summer

August 7, 2023 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How to Budget for Back-to-School Expenses

Budgeting for Back-to-School Expenses

I hate to say it, but back-to-school expenses are coming. Summer has been flying by and, depending on where you are, the school year is quickly creeping up on us. Here in Georgia, school started the first week of August!

I know for me, last year was hard. Maybe that was because it was the first school year for our family of five–I wasn’t exactly sure how to budget for it. Or maybe it was because there really are so many various and unexpected school-related expenses that happen during the year.

That’s why I believe it’s important to make sure you have at least $100 of wiggle room in your budget each month for the school year and especially back-to-school expenses. I know that sounds like a lot of money (and it definitely is.) However, chances are, when you look back over last year’s budget, you’ll notice that you come very close if not over the $100 a month for all those last-minute purchases.

How to Find Extra Cash for Back-to-School Expenses

Here are just a few ways that can hopefully help you figure out how to find an extra $100 (or more!) in your monthly budget for back-to-school expenses:

1. Cell Phones

Regardless if it’s just you and your spouse or the whole family on your phone plan, paying for cell service can be a little crazy. That’s why if you haven’t already, I highly suggest you switch over to a company like Republic Wireless (who I personally use) or Ting (several of my friends use them and love them).

You still get to have an awesome smartphone but without the high cell phone bill (mine is only $25/mo with data!).

2. Insurance

Yeah, I know, you don’t want to talk about this subject because it’s one of those “necessary evils.” However, if you haven’t called around lately to gather new quotes for your different insurance needs, I highly suggest you do. You could save yourself hundreds of dollars a year just from a simple phone call.

3. Subscription Services

It’s happened to me before. I completely forget that I have a subscription service deducting money from my bank account. It’s like I put it on autopilot and fail to evaluate if it’s a necessary expense or not.

The next thing to do is check for any recurring subscriptions, maybe now is the time to evaluate if they are still necessary. Spend a little time going through and canceling the unnecessary ones. This should add a little more wiggle room to your budget for those back-to-school expenses.

4. Be Inconvenienced

I’m a firm believer in the fact that sometimes, we are just paying way too much for convenience. It’s possible that if we allow ourselves to be inconvenienced, we could save $1,000’s of dollars a year!

One of my favorite ways to be inconvenienced is by not using paper towels. A few years ago, we switched from using paper towels regularly to using bar mop cloths. That one small change has resulted in saving us hundreds over the years! We only have to buy one roll of paper towels twice a year (for draining meats like bacon or ground beef.) Honestly, it has affected us very little.

So, look around your home and find little ways that you could save money by simply being “inconvenienced.” You could end up adding a whole lot more to your school budget than just a $100 a month!

What to Do with Your Savings

Those are just a few ways that you can cut your expenses before the start of the school year. But the key to not going broke this school year is to remember that once you add that wiggle room to your budget, as a result, you must make sure that you add a line item accounting for that.

For instance, let’s say you cut your cell phone bill from $100 to $30 a month (yes, that’s totally possible with Republic Wireless or Ting.) Now you have $70 of wiggle room in your budget that must be accounted for.

Now you’d want to add a line item like “School Miscellaneous” or something with $70 as the total.

Example:

Mortgage: $1,000
Utilities: $200
Car Payment: $400
Insurance: $150
Cell Phone: $30
Groceries: $500
School Miscellaneous: $70

Then whenever those random, “Hey we need each child to bring in a snack for our upcoming event on Thursday” happens, you’ll have the money ready to go in your budget. Just make sure that you account for that expense and deduct the total from your category for back-to-school expenses.

Hopefully, this helps you if you’re getting geared up for the back-to-school season. Even if this isn’t a stage of life you’re currently dealing with, send this onto a friend that is in this season to give them a boost!

What is a piece of advice that you could offer someone else for not going broke during the school year?

{More about Jessi Fearon}

Jessi Fearon is the founder of the popular personal finance blog, Real Life on a Budget, where she shares her family’s real-life on a budget in order to inspire others to learn how to manage their money better. Jessi’s work has been featured on Buzzfeed, Rockstar Finance, TIME/Motto Magazine, Money Saving Mom, and The Penny Hoarder. Jessi resides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia with her husband Pat and their three children Conner, Collin, and Charlotte and a rescue dog named Belle.

