kitchens, art supplies, or even simple household items such as a large cardboard box that can be transformed into forts or imaginative play props.

By engaging in independent play, your child will gain the skills and confidence necessary for their growth and development. So, make sure to create an environment that promotes independent play and encourage your child to unleash their creativity and curiosity!

Provide Supplies for Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts activities can keep your kids engaged for hours. Set up a designated craft station with various materials like paper, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, stickers, and glitter. You can use common household items for creative ways for a homeschool mom to do science projects and DIY crafts that your kids can sell to make their own money.

You can provide them with specific craft project ideas or let them explore their own creativity. Popular crafts can include drawing, painting, collage-making, origami, or even simple sewing projects depending on their age and interests. Cardboard boxes can hold craft materials or serve as a base for making projects.

Include Educational Games and Apps

Educational games and apps can be both fun and educational for your kids. Look for age-appropriate apps that focus on subjects like math, reading, science, or problem-solving skills. ABC Mouse is a great resource for young kids. Prodigy is a good resource for older kids. CreativeBug is a great resource for home mom job ideas and high school kids looking for fun ideas to do.

SkillShare is a great opportunity to learn new skills that can turn into a new remote job. For first-time sign-ups, you can try SkillShare for free!

These apps often incorporate interactive elements, making learning engaging and enjoyable. However, it’s important to ensure that screen time is balanced and you supervise their usage to maintain appropriate content and duration.

Need some educational printable activities? Check out some of my favorites for younger kids:

Take a Break and Enjoy Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities provide opportunities for physical exercise, fresh air, and exploration. Take breaks during the day to engage in outdoor play throughout your summer vacation.

This could include going for walks, visiting local parks for play dates, riding bikes, playing catch, or engaging in backyard activities like gardening or setting up a small obstacle course.

Outdoor play helps children burn off energy, improve their mood, and promote healthy physical development. You can also teach your kids about doing something good for others by getting involved in a community service project.

Some days, the best time for me to work is when we’re hanging out at the park. It can be hard to get much work done when you’re stuck in the same environment on a regular basis. Freelancing is the perfect job to enjoy summer break without interfering with my income source.

Encourage Quiet Time for Reading Time

Reading is a fantastic way to engage your children’s imagination and foster a love for books. Set aside dedicated reading times where you and your children can enjoy books together. You can often find summer programs at your local library for little kids.

On a given day, you can spend your time working in a new setting while your little person enjoys exploring new worlds through books. I love to listen to audio books while I’m working on a new thing.

Choose age-appropriate books that align with their interests and reading level. You can also create a cozy reading nook with comfortable pillows, blankets, and a small bookshelf to make the experience more enjoyable. Track your kid’s reading progress with this printable reading log.

Get your copy for only $0.99 for a limited time only!

And grab these bookmarks for only $0.99 to inspire your kids to read while giving them a fun coloring activity.

Engage in Pretend Play

Pretend play allows children to develop their creativity, social skills, and problem-solving abilities. Provide them with costumes, props, and accessories to encourage imaginative play. It can be even more fun and interactive – plus occupy extra time that you can use for working or relaxing – for them to do their own work to make props and costumes.

They can create their own stories, act out different roles, and engage in make-believe scenarios. This type of play helps develop their language skills, emotional intelligence, and cognitive abilities.

As a side note, if your kid makes up their own story, you have a great opportunity to start their freelancing career as a published author early.

Teach Your Kid Cooking and Baking

Involving your children in simple cooking or baking activities can be a fun and educational experience. Assign them age-appropriate tasks like measuring ingredients, mixing, or decorating.

Not only does this keep them engaged, but it also teaches them valuable life skills like following instructions, measuring, and understanding basic cooking techniques. Plus, they get to enjoy the delicious outcome of their efforts.

You can also involve your young family member with meal planning, creating grocery lists, and grocery shopping. Buy this meal planner bundle to get started!

Involving your older kids is a good idea if you want to impart crucial cooking, budgeting, prepping, and planning skills. There are different ways you can involve your kids in the kitchen, besides gathering around the kitchen table to eat.

Explore Virtual Activities

Virtual activities can be a great way to engage your children and expose them to new experiences from the comfort of your home.

