emily, Author at Balanced Mothering

16 Work from Home Mom Secrets For Success

Uncategorized | emily | December 3, 2024

Working from home is not for the faint of heart, and contrary to popular belief, it is not easy! There is a constant juggle that exists for mothers, whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a mom who works outside of the home. When you mix the two, you add a new layer of difficulty. But when done correctly, it is the biggest blessing. I love that I can be there for my kids and raise them, while also helping to bring additional income for my family. It is that Proverbs 31 woman goal that many Christian moms are ascribing to! To be successful as a work-from-home mom, you need to have a certain mindset and systems in place to help you manage your home and achieve your goals. Below are 16 secrets to help you maximize your time and responsibilities. work from home secret #1: Wake up before your kids We have all heard this tip before. It seems so basic and insignificant, but it can make a world of difference. Now, this doesn’t mean waking up hours before your kids; even a few minutes to yourself is great. This “alone” time helps set the tone for your day. It’s your few moments to get that right mentality in place to have a productive and successful day. What you do during this time doesn’t matter. Start your morning routine, sit in absolute silence, eat breakfast alone, or have your ritual morning drink. Whatever it is, just do something that makes you feel good, boosts your mood, and gets those happy vibes going. Work From home secret #2: have a solid morning routine Again, we’ve all heard this one before. We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel here! We are just trying to have common sense systems and schedules in place to help your day run more smoothly. Because of this, having a solid morning routine is key. Maybe you have a good morning routine in place, and if so, great! But maybe you have tried implementing a morning routine in the past without much success. The key is to not complicate things and keep your morning routine short and sweet. For example, have two or three non-negotiables. Repeating these tasks every single day for some time will cement the pattern in your brain, and before you know it, you have a good routine in place. work from home Secret #3: set boundaries – for yourself & for your kids. Boundaries are super important when it comes to working from home. One simple thing you can do is to have clearly defined working hours. Having a set start and stop time for your workday helps keep those workaholic tendencies at bay. Visual cues are great for your kids to understand that you are in “work mode.” For example, when your kids see you sitting down at the computer or on the phone, they know that mom is off-limits and working. Also, having a dedicated workspace cues your children to when you are working. Of course, kids are kids, and they will interrupt you. When that happens, gently remind your children that this is your working time, and you will address them in an “x” amount of time. It’s also important to make sure you schedule breaks throughout the day. Take a break for lunch and maybe even indulge in some vitamin D time with your kids. work from home secret #4: take advantage of naps or when your kids are busy. Those blocks of time when our kids are napping or busy with other activities are built-in work opportunities. Learning how to optimize this time and focusing on those tasks that require your complete concentration will help you increase your productivity tenfold. Instead of using this time to catch up on household tasks, use it for work responsibilities. work from home secret #5: Teach independent play. As a mother to a “Velcro” child of my own, I know what it feels like to have a child that requires more of your time and attention. We savor those moments because we know that they won’t last forever. However, it is also important to teach your child how to entertain themselves for periods as well. This will give you time to get some of those tasks off your to-do list. The key is to find and choose activities that are appropriate for your child’s age and skills. Independent play is not just for older children, but rather short spurts of Independent play are valuable from the time your child is a baby. Independent play teaches your child to be creative, learn problem-solving skills, and focus on a specific task or problem. When your child is very young, don’t expect these independent play times to last very long, but as your child grows, these times will get longer and enable you to have more time for other tasks. work from home secret #6: have a schedule, but be flexible. I find that having a general schedule is important to the flow of my day as a work-from-home mom. This was especially true when my children were younger. Kids thrive when they have a good idea of what is next up on the agenda. As my children have grown, a schedule is still important for us. My kids know that after they wake up, have some movement, and eat breakfast, it is time for them to start their schoolwork. They know what activities are on what days, allowing them to better manage their time and school responsibilities. Of course, one of the beautiful things about being home with your kids is the flexibility that affords you should plans change. Allow for flexibility in your schedule because, inevitably, there will be those sick days, spontaneous field trips, and unexpected emergencies. work from home secret #7: get out of your pajamas. I know the allure of not having to get dressed up and staying in your pajamas all day. Believe me, I get it! The

