Hal Young's Blog, page 30

Cheap Family Travel – Transportation and Lodging

The summer is nearly upon us and that means vacation time for many families. Or maybe you’re planning a “stay-cation” because the economy is soft and expenses are simply too high.

What would you do if you could save 40-to-60 percent of the cost of “conventional” travel?

Would you take the vacation you decided to put off this year? Maybe the family would join Dad on business travel? Could you plan the ultimate field trip? Or would it open the door for a mission week or a service project someplace?

Last year we took our family over the road for 30,000 miles, from the Carolinas to California, and from Saskatoon to Phoenix–on a very modest salary! We don’t have “one weird trick” to beat the travel industry, but we’ve learned a number of strategies for stretching the travel dollar to unbelievable lengths.

Check out this 32-minute program, where we tell the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network how we save on airfare, lodging, and even a simple gas fill-up. You may be surprised at what we’ve found, and you’ll be glad you heard it!

(Thursday we’ll talk about how to save money on travel food!)

You can hear us every Monday at 9 p.m. Eastern on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network (live, download, or via iTunes)

 

 

Carrying Groceries is Important

There’s just something about doing things that matter that really motivates boys. They want to contribute. They want to do real things. What do your guys do to help the family?

Q: My 6 Year Old is Obsessed with “Spooky” Things

I have a question.. my boy is 5, 6 in two weeks and has an obsession with all things spooky. I allow him to do pirates and we read up on ancient Egypt and use the Horrible Histories series to fuel this ‘addiction’ (because it really does feel like that), but it isn’t diluting his passion. He knows we don’t do Halloween yet he feels frustrated about it and makes a huge issue over it. I allow him to watch SOME kids’ TV but not certain things like vampires, magic, or wizards/witches, etc). He questions my decision constantly, whines and gets really frustrated like I’m punishing him for no reason. I’ve explained why and he loves Jesus with all his little heart… but I can’t tell if this is a rebellion issue or some strange desire for darkness!! Thoughts please!

Boys love adrenalin! Well, at least most of them do at some time or another. They love excitement and engagement. They love debating and arguing. They love to try their strength against the world. They love explosions and destruction (at least it seems so). They love to take risks. Sometimes they even like to be scared.

Why? It sure doesn’t make much sense to their moms! Our mantra is “Be Careful,” right?

But, God made them that way. He made them adventurous. Here’s the way we put it in our book:

The trick is to get them to adulthood without scarred minds or bodies! And sometimes, that’s not easy! We’ll talk about keeping their bodies safe another time (or you can get our book here), but your question is about taking care of his mind – and soul. You’re right to make sure that his desire for adventure follows that God-honoring course. Here’s what we’d do:

Remember that God is concerned about our hearts. We hear people say all the time, “It’s just pretend!” but when we read the verses about lust in the heart being adultery and hate in the heart being murder, we realize that’s a pretty thin excuse. What matters is what we’re thinking. We can’t play with evil: “Fools mock at sin.” Proverbs 14:9

Explain that as interesting or exciting as something may be, if it’s displeasing to God it’s got to go. There’s no substitute for the Word of God here – it can reach our children’s hearts in a way our words can’t, so use it to show him that most of those “spooky” things like witchcraft, ghosts, demons, and obsession with death celebrate things which are clearly evil and unhealthy. This article gives you the references you’ll need.

Point him to the the right kind of adventure. Stories of explorers, warriors, and missionaries can fill that desire for thrills and excitement while showing him what risk-taking was made for. We especially like missionary stories because they “show them it’s not the sinners that have the best adventures.” (Raising Real Men, p41)

Stay strong. These things pass, they really do, especially if you’re firm and redirect it. Usually when children are running this kind of constant campaign, it’s because the parents aren’t confident what they’re doing is right, so the kids sense the uncertainty and think “maybe if I try a little harder…” Looking into what the Word says about things can help you, too.

For more on both adventurousness and giving our boys a taste for good media, get our book, Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys. It’s the book we couldn’t find in raising our six boys — and it was Christian Small Publishers Book of the Year!

Yours in the battle,

Hal & Melanie

 

 

 

May 2014 Travel Plans

 

We’re on the road again in May and if you’d like to have us stop over and speak for your support group, church, or any other gathering, CLICK HERE and let us know!

