We're Making Some New Additions!!

Accomplishing great things in life requires change that pushes us beyond being comfortable!

Have you noticed any changes? I've been investing some time into making some new additions!

When I created this blog, my goal was to document my trials and successes as a single parent, so that I could provide information, and tips beneficial to other families, and I still have every intention to continue to do so!It's my personal experiences, fails, and lessons that help me provide a lot of the resources and information that I have available.My vision for this blog has grown tremendously since creating it, and my goal is to continue to develop this blog as I continue to learn and grow as a mother.

Our Latest Updates:

• Freebie Alerts- I will continue posting alerts for free stuff and samples that are available online! This is to welcome the launch of out new sample page available March 2, 2015.
• Events- There is an event page currently available to share our upcoming articles and events.
• Sample Page- I'm still creating a page loaded with freebies and samples, that I just know you will love. Prepare for a variety of categories, and get ready to fill your mailbox with free stuff. As mentioned earlier this page will not be available until March 2, 2015
• Off-Duty Mama-When parenting duties finally end for the day, and the kids finally go to bed, I will spend some of my time documenting and sharing our experiences, parenting concerns, photos, thoughts, and more.

I'm pretty sure you've already noticed some new updates, and can't wait for our free sample page to launch be sure to check out our freebie alerts, and other resources.

Subscribe for updates, parenting tips, and freebie alerts!

Freebie Alert!

Get A Free Educational Firearm Safety Video by Mail. 

Free Retrofit Window Safety Kit 

Blue Nile is Offering Free Ring Sizers 

Mail Finity is Offering Free Letter Opener 

Free Sample Of Emergen-C Vitamin Supplement!

Request A Sample Of Quit Tea,Stop Smoking Today!

6 Crafty Ways To Keep Your Kids Busy!

Parents, our jobs are never truly done. Finances, family, career, and home takes a big share of our time....a lot of the time. So I wanted to share a list of ways to keep your kids busy.

 These are all things I do for my children, especially when I need to buy time to study, make dinner,or do some work from home.

 All tips are simple and easy, so you and can get your kids busy today!

Paint or Draw a Picture

Gather paint, markets, crayons, anything that you can use to create a art station for your children. Splash and spill guards are great for protecting your home from messes, while your children enjoy their new art station. 

Build A Box House

Kids love making secret hiding places! Help your child make the best boxed house ever, go all out! Give them plenty of different kinds of boxes, shapes and sizes, glue, paint, glitter, the works!

Play Games

Playing games is a great way to keep your children occupied, but It's very important to monitor what they're doing if they're playing a game online. I was a little hesitant of letting my kids play games online, or even over the phone, but shockingly I came across quite a few games that eliminated all my concerns. There are games and apps that are made to lock so your child cannot access anything but the game being played, and can provide a fun environment while educating them.

Be willing to try all types of games when playing: board games, computer games & apps, and handhelds, whatever! You will be amazed at how much fun they have , the things they'll learn, and you might find yourself pulled into playing with them.

Make A Vision Board

Having a goal is key to becoming successful, and creating vision boards with your children at an early age is a great way to get them in a goal setting mindset early on.

Creating a vision board with your child gives them the opportunity to meditate on, and set goals they can achieve. 

It also can be a very fun experience, and can literally take up as much time as you need. All you need is cardboard boxes, old newspaper, magazines, and glue. 

Play an Active Video

Kids love to move! Playing videos to encourage that activity is a very quick way to tire them out quickly. What they learn from this is entirely up to the parent, considering the variety of videos you could play: yoga, dance, music, or and educational mix. They'll love it all!

Bake Something

Children love sweets, and if you get them in the kitchen while they're younger, they wont mind doing it so much when they get older. Baking with children can create wonderful memories, while you teach and connect with them. 

Other benefits of baking with kids include: learning real world math, precision development, reading and vocabulary building, and organization.

Freebie Alert!

• Sign Up for Your FREE Copy of Dropshipping for Dummies

• FREE Cabinet Safety Latch Starter Kit !!! 

• Get Your FREE Personalized Business Pen

• Get A Free Trial Kit With TENA

• Get FREE Fitness Gloves With Shore Fitness 

8 Easy & Helpful Tips To Teach Your Child To Read

 I recently had to prepare my daughter for kindergarten, and wanted to share a valuable list of tips that I learned along the way to help teach children how to read.

