life
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What I Pack the Night Before for Pool Days (So Mornings Feel Easy with Kids)
One of the best systems I use every summer is prepping everything the night before. From resetting my pool bag to packing snackle boxes, this simple routine makes mornings feel calm, organized, and actually enjoyable with kids.
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My 5AM Mom Morning Routine That Keeps Our House Running (But I Was Forgetting Myself)
My 5AM morning routine kept our house running during one of the most stressful seasons of the year—but I realized I was taking care of everyone except myself. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and the simple systems I’m using to fix it.
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Skip the Toddler Bed: How We Got It Right the Second Time
Some posts on Spruceprints may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I personally use and love. We skipped the toddler bed—and it completely changed bedtime in our house.Here’s what we did instead that made the transition so much easier the second time around. If you’re…
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Peace in the Pool: A Mother’s Reflection on Swim Lessons and Confidence
Some posts on Spruceprints may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products I personally use and love. She turned around for her usual thumbs…
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The “Knowing”: Leaving My Teaching Job After 12 Years as a Young Mom
Every January, I write down words I hope will shape the year ahead. One year, I wrote: take risks on faith. I didn’t know that would mean leaving a job of 13 years, starting over as a new teacher again, and trusting a feeling I couldn’t fully explain — only feel. Some posts on Spruceprints…
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Weekend Reset Routine for Busy Moms (Simple Drawer System)
After 13 years teaching English, I took a leap in 2024 and started in a new district. Overnight, I went from confident veteran teacher to overwhelmed beginner—learning new tech, teaching four preps, and raising a one-year-old and three-year-old. Some posts on Spruceprints may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.…
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The $200 Shopping Trip That Saved My Teacher- Mom-Summer: Pool & Beach Essentials That Actually Worked
Some posts on Spruceprints Some posts on Spruceprints may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I personally use and love. The Items That Make the Biggest Difference If I had to narrow it down, these are the few things I would immediately replace if I…
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Teacher Mom’s Pool-to-Bedtime Routine
Teacher-Moms, I Know You’ll Relate After 10 months of caring for other people’s children, summer at home with our own children is magical. It’s a much-needed reset. But the days can be long—especially when partners are working regular shifts, overtime shifts, or even a second job during busy season. In our family, that meant my…
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The Day I Threw Away 20 Years of Planners
Calendars and planbooks hold the blueprints of our lives and the footprints of our attention. They hold accomplishments and tasks forgotten. It’s like they hold a life of their own and to toss them means tossing out the documentation of memories and accomplishments. For about 20 years, I had kept my old planners. From Lily…
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