You Need My Cookbook :-)

Today I'm 47 years old. And I'm going to get straight to the point. 

I think you should buy my cookbook. 

You know you struggle to make mealtime interesting at your place. You get tired of making the same old stuff. How about a bunch of recipes that include tater tots and also incorporate your other favorite things and meal types: Sloppy Joes, string cheese, beer, and so much more?! Click here to see the full table of contents so you can start your meal planning while you wait for your book!

If not for yourself, how about for someone you know who would enjoy it? We all know that person who is hard to buy for ... and a cookbook is something cool and different. A book full of tater tots? Way cool.

It's full of recipes for different types of tater tot casserole, including BBQ, gluten-free, bacon cheeseburger, fish stick surprise, Italian, pizza, dairy-free, and more! You can check out the bonus Fully Loaded version here. Here's what it looks like on the inside. Nice large print, friends.

And because we all like something sweet, it also contains a baker's dozen dessert recipes, including Easy Brownies, Granola Bars and the amazing Heavenly Bars! Here's another sample:

It's available now at Amazon in print so grab your copy now ... one for yourself and one for a friend! Here's the link! And please leave me a review after you receive it! If you love it, I smile. If you have an issue with it, I try to improve it next edition!

Cheesey goodness; just toss a veggie or a salad or some fruit on the side

Here's the back cover:

Want to know about my non-fiction self-publishing journey? Head over to The Published Parent to read the story!

Hey, while you're supporting me and loving on me, may as well also give this one a look:

Have files of article reprints that you own but have no clue where to start reselling them? Have ideas for some fantastic new pieces but no idea who might want them? Check out my 386-page PDF of tips, tricks, and insider information, as well as 384 paying parenting and family markets for only $9.99! Just head to this page to download How to Get Published (and Paid!) Writing About Your Kids and get started immediately!

Sign up for an email subscription to The Published Parent and get two amazing freebies: 10 Parenting Markets That Pay $100+ and 10 Markets That Pay Writers to Write About Writing! And join my Facebook group called Parenting Magazine Writers ... it's FREE and full of tips and tricks and markets and like-minded writer friends!

Fun Ways to Make Your Children More Creative

This is how my 15-year-old son Michael got creative after we bought him some paints and brushes, and a friend got him canvas on which to paint. Bob Ross Junior.

Sometimes, the one thing missing from your kids’ life is fun and creativity. They may end up performing worse than they previously did academically. It is always better to offer an environment which is comfortable and in turn increases their mental abilities. Creativity outlets imagination; whether socially or academically. It is important to offer children a place where they can be expressive and relevant.

The first investment needs to be made from the parents' side in terms of providing them the medium to be creative and then getting them relevant supplies. Here are a few ideas for you to let your child imagine everything in the world and put it onto paper for you to read:

5 Great Home Business Ideas for Moms

Starting your own business can seem overwhelming. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need a sizable starting cash flow or investors lining up at your door. You can actually start a business with relatively little cash and do it all from your home. All it takes is hard work and a desire to succeed.

So now that the main question regarding cash is out of the way, what business should you start? The answer to this will be based off of what you enjoy, what your skills are, and what you can see yourself doing for an at home business. Below are just a handful of ideas to get you started.

1. Medical Coding

Medical Coding has incredible earning potential, although it will be a bit more challenging to get yourself started.

Medical coding requires training and coding software. Certifications are also needed as it will ensure potential clients of your validity.

As a medical coder, you’ll work with doctors’ offices and hospitals to code documents for insurance purposes. It is up to you to find these clients through networking opportunities and other marketing channels.

One of the biggest issues when starting a medical coding business is the amount of scams that target would-be medical coders. These scams promise to provide software, training, certification, and even clients providing you with incredible revenue. Always remember, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

2. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing requires almost no cash to get started. The basics to get started are a computer and email address.

The opportunity for freelance writing is abundant. Marketing firms and departments are beginning to create a plethora of content for their websites. With so much content to create, many marketing teams are turning to freelance writers to get the job done.

The range of topics available to write about are vast. You may be writing about technology, consumer goods, animals, sports, or even marketing. There are a handful of sites that connect you with work needed such as Guru, oDesk, and Textbroker.

Additionally, freelance writing could take you towards the non-profit sector. A grant writer helps connect funders and grant seekers.

3. Pet Sitter/Walker

If you’re an animal person, starting a pet sitting or dog walking business is right up your alley.

A pet owner never wants to leave their pet cooped up inside all day. However, most people are extremely busy with their jobs, their children’s activities, and more. Having the option to leave their dog with a pet sitter is a great alternative.

A great way to get started is through word of mouth. Letting your network know that you are starting a business and looking for clients will help to get the ball rolling. Consider working with apartment communities and home communities to spread flyers about your business.

Additional places to market your services are the dog park and retirement communities. A lot of pet owners at the dog park only get to take their dog there on occasion. Chances are they’ll want their dog out and about a lot more.

Retirement communities are a great place to start because many pet owners in these communities may lack the energy or capabilities to walk their dog.

4. Wedding Planner/Bridal Consultant

Creative, organized, detail oriented and level-headed moms make for great wedding planners. Starting a wedding planning business puts you in an industry that is never going away and only seems to spend more as time goes on.

Weddings have become extremely lavish over the years with increasingly larger budgets. A lot of details go into making a wedding a success and sometimes the bride can’t or doesn’t want to handle it herself. This is where her wedding planner comes in.

You’ll handle all aspects of the big day including tiny details such as table centerpieces all the way to large items such as venue deposits. It takes a very specific type of person to do this job but it can also be an incredibly fulfilling job.