Additional Resources

How to Avoid Going Broke This School Year
Saving Money with Groupon Coupons
7 Tips for Living on $7 a Day
Restoring the Art of the Piggy Bank Savings
30 Cheap & Fun Date Night Ideas

May 31, 2023 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

The ABCs of Safety & Manners

Have you taught your kids the ABCs of safety and manners? One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a mom was to expect what I haven’t taught. I’d take my kids out and expect them to know not to ask the lady sitting next to us at the park for part of her lunch. Or expect them to know that they shouldn’t run and scream in a store or touch in an art museum. How would my kids know that if I didn’t teach them?

Teaching and training are part of being a parent.

One of the biggest successes I’ve had as a parent is when I’ve prepared my kids for what’s to come. I’ve given them “rules of conduct”–not to be a dictator, but instead for the sake of safety and manners.

These aren’t rules to be shared one time and forgotten. Instead, they are ones that should be read through often as reminders. (In the beginning, you might want to read over them every time that you go out.) Knowing these rules will prepare your children so they’ll be able to enjoy the day and have fun … and so will you!

I’ve included a printable for you to print, use, post, and share. May all your summer outings be less stressful and safer because of it!

Rules for Outings

Ask permission from your parents before you leave the group.
Be respectful and polite. “Please” and “Thank You” never go out of style.
Consider others before yourself. Take turns.
Do put garbage in a trash can. Leave the place as you find it… or better!
Everyone will be fed. If you are hungry or thirsty let us know. Don’t ask other people for their food. Don’t accept food or offer food to others without permission.
Fighting is for boxers in the ring. Treat others as you want to be treated.
Go slow. When inside, only walk unless you have permission to run.
Hold open doors for those following you.
If you can’t see me, I can’t see you. Get to where you can see me!
Joking and playing is not always appropriate. Consider the place and situation.
Keep your hands to yourself. In museums and other special places, you often have to look only with your eyes, not your hands.
Look and wait if you’re lost. If you get separated from the group ask someone who works there for help and stay put.
Make peace not war. Respect your siblings’ private spaces and don’t irritate them.
Never be alone with a stranger, even if they appear friendly.
Obey your parents the very first time. Say “Yes, mom” or “Yes, dad” to show you heard them.
Partner up. Always stick with your buddy.
Quietly listen. If someone is talking, wait to ask your questions.
Respond to others when asked a question.
STOP is the most important word, especially outside. When an adult says that, you do it, and ask questions later.
Try something new. Embrace the opportunity.
Use inside voices when inside.
Volunteer to help when you see a need.
Watch your gawking. Don’t stare, even if they stared first.
X-pect to carry your own things. If you bring it, you carry it.
You should go to the bathroom before we leave. Don’t wait until the last minute. Let us know when you have to go.
Zero complaining. Smile and have fun!

Download the printable here!

I hope these ABCs of Safety and Manners are helpful to you. Do you have any additional rules? I’d love to hear them!

Additional Resources

2 Parents + 8 Kids + 1 Grandma = A house full of chaos, mess, and noise!

And between homeschooling, writing, and leading a Teen MOPS group — I definitely get frustrated and cranky at times.

But You know what bothered me the most? Hearing my kids complaining. It drove me crazy until I realized I could teach them something better.

I could teach them gratitude. We could learn to be a family that’s grateful and thankful. Together we could become Grumble Free.

Would a year be enough to teach us all to focus on God’s goodness through every opportunity?

We found out in our Grumble Free Year and now you can read about how we faced whining and complaining head-on and became a stronger family because of it!

Click here to order now: www.thegrumblefreeyear.com

Click here to order The Grumbles picture book!

July 12, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Ignite Your Child’s Mind with Hands-On History Kits

Sonlight’s Hands-On History Kits are here and we are so excited!

