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First Alert Home Safety Priority Checklist

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When we first moved into our forever home, it was in December of two years ago. The temperature had just dropped. We ended up having an issue with the plumbing in our century home that caused a weird odor. We knew it wasn’t carbon monoxide, but we were worried about another harmful gas. So we called the fire department and they came to check it out for us. Luckily, it was a false alarm and just due to the plumbing not having been used in a long time. I’ll never forget that feeling of urgency and needing to make sure our smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors were working. We use the first of the year and mid-year as the moments we test and change the batteries for all of our detectors. And that’s why I’ve created a First Alert Home Safety Priority Checklist.

Make a plan + communicate it

Before we get started with our twice-yearly First Alert Home Safety Priority checklist, you need a plan. My kids are still young, but making a plan for home safety was at the top of my checklist when we moved into our forever home. I wrote out a list of important phone numbers, laminated them, and hung them on our fridge; I’ve relayed how to make an emergency call from a cell phone; and we all have a place to meet outside a safe distance from the house if we need to exit the house in a hurry.

This is crucial. In case of an emergency, an outdoor meeting location is important for kids of all ages. My kids know we meet by the big tree in the backyard and wait for one another. They don’t go back in the house. Period.

Home Safety Priority Checklist

When we go through our home safety checklist, I remind my kids of our plan. Oftentimes they will sigh and say “I know, mom.” But, nonetheless, it’s important to repeat and remember.

Why you need to make home safety a priority

At some point in our lives, every single one of us has thought “oh, that won’t happen to me.” But something about growing older and wiser reminds us that, yes, that can happen to us. And, although it isn’t pleasant to think about, it is responsible to do so.

Being aware of the invisible dangers

In addition to things you can see, like fire, there are other potential, less obvious, dangers lurking behind the scenes. One of those invisible dangers is carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is produced from any fuel burning device in your home (like your furnace or gas fireplace). The only way to detect carbon monoxide is to install detectors on each floor and in every bedroom of your home. I trust First Alert to keep my family safe and to alert me in the case of a safety issue.

Home Safety Priority Checklist

According to the CDC, carbon monoxide is the number one cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. Approximately 50,000 Americans visit emergency rooms each year with carbon monoxide poisoning. How scary is that!? I trust our First Alert carbon monoxide detectors to keep my family safe.

Our First Alert carbon monoxide detectors have a built-in 10-year sealed battery and don’t require installation. Once a month, I test the alarm with the test button, but other than that, we just leave it. It displays a digital temperature read as well. Which is super helpful.

Dangerous cords and surge protectors

Something you may not have visible in your home are dangerous cords. When electrical cords are fraying or damaged, that puts them at risk for starting house fires. Every few months you should be going through your cords (as well as surge protectors) to make sure they are not damaged. Check to make sure you aren’t overloading your outlets and surge protectors as well. As those can be a danger resulting in a house fire.

Use this printable home safety checklist

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Every Valentine’s Day Printable You Need This Year

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Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. I know that I’ve shared a couple of Valentine’s Day Card printables — both for girl superheroes and STEAM cards. But there are so many amazing bloggers who have made their own printables. I just could not wait to share! So here is a fairly comprehensive list of every Valentine’s Day Printable you could want or need this year!

I’ve Got Your Back Valentine

These adorable kids keychain “I’ve got your back, Valentine!” printables are perfect for kids who are collecting keychains. Especially for school backpacks. How cute, right?! Head to The Okayest Moms for more.

I Like You Beary Much

The House of Hood Blog is bringing the fire with these printables. My kids are gummy bear obsessed. And what better way to celebrate than with gummy bears?

Pretty in Pink Valentine’s Day Printable from Tabitha Blue

Tabitha from Fresh Mommy Blog is goals when it comes to everything. And this is one Valentine that both kids and adults will love.

You Make My Heart Glow

These are perfect for the glow-stick obsessed kiddos! And, while you’re over at And Hattie Makes Three, check out all of her delicious recipes.

Foam Fortune Cookies

The Sprouting Minds has a tutorial of how to make foam fortune cookies that can be stuffed with little treats!

Tic-Tac-Toe Printable

How about a cute, classroom activity like tic tac toe? Check out this printable from Ali-ish!

Hot Cocoa Bomb “You’re The Bomb!”

You know I’m obsessed with hot cocoa bombs. And now that I’ve taught you all how to make these at home, you can totally make them for all of your kids friends! Use this printable from Our Tiny Nest.