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Surprising Uses for Coconut Oil in your Home

Uncategorized | emily | November 26, 2024

**Disclaimer:** I am not a medical professional. The following information is based on my research as I seek to heal my body. Please consult with your doctor before making any medical decisions. Coconut oil is a natural product used for many purposes, from health to household tasks. There are three main types: unrefined (virgin), refined, and fractionated. Unrefined coconut oil is the least processed, made from fresh coconut flesh, and can be extracted using heat or cold pressure. Refined coconut oil comes from dried coconut meat and has a higher smoke point of 450°F, making it suitable for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil is liquid oil created by heating coconut oil and removing solid fats. There is ongoing debate about its benefits, with some considering it a valuable home product and others disputing its claims. Regardless, below are some of my favorite uses for coconut oil. coconut oil for skin & body care. Coconut oil is beneficial for skin and body care. For example, you can create a homemade deodorant by mixing it with baking soda and cornstarch. The combination of coconut oil and baking soda helps control odor, while the cornstarch absorbs moisture. If you are sensitive to corn, you can use arrowroot powder as an alternative. It is also versatile when it comes to haircare. For example, it makes great hair oil. Use it nightly for hair oiling to reduce split ends and frizz, or as a hair mask prior to showering. Make shampoo by combining it with water and castile soap. Add your favorite essential oil to create your own customized scent. A 2021 study suggested that coconut oil may alleviate symptoms of dandruff by improving the scalp microbiome and helping to maintain a healthy scalp. There are many oral care uses as well. For centuries, people have been using coconut oil for “oil pulling.” People claim that oil pulling helps eliminate bad breath, prevent cavities, maintain healthy gums, and even whiten teeth. To oil pull take a teaspoon of oil in your mouth prior to brushing your teeth, and swish it around for up to twenty minutes. When the time has elapsed, make sure you spit out the oil from your mouth to prevent reintroducing bad bacteria into your system. After oil pulling, you can make toothpaste by combining coconut oil with mint essential oil and baking soda. For longer-lasting results, store your homemade toothpaste in the fridge. Finally, during those cold winter months, use it as a natural lip balm. Coconut oil can even be used in your daily skincare routine. For example, it makes a great makeup remover. Slather some on your face at the end of the day, and you will be surprised how quickly your makeup melts away. It can also be used as a facial cleanser. The “oil cleansing method” may sound counter-intuitive, but is surprisingly effective. Take some oil and gently rub it into your face. Then, use a warm washcloth and remove the excess. It will leave your skin feeling hydrated and clean, unlike any other commercial products. Also, it is great for a weekly face mask. Add some oil to your favorite homemade mask recipe and enjoy its antioxidant and hydrating properties. You can also mix coconut oil with sugar to create a DIY body scrub to use while you wait for your face mask. Some people even claim to have success treating their acne with coconut oil due to its inherent antioxidant properties. This is controversial because it is said to be comedogenic, but it is worth a shot! It may aid in the production of collagen, which means it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and under-eye puffiness. Also, the antioxidants in coconut oil may help diminish the appearance of age spots. Furthermore, use it as shaving oil. Just rub some on and shave as normal. You will be surprised by how smooth it leaves your skin feeling and how long your shave lasts. Also, apply the oil as an aftershave. Finally, you can use coconut oil as a body oil any time you get out of the shower. Remember, oil absorbs best on slightly damp skin. coconut oil for health care. Coconut oil has many uses for health care, so it doesn’t hurt to have some in your medicine cabinet. For instance, it has anti-viral properties, making it beneficial for cold sores. Furthermore, because it is antibacterial and antifungal, containing a substance called lauric acid, it may help treat infections, such as yeast infections, athlete’s foot, and candida. Skin infections may also benefit from the use of coconut oil. Again, because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it may help with symptoms associated with poison ivy, poison oak, bug bites and stings, and chicken pox by helping to relieve symptoms such as itchiness. Also, some suggest using it to speed up the healing of sunburn. Just make sure that you wait twenty-four hours before applying the oil to ensure that the heat has left the burn and doesn’t get trapped. In the same way, it may help speed up the healing of bruises. A 2019 study shows that coconut oil may also help ease symptoms of eczema and dermatitis, by suppressing inflammation and helping to protect the skin barrier. It can also be used to treat lice, because its fatty properties create a slippery environment, making it harder for lice to grip hair follicles. Antioxidants found in coconut oil are incredibly beneficial for our bodies. For example, these properties may help reduce stress. Furthermore, they may help those suffering from chronic and degenerative diseases. A 2017 study suggests that coconut oil helps protect the brain in those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It can help relieve symptoms of heartburn and reflux for some. Just take a spoonful of oil after meals to help reduce some of those uncomfortable symptoms. Finally, as previously mentioned, coconut oil is also full of beneficial MCTs. These MCTs and medium-chain fatty acids can be part of a healthy weight