5. Crafter: Sewing, Soap Making, etc.

By now, you’ve probably heard of Etsy. It is a crafter’s version of Amazon with beautifully displayed goods.

Another business venture for the creative mind is to start your own crafting business. Sewing, crocheting, soap making, and more are all different types of businesses a mom can start from home.

Homemade soap has become increasingly popular as consumers become more in-tune with what they are putting on their body. Organic soaps made with various herbs and ingredients make for soothing and deliciously scented baths.

Crafters can sell their goods online, at craft fairs, farmers markets and even through major distributors if you can make a decent splash with your product.

Overall, the possibilities for a home business are endless. These five are great starts and have been successful ventures for many moms out there. Now, it’s time to start your business.

Andrew Fujii is a marketing professional with expertise in digital/web and content marketing. He is also a copywriter for multiple agencies producing copy for blogs, articles, websites, product packaging, mobile apps, and more.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AndrewFujii2/posts

http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfujii/

4 Educational Activities That You Should Try at Home

Another educational activity at home: having your dad teach you how to switch out a manifold on a truck :-) Go, Joel!

Raising kids is a lifetime job, and you don’t often get a break. The reward, however, is in the  unforgettable smiles, watching your child evolve, and the sense of accomplishment you feel at the end of each day. A significant aspect of raising kids is engaging them in activities to keep them occupied. This often requires that you continuously look for new and engaging activities that they can do either alone or with you. You may be reading this because you’re trying to find some new activities that you can do to keep your child busy. This article is going to suggest a few that you may find useful.

Create a Website

In this technological age, it isn’t uncommon to find a child somewhere glued to their iPad. If your child happens to be one of those kids, why not make their screen time more productive by teaching them how to create a website? You could sit down and let them come up with a website idea that relates to their interests or hobbies. So that they’re even more involved, you could also get them to take the pictures for their site while you help them post. In addition, showing them how to manage and update it on a regular basis or doing it for them until they’re old enough to take over is another way to teach them management skills.

DIY Volcano

If you have kids who are into experimenting, why not create a DIY volcano at home? This is an activity that’s ideal if your child loves science or if you’re struggling to get them to improve in that area. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, you’re going to need baking soda, salt, dish liquid, vinegar, scissors, orange food coloring, a glass jar and a party hat. This baking soda and vinegar volcano is a great way to teach them simple science facts.

Educational Board Games

For those who have kids that enjoy game playing, you should think about getting educational board games. It’s a great way to help expand their knowledge, teach them friendly competition, as well as how to lose gracefully. While schools like Salcombe Private School, North London encourage students to play games like Chess, these are also appropriate games they can play at home if you want them to develop strategic thinking skills.

Plant a Garden

If you have space on the outside of your home, another activity you can do with your child at home is plant a garden. It’s something that can teach your child patience as well as responsibility as they could be in charge of watering and monitoring the flowers and plants. Perhaps think about going through different plants with them and allowing them to choose their favorites so that looking after them will be something they find exciting.

Raising kids often requires patience, understanding and creativity, especially when it comes to learning. It isn’t always easy, but by spending time educating your child at home, you help bring out the best in them. Hopefully, after reading this, you have a few more ideas regarding how to make their future brighter.

Everything You Need to Know Before You Get Your First Family Dog

Getting your first dog will require a lot of preparation; you need to not only prepare yourselves, as the dog owners, but you will also have to prepare your home and know what you need to do. Dogs are huge responsibilities, but they are also incredibly loyal and very loving, which is why the majority of dog owners are completely satisfied with their choice of becoming dog parents. If you are thinking of getting a dog yourself, all you need to do is read through this quick guide so that you know what you will be getting into:

Dogs are Huge Responsibilities

Dogs require daily exercise, love, and training. They are much more hands-on than other types of pets, but it is for this reason that they make such great companions. If you have not looked after or owned a dog before, then you will want to make sure that you know what you are getting in to. Dog sit, learn from your dog-owning friends and get familiar with owning a dog and what it entails. Different dogs will require different levels of commitment, so use this time to figure out what kind of dog suits your lifestyle best.

Different Dogs Require Different Levels of Commitment

Choosing the right dog breed is one of the most important parts of becoming a dog owner. Different breeds have different characteristics, and levels of commitment, and it is your responsibility to know what these are before you commit to any breed. West Highlight White Terriers, for instance, might look like cute lap dogs, but they were bred for hunting and require a lot of exercise and challenges to be happy. If you live in an apartment, they likely won’t be the breed for you, but there are toy breeds that are perfectly suited for your living situation.

Training is Crucial

No matter what dog you choose, you must train them and be consistent with your rules. If you have never trained a dog before, that’s okay. There are puppy training classes that you can join where both you and your puppy learn training basics. Smartest dog breeds require sometimes more training and exercise than other breeds. Be consistent with your training – your furry friend can learn fast, but you have to be strict. If you don’t want them up on your couch, you have to say no every time, not most of the time.

How to Take Care of Your Dog

Dogs require regular exercise and routine, which means that you taking care of a dog can benefit the both of you. You will need to go to walks at the same time every day, feed them at the same time every day, and otherwise structure their life so that they know what to expect and will behave appropriately. If you don’t and become lax in, say, walking them, then they could become antsy and start acting out as a result. Know how to take care of your dog, and be prepared to commit to a schedule.

Dogs are great additions to any family, but they also require some of the most work. That is why it is always important that you know how to take care of a dog, what breed suits your lifestyle, and how to train them before you bring your puppy home.