Posts Tagged ‘children’

Saving Big with the Coupon Mom Show

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Posted 28 Feb 2010 — by Jennifer
Category Time & Money

Have you heard of Coupon Mom yet? Stephanie Nelson, the Coupon Mom, has been featured on Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, and other great shows. She has been saving big money on her groceries and she aims to show us how to do the same. I watch her show and I’m amazed. I’m a coupon clipper but nothing like her.

To find out how you can save more money each month watch the Coupon Mom closely. “New episodes of the Coupon Mom Show will be airing every Thursday on YouTube and on the Coupon Mom Show website.” I watched her shop with a family and save them big on the Kids & Pets episodeNot only can we learn to save money by watching her show and using her website as a tool, but we can post a new challange for her for her to address. Visit the Coupon Mom Show websiteto do just that. I spend about $700 on groceries each month myself. The Reeds are a big family that consist of 2 adults and 6 children, I don’t do that bad with saving money and already use some of the tools she provides, but I could do better and aim to. I can’t wait to get started. Check Coupon Mom out and save big!

You can see the Coupon Mom promo below. Please let me know what you think after you view a few of her show by commenting below. Thank you!

YouTube Preview Image

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Children’s Clothing: Individuality and Setting Guidelines

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Posted 26 Feb 2010 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Tidbits

Tight skinny jeans, hip hugging pants, and a tight shirt with a low neckline to boot, this doesn’t sound like the ideal outfit I’d want to see on my girls. What is going on with children’s clothing today? I understand the styles of today and agree the styles my teens and other young girls put together are very cute. Even though these outfits are cute and fashionable… I don’t want to see them on my girls or other young girls at all.

I can monitor what my children are wearing because I buy their clothes. However, when other teens and young girls are wearing what my girls wish to wear it does make my job harder. I appear to be the mean mom because I have standards for my girls. With these standards, in regards to children’s clothing, I know I have to decide which battles are worth fighting and which are not.

I set clear rules on what I expect of my children in regards to clothing, makeup, and piercings. They know I don’t want their pants being so tight that if I pinch at them I get skin as well as jean material. I don’t want to see their undergarments when they bend over in regards to low cut tops and hip hugging jeans.

Fashion and children will always be a battle for many parents. What are your limits or are you carefree and allow the kids to be individuals regardless of what items they choose to wear? What are your opinions on this matter? Are parents to lenient these days or am I just a big ole’ ninny? Please share your thoughts by commenting below.

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Our Children Becoming Adults

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Posted 17 Jan 2010 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Tidbits

Why can't they stay this way longer?

I often count the moments, the days, and the years that are going by. When I look at the kids while they sleep I listen to them breathe, smell their hair. touch their faces, watch their movements, listen to the humming in the air or their heartbeat as their heart strums along making a musical drumming noise of it’s own, for each child of mine has their own…

My oldest, Renae, is 14 and has been so for a bit now… since August. I can’t believe in three to four years she will be doing grown up things… paying some of her own bills, dating, driving, working, borrowing money from me, hopefully headed to college, and making plans for her dreams and aspirations! Then right behind her is Robyn. She is pressing 14 next week. This amazes me. Two very bright girls, different in more ways then I can count… soon to leave the coop, so to speak.

Knowing that my girls will soon be women, I feel I don’t have enough time with them. Renae moved to her dad’s for the weekdays about a year ago so that she could go to a good highschool, and Robyn is at her other home half the week. Knowing they will be adults in three and four years I want them closer… I want them more, and now!

I’m proud in many ways and I fear many things. Soon they will have to make big decisions on their own. Will they seek my guidance? Will they still listen some of the time? What huge mistakes will they make and learn from? Will they PLEASE just stay one more year with me as they enter the realm of adulthood. I know I have years to sort this out, but time is passing by so fast. Moments ago I heald Renae in my arms as she smiled and looked to me for all things. Now I look up at her at 6 feet tall and I’m in awe.

Come on parents help me out here! Please share your stories, as your children grow what is going on in your head? Is your children already grown? Will it be as hard as I think to let them be on their own? Please share by commenting below.

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Holiday Lessons

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Posted 26 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Self Awareness

Christmas is over, and now it’s time to reflect on the holiday lessons that we may have been given. As I’ve stated before, the Reeds are very casual about the holidays. We get together, cook, and eat good food! That is our usual and it works out quite well. Now I do usually get carried away with gift buying. I get excited shopping for the kids, knowing there will be a great shock upon their face if I get them that perfect gift. 

This year the Reed family kept it very frugal. Sometimes you have it and sometimes you just dont. My kids are used to the “maybes” on birthdays, but on Christmas they usually know there will be tons of presents. I was heartbroken knowing I cant do for them our usual. I just knew when they seen only one or two presents each under the tree they’d be saddened. 