Planned Events:

May 22-25 – Orlando, Florida - Florida Parent Educators Association

States We May Visit:

Alabama – Georgia – Florida – North & South Carolina

June 2014 Travel Plans

In June, we could visit 29 states!

Planned Events

June 13-14 – Hartford, CT – The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers (TEACH)

June 26-28 – Dallas, TX – Teach Them Diligently

Places We Might Visit

Week of June 8 – Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England States

Week of June 15 – States East of the Mississippi

Week of June 22 – Midwest and Plains States

Week of June 29 – Plains States and Southeast

Q: My Two Sons Claim They Don’t Hear My Directions …

A reader says their family dynamics get “tough” over this:

I have two sons who tend “not to hear” my direction/instruction. I often wonder if I’m the voice of one calling out in an empty desert. *sigh* Any ideas on how to direct/instruct and remain calm when I’m trying to get down to only saying it once?

We share your concern that kids sometimes seem intent on disregarding our directions. It’s dangerous to them, it is an inconvenience and frustration to us, and if it’s a matter of disobedience, it’s sin. Children are specifically commanded by God to obey their parents, and willful disobedience is a very serious matter in the eyes of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-3).

We’d caution you, though, not to buy in too strongly to the “first-time obedience” ideal. For most parents, that is a shining goal of only speaking one time and then watching our children jump to comply with every request, like well-trained soldiers. One problem with that is simply that communication has two people involved – one speaking, and one hearing, and there are several reasons that speaking one time might not get the message across.

Maybe They Really Don’t Hear You

Boys honestly don’t hear the same way girls do. They honestly do not hear the tones of the human voice as well as girls. You should expect to have to speak more loudly, distinctly, clearly, for them to catch the message at all. That doesn’t mean you have to scream, and you shouldn’t, but a quiet word like you find effective with your daughters won’t even penetrate the mental noise for most boys. Speak up, Mom!

Often we live in an environment where sound doesn’t carry. Our house was built by a contractor for his newly-married son. One of his gifts to the young couple was extensive sound-proofing in the walls. We find that even when someone yells, it’s difficult to hear from upstairs to downstairs, or more than a room or two away on the same floor. Carpet, bookcases, and closed doors only compound the problem. Couple this with the tendency for us to have our earbuds in, and the sound may simply be lost.

Maybe They Hear But They Aren’t Paying Attention

Guys become skilled at screening out noise. In adults we call it the gift of “focus,” but it means that your words (even yells) might be bouncing off their mental shields. I have to consciously look away from my computer or put down my book when someone talks to me, or 80% of what they say only reaches my eardrum – not my brain.

Be sure you get their attention first. You probably do best to call their names for any instruction or direction. “Jamie, I need you to take out the trash,” is more likely to catch their ear than simply saying “Son, blah blah blah.” Sometimes it’s necessary to call them, “Michael!” then when you have eye contact, follow up with your instruction.

But Maybe They Are Ignoring You

The British naval hero Horatio Lord Nelson was blind in one eye. At the Battle of Copenhagen, he was pressing his attack forward in a crucial battle when his commander-in-chief ran up the signal flags to break off the assault. When Nelson’s officers pointed out the flags to him, Nelson carefully put his spyglass to the sightless eye and announced, “I really don’t see any signal.”

Our sons can play the same trick, whether they intentionally do it, or just don’t hear you clearly and choose to think you were calling somebody else.

To be fair and just to them, we have to rule out the cases above – can’t hear, or aren’t paying attention – but when we’re reasonably sure we’re being ignored, then we have to respond. And yes, that will mean we need to interrupt what we’re doing and go find them where they are. You’ll need to explain to him the seriousness of disobedience, both in the eyes of God and you parents, as well as the danger involved to the child, and then take whatever steps are appropriate for correction (we have some suggestions for encouraging repentance, seeking and granting forgiveness, and restoring the relationship in our book, Raising Real Men).

Then you can apply some creative reinforcement. It may be they should have an extra chore in addition to the one you were calling them for (Lesson = If you come when I call, you might not get extra work). You might make a point later to call the children for a treat, and whoever doesn’t come on the first (or second) call, doesn’t get the ice cream. (Lesson = Ignoring a call may mean you miss an opportunity). We’d encourage you to try and fit the correction to the offense, rather than taking an unrelated action (like, “You didn’t take out the trash when I told you, so I’m taking away your cell phone.”  Trash=Cell phone? )

Luke 2:51 tells us that even though He was eager to be out and about His heavenly Father’s business, the young Jesus continued in obedience to His earthly parents, submitting Himself to their direction and placing Himself in submission to them. There is nothing wrong with your child being in submission to your parenting — in fact, it’s not only commanded, but demonstrated by Jesus Himself.  Part of that will be learning to listen for his parent’s instructions, so press on with the challenge at hand!

