Steady Mom

Giveaway Winner :: Moukisac

After 109 entries, the winner of the Moukisac set is....

Stephanie (steph3215@) said....

"I use the main reusable bags, but I have always wanted to use reusable bulk/produce bags...but have not found anything practical. Moukisac seems to have come up with a great solution!"

Congratulations, Stephanie!

Marie of Moukisac is also giving a special offer to Steady Mom readers. Anyone who places an order at her store can email Marie and receive a free sprouting kit along with your order.

In order to receive this offer, you must email Marie at info(at)moukisac(dot)com Mention that you were referred from Steady Mom and that you've placed an order from her store.

Thanks for entering, and thanks to Moukisac!

Jamie is founder of this little spot called Steady Mom, editor of the blog Simple Homeschool, mama to three cute kids born on three different continents, and author of Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood.

Sponsor Giveaway :: Moukisac

One of the things I love about having sponsors on my blog is getting connected with amazing women using their talents in amazing ways--and Marie Naubert of Moukisac is no exception.

Everyone seems to be on the cloth grocery bag craze these days, which is wonderful for our planet. I've noticed, though, that the cheap cloth bags I bought from my supermarket started wearing thin after just a few trips to the store.

Although I wanted to use them, I wasn't convinced they were sturdy enough--and not having a solution for the clear plastic produce bags at stores always bothered me.

So I was thrilled to receive the Moukisac Marie sent me for review.

I love that I can wear it around my waist as I go through a store (what with three little people accompanying me!), and the mesh produce bags are exactly what I've been hoping to find.

Here's a description:

How to Encourage Independent Toddler Play

Photo by Zenobia Joy

The following post is written by Steady Mom's monthly contributor, Melitsa.

Toddlers are fiercely independent one moment, then clingy and needy the next.  The problem comes when you're trying to get out the door and they want to put on their shoes. 

Or perhaps it is dinner preparation time and they just want you to play with them. It's at times like these you wish you had a toddler who was more independent and knows when to listen to you.

Independent play isn't always possible but is necessary. There are plenty of play activities we will do with our children that are driven by us for good reason.

Toddlers learn like we do through repetition, copying, trying things out and a chance to exercise their imagination. Toddlers are inquisitive and seem primed to learn and discover all the time.

Toddlers are also attracted to everyday objects and what is around them. Haven't you ever bought a toy, only to find your little one prefers the box or wrapping paper? Luckily there are plenty of opportunities in your home to use everyday objects to encourage play in your little ones.

Successful Decluttering for Busy Mamas (Moms' 30-Minute Blog Challenge)

Photo by Sean MacEntee

Spring cleaning is in the air, and it seems that everyone in the blogosphere is talking about it. A big part of spring cleaning is clearing out the clutter--something we all can relate to (whether or not we actually do it!)

Conventional decluttering advice goes like this: You should dedicate 15 minutes everyday to one room in your house. Go through each possession and decide whether to keep, toss, or give away. Only keep the things you believe are useful or beautiful.

When you've completed one room, continue to the next. And so on. Until you reach the finish line--and your whole house is clutter-free.

I've attempted this exercise on a couple of occasions, feeling pumped and ready to tackle my home top to bottom. But somehow, I've never made it completely to the finish line.

I've finally decided that I was in the wrong line to begin with. So I've developed a few alternative ideas that make the decluttering process work for busy mamas like me.

Maybe these four points will stir thoughts of your own.