We brought our kids home to homeschool after adoption. Because the older girls had been in public school all their lives they had an idea of what school looked like—lots of lessons and worksheets and counting down the hours until they can play. When we started homeschooling with Sonlight, they didn’t know what to think. Not only was mom spending hours a day reading wonderful books to them, but their hands were also often free to be creative while they listened to me read.

That’s why I love Sonlight’s Hands-On History kits. It not only gives my kids an opportunity to be tactile while I read the lesson to them, but it reinforces the lesson while they play. And they love it! Happy homeschooling kids mean a happy homeschooling mom–and less stress!

Happy Kids=Happy Mom

My kids just seem to pay attention better when their hands are busy. With Hands-On History Kits, we are both happy. And they aren’t just learning–they’re getting a 360-degree education using all their senses. That means they will retain more of every lesson.

One reason homeschool moms crash is from trying to do too much. These hands-on kits mean I no longer need to spend hours searching through Pinterest or make a dozen trips to the store. Sonlight’s Hands-On History Kits have all the pieces to make a history lesson fit into our busy schedule. With Sonlight, I know I can easily plan my lessons and be prepared no matter what life throws our way. As a busy mom of ten (yes ten!) I rely on Sonlight to take care of the details so I can focus on what matters most–interacting with my children and teaching them with my whole heart.

All Hands-On Deck for a Great Value

Each box is a year’s worth of hands-on projects that’ll enrich your learning in one low-priced package! The Hands-On World Cultures Kit covers history, geography, and cultures (from Egypt to the invention of the motor vehicle.) The kit includes everything you need to complete 9 projects throughout the year, including a large 100+ page full-color illustrated instruction booklet, chock-full of diagrams for each step of the way.

These new hands-on supplements are perfect for any history program.

Click here to watch my unboxing of the Hands-On History Kit:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

July 8, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

5 Grand Ways Kids Can Love Their Grandparents

This summer as your kids are searching for something to beat the boredom, it’s a great opportunity to teach your kids how to love their grandparents.

Did you know? 10% of American children live with one or more grandparents.

1. Send them a letter.

Even if they live nearby and even though it may cost mere cents, it’s still a grand gesture to send some snail mail. Toddlers can draw pictures (& moms can translate the picture if necessary.) Thanking them for their love and respecting their stories is always a beautiful thing to give elders.

2. Ask them questions.

Asking anyone questions implies that you value their knowledge and expertise. The elders in our community have valuable advice to give us! Your kids can get a good list of questions going. Pose this to your youngsters: “What 3 questions would you ask someone that’s been alive for __ years?”

What 3 questions would you ask someone that’s been alive for 70+ years? @TriciaGoyer

CLICK TO TWEET

3. Offer to help.

If distance is not too big an obstacle, how might you be able to help around the house? Kids can love their grandparents through service–can they pick up leaves? Mow the lawn? Dust off that one bookshelf? Paint a wall? Run some errands?

4. Make something with them.

Baking, carpentry, fishing, even writing can be great ways to show respect and love for your grandparents. Who knows?! You might finally get your hands on that heirloom recipe you’ve had your eye on!

5. Walk them through your family’s photo album.

If you’ve got access to recent photos, walk them through your favorites from the past year. Remind them of that performance their grandkid starred in, those report cards, soccer trophies, and science projects. Grandparents love to discover new ways to brag.

What are some ways your kids love their grandparents?

In my book Walk It Out I share how God helped me walk out love for my own grandmother by bringing her to live in our home instead of allowing her to spend her golden years alone in a nursing home. The truth is, it’s been a huge blessing to our family and my children continue to learn from her wisdom daily. To learn more visit Walk It Out.

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June 17, 2019 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

End of Summer (or anytime) Cookie Recipe

During the summer my kids are like little mice–always in the kitchen scurrying around to find a snack. They especially love a sweet summer treat. Of course, chocolate chip cookies are a favorite for us so I thought I’d share a cookie recipe guest post from Lathe Weymouth. Now that we are ending summer, your little mice will still love this as a school snack. Or really, who doesn’t love these ANYTIME!?

Be sure to give it a try and let me know what you think!