Lord, please help us to discern whether our sons aren’t getting the message or whether they are ignoring us on purpose. When we’ve figured that out, give us wisdom and grace to discipline them and point them to You for forgiveness. Please help us to control our tempers in the midst of it. In Christ’s name…

Related Resources

Our book, Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys, discusses all things things and much more from the perspective of parents who’ve raised six sons and have three who are adults serving God. You can get the Mom & Dad Downloadable Special (eBook for Mom to read on her iPad in the bathroom and eAudiobook for Dad to listen to on the commute) FREE ($25 Value) for just a few more hours with the purchase of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle!

You know, we have been really surprised by how useful the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is. We’re not usually into buying things like that. This one isn’t full of junk, though, it is really practical and encouraging stuff. Things like 101 Independent Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Character Badges, which I so am going to try, A Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight by Heidi St. John, and The Pursuit of Motherhood by some of the top parenting bloggers out there — and a chapter by us, to. 

We like it enough that we’re giving folks who buy it through our link something we’ve never given away like this before: our book, Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys FREE – the Mom & Dad Downloadable Version OR our brand new book about marriage, My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married To Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses FREE – the His & Hers Downloadable Version (right, eBook + eAudiobook), normally $25, when you buy the bundle through us.

AND you get over $200 in bonuses like 64 loads of detergent, 3 handground eye shadows, gorgeous fabric, Dayspring cards and more — and the few that do require shipping, the shipping is only $3-$7!

Only $29.97 in pdf or $39.97 for pdf + Kindle for 84 books and resources. It’s worth it. Really can’t see how you can go wrong when our book alone is worth $25

Click here to find out more right now about how to get our book and the Bundle – hurry before it ends on Monday! 

Or, just go ahead and buy the pdf version or the Kindle version and then head over here to sign up to get one of our book packages free! Thanks for supporting our ministry, friends.

 

 

 

 

We hope it’s a blessing to you, friends!

Your friends, 

Hal & Melanie Young

 

 

Q. How can I get any work done with my little ones around?

Having  toddlers and preschoolers in the house while you’re trying to get anything else done isn’t easy. It’s really one of the hardest times of life. I remember people telling me, “Just wait ’til they’re teens! You think it’s hard now…” I felt sick. I couldn’t take any harder than it was right then. Even going to the store was a two hour production by the time I got everyone dressed, found all the shoes, changed the baby’s diaper, fed the baby, changed the baby’s diaper again – and his clothes. You know how it goes! It’s hard! Incredibly sweet and precious, but hard!

So, how to do you cope? How do you get anything done?

Corral them!

Keep all the little ones in the room with you. Use baby gates and doors to limit the area they can wander in. That’ll keep them out of the toilet while you’re nursing the baby or checking your blog stats. Yeah.

Co-opt them!

Get them wrapped up in your work. Folding laundry? Then teach them to fold washcloths — and talk about how they’re squares, then you make them rectangles, then squares again. Rotating the dishwasher? Let them put away the silverware; it’s a great way to teach one-to-one correspondence. Packing orders for your home business? Let them stuff the receipts in or stick down the flaps on the envelopes. Kids love to do real things. Right now it may slow you down to have their help, but one day they’ll be lifting a load from your shoulders.

Focus on them!

We figured out quite a while back that little guys have incredibly short attention spans for everything except whining. They can whine all day long. Why not get face to face with them and give them some focused attention when they ask before they start whining? Sing a song, teach them a nursery rhyme or Bible verse, just give them some mommy time. They’ll soon be off again, faster than if you let them whine, and you’ve just invested in what’s really important.

Get them busy!

I was wandering through the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle that we’re a part of and opened up 101 Independent Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers by MaryEllen Bream. Wow! It had TONS of great ideas. Many of them I’d done before (after all, we have eight children!), but who can think of them when you’re busy and annoyed? I think I’ll print each of these activities up on cardstock so I have something to turn to when I need our youngest to entertain herself for awhile. Our house is so busy and active, that if the older children are gone, she’s just miserable and bored. No longer, though! Now I don’t have to wrack my mind to think of something she can do, I can just grab these activities instead of handing her my tablet!