Look for online classes, storytelling sessions, or virtual museum tours that cater to your child’s interests. Many organizations and websites offer virtual activities designed for kids, ranging from art classes and music lessons to science experiments and virtual field trips. These activities can be both educational and entertaining.

By implementing these tips, you can create a balanced environment that keeps your kids occupied and engaged while you attend to your work responsibilities as a work-at-home mom. Adapt the activities based on your child’s age, interests, and abilities, and remember to prioritize quality time and communication with your children throughout the day.

Remember to adapt these activities based on your child’s age and interests. Finding the right balance between work and quality time with your kids can be challenging, but with some planning and creativity, you can create an environment that keeps them occupied while you tackle your work responsibilities.

Thursday Thirteen

13 ways to survive NaNo with your insanity entact.

Set realistic goals. If you know your schedule is so busy one day that you’ll only have one hour to write, don’t expect a high word count like 5k. This will lead to disappointment if you only make it to 2k. Be aware of what’s possible before deciding what to take on.
Join a support group. No, not like AA. There are more people doing NaNo than you’d expect. NaNoWriMo.org has local chapters where you can meet and mingle with fellow writers. They have themed groupings. You can also join a group on Facebook.
Do a little at a time, when you find yourself waning. Twitter has a great feature, called NaNo Sprints. You write non-stop for fifteen minutes. You can take a break, or continue with the next sprint. Having a deadline helps make that word count build up.
Be comfortable. If you write best in a crowded coffee house, take that trip. Don’t try and do something different just because you’ve got so little time to write. Your Muse knows what it enjoys. Humor it and it will be nice to you.
Don’t edit. This is the time to turn off that internal editor and just write. Who cares if you use passive voice, a ton of extra adverbs, or choppy sentences. The point is to get your work done first. Then, once NaNo’s over and you got the book finished, you go back and edit it to your heart’s content.
Share your progress, failures, excitement, disappointment. So what if your family is tired of hearing that you only got 2k when you wanted 4k. If they don’t want to listen, chances are you have at least one friend on Facebook or Twitter that’s participating. Start up a conversation. Check out the pep talks on NaNoWriMo.org. I’m happy to buddy up. Youngmomx3
Find what works and go with it. This is a bit like Number 4, but it’s also a bit different. If you find a certain time of day that is most productive, try to keep that time open for writing. If you hit a writer’s block, try writing down two or three key words and just write about that. Chances are, you’ll be back to having the words flow in no time.
Take a break. Don’t get burnt out. This is a month long event. If you force yourself to do nothing but write, chances are by the middle of the month, you’ll be so frustrated that you can’t be productive. Be sure to enjoy life. Take a walk, have coffee with a friend, watch a movie in between writing time. You have plenty of time to get that word count completed. Don’t devote every single moment to the story.
Have your story planned out before you write. Some people don’t like going by outlines and if you don’t that’s fine. You don’t have to follow one. But you at least want to have some semblance of an idea for how you want the story to go.
Don’t stress if things take a different turn than you’d planned. If your hero is a bad ass military man, closed off from the world but all of a sudden you find yourself giving him a gushy side, go with it. Chances are, your Muse knows more than you.
Be ready to celebrate. Have a celebration plan ready for when you master that 50k! Or, you can set a plan for just 4k, 12k or whatever you like. Don’t wait until the month’s over to be proud of what you accomplish.
If the book you’re writing is one that you’ll like to publish, take a bit of time to go ahead and promote. Share an excerpt with your blog followers, post a six sentence Sunday on Facebook. Share your new work with the world! If it’s as great as you think it can be, people will begin to get interested and anticipate when it’ll be released.
Write! Yeah, that seems simple and a no-brainer. After all, what else are you supposed to do during NaNo but write. However, no one said you have to just work on that one story. For this writer, I enjoy writing blog posts, an article or two, maybe a journal entry, just to get the mojo flowing. This really helps keep the writer’s block at bay when it’s time to work on my NaNo project. My brain has settled into the writing haze and my fingers itch to type. Thirty minutes on a separate project, and I can easily get 2k in a short time.

I hope these tips have helped you on your journey to NaNo success. Feel free to share any other tips you may have.

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