[Help me with stinky laundry issues]

I think I've tried everything listed above over the last 15-20 years. About a year ago I tried Arm & Hammer's WASHING SODA, and couldn't believe I hadn't tried it sooner. Not even a 1/4 cup in a load, and IMO it works better than anything listed above.

[Relatives who think I do nothing all day because I'm home]

Both my father & father-in-law mistakenly think I have a whole bunch of extra time on my hands, and that I couldn't possibly be busy much because I'm at home.

 

Besides homeschooling, I also work at home 20 hours a week. I am also mom and dad all week long since DH works out of town during the week.

 

I know I have little free time, thankfully my husband understands this as well. He even tries to explain that to his dad, who will argue "oh she is busy doing what? oh, well how long can that take - she has the rest of the day free" etc.

 

Does anyone know of any articles that details the life of a homeschooling work at home mom? I would love to share a few of these stories with these relatives, maybe they'd believe someone else's account. Not really expecting that it would change their opinion, but I can at least give it a try!

[Would your 2nd-5th grader be able to read one American Girl book each week. Avg. 55 pages?]

Yes, my 2nd grader will read those in one evening

[Teaching States and Capitals]

Scrambled states is fun, but it didn't help enough with the memorizing for us. I'd suggest brain box usa it is a fun game and worked well :)

[at my wit's end - 5 y/o won't go #2]

This book was really helpful to us. We struggled for a few years with miralax, but not in the right dosing (according to what I found out in the book).

This book explains whats actually going on and has great solutions that worked for us.

It's No Accident: Breakthrough Solutions to Your Child's Wetting, Constipation, UTIs, and Other Potty Problems

[Laundry detergent and toilet paper]

Costco is 2 hours away for me as well.

 

Amazon subscribe & save is usually comparable or cheaper and a whole lot more convenient than walmart, which is 45 minutes away.

I watch this blog for amazon good deals - http://jungledealsandsteals.com/

[Anyone ever use homeschool buyers co-op?]

I've used them several times. Besides draining my budget, no problems lol!

[which essential oil diffuser is better....]

Beware of the Greenair Spa Vapor. I had 2 of them go bad on me in less than 2 weeks.

 

I've been real happy with this one:

http://planttherapy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=219&products_id=1001#.Ub5rhevrngA

they ocassionally have a 30% off coupon in their emails or facebook page.

[Little House chapter books?]

Yes, they are called the Little House chapter books, here's the first two

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064420450

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064420469

[Exercise thread 4/7-4/13]

I've been to curves twice this week, and plan to go again tomorrow

[Do you have a favorite typing / keyboarding program?]

We are using Typing Pal and like it. My 7yo will even be found doing it when its not school time.

[Plantar Fascitis--what has helped you?]

After trying the Dr Scholl type inserts, I was still in quite a bit of pain and my Dr sent me to the PT for custom orthotics. Glad the insurance covered some of it, but I would pay full price if I had to. I was pain free in a few days!

 

This foot rocker/stretcher from amazon http://www.amazon.com/North-American-Healthcare-Foot-Rocker/dp/B002PT52WK has also helped alot. And the Easy Spirit brand shoes seem to be more comfortable than other brands for me. I can wear them without the custom orthotic and not have problems.

 

I also no longer go barefoot in the house. My problems began shortly after moving to a house with quite a bit of tile and I think being barefoot on it contributed to the plantar fascitis.