Everyone’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

In my family, there is one recipe book to end all recipe books. It is the last word on cookery. This wonderful book contains numerous recipes requiring bathtub-size mixing bowls and is the only place where I’ve ever found the instructions necessary to make both Butter Soup (what???), Head Cheese, and Pickled Pigs Feet.

The cookbook is called The Mennonite Treasury of Recipes (A Canadian Best-Seller), and today I’m here to share with you my family’s favorite treat as featured in the Treasury. Don’t worry, it’s not Head Cheese. It’s a recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies which I’ve made countless times. They’re by far my husband’s favorite baked good, and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like these cookies. I generally make them in batches of 5 dozen, and they’re gone within one or two days. Without further ado, here is the recipe for Everyone’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies. As you can see, it’s what we call a “scratch and sniff” cookie recipe around here.

Print The Recipe

Everyone’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Author: Mrs. Eleanor Neustaedter

From “The Mennonite Treasury of Recipes”

Ingredients

1 cup shortening (I use butter)
⅔ cup white sugar
⅔ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 package chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut if desired
2 cups oatmeal

Instructions

Cream shortening/butter.
Add sugars gradually.
Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
Sift flour, salt and soda and add to creamed mixture.
Add nuts, chocolate chips and oatmeal last.
Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets and bake in a 350-degree oven for 12 minutes.

This cookie recipe, as printed in the Mennonite Treasury, makes about 2.5 dozen cookies. If you want to make 5 like I do, you’ll have to double the recipe. To add a copy of the Mennonite Treasury to your cookbook library, you can purchase a copy here. It’s somewhat pricy, as it’s hard to find but well worth the money if you ask me. All the recipes are tried and true, submitted by Mennonite homemakers. Credit for this chocolate chip cookie recipe goes to Mrs. Eleanor Neustaedter in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Want to save the recipe in your Pinterest? You can find it here on my Pinterest board for Delish Desserts!

~Tricia

Summer Reading For Family Togetherness

Would you like to create more togetherness for your family this summer? Here is some great summer reading!

Summer is supposed to be a relaxing time, but I’ve found that kids who have too much free time often get into trouble. Also, my kids are also prone to fight because they don’t have many activities to pull all ages together. Do you find the same thing?

We have a lot of time together during our homeschooling schedule reading aloud, and we love it. Over the years, my homeschool kids have spanned every age, and it’s an amazing thing to see the children of different ages laughing (and sometimes crying) together as I read.

We love summer reading! You should try summer reading to promote family togetherness this summer!

I decided to bring everyone together one summer through the Sonlight Summer Reading Program. I chose the middle school readers since they looked as if they’ll appeal to all ages. Also, since I had five girls at the time I chose the books that the girls would be most interested in …. and my son did mind, in fact, he enjoyed it!

My kids were SO excited about these books. Also, we had a teen friend from Europe that stayed for a month, as well. I thought these middle school readers will be perfect since English is her second language.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider summer reading:

It’s super easy. All you need to do is gather everyone together and read.
Kids of all ages can enjoy the same book.
It provides a meaningful experience to fill up summer days.
It provides a time of intimacy as everyone gathers close.
It takes kids on new adventures and fun experiences without leaving home.

I encourage you to check out Sonlight’s summer reading program. If you do, let me know how your family is enjoying the books!

How to Avoid Going Broke this School Year {by Jessi Fearon}

Summer has been flying by and depending on where you are, the school year is quickly creeping up on us (here in Georgia, school started the first week of August!). And I know for me, last school year was hard. Maybe it was because it was the first school year for our family of five so I wasn’t exactly sure how to budget for it or maybe it was because there really are so many various and unexpected school-related expenses that happen during the year.

That’s why, I believe it’s important to make sure you have at least a $100 of wiggle room in your budget each month for the school year. I know that sounds like a lot of money (and it definitely is), but chances are, when you look back over last year’s budget, you’ll notice that you come very close if not over the $100 a month for all those last minute school function things and that whole “snack mom” thing.