Reaccess your priorities

When they are grown and gone, what will you wish you’d spent your time on? I don’t think anyone remembers how clean their mom’s house was when they were little, but we all remember the special times reading together and playing. I know times are tough and I’m working hard helping Hal in our family business, too, but we have to ask ourselves sometimes: What does the Lord want us doing today? This is a season of life and it’s going to get easier.

Related Resources

You know, I have been really surprised by how useful the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is. I’m not usually into buying things like that. This one isn’t full of fillers, though, it is really practical and encouraging stuff. Things like that 101 Activities book, Character Badges, which I so am going to try, A Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight by Heidi St. John, and The Pursuit of Motherhood by some of the top parenting bloggers out there — and a chapter by us, to.

We like it enough that we’re giving folks who buy it through our link something we’ve never given away like this before: our book, Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys FREE – the Mom & Dad Downloadable Version (eBook for Mom to read on her iPad in the bathroom and eAudiobook for Dad to listen to on the commute) OR our brand new book about marriage, My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married To Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses FREE – the His & Hers Downloadable Version (right, eBook + eAudiobook), normally $25, when you buy the bundle through us.

Only $29.97 in pdf or $39.97 for pdf + Kindle for 84 books and resources. It’s worth it.

Click here to find out more right now about how to get our book and the Bundle – hurry before it ends on Monday! 

Or, just go ahead and buy the pdf version or the Kindle version and then head over here to sign up to get one of our book packages free! Thanks for supporting our ministry, friends.

 

 

 

Honestly, enjoy those little guys while you can, even when you don’t get much else done. Trust me, before you know it you’ll be helping them move out of the house and on their own. We’ve done it three times and it seemed like such a short time since they’d been little. The days when ours were all little were hard, far harder physically than when they got older. Hang in there. The days are long, but the years are short.

Much love,

Melanie

 

 

Fun for Boys: A Lego Rube Goldberg Machine – and a Real Life One!

God made us in His image and one part of that is the desire to create, to build, to bring order. Most boys love building sets. After raising six sons and having literal decades of birthdays and Christmases, there are more Legos in our house than at Wal-Mart! Lots more. All over the place. Ouch!

 

Here’s an amazing video your boys are going to love. This Rube Goldberg contraction was made entirely of Legos and took 600 hours to build. I hope someone paid him to do it!

 

Now that you’ve seen an amazing machine built with toys, take a minute to read about this real amazing machine: This is one of the longest conveyor belt systems in the world, hauling 2000 metric tons an hour over 60 miles from phosphate mines to the sea in Western Sahara/Morocco.

 

 

Click here to see it from space! That’s just cool.

What do your boys like to build? What’s the biggest creation you’ve had in your house? We’d love it if you’d share a picture with us!

Want to understand your boys better?

We have SIX sons, three of them grown, and we wrote the book we couldn’t find in raising our guys…

There are just three days left to get our book, Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys FREE – the ENTIRE Mom & Dad Downloadable Version – the eBook and the eAudiobook, normally $25, with purchase of the amazing Ultimate Homemaking Bundle.

The Bundle is great all by itself! Hundreds of dollars worth of resources like Character Badges, A Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight by Heidi St. John, and The Pursuit of Motherhood by some of the top parenting bloggers out there — including a chapter by us. Only $29.97!

Click here to find out more right now about how to get our book and the Bundle – hurry before it is too late! (And keep our ministry going while you do it!)

Photo of conveyor by Jbdodane. Lego ball contraption video by akiyuky. Thanks!

 

An Amazing Offer from Us!

So, a few months ago, some blogging friends asked us if we’d like to contribute a chapter about raising real men to the book The Pursuit of Motherhood. We are delighted to say that this great book is a part of something that is an incredible value…AND that we’ve sweetened the pot: You can get our award-winning books FREE (Scroll all the way to the bottom to find out how!)!

By popular demand, 100+ homemaking bloggers are bringing back The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, and it’s new and better than ever!

The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is an incredible library of fantastic resources on homemaking—a truly rich well of knowledge you’ll return to again and again for years to come.

Our blogging friends have searched the web to find the very best eBooks from top homemaking authors and combining them into one essential collection that you can buy in one simple purchase.

Click now to get the ultimate eBook collection on homemaking at a once-in-a-lifetime price.