Make sure your child has a strong knowledge of the alphabets 
This is the foundation of having a successful reader, and can determine how quickly your child begins reading. Review the alphabet daily, practice saying their sounds, and let them spend time writing their letters.

Read to your child 
Getting your child to read is a process, but reading to your child will instill a love for books, and you can also enjoy bonding and spending time with your little one. Be sure to ask questions as you read, this is a great way to encourage your child to interact with the story and assure they comprehend what you're reading.

Make reading apart of their environment
Hang up posters of site words, or place review words on your fridge, and always encourage them,even when they are able to read more independently.

Load up on books 
Keep a variety of books in your home that you and your family can enjoy. There are so many genres and types of books to rotate or read aloud with one another. This is especially great to do when they are able to read more independently.

Always make learning and reading fun
Be creative with the character's voices, get props for your story, just have fun. It's practically impossible to get kids interested in doing something if they're not having fun! Children are more willing to listen and try new things when having fun, this is always a opportunity for learning.

Give your child note cards 
Note cards provide a simple and effective way to review new words, and learn to read short sentences. This can help younger children with word recognition, and they are also easy to use to quiz your child, and play learning games with.

Read to your child daily 
Daily reading helps improve listening skills and literacy skills. Taking 20- 30 mins out of your day to read to your child helps prepare your child for kindergarten.

Pick up a book 
Be the example you wish to see in your children. Showing your child the importance in reading is as simple as reading! Children may read at an early age, but their fascination for reading can quickly fade if not modeled in the home. Make a conscious effort for your children to see you reading a few minutes each day.

Freebie Alert!

• P&G everyday offers it's users the option to select Free samples to receive by mail.

• Score Nature's Plus Animal Parade Children's Chewables for FREE 

• Request a Free Bible

• Free 2015 National Poetry Month Poster! Get it Here!

• Free Printable Coupons 

• Free Vinyl Stickers from Simplicity Vinyl

• Free Plant Vitalizer

My Take On Freebies.... Plus Free Samples

I love freebies, coupons, deals , and discounts. It's just so satisfying in knowing that you snagged a good deal, saved some cash, or can even get something for absolutely nothing. 
When I found out that I was having my daughter, I spent hours on the web searching for free items and resources that could help me, and that's when I first learned about free samples. 
I also learned that there is a lot of junk on the web! Sign your kid up for this photo contest and share, win free diapers for a year, or fill out this long boring survey and get free samples (the fine print says purchase necessary).

You could assume, when I first began signing up for free samples, I was a little hesitant,  but it turned out to be quite beneficial. Although I didn't fully commit at that time in my life, samples begin rolling in! Every few months I found formula coupons, similar samples, and diaper samples! It was like Christmas. 
Fast forward, I recently got curious about online freebies again, and was amazed at all the available free stuff!

Online freebies have evolved in the last few years, there are many companies that offer free samples, and their is stuff for the whole family, even your pets.

So how does it work?
To simply put it... Companies will give away a free sample so people can try it and hopefully like the item enough to purchase the product. You don't have to pay for anything not even the shipping.

When will I receive my free stuff?
Don't worry you're going to receive your free samples, but I don't recommend holding your breath. A lot of the times products are distributed on a first come first served basis, so they send them when they are available. It's just honestly not always a timely manner.

95% of the samples I apply for I receive, so just remember to be patient.

When I started back ordering online freebies I didn't see anything for about three months, but after that it seemed like there was something in the mail box everyday.

What kinds of freebies and samples are available?
Makeup Samples
Baby Samples
Shampoo Samples
Free Books
Free Posters
Food Samples
Free Movies
Free ebooks
Free Antivirus Programs
Free Product Samples
......the list goes on

Are you ready to fill your mailbox?
Yes, I'm making it official, I'm going to be announcing and sharing freebie alerts and developing a huge list of freebies as I go. So make sure you subscribe today to get our latest updates on free samples, coupons, and more!

Look out for Freebie Alerts!

Get a free sample of Dove body wash courtesy of Sams Club! (Members Only)
Get a Poise liner kit for FREE
Get A free Lego Club Magazine for the kids!
Get a free sample of Truvia Natural Sweetener
Share a smile with your free Smile Round Sticker!