Every Valentine's Day Printable You Need

STEAM Valentine’s Day Card Printable

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I had barely heard of STEM or STEAM before I had kids. But when my son was born 8 years ago, I become almost instantly familiar with the term. Even now, with homeschooling during a pandemic, I try to focus on STEAM learning. I know that if I focus on STEAM learning, the rest will fall into place. And, despite there not being a ‘school party’ for Valentine’s Day this year, we are going to make cards and send them in the mail! And what better way than with punny STEAM Valentine’s Day Card printable!

STEAM Valentine's Day Card Printable

Turn Real-Life into STEAM lessons

One thing I’ve learned over the last year is that you can turn nearly everything into a teaching moment. Homeschooling has given me the opportunity to teach my kids through crafts, cooking, and even outdoor play. And, although my kids might not know what Pi means; this is the perfect opportunity to introduce them to some new math terms!

Send snail mail with this STEAM Valentine’s Day Card Printable

My son reminded me that the last time he had a school party, it was just before the shutdown. Valentine’s day, actually. And, thinking back on his party with his friends made him happy. But he still wants to do something special for his friends, despite not being in-person with them right now.

STEAM Valentine's Day Card Printable

We’re using this printable to send out Valentine’s Day cards to all of his old classmates. And practicing our handwriting by writing out their names and addresses on the envelopes to send old school snail mail.

To access the printable, just click here. I highly recommend using a thick cardstock if you’re printing this out at home. It looks best on a white background, but feel free to play around.

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Valentine’s Day Girl Superhero Cards With Printable

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The last twelve months have been anything but normal. Not just for us, either. I know it’s been crazy hard on our kids. And, not only that, but it’s been a helluva year for the girls of the world, too. I know that I lost one of my heroes — the notorious RBG was a hero of mine. And I was crushed when she passed. But there was also the release of a very powerful movie about a very powerful woman — Wonder Woman. My family went to a private pre-screening of the movie, just the five of us. It was incredible. And every since then, my four year old daughter has referred to herself as Super Wonder Woman (and I don’t have the heart to correct her). So why not this year for Valentine’s Day Girl Superhero Cards?! Even if your son is giving them?

Valentine's Day Girl Superhero Cards

Because representation matters

Growing up we were told we can be anything. And, while that’s true, women and especially women of color, have obstacles in their way. And while I do my best to teach my daughters and son that both boys and girls (and everyone who identifies in between) are all valued. But there are just far more images of boy superheroes than girls. And that’s why I was so excited to see Wonder Woman 1984. My (almost) 5-year-old daughter was glued to the screen for the entire movie. She loved every action-packed minute of seeing a GIRL superhero.

Valentine's Day Girl Superhero Cards

So perhaps the boys and girls in your life will love these Valentine’s Day Girl Superhero Cards just as much as mine do!

Valentine's Day Girl Superhero Cards

The Printable

Grab your printable from here to make these absolutely adorable cards this Valentine’s Day. And if your kids are remote learning, why not send them snail mail to all of their friends and make this an extra special day for everyone!

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2020 Year In Review Printable For Kids

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I know it’s a phrase we’ve seen and heard time and time again — there’s no way any of us saw 2020 going like this. While I still managed to hit some significant goals, the pandemic certainly forced my focus to be at home. And that’s not a bad thing. I’ve tried to pass that perspective on to my kids as well. Sure, we don’t see our friends. But we will! And no, we didn’t get to go on vacation as planned. But we will when it’s safe. And so I created this 2020 year in review printable for kids so that we can look at the bigger picture together.

2020 Year In Review Printable For Kids

What I learned this year

I’ve always been a ‘busy’ person. I used to commit to too much and then feel completely drained. And when March hit, my busy-ness came to a full stop. I immediately leaned into it. Because, well, what other choice did I have?

Distance-learning

Who knew that remote learning and distance learning would be such an important part of our vocabulary in 2020?! I’m certain none of us had any idea. When schools went remote in the Spring, I was ready for it. I saw it coming and new that I just had to do what we could to get through until Summer.

Truthfully, distance learning at that point felt more like homeschooling on our schedule. I was grateful. Granted, my son was only in the first grade at the time. But still. And, most of the time, we made it through easily. Sure, we had ocassional hangups; but nothing major.

Being at Home

Ya know, this part of the pandemic didn’t quite bother me so much. I know I’m one of the lucky ones. I primarily work from home, but I did also take a leave of absence at my part-time gig (followed by a lay-off). We would go days and days without driving in the car. And then, suddenly, I would just need to get out. But without anywhere to go, the kids and I would just drive around.