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7 Tips When Raising a Strong-Willed Child

Uncategorized | emily | November 25, 2024

Now that I am a parent myself, I completely understand how my mom felt when I was not on my best behavior (Sorry, Mom!). I would say that I was a strong-willed child. Don’t get me wrong, I was obedient, but I first needed to say my piece before ultimately listening to my parents’ instructions. My mom would jokingly chastise me over and over again by saying, “I hope you have a child just like you when you become a parent.” Well, Mom, God answered your prayers! Although overwhelming, most would agree that the “baby” phase is one of the easiest. Then comes toddlerhood, where things start to get a little more difficult. These little humans that we were entrusted with are now mobile and starting to be able to vocalize their needs and wants. Then comes young childhood, and this is where things start to get a little more dicey! That sweet, rambunctious toddler now has opinions, and they certainly start to make them known. These are innately healthy behaviors because we want our children to grow and have thoughts and ideas about the world around them. It is important, though, that we teach our children to harness their strong-willed behaviors as they grow older, especially into their preteen and teenage years. Ultimately, we are raising them into adults who can function as productive members of society. Strong-willed behaviors that are challenging may ultimately help them as they navigate adulthood. Below are seven tips for dealing with strong-willed behaviors in our children. your strong-willed child needs you to get down to their level and make eye contact. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV) Imagine how intimidating it is for a small child to constantly have adults looming over them! Getting down to eye level with your child will ensure that you have their focus and attention. Making eye contact gives them your undivided attention during a tense moment. This will make your child feel important and heard. This method is not only useful during a tense and frustrating moment. It can be used anytime you want your child to “really” hear what you are telling them. I’m guilty, like most of us, of taking the easy way out by yelling instructions at my children from across the room or sometimes in another room completely. This often results in an “In a minute” or “What did you say?”, which leads to more repeating. Imagine how much more effective it is to simply walk up to your child and relay instructions face-to-face. Odds are the tasks you are asking them to complete would happen in a more timely manner. Once again, if your child is smaller, get down to their level and make eye contact, or if they are older, sit down and make eye contact when speaking. Your children want to feel respected and heard, just like you. your strong-willed child needs you to remain calm. “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly”. Proverbs 14:29 (Niv) It is very easy to lose your cool during a particularly challenging moment with your child. Believe me, we have all been there. The problem is that by not taking those few seconds to take a breath before responding, we are doing more harm than good. Our children do not hear us better when we yell; truthfully, they are probably not hearing us at all. Although the ideal is to think before you speak and respond calmly to your child, this is not always the reality. We are humans who make mistakes. Just like God gives us grace when we mess up, not responding to us in anger, our children deserve the same. The best thing to do when you feel that anger bubble up inside is to take a few breaths or remove yourself from the situation until you are calm. Then, when you can express yourself without anger, sit your child down and calmly resolve the situation. Since we are not perfect and will mess up, we are given opportunities to model forgiveness and grace to our children. When anger gets the better of you, make sure to apologize and ask for forgiveness from your child, and vice versa. Yes, we are the disciplinary figures in the home, but it is okay to show your child that you make mistakes, too. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE CHORE CHART PRINTABLE! your strong-willed child needs consistent discipline. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”. Hebrews 12:11 (niv) Finding and implementing a discipline method is personal to each family and each child. What works for one child may not work for another. Regardless, the key is to choose a method of discipline that is age-appropriate for your child, is warranted for the indiscretion, and then to be consistent with our follow-through. For example, I know that I am guilty of saying I am going to take away my child’s favorite electronic device, only later to give in when they ask for it because I am busy doing something else. This does not reinforce consequences to our children. The only thing we are doing is teaching our children that our words are meaningless. I get it; disciplining is hard, but boundaries are so crucial for our children. understand your strong-willed child’s power struggles. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”. Romans 5:3-4 (nlt) Power struggles occur when your child challenges your authority during a particular situation or