How to Find an Extra $100

Here are just a few ways that can hopefully help you figure out how to find an extra $100 (or more!) in your monthly budget:

1. Cell Phones

Regardless if it’s just you and your spouse with a cell phone or it’s a whole family and then some on your cell phone plan, paying for cell service can be a little crazy. That’s why if you haven’t already, I highly suggest you switch over to a company like Republic Wireless (who I personally use) or Ting (several of my friends use them and love them).

You still get to have an awesome smartphone (I have the Moto G) but without the high cell phone bill (seriously, mine is only $25/mo with data!).

2. Insurance

Yeah, I know, you don’t want to talk about this subject because it’s one of those “necessary evils” and it’s a bazillion dollars BUT if you haven’t called around lately to gather new quotes for your different insurance needs, I highly suggest you do that today. You could save yourself hundreds of dollars in a year just from a simple phone call.

3. Subscription Services

I know it has happened to me before where I completely forget that I have a subscription service that takes a certain amount out of my bank account either monthly or yearly. It’s like I put it on autopilot and even though I keep it in the budget, I fail to really evaluate if it’s a necessary expense or not.

So, if you have any recurring subscriptions, maybe now is the time to evaluate if they are still necessary for your current lifestyle. Spend a little time going through and cancelling the unnecessary ones which should add a little more wiggle room in your budget for the upcoming school year.

4. Be Inconvenienced

I’m a firm believer in the fact that sometimes, we are just paying way too much for convenience and sometimes if we allow ourselves to be inconvenienced, we could potential save ourselves $1,000 of dollars a year!

One of my favorite ways to be inconvenienced is by not using paper towels. A few years ago, we switched from using paper towels regularly to using bar mop cloths and it has saved us hundreds over the years! We only have to buy one roll of paper towels twice a year (for draining meats like bacon or ground beef) and honestly, it has affected us very little.

So, look around your home and find little ways that you could save money by simply being “inconvenienced” and you could end up adding a whole lot more to your school budget than just a $100 a month!

Don’t let this school year empty your wallet. @thebudgetmama shares 5 ways to save $$$

Click To Tweet

What to Do with Your Savings

So those are just a few ways that you can cut your expenses before the start of the school year. But the key to not going broke this school year is to remember that once you add that wiggle room to your budget, you must make sure that you add a line item accounting for that wiggle room.

So let’s say you cut your cell phone bill from $100 to $30 a month (yes, that’s totally possible with Republic Wireless or Ting) so now you have $70 of wiggle room in your budget that must be accounted for.

Now you’d want to add a line item like “School Miscellaneous” or something with $70 as the total.

Example:

Mortgage: $1,000
Utilities: $200
Car Payment: $400
Insurance: $150
Cell Phone: $30
Groceries: $500
School Miscellaneous: $70

Hopefully this helps you if you’re getting geared up for back-to-school season and even if this isn’t a stage of life you’re currently dealing with, send this onto a friend that is in this season of life to hopefully help them!

What is a piece of advice that you could offer someone else for not going broke during the school year?

{More about Jessi Fearon}

Jessi Fearon is the founder of the popular personal finance blog, TheBudgetMama.com, where she shares her family’s real life on a budget in order to inspire others learn to how to manage their money better. Jessi’s work has been featured on Buzzfeed, Rockstar Finance, TIME/Motto Magazine, Money Saving Mom, and The Penny Hoarder. Jessi resides in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia with her husband Pat and their three children Conner, Collin, and Charlotte and a crazy Bluetick Coonhound named Blue.

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

August 4, 2016 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Finish the Summer Well: 50 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids

When I was a kid I spent most of my summer days outside. Even though I was a big reader and thought curling up on the couch made a perfect day, I was outside a lot. Why? my mom kicked me outside, and she LOCKED the door. I had to find places to go and things to do. Can you relate?

As a mom I worry when my kids don’t want to be outside too. With eight kids at home sometimes I hear, “I’m bored.” This means two things: 1. “Mom, entertain me” or 2. “Mom, I want to play on my tablet/watch TV.”

Even though I haven’t tried it on my kids, I understand why my mom locked me out. Summer days are perfect for connecting with God in nature and with each other. That doesn’t happen glued to the electronics.

