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About me - MamaSaver

I am a busy stay-at-home mom and a former teacher. I don't miss teaching a bit and love every minute I am able to spend with my two sons.

In my spare time (ha!), I enjoy baking, reading, researching, outdoor activities like camping or sight-seeing, and especially

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Summer Camps & Fun Long car trip activities for kids: 2 of 24

"Are we there yet?" is the question most PARENTS are asking on long road trips, due to the fact that they did not take the time to plan some fun activities for their children. A road trip, if thoughtfully planned beforehand, can be a time of fun and bonding for the whole family. Besides having some healthy snacks/light meals...
Education > Teachers & Administrators Teaching tips: Board games for classroom fun: 1 of 11

Shh! Don't tell your students this, but they CAN learn while playing board games! It's a similar concept to not telling your children that what they are eating is healthy for them. I am a huge fan of board games, and my husband and I actually host a "Game Night" at our house quite often, where our friends get together to pla...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Helping Kids Cope Helping children for their first day of school: 2 of 11

I remember my first day of school... I had a mixture of feelings, ranging from the excitement of "growing up" and becoming more independent, to pure fear of what the day would bring. I come from a family of worriers, so I remember worrying even at the age of 5. Would I be able to make friends? Would my teacher like me? Would...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips Tips for building self-esteem in children: 10 of 34

Parents should be the number one fan of their children. As a former teacher, it was obvious to me which children had parents that were involved in their lives and which children had parents who could care less. The children whose parents were involved with them were confident, performed better in school, had better relations...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Children's Activities (Other) Fun kid activities on a tight budget: 9 of 22

A big cardboard box sure can go a long way, I've found with my 2 year old son. His playroom is filled with all kinds of toys from his grandparents, and yet he seems to gravitate toward the things in the house that aren't even meant to be toys! As a former elementary teacher, I've really noticed that a lot of kids today have ...
Education > Teachers & Administrators Student teachers: What to do when you've lost control of your classroom: 5 of 10

I'll admit that I didn't really learn much at all in my education classes at college. The truth is, teaching itself is a learning experience, and most things will be learned through trial and error. Even the most seasoned teachers lose control of their classroom from time to time, so don't panic if it happens to you as a stu...
Hobbies & Games > Holiday Crafts Do-it-yourself baby Halloween costume ideas: 5 of 8

Predictable is just plain boring. Sure, you could spend $20-30 on an Elmo or Spiderman costume, but how many other Elmos and Spidermen will you run into while trick-or-treating? There are plenty of unique, easy, do-it-yourself costumes that you can make for your baby, and not have buyer's remorse afterward! - Using a sweatsu...
Education > Teachers & Administrators Teacher tips: How to get your composure back after you've lost it in front of your students: 9 of 13

"QUIEEEEET!" Yes...I, the quiet, mild-mannered, never-loses-her-temper girl, screamed at my 3rd grade class while slamming the classroom door. It was my first year of teaching. We had just come in from recess, and the kids were really wound up. I had tried quietly to get their attention, but to no avail. Frustration simmered...
Education > Teachers & Administrators Student teachers: How to avoid school gossip: 7 of 9

Gossip can rip apart a family. The people you work with at school become your family, in a sense, and gossip can destroy that family, too. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." Unfortunately, even student teachers can get pulled into the trap of gossip. You want to have good...