Robyn and Yissie

 

I was completely wrong, I did something right in raising them I suppose. They told me all was okay once they realized that there wasn’t much under the tree. Then after opening their presents, they were playing with their present as if they had many. The teens were quiet all day with their new mp3 player attached to their heads. The boys played all day with their lil’ bug looking remote control helicopters, don’t know who liked them more, their uncle or them. The younger girls played with their toys together. They didn’t complain once. 

The holiday lesson here is that we put too much and hold too much weight on what we think is right. What has been right to me, going broke over Christmas, wasn’t what mattered to my children. Going forward I could probably save money on the holidays, and I now realize the kids will be just as happy with a few presents a piece or with a ship load of presents. Christmas was no different with less gifts, and I truly underestimated how much my children appreciate things for what they are. I’m thankful and blessed to have the family that I have. 

What are you most thankful for? Please share with our readers by commenting below. 

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Personalized Children Books & Gifts: $5 Off $40 Coupon Code

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Posted 22 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Time & Money

Personalized Children's Books: $5 off Coupon Code

I See Me personalized children’s gifts: $5 off coupon code.

I See Me offers personalized children’s books and gifts, and has been bought by the likes of Courtney Cox, Brooke Shields, and more. I read nothing but great reviews on I See Me products. Check them out by clicking the link below.

Click Here for $5 off on orders that are over $40! Use code FSR615 at checkout.

(sponsored post)

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Jamarae’s Successful Weigh-in

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Posted 18 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates, Reed Tidbits
Jamarae's Successful Weigh-in

Doesn't he look Excited? Lol

There was a project at Jamarae’s school, it involved stepping on a scale, weighing in, and estimating what one would weigh if they were on the moon and other planets listed on a worksheet. He comes home asking how much he weighed. I gave him his weight amount from his last weigh in a few weeks prior. He was embarrassed. He is a hefty boy and didn’t want his class to know how much he weighed. He really struggled with this one and has been working on losing weight.

The next day, Jamarae comes home from school beaming with a sense of pride. His teacher weighed all the students in and he lost weight. He lost a whoppin’ 10 lbs! Whooo Hoooo! My boy struggles with his weight. He works on eating smaller portions, at times when he wants an extra snack he needs reminders or takes pride when he doesn’t need reminders to say no to the extra snack.

I’m so proud of him and if he stays on track he could be closer to the ideal weight for his height. I asked him what he believed led to his success. He noted watching what he eats helps, but mentioned that they have been doing football drills at school and participates with Physical Education daily. Many elementary schools dont do this daily, and he just started going to this school about a month ago.

Lesson is, watch your children’s portions, switch up to 2% milk if you can, and get them outdoors to run around. Thanks to all who are following our success in losing weight. I’ll let you know how I’m doing as soon as I do my weigh in! If you want to leave Jamarae a comment or give us advice please do so below!

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Thank you friends!

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My Guest Post on Living My Moment – H1N1 Vaccine: To Vaccinate or to Not Vaccinate

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Posted 12 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates

H1N1-VaccineI sit in the doctor’s waiting room so that my two year old, who we call Yissie, can get her shots updated all the while two young boys sit still with their faces strapped to a flu mask. “Oh NO,” I thought, H1N1 here we come. The poor boys sit there looking shamed due to them being the only ones partaking in this flu mask escapade. Then a little girl points them out in disbelief blurting out, “They’re SICK!” She says this over and over again embarrassing these poor boys. I truly wanted to hug them, but feared H1N1 would be knocking at our door all too soon.  

 

We get called back past the waiting room and I’m very relieved. Then my poor lil’ Yissie has to go to the potty. GERMS, GERMS, and more GERMS is all that is on my mind as I sit her portable potty on the seat of the doctor offices toilet. Stacked high in the waste bin is tissue. This mountain of tissue made me more nervous then the two boys that may have had H1N1! What’s a mother to do? I hold Yissie’s hands high in the air and snap at her every time she gets close to touching anything.  

 

After all these fears of my poor baby getting H1N1 within a thirty minutes span, the doctor tells me he can give her the H1N1 vaccine via nasal spray well after their recording told me they didn’t have any vaccines available. 

  

Great, I’ve been at odds with the choices we have as parents… Too vaccinate or to not vaccinate? My husband texted me having an outright fit, he sternly told me she can and will not get the H1N1 vaccine the same day she receives the seasonal flu vaccine. He feels this would stress her lil’ body out if we gave her both vaccines. He tells me to wait a few weeks! Okay I’m darned if I do, and darned if I don’t.  

Are you vaccinating your children with the H1N1 vaccine? I decided I will vaccinate my children with the H1N1 vaccine. I haven’t yet due to overcrowded clinics and because I just barely decided I was going to let my children get the vaccine but a few weeks ago. Please share by commenting if your family has been vaccinated or what your stance on the H1N1 vaccine is. I’m very interested in your experience and opinions. Please share by commenting below.