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10 Prayers to Say Daily for Your Husband

Uncategorized | emily | November 23, 2024

As a Christian wife, covering your husband in prayer is one of the most loving things you can do. Personally, this is something I make time for every morning. Below are the 10 prayers I say daily for my husband. pray for his protection. “Lord, I pray for your physical protection over my husband today. Protect him from accidents, anyone who may wish him harm, and bad situations. Be with him as he goes out into the world to provide for our family.” Amen. pray for his health & well-being. “Lord, I pray you protect my husband from illness and any other physical ailments. If there’s any disease lurking and unknown in his body, I pray your healing hand over him. Please God, protect my husband mentally, emotionally, and physically.” Amen. pray he is a responsible father to your children. “Lord, I pray you help my husband to be the father each of our children needs. Help him to build a personal relationship with each of our children. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:4 that fathers should not provoke their children to anger. Help him to remember this as he interacts with our children. “I know that he oftentimes is exhausted after a long day of work, but help him to realize that those moments he spends with our children before bed are crucial. Thank you for the children You have blessed us with, and help us to raise them according to Your will and Your way.” Amen. click here for your free daily prayers for your husband bookmark! pray for his work. “Thank you, Lord, for the fact that my husband can work and provide for our family. Thank you for the job that you have provided him with. Continue to open up doors of opportunity for my husband that no man can close. Help him to continue to grow and thrive in the workplace. Help him to make and achieve his goals as he works to provide an income for our family.” Amen. pray for his relationship with others. “Lord, I pray for my husband’s relationship with others. Help him to be smart and wise in how he interacts with other people today. Help him to be a peacemaker, not a conflict-seeker. If conflict does arise today, help him to handle the situation with grace and humility. Remind him to always be a role model to those around him, especially to other young men and to those who look to him as a role model.” Amen. pray he has a personal relationship with god. “Lord, I pray that my husband focuses daily on his relationship with You. I pray that he is sensitive to You and Your plan for his life and our family. Let him lean not on his own understanding, but to seek You in all things.” Amen. pray for his leadership in your home. “Lord, I pray that my husband is a good leader in our home. Help him to protect our family should there ever be a need or circumstance. Help my husband to become the spiritual leader in our home that you have called him to be. Even though we are partners in our marriage, help me to honor my husband and the decisions he makes for our family.” Amen. pray for wise dedication of family finances. “Lord, I thank you for the provisions you have given our family. Help my husband and I to be good stewards of all the blessings you have provided us with. Help us to use our finances to provide for ourselves, as well as for your Kingdom.” Amen. pray for his courage & strength. “Lord, I pray you give my husband courage and strength, no matter what circumstances he may find himself in. Help him to understand that courage and strength come from you.” Amen. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE DAILY PRAYERS FOR YOUR HUSBAND BOOKMARK! pray you are the wife he needs at this moment. “Lord, I do not know what my husband faced today. Help me to be the wife he needs at this moment. Help us both to be sensitive to one another and to help each other as we create a beautiful life together. If it is Your will, I pray to grow old with my husband, hopefully, surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thank you for all the blessings you have placed upon our family.” Amen. Covering your husband daily in prayer is one simple thing you can do as a woman of God. Take those few minutes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life to come before the Lord with your partner. Women do not realize what a strong power of prayer they possess within themselves. We are truly called to be prayer warriors for our families.