Are you ready to finish your summer well? Here are fifty summer bucket list ideas of your kids. Cut out the options and put them in a bucket. Pull out one each day. Or pick your top ten favorite things to do before summer ends.

Finish your summer well! @TriciaGoyer shares 50 summer bucket ideas:

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Don’t just think of them as activities to mark off a list. Instead, be diligent to use these ideas to connect with God in nature and connect with friends and family. As you do you’re creating wonderful summer memories!

50 Summer Bucket List Ideas

Pick berries
Make a bird feeder from pinecones, peanut butter and bird seed
Start a bug collection
Visit a farm
Throw rocks in a pond
Walk through a forest
Visit a nature museum
Photograph rainbows
Start a bug collection
Roast marshmallows
Visit an aquarium
Hike a trail
Press flowers
Catch frogs and lizards
Record bird calls
Chase fireflies
Study the stars
Go fishing
Plant a garden
Build a fort

Get the rest of the bucket list at thebettermom.com

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June 28, 2016 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

MyCarDoesWhat.org | A FUN way to teach your child about car safety features!

MyCarDoesWhat.org

A FUN way to teach your child about car safety features!

“We downloaded Dashboard Blitz, an app on car safety features and my 6-year-old and I had a blast playing it!” This isn’t a phrase I ever thought would cross my lips, but it did. And it’s true.

I’ve been thinking a lot about automobile safety ever since my 16-year-old daughter attended driver’s education. In Arkansas, where we live, driver’s education is not required, but in the Goyer household it is! I want my children to be as prepared as they can be before getting their driver’s license and heading out on the road.

I started talking to Maria about driver’s safety and care safety features as the days ticked down to when the training would start, but I never thought about preparing my kids even before that. What a concept!

Driving Safety 101

The world of driving safety is changing rapidly. New car safety technologies are being added to cars faster than any earlier generation. Even features that have been around for years are getting smarter. But how do these safety features work? When should they be used? How can they help me?

MyCarDoesWhat.org helps drivers answer these questions. MyCarDoesWhat is a national campaign to help educate drivers on new vehicle safety technologies designed to help prevent crashes.

The campaign’s website, MyCarDoesWhat.org, includes educational videos and other information about a variety of safety technologies including back-up cameras, blind spot monitoring systems, forward collision alerting and other systems that help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of a crash.

Fun Game!

Honestly isn’t not a huge priority for me to sit down and teach about car safety technologies. As a mom of ten kids I just don’t have time. (Who does?) That’s why this game is so GENIUS! I mean what kids doesn’t want to try out a new game?

Dashboard Blitz is an Android and IOS app. You can find out more info here. I started playing it with my 6 year old and we played together. Then, my 11 year old wanted to try it out. She’s asked to play it again many times!

Here’s how the game works:

You’ve been tasked to run the world’s most advanced auto expo. Here, visitors can try out simulators with the latest in car safety technology – from blind spot monitors to back-up cameras and more.

Along the way, you’ll score sweet upgrades, new safety features and rise to the top of the auto expo circuit!

Play the game on iOS devices
Play the game on Android

The best part of the game is the knowledge that it gives kids about car safety features. When we are in the car they are more aware of the safety technology. “Mom, that’s your back up camera, cool!” and “Did you just use your anti-lock brakes when you stopped?”

In addition to knowledge they gleaned my kids really had fun with it. They were able to touch and move the objects and scroll through the screen. The game increases difficulty with each level and they gain points, buy upgrades and had to move quickly to keep up.

What are you waiting for?

Download the game and have your kids try it out! Not only is it fun they’ll learn a lot, too! And the sooner they start learning the safer they will be when they finally get on the road … which is something every parent wants!

New car safety game for kids & adults alike! Play #DashboardBlitz today http://vrl.ht/iOSBlitz

Click To Tweet

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June 21, 2016 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

22 Great Summer Reads for Your Kids!

I’m a mom of ten kids and a book addict. This means we do a lot of reading! I’ve gathered a list of some of our favorite books. These are perfect for summer reading.