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Note: Thank you Abbey from Living My Moment for allowing us the opportunity to guest blog for you during your maternity leave! It’s been a great honor. Congratulations on the new addition to your family. As always we will be reading your blog for your family updates.

Friends please visist her blog at LivingMyMoment.com. Her blog is one to subscribe to!

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Coming Soon: Kid & Teen Corner

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Posted 11 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Tidbits

When I first started blogging my goal was to have my whole family blog: myself, the husband, teens, kids! That didn’t happen. The family wasn’t as on top of things as me, and had no real fire or passion to make Reed What Matters’ blog  a family affair.

Things are changing, I have a few of my family members that love to write and they want to be involved as I once hoped for. How can I deny them releasing their creative side on our family blog?

So… the kids you keep hearing about will be writing about what matters to them! Please welcome them with comments as you do me. Please encourage your kids or teens to read their articles. Reed What Matters’ blog is always kid friendly. Soon we will offer entertainment and tools that are of their interest. My original plans are coming to be. I’m very excited. 

To keep things organized, for the time being, you will see “Kid Corner” or “Teen Corner” in front of their post. Soon there will be a special spot just for them. Thank you friends.

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Overwhelmed & Overweight

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Posted 11 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates

Overwhelmed and Overweight, how many of you came here because you feel the same way? I was browsing iMommyTalk.com and came across, How concerned are you with your children’s weight?, and even put in a lengthy reply. My son, Jamarae, at age 10 is overweight, and my daughter, Renae, at age 14 is underweight with the other four children being the right weight for their height. It’s not just the two kids with the “weight watch” issue, the husband and I have gained our fair share of pounds these last five years or so.

So now that I’ve told you that there are three size groups in my family… Too big, too small, and just right (I’m sure I sound like Goldilocks examining the three bears beds)… what to do? I just graduated to 2% milk! I’ve been having the family drink whole milk all this time because my dear Renae, being underweight, and their being a baby in the house. We all agree it’s time to leave whole milk on the shelf. Besides the milk factor, we watch our serving portions (excluding Holidays), and we aren’t lazy (well I can be at times, but shhh). We move about a lot, getting our task done and such.

My big concern is this, being of three size groups we do have our separate needs for what we eat and don’t eat, all the while getting our basic food group portions! We all should exercise more, no doubt about that! How do we do this on a budget and having different schedules at times? I’ve been Google searching away and found, Family-Health-and-Nutrition.com. Brilliant, articles and more articles about my trials, Oh boy! Kids Nutrition Blog!, Healthy Grocery Tips On A Budget, Food Pyramid Guide For Busy Moms!, Free exercise tips for the whole family!… The list goes on and on! I’m very excited to say the least.

I’ve been paying attention to the little things when it comes to health, I’m setting a goal to step things up a notch! I’m taking a lead and making things happen one step at a time! Time for better food and more exercise, isn’t it about time? Who is in on the plan with me? Does anyone want to work as support for each other with me? Please comment below and share any tips you may have for the busy family.

If you want to follow our success then please subscribe to our updates of Family Knowledge & Entertainment by clicking here! Thanks friends!

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Field Trip “result in injury/death” Disclosure

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Posted 09 Dec 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Tidbits

My son has a series of field trips to go to, all to the same place, how exciting I thought to myself. I paid for it last week and signed my son’s life away as we parents do with all their school field trips. Seemed like some exciting trips. Not just one, but many field trips! The destination must have great lessons in store for my son.

Today I get a new form to fill out… Now I’m really to sign my son’s life away (see below):

Field Trip

 I hope that isn’t too blurry for you (I bleeped out the destination’s name for their protection I suppose)… basically this disclosure says that if my son dies or gets injured I don’t hold anyone responsible, although if my son destroys something during this field trip I’m held responsible! Come on now! He can die on their watch and it’s all good, but if he destroys something on their watch it’s not. What a mess!

Of course, I didn’t sign his life away. I permitted him to go and noted that if the activity can cause death that he must sit out!!! So what if he misses out on the good stuff. I can’t send him out to do the unknowing. ”Here my son, go do these activities that I read my cause you death!”  

Am I over reacting? I think not, but who knows. I understand we can die from car accidents, or from strange occurrences… but these are the unknown. I don’t sign a waiver everytime my kids get in a car or partake in a sport activity, because relativity these activities are meant to be safe. But this field trip is another story, they know the activities may be dangerous. I’m a ninny I agree, but this is too much for a regular parent perhaps. I sign forms like this when Renae is going under anesthesia for surgery. I get that, but this!

Parents what do you think? Would you sign this form or handle things the way I did? Please comment below because I really want to know what you would do after reading this field trip injury/death disclosure.

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