I’m confident you won’t find a more comprehensive set of homemaking resources anywhere — and certainly not at this price. Bought separately, they’d cost a total of $698 (not including $200+ in bonuses!). But you can have all of them for just $29.97!

Or, for just an extra $10, you not only get the full set of PDF files, but also a bonus set of Kindle editions, perfectly formatted for easy Kindle reading. This has been a popular request over the years and I’m excited to say it’s now available!

I believe it’s the best deal on homemaking eBooks anywhere on the web. But it will only be available for six days. So grab yours before it’s gone!

This huge wealth of information and guidance will be right there on your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or Kindle, whenever you need it.

Here’s what you need to know about the sale:

When? 8 a.m. EST Wednesday, April 23 until 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, April 28

What? 78 eBooks, 2 eCourses, 2 audio files, and 2 printable packs PLUS over $200 worth of bonus products you’ll really use!

Where? Purchase the bundle here.

How much? Well now, that’s the best part. The entire package is worth nearly $900, and it’s selling for less than $30. Sweet deal, right?

What’s in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle? ($698 value!)

[image error]

Homemaking

DIY Natural Household Cleaners: How To Make Your Own Cleaners…Naturally by Matt & Betsy @ DIY Natural ($9.99)
Filling Hearts While Cleaning Homes: Five Minute Devotions for Families by Jenn Thorson & Lindsey Stomberg ($8.00)
Hospitality: The Duty of the Christian Home by Kathy @ Teaching Good Things ($4.97)
How to Build a Strong Christian Home by June @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home ($4.99)
Life Your Way Printables Download Pack by Mandi @ Life Your Way ($7.00)
Sewing School 101: Simple Tips to Get You Stitching by Nicole @ Gidget Goes Home ($11.99)
Taming the Laundry Monster by Angi @ SchneiderPeeps ($3.99)
The Best of Visionary Womanhood: Volume Two by Natalie @ Visionary Womanhood ($4.99)
The Homemaker’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule by Amy @ Raising Arrows ($4.99)

[image error]

Food

Bliss Balls for Beginners: 21 Recipes to Get You Started by Luschka @ Keeper of the Kitchen ($3.50)
Dairy Free 101 by Becky @ For This Season ($5.00)
Just Making Ice Cream: Over 70 Delicious Recipes Made with Nourishing Ingredients – 2nd edition by Marillyn @ Just Making Noise ($12.00)
Happy Mom, Healthy Family Meal Planning Workshop + Cookbook by Lisa @ WellGroundedLife ($29.00)
Meal Planning Made Easy by Kelly @ The Nourishing Home ($6.99)
No Cook Freezer Meals by Kelly @ New Leaf Wellness ($5.99)
Simplified Dinners by Mystie @ Simplified Pantry Cooking ($12.99)
The ABC’s of Freezer Cooking by K.M. @ KMLogan.com ($2.99)
The Healthy Lunch Box: Sandwich-Free Secrets to Packing a Real Food Lunch by Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship ($9.95)
The Sweeter Side of Candida: Desserts for the Holidays, Special Occasions, & Everyday Sweet Treats by Paula Miller & Sarah Ives ($14.95)
{Healthy} Make-Ahead Meals & Snacks by Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers ($5.00)
Real Food on a Real Budget: How to Eat Healthy for Less by Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home ($18.97)
Simple Cooking to Save You Money by Kelly @ Generation Cedar ($4.97)
The Frugal Secrets of Real Foodies by Shannon Miles, Sarah Nichols, Kristen Smith, Kate Tietje, and Katherine (Katie Mae) Stanley ($9.97)

[image error]

Motherhood

Discipleship & Discipline: Practical Parenting Help for the Desperate Mom eCourse by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae ($17.99)
Pieces of Mommy: Putting Yourself Back Together by Sarah @ SarahStrausbaugh.com ($7.99)
Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood by Jamie @ Steady Mom ($9.55)
The Cherished Home: Protecting What’s Important by Mary @ The Encouraging Home ($14.99)
The Pursuit of Motherhood by Caroline Allen, Jennifer Allen, Mary Clendenin, Kelly Crawford, Jasmine Cucuta, Sara Elizabeth Dunn, Jacqueline Fitzgerald, June Fuentes, Heather Knopp, Melinda Martin, Richele McFarlin, Melanie Moore, Amy Roberts, Lindsey Stomberg, Jacinda Vandenberg, and Melanie Young. ($7.99)
Undivided Mom: Finding Christ in the Chaos of Motherhood by Kayse @ KaysePratt.com ($4.99)