Boys ages 6–12

Henry Huggins Series by Beverly Cleary

Book 1: Henry Huggins
Book 2: Henry and Beezus
Book 3: Henry and Ribsy

Beverly Cleary was one of my favorite authors growing up, and I still love reading her books to my kids. This series is about a young boy named Henry and the adventures with his family, friends, and dog, Ribsy. The first book was published in 1950, and the series led to the Ramona Quimby books. The adventures are fun and my kids loved the trouble Henry often found himself in (but also got out of!).

Hank the Cowdog series by John Erickson

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

A little bit of mystery, a little bit of fun, and a whole lot of humor is how I’d describe these books. Hank is a cowdog on a large range, and he’s clueless. It’s fun listening to these books on audio because I’ve found my kids shouting at the CD player as they try to clue-in Hank to what’s really going on.

Girls ages 6–12

The Betsy-Tacy Books

Book 1: Betsy-Tacy
Book 2: Betsy-Tacy and Tib
Book 3: Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown

I first heard about the Besty-Tacy books from two librarian friends. First published in the 1940s these books are the true-to-life stories of friends growing up at the turn of the 20th century. The books start when Betsy is 5 years old and meets Tacy, a new friend from across the street. The stories follow the girls from age 5 all the way to Betsy’s wedding! I’ve read these books to my daughters, ages 5 and 8, and my son, who is 5. They got wrapped up in the characters. We are currently finishing up the last book, and the girls have asked to start again! These books are delightful.

The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Book 1: Little House in the Big Woods
Book 2: Little House on the Prairie
Book 3: Farmer Boy

These were my all-time favorite books growing up, and I’m still a huge fan! These books are different (even better!) than the television series that some of us watched as kids, and they are inspired by the Laura’s real life growing up on the American prairie.

Pre-Teen and Teen Girls

Katie Parker Productions by Jenny B. Jones

Book 1: In Between
Book 2: On the Loose
Book 3: The Big Picture

I read this series out loud to my preteen and teen girls, and we were all laughing hard! Memorable characters and strong Christian morals. The main character Katie is in foster care, and the books brought out a lot of wonderful conversations with my kids.

River of Time Series by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Book 1: Waterfall
Book 2: Cascade
Book 3: Torrent

My teen daughter seemed unimpressed by my collection of Christian fiction, yet when she scanned the shelves these books caught her eye. She’s not much of a reader, but she asked me to buy all the books on the series. Since then she’s moved on to other Lisa Tawn Bergren books!

Pre-Teen and Teen Boys

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Book 1: The Magician’s Nephew
Book 2: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Book 3: The Horse and His Boy

I can’t count the number of times John has read these books out loud to our kids. When each one gets around seven or eight we tell each other, “They’re old to start Narnia now!” They’re also wonderful chapter books for pre-teens and teens to read on their own.

Non-fiction

Prayers that Changed History by Tricia Goyer

As a homeschooling mom I loved coming across moments in history when something important was changed because of prayer. In 1999 I started collecting these stories. I added to the file through the years, and the book is finally published! InPrayers That Changed History, the stories of twenty-five notable people are presented along with how prayer changed their lives and changed history. Following each historical example is a biblical story that ties to that person’s life and actions, as well as ways children can use the power of prayer in their lives as well.

What about you? What’s on your summer reading list?

Stop by thebettermom.com to read the original post!

Summer is officially here! Keep your kids reading with this great list from @TriciaGoyer

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June 7, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

FREE Summer Printables for Your Kids

Summer is here and one of my favorite things is spending time in nature and teaching my kids how to enjoy God’s creation. To do this better my daughter-in-law and I created some printables! You can download them here.

We’ve also created a large pack of printables that you can buy for $4.50.

This pack includes 27 printables to be used for creating and connecting with God’s creation this summer. These pages are mostly in black and white for cheaper printing (for mom) and because coloring is fun (for kids!).

Some of these pages can be laminated to be used over and over, such as the bingo or scavenger hunt cards.

The June, July, and August pages are “bucket” lists for your kids for that month, but feel free to be creative! For example, if you don’t live near a beach or a forest use your imagination to “pretend” you are doing these activities. Color in the ones you complete. The goal to to help children enjoy God’s creation.