Ashling Drew, Author at Joyful Messes

Ways to Make Learning at Home Fun and Engaging

One of the greatest things about homeschooling is that as the teacher, you are not limited or confined to a desk and a blackboard. The world is your classroom! In this post, I offer simple and easy ways to make learning at home fun and engaging. So whether you are a homeschooling mama, or your child is currently a remote learner, there are so many ways you can take the sit-and-get method of learning and make it fun and magical for both you and your learner(s)! Manipulatives Matter Younger learners are always moving and grooving, and manipulatives really engage your tactile learner– the learner that likes touching and tinkering with everything. Manipulatives are always engaging. Some of my favorite manipulates are actually the simplest and easiest items to snag from the store. Below is a list of manipulatives you can easily implement in any of your lessons! Dry Erase Markers…

How to be Super Organized When Working from Home

The idea of working from home may be a dream come true for many. However, if you’ve got kids to deal with as well, working from home is tough, at best! Being a mom is challenging enough, but having to include work in your schedule can be extremely difficult. On the other hand, it has many benefits you and your children will gladly enjoy. But you have to organize your time to be successful. That’s why great organizational skills are required. But don’t worry, we can help you organize your remote work perfectly! 1. Create a work station If you want to work from home, having a separate room you can use as an office is great. However, not everyone can afford that. Therefore, you need to create a separate workspace where you’ll be able to finish your tasks in peace. How can you do so? Pick a place or…

Mom Hacks That Will Actually Help

Today, if anyone is looking for a life hack, then they are moms. Life hacks are creative and simple ideas that make life easier. Once you learn a hack, you will feel that you have been doing that task wrong the entire time. Mothers are always looking for mom hacks to make things easier. These may include things that can save time and/or money, like the best kitchen gadgets for cooking quick and easy dishes for children or family. Then, others are needed for sanity. Being a mother is not easy, which is why every small thing counts. What Are Some Great Busy Mom Hacks? As previously mentioned, being a mother is one of the most challenging jobs today. However, some simple mom life hacks can make your life easier; they include: Monster Spray As mothers, we often have our children hating bedtime because they are scared of the dark…

How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy

If you’re planning to get pregnant, congratulations! Having a healthy pregnancy is all about making an effort upfront to take care of you and your growing baby. A lot of the joy and challenges of pregnancy come from what you put into your body. Choosing the right foods, drinking enough fluids, and taking doctor-recommended prenatal vitamins can all put you on the proper path to a healthier pregnancy. Here are some guidelines to follow to help you be as healthy and happy as possible for the nine months of your pregnancy. Finding a Good Doctor While it may seem obvious, the very first step to having a healthy pregnancy is visiting the doctor! It is important to schedule your first appointment as soon as possible after you find out you are pregnant. This is going to be when you find out the basics such as how far along you are,…

7 Ways to Get Dad Involved With the New Baby

When you first find out that you are pregnant, both you and Dad are excitedly nervous. You navigate all the changes together while trying not to kill each other. Though sometimes you wonder if you really can get away with it! As the time draws closer, you spend hours preparing the house for the new addition to the family. You are nesting, and he is working on putting all the furniture together. You laugh as he tries to convince you that they included spare parts in the package. Then you shake your head because you know better! When the big day comes, he is trying not to be nervous and be the rock you need him to be, yet you know that he needs reassuring, too. The new baby comes, and the family has gathered, starting a game of Twenty Questions. Your husband or partner, “the new Dad”, avoids questions…

Summer Travel Tips With Young Kids

You are about to embark on a summer adventure with your family, kids in tow. Planning ahead and being prepared for the unexpected is always a smart idea when it comes to traveling with little ones. Most likely the first thing at the top of your travel plans list is to pack, am I right? And don’t forget the sunscreen! Here are some helpful suggestions on other things to consider when traveling with young kids. Running out ideas for summer? Here’s a list of 65 Summer Bucket List Ideas With Kids! Nighttime Travel Your bags are packed, the itinerary set, and you’re ready to load up the little ones and be on your way for some exciting summer travel! One of the most helpful things when traveling with young kids is to start out a little before bedtime. Driving through the night will allow you to travel further with fewer…

4th of July Cook-out Ideas with Little Ones

Independence Day is coming up soon. That special occasion when we gather with family and friends to celebrate America’s independence and freedom while filling our faces with watermelons and juicy burgers off the grill. You don’t want to wait until crunch time to be planning your 4th of July cookout now do you? Who doesn’t love a cookout anyway? That is unless you have little ones. It’s always a challenge to find a good way to keep younger kids entertained at a cookout. That’s why we’ve got a few ideas for you that will make this 4th of July a bit more enjoyable for you and your little ones. Plan Ahead for Any Kind of Weather Your family is gathered, the adults are catching up while the cousins run and play and you’re ready to fire up the grill! Having an adult or a couple of teenagers designated to watch…

Thinking of Homeschooling? Things to Consider

It’s that time of year again when you find yourself perusing the school supplies aisles of Target looking for pink pearl erasers, number 2 pencils, and the most perfect pencil case. Yes, I’m talking about school supplies! At this time, more and more parents are considering homeschooling their children instead of sending them back to school. This is a very important decision and there are lots of things to consider. First of all: I just want to say that I am proud of you for being here and wanting to learn more about homeschooling! As a homeschooling mama myself, I would like to suggest a few of the many things you should consider. I hope you find this helpful as you trek further on this adventure! Pin this image so you can find this article later! Okay, I have decided to homeschool my child. Where do I start? It can…

Best Breastfeeding Necessities

Basking in the glistening sunlight as it peeks in through the window, I sit in my glider rocker gently rocking my sweet little one to sleep after a quiet time of nursing and bonding together. Sipping on my water, I smile as I gaze down at the adorable little face falling asleep in my arms as he lays on the nursing pillow that I received as a gift at my baby shower. What an incredible feeling, I think to myself, this endless bliss of love for such a tiny person I just barely met, yet the desire to love, care and protect this sweet child is filling my entire being with immense determination and joy. This was not my first time having a baby, and may not be my last. I do, however, feel it is somewhat different each and every time we have a child and I choose to…

Friendly Freezer Meal Ideas

Freezer meals come in so handy throughout the year and are perfect for keeping on hand for various reasons. Whether it’s for days when you don’t have much time to cook or to help save money, there are many benefits to stocking up on freezer meals. One of the biggest reasons to keep a stock of prepared freezer meals is to save you time when it comes to cooking. You can easily just choose something out of the freezer, thaw, and have dinner figured out in no time without all the work. Many will spend a day or two prepping their freezer meals for the next few weeks or even months. Always be sure to write down the dish so that everyone knows what it is. Another pro tip would be to write the baking or cooking instructions on the pan itself to help save even more time. Freezer Friendly…

Ashling Drew