Marriage

31 Days to Build a Better Spouse by Ashley @ LIFE by Ashley Pichea ($7.99)
Dear Wife: Letters from a Help Meet by Misty @ Beautiful Ashes ($2.99)
Intentional Marriage: The Art of Loving Your Husband (A 31 Day Devotional) by Crystal @ Serving Joyfully ($3.99)
The Ultimate Marriage Vow: 21 Days of a Life-Long Commitment by Darlene @ Time-Warp Wife ($2.99)
To Love, Honor and Vacuum Audio Download by Sheila @ To Love, Honor and Vacuum ($2.99)

[image error]

Faith

A Heart Prepared: A Simple & Effective Scripture Memory System by Jami @ Young Wife’s Guide ($9.95)
How To Manage Your Mouth: A 30 Day Wholesome Talk Challenge by Connie @ Smockity Frocks ($5.97)
Restoring the Lost Petal: A Journey Through the Loss and Restoration of Sexual Purity by Danielle @ More Than Four Walls ($8.99)
Set Apart: Becoming a Woman of Virtue in a Modern World by Anjanette Barr, Whitney Cornelison, Jennifer Fountain, Virginia George, Crystal Hatcher, Sarah Nichols, Rachel Marie, Ashley Roe, Kendra Stamy, Danielle Tate, and Karli Von Herbulis ($3.99)
The Homesteading Wife’s Christian Devotional: Finding Biblical Truths on the Farm by Susie @ Our Simple Farm ($3.99)

[image error]

Faith {For Kids}

Be Thankful: Cultivating Year-Round Thankfulness by Amanda @ The Pelsers ($7.99)
Character Badges by Caroline @ The Modest Mom Blog ($9.99)
God Gifted Virtues by Sara @ Your Thriving Family ($8.95)
Learning to Speak Life: Fruit of the Spirit Family Devotional by Michael & Carlie @ Learning to Speak Life ($9.99)
The ABC’s for Godly Boys/The ABC’s for Godly Girls by Lindsey @ The Road To 31 ($19.98)
The Warrior Weekend: Helping Dads Raise Boys to Be Godly Men by Patrick & Ruth @ For the Family ($4.99)

[image error]

Financial Stewardship

5 Days to Budget Breakthrough: Change Your Money – Change Your Life by Kimberlee @ The Peaceful Mom ($5.95)
76 Free Things to Do with Kids: A Real Mom’s Guide by Shannon @ Growing Slower ($5.97)
Advanced Penny Pinching: Stockpile – Strategize – Save by Tabitha @ Meet Penny ($3.99)
Cash Flow Your College: Knowledge in Your Head Without Getting in the Red by Kayla @ Renown and Crowned ($2.99)
Christian Wealth Building by Michael @ MichaelPink.com ($77.00)
It’s Me or the Coupons: How a Busy Mom Can Win the Grocery Budget Battle by Beth @ Eat Better Spend Less ($10.00)

Health & Wellness

Healing With God’s Earthly Gifts: Natural and Herbal Remedies by Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama ($7.95)
My Simple Healthy Life: A Minimalist Approach to Herbal Remedies, Beauty & Natural Cleaning by Tammie @ Simple. Healthy. Tasty. ($5.95)
Simple Natural Health: Wellness Made Easy by Nina @ Shalom Mama ($10.00)

[image error]

Holidays & Special Events

100 Days of a New Year 2014 eBook by Jennifer @ ListPlanIt.com ($8.00)
Christmas Printables for Kids by Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage ($2.50)
Feast! Real Food, Reflections, and Simple Living for the Christian Year by Daniel & Haley @ Carrots for Michaelmas ($7.99)
More Than a Holiday: A 25-Day Christmas Devotional for the Whole Family by Scott and Sarah @ Simple Life Abundant Life ($7.95)
More Than Candy: A 25-Day Christmas Countdown that Counts by Sarah Mae @ SarahMae.com ($4.99)

[image error]