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7 Ways a Christian Woman Builds up Her Home

Uncategorized | emily | November 23, 2024

There is one piece of advice that I wish every newlywed wife received on her wedding day. It would probably reduce the number of divorces in our world today dramatically. That piece of advice is the following, “Women hold power over the trajectory of their marriage.” We have so much more control over our marital circumstances than we can even begin to imagine. Learning how to harness and use that power responsibly is something that every married woman needs to understand. One thing is for certain: we are the keeper of our home. It is our responsibility to create a peaceful and loving environment for our marriage and family. Below are seven things that we can implement today to help “build up” our homes and create the marriage we desire. A Christian woman knows when to bite her tongue. “Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Proverbs 21:9 (NKJV) If you look at the book of Proverbs, it’s kind of funny how many times the sentiment of a “nagging” wife is repeated over and over again. It’s like God is saying, “Pay attention! This one is important!”. We see it in verses like Proverbs 21:9 mentioned above, as well as in Proverbs 21:19, 27:15 & 25:24, to name a few. It is so true, though! In my opinion, our tongue is one of the biggest weapons we have. It can build someone up, or, on the other hand, it can tear someone down in the blink of an eye. We must learn to control our tongue with the person we have chosen to spend our life with. Encourage your spouse. I know how irritating it can be to find their socks right next to the hamper, the toothpaste left out, or even worse, their facial hair just sitting in the sink! I get it, believe me. But instead of being that “nagging” wife, it is important for us to use our tongues wisely and to pick our battles. Choosing love over anger wins every time. And if that doesn’t work, there’s always the “sandwich” method. Air your grievances while making sure they are wrapped in a word sandwich of “niceness.” Believe me, sometimes it is all about the delivery! A christian woman cleans up her side of the street. “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, May be won by the conduct of their wives.” 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NKJV) I know we have all said to ourselves at one time or another if only he would just change. Let me ask you something: have you ever considered what your side of the street looks like? Instead of focusing on the things you cannot change, try focusing on what you can change. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 3:1-2 that we can win our spouse not by trying to change them but instead by changing ourselves. This is so important, especially when your marriage is not looking its best. Turn the tables on your spouse and start focusing on you. Make them curious as you work on fixing those bad habits and become a better version of yourself. Without saying a single word, your spouse may become motivated to start working on their habits, and soon you will have a brand new marriage. Marriage is a marathon, not a sprint. You and your spouse are constantly evolving and growing. This means that the spouse you have today is not the same spouse you married. The only way to achieve a marriage that lasts 50+ years is to learn and grow together. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE DAILY AFFIRMATION CARDS FOR MOMS! A christian does not try to be the man of the house. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” Ephesians 5:22-23 (NKJV) I know the above verse can be one that sometimes gives a Christian woman pause. But it is important to remember that “submit” does not mean to be under your husband’s thumb. It means to allow your husband to be the man of the house instead of trampling over him and trying to make every decision ourselves. In theory, we all want our husbands to be the spiritual leader of our home, am I right? But when it comes to putting that concept into practice and allowing our husbands to handle the reins, well, that’s when things get difficult. When God created men and women, we were each given specific roles. Unfortunately, ladies, we were given the supporting role. We are meant to build up our husband and support him as the man of the house. If you treat your husband as the leader of the home, he will become the leader of your home. a christian woman is virtuous. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” Proverbs 12:4 (NKJV) A virtuous woman is moral, has a strong character, does good deeds, and is a positive influence on others. I don’t know about you, but boy is that a lot to live up to. It can be a lot of pressure, but God does not expect us to be perfect. All He wants is our best. There is one thing that the Bible makes clear: it is good for a man to have a wife. Ladies, we are a gift to our husbands. We are meant to make each other’s lives better and more fulfilling. Proverbs 31:1 says that a virtuous wife is like a ruby to her husband. It is important to take into account how you interact with your family, take care of your home, and help others in your community by striving to be a “virtuous” woman. A

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