But my husband worked from home for a couple of months and, honestly, it was nice having him around. The kids hated when he had to go back to the office (which, honestly, is just him and one other guy — distanced and masked).

And, after we decided to cancel our August vacation (in April), we made the decision to put some work into our house. We hired a local contractor to put up a very long privacy fence. Shortly thereafter, we hired him to also put in a deck for us. Hours and hours were spent tearing down and then building up a new playset for the kids. Next we built a new sandbox. And, finally, we installed a hot tub.

But we also had more meals at home. More movie nights weigh the kids. And many, many, more memories made.

2020 Year In Review Printable For Kids

Why I’m grateful for 2020

I’ve never ever been a ‘roll with the punches’ kind of person. I like a clear, set plan. But, it turns out, when faced with a global pandemic, I learned to seriously just lean into taking this year for what it gave me.

Don’t get me wrong — I am straight up sad. I’m sad for the lives lost and those who have suffered. I’m even more sad for those on the frontlines who have had to deal with science deniers in the digital age. But I’m also happy that this year brought clarity — some of which was hard-fought. I have lost friends and acquaintances to differences in opinion; but I’ve also gained a whole heck of a lot.

I’ve gained the understanding that some people are only meant in your life for a season or a reason. Additionally, I’ve increased my appreciation for the basics: a roof over my head, food on the table, my family, and our health. I’ve also strengthened relationships with family and friends. And I do not discount that for a second.

2020 Year In Review Printable For Kids

Whether or not you leaned into this year; whether or not you felt this year was majorly disruptive or a much needed slowdown; take a moment to check in with your kids. Be sure to use this PDF Printable and ask your kids to fill it out (or help them).

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Create an Effective Homeschooling Plan For Your Child

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Homeschooling has many benefits for both children and parents. The biggest of which is the opportunity to tailor-make an education specific to your child’s individual needs and interests, as well as your family’s beliefs and values. But how can you pull all of that together to create an effective homeschooling plan for your child?

Planning Makes (Almost) Perfect!

The first thing you need to do is to come up with a clear plan and set of goals for your homeschool year. It is here that one of the greatest aspects of homeschooling, flexibility, becomes one of the most difficult. Without a clear plan, you run the risk of creating a scattershot education that puts your child out of place with his or her peers. But with so much choice of styles, curriculum, and subject matter, where do you start?

Set Clear Goals

First of all, come up with a clear set of general goals. Think about why you wanted to homeschool your children in the first place, and what you want them to get out of the experience. What, generally, do you want your child’s education to encompass?

Homeschool Goals

Once you have answered these general questions for yourself, begin to split your child’s education into various subject areas. For each subject area, you want to come up with a timeline and set of goals. You should also take into account your child’s interests and what they want to learn this year.

Homeschooling allows you and your child to learn together, creating not only a valuable learning experience but strengthening family bonds. Taking the time to include your child’s interests in your planning means you will have a happy engaged learning as the homeschool year goes on.

The Curriculum

When planning a timeline, a standard public school curriculum for your child’s grade is a good place to start. While it is almost certainly true that one of the reasons you’ve selected to homeschool your child is to go beyond and outside this standard curriculum, you also want to make sure that your child does not fall behind his or her peers in a given subject area.

A standard curriculum also gives you an idea of what standard your child might be expected to meet at that age in school.

Look at the standard expectations for a given subject level and then work backwards: how do you want to achieve that level of knowledge by the end of the year? What are the targets for each week? By setting these targets you can establish a timeline and curriculum that allows for effective homeschooling.

You can then plan a scheme of work that leads you to these points or buy a pre-packaged curriculum that will meet your goals.

Find the joy

Of course, you should not overlook the joy of flexibility in homeschooling so you do not need to stick to a plan rigidly, but it is useful to have an outline or series of goal posts for the year.

Instead you can make a clear educational plan that allows for flexibility. Plan what your child is going to learn, but leave the “how they will learn it” some breathing room: as you begin the process of homeschooling you’ll learn how your child learns best, and can begin to incorporate this into the lessons. A clear educational plan is one of the most essential tools to effective homeschooling and will lead you comfortably through the school year and ensure your child’s learning is effective and meets the required levels.

Subscribe to my emails to receive a FREE Homeschool Planner Printable to help create an effective homeschooling plan!

Create an Effective Homeschooling Plan For Your Child

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