Homeschooling

101 Independent Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers by MaryEllen @ Imperfect Homemaker ($4.99)
1777 New England Primer Cursive/Manuscript Printable Alphabet Sets by Jacinda @ Growing Home ($5.98)
A Simple Homeschool Planner by Tsh @ The Art of Simple ($4.00)
The Charlotte Mason Way Explained by Dollie @ Teachers of Good Things ($7.99)
The Preschool Journey by Angela @ Teaching Mama ($6.99)
Weekly Homeschool Planner by Jolanthe @ Homeschool Creations ($20.00)
You Can Read by Carisa @ 1+1+1=1 ($10.00)
Write Through the Bible: Exodus 20 (KJV, Manuscript) by Trisha @ Intoxicated on Life ($5.00)

[image error]

Pregnancy & Babies

Baby Ready: Preparing For and Adapting to Life with Baby by Monica @ Happy and Blessed Home ($7.99)
Breastfeeding Twins, Triplets and More! by Jennifer @ Growing Up Triplets ($10.00)
Cloth Diapers: A How-To Handbook on the Basics of Cloth Diapering by Rachel @ Intentionally Simple ($5.99)
The Breastfeeding Lifeline: A Guide to Navigating the Newborn Days by the authors at Breastfeeding Place: Anjanette Barr, Michelle Ferguson, Jennifer Fountain, Trisha Gilkerson, Sarah Harkins, Shary Lopez, Kristen Smith, and Rhiana Wackenhuth. ($5.95)
The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year by Rachel @ The Minimalist Mom ($4.99)
Topical Devotions for Pregnancy: 13 Devotions to Nourish Your Soul by Becky @ Purposeful Homemaking ($3.99)

Self-Care

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal @ Money Saving Mom ($4.99)
Equipped: Because You’ve Been Made to Live On Purpose by Elisa @ More to Be ($6.99)
Live for Him: A Grace-Filled Look at Planning by Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace ($2.99)
The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight: Managing Your Days Through the Homeschool Years by Heidi @ The Busy Mom ($10.00)
Your Retreat: A Guide to Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Day by Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker

Working from Home & Blogging

Blog Planner 2014 by Sarah @ My Joy-Filled Life ($4.99)
Blog at Home Mom: Balancing Blogging and Motherhood by Christin @ Joyful Mothering ($4.99)
FaithLeaps: The Christian Mom’s Guide to Passion, Purpose, and Profits by Alyssa @ AlyssaAvant.com ($4.99)
Monkey See, Monkey Do: A Tutorial to Using PicMonkey with Professional Results by Richele @ Under the Golden Apple Tree ($8.00)
The Blog Planning Kit: A System to Maximize Your Blogging Efforts by Kat @ How They Blog ($15.00)

What are the Ultimate Homemaking Bonus Offers? ($200+ value)

In addition to all the amazing eResources, this bundle includes the best bonus offers it’s ever had. These deals are worth over six times the price of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle. So you’re up on the deal right away!

DaySpring—A FREE 10-pack of Premium Greeting Cards. ($20.00 Value. Standard shipping applies.)
HopeInk—$15 HopeInk store credit to be used towards anything + a FREE 8×10 Art Print with order. ($39.00 Value. Standard shipping applies.)
Redeeming Beauty Mineral Makeup—3 FREE eyeshadows of your choice from Redeeming Beauty. ($16.47 Value. Standard shipping applies – only ships to US and Canada.)
Marie-Madeline Studio—A $15 store credit for anything in Marie-Madeline Studio’s online store. ($15.00 value. Standard shipping applies.)
Once a Month Meals—A FREE One Month Pro Membership from Once a Month Meals. ($16.00 Value. No shipping required.)
Dizolve—FREE 64-load pack of Dizolve Laundry Strips for you PLUS a Free 64-load pack of Dizolve Laundry Strips for food banks. ($25.98 value. Standard shipping [$3] applies. Only ships in the US.)
TrilLight Health—Get a FREE 2 oz. bottle of a liquid health formula OR $15 store credit from Trilight Health. ($15.00 Value. Standard shipping rates apply.)
ListPlanIt—Free 3-month membership OR 3 free ePlanners from ListPlanIt. ($15.00 value. No shipping required.)
Bulk Herb Store—Instant download of the instructional video Making Herbs Simple Volume 2 for FREE from Bulk Herb Store. (up to a $15.00 Value. No shipping required.)
Fit2B™ Studio—FREE 2-Month Online Fitness Membership at Fit2B™ Studio. (up to a $20.00 Value. No shipping required.)

Remember, this bundle is available for 6 days only, from 8 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, April 23 to 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 28th.

We promised you a huge gift from us!

What is really exciting is that when you purchase the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle with 84 other great resources that you’ll come back to again and again, the Bundle not only includes a book we contributed a chapter to (The Pursuit of Motherhood), but we’ll give you an unbelievable bonus if you buy it through our link! Purchasers can choose either of our bestsellers:

Christian Small Publishers Book of the Year Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys Mom & Dad Downloadable Special – an eBook + eAudiobook worth $25

OR

My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married To Your Best Friend Without Changing SpousesHis & Hers Downloadable Special – an eBook + eAudiobook worth $25

The Amazing Thing? Your free book from us plus Character Badges is worth $5 more than you pay for the Bundle. You get over $800 worth of books and materials PLUS $200 in Bonus Gifts!!

Now, our books are not part of the bundle, they are a bonus gift from us (because we appreciate you so much). Here’s how you get them:

1. Click here to purchase the Bundle through our link. (If you purchase elsewhere, we can’t give you our books free)

2. Go here to request which book package you’d like for us to give you!

Why should you do this?

Buying this great bundle will give you tons more value than you are paying for it. Guaranteed.

Buying it from us will help us raise needed cash to reprint our books and publish more. It’ll keep our ministry going.

Getting one of our books sets free will bless your family, we believe!

There! We’d love it if you’d head over and buy now!

Thanks,

Hal & Melanie

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post – in fact, we’d be super-grateful if you’d come back here and click through from our site if you purchase later! Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions.

 

A Review: Character Badges

I was so excited to see that Caroline Allen’s new Character Badges curriculum was a part of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle! I’ve heard Caroline talking about it and I’ve been wanting to take a look at it.

The idea is to provide an easier way for fathers and mothers to be consistent in training their children’s character. The program includes printable badges, charts and flashcards as well as an instruction manual. You’ll need some crafty things for best results with the badges – a printer, a laminator (if you want them to last, scissors, glue, and pins to glue to the back of the badges.

The badges are sharp and cute and I think most in the recommended age range of 5-12 would get a kick out of earning them. They look a little like merit badges for the scouts, but will be printed. Older children in that range might feel a little silly wearing them, but may want to display them on their door or shelf instead.

There’s an obedience chart that lists virtues, a disobedience chart that lists character  issues, and a consequence chart where you can set consequences for the disobedience chart. I was a little concerned about that. As I get older and our eight children one-by-one become adults, I’m understanding more and more the need to use not only discipline, but grace and understanding in dealing with our children. I’m happy to report that Caroline does explain that in the manual and give parents room to adjust both sides of the system as they need to. I was happy to see she made lots of creative suggestions about how to reward both obedience and disobedience. Be sure to read the whole manual!

I think this could be a useful tool for parents to encourage virtue in their children – and we’re going to try it out with our younger children because I actually think they’ll really enjoy it! As Caroline points out at the end, parents need to use this wisely and recognize that the point of all this is to teach our children their need for a Savior because it’s God that changes hearts.

What is really exciting is that you get this $9.99 resource as a part of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle along with 84 other great resources that you’ll come back to again and again! The Bundle not only includes a book we contributed a chapter to (The Pursuit of Motherhood), but we’ll give you an unbelievable bonus if you buy it through our link! Purchasers can choose either of our bestsellers:

Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys Mom & Dad Downloadable Special – an eBook + eAudiobook worth $25

OR

My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married To Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses His & Hers Downloadable Special – an eBook + eAudiobook worth $25

The Amazing Thing? Your free book from us plus Character Badges is worth $5 more than you pay for the Bundle. You get over $800 worth of books and materials PLUS $200 in Bonus Gifts!!

Now, our books are not part of the bundle, they are a bonus gift from us (because we appreciate you so much). Here’s how you get them:

1. Click here to purchase the Bundle through our link. (If you purchase elsewhere, we can’t give you our books free)

2. Go here to request which book package you’d like for us to give you!

Why should you do this?

Buying this great bundle will give you tons more value than you are paying for it. Guaranteed.

Buying it from us will help us raise needed cash to reprint our books and publish more. It’ll keep our ministry going.

Getting one of our books sets free will bless your family, we believe!

There! We’d love it if you’d head over and buy now!

Thanks,

Melanie

We received a free copy of this product as a member of the author team of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle. As always, our review is our honest opinion.

This post contains affiliate links and we are very grateful if you use them to support our ministry!