This post is sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own. It’s never too early to plan for the holidays! Grab your Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season + FREE Budget Worksheet. 

Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season + FREE Budget Worksheet

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time when I pull out my ugly Christmas sweater, play those catchy tunes, and sit down with my extensive holiday spreadsheet. Can you smell the OCD Type-A planning in the air? Forget Christmas in July. It’s Holiday Planning August. In case you’re looking for a stress-free holiday season too (pick me, pick me!), today I’m sharing my best holiday planning tips to get a jump start on everything merry. Plus grab a FREE budget worksheet – including full guide, calculator and itemized list too to help give you financial confidence this holiday season.

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Watching my youngest child leave for school today brought on a mess of emotions. I’m Grieving Kindergarten, Now What Do I Do? 

I’m Grieving Kindergarten, Now What Do I Do?

I lost my job today, and I’m heartbroken. My job, my identity, my mission, my purpose, my very familiar and comfortable routine, all gone in an instant. After almost 10-years of being a mom, I’ve lost my sense of self. My youngest child just left for kindergarten today, and I can’t cope. The emotions are so unbearable at times – I’m scolding, laughing and crying all at the same time. I’m grieving kindergarten. Now what do I do?

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Are you ready to let go of summer? Grab your exclusive 2018 Florida Prepaid Offer for Back-to-School and get $50 off right now! This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board as a my role as Believer Blogger. All opinions are my own. #StartingIsBelieving

2018 Florida Prepaid Offer for Back-to-School – $50 Off Promo Code

Holding on to summer like…Most summers I’ll admit, after a few months of two kids at home 100% of the time, I’m 100% ready to hand them back over to school days. (Mamas need a break, am I right?) But with only one weekend standing between summer and the 2018 school year, I’m a teary-eyed mess. I’m having the hardest time letting go of summer, THIS summer. Do you mind if I pour out my heart for a minute? Here’s why I’m not quite ready to let go of summer, and how this 2018 Florida Prepaid Offer for Back-to-School is helping to soften the blow.

***2019 Update: Use code RAIS19 at checkout through 3/4/19 for $50 off.

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Dear busy families, it’s time to slow down summer with a poolside ice cream party. This post is sponsored by The Motherhood & Mayfield Creamery ice cream. All delicious opinions are my own.

Slow Down Summer with a Poolside Ice Cream Party

Everyone is rushing to make summer bigger and better than ever. And I’m over here trying to desperately slow our days down. Boredom. What happened to letting our kids be bored without feeling guilty about it? What happened to celebrating the small wins like swim class, an epic fort build, or a cozy novel finished?

Ice cream memories always seem to ground us back into reality. Summer doesn’t have to be bigger or better. Summer just has to be. So I’m making sure that we are taking the time to slow down summer with a few reminders for us “busy parents” and a poolside ice cream party. Don’t let the busy-ness of summer slip away without taking time to indulge in the sweet moments.

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Get ready for back-to-school with Kindergarten Tips for Parents + FREE Checklist Printable. I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #SimplyNice campaign, sponsored by Nice!® at Walgreens. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

Kindergarten Tips for Parents + FREE Checklist Printable

My last baby is entering Kindergarten this year. Hold me.

It’s scary to think that I will have two kids in full time school this year. Am I ready for Kindergarten? Am I really ready to let go and let my little girl grow up? There’s no doubt in my mind, this year is going to be the most important school year for her. And I need to be ready, really ready. So I’m making a list and checking it eleven billion-ty times with my Best Kindergarten Tips for Parents. Let’s get through this kindergarten transition together with FREE printables (including checklist and emergency contact form) and all of my best tips for a smooth back-to-school season.

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Bug bites giving you an itch to scratch this summer? Here’s how to Prevent & Treat Bug Bites in Kids – perfect tips for parents! This is a sponsored post. All bug bite prevention opinions are my own.

How to Prevent & Treat Bug Bites in Kids

Florida, aka mosquito heaven. While I love the glorious winters, the eternal sunshine, and that beach life so much, you can’t step outside of the house during the summer without being greeted by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. Eww. And dealing with the mosquito bite aftermath with my kids – it can be itchy torture! But there’s absolutely NO way that I’m keeping my kids cooped up indoors this summer. There’s so many outdoor summer memories yet to be made. Prevent and treat bug bites on our kids this summer (especially those pesky mosquitoes!) with these best tips. Do you know the right way to apply sunscreen AND bug spray? [Read more…]

Is sunscreen application a struggle in your home? Here’s 10 Tips to get Kids to Wear Sunscreen Without a Struggle. This is a sponsored post. All parenthood opinions are my own.

10 Tips to Get Kids to Wear Sunscreen Without a Struggle

“Yay, it’s sunscreen time!” said no kid ever. While us parents are a little older and wiser the ways of sunburn prevention, some days even this Florida mom has trouble convincing her kids to wear it without a groan. So how do we get the wiggly worms, the meltdown toddlers and even the whiniest children to cooperate when it comes to protection against skin cancer? Here’s 10 Tips to Get Kids to Wear Sunscreen Without a Struggle. Be sure to have your ninja mom skills on standby.

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Looking to save for college? Here’s 9 Reasons to Open a Florida 529 Savings Plan + 2018 Florida 529 Promo – up to $50 FREE! This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Plans as a my role as Believer Blogger. All opinions are my own.

9 Reasons to Open a Florida 529 Savings Plan | 2018 Florida 529 Promo

No more teachers, no more books. No more giving mommy dirty looks! There is definitely more than one person in this house that is happy about our much needed summer break. The school season can be so chaotic! But while we recharge for a new school year this fall, it’s good to know that college savings is one less thing we have to worry about during the summer.

How about you? Are you still stressed about college savings?

If you’re struggling with saving for your child’s college education (I’ve been there – it’s not an easy decision!), I have 9 reasons to open a Florida 529 Savings Plan. Take advantage of the 2018 Florida 529 Promo and get up to $50 for FREE – but HURRY, this offer ends June 30, 2018!

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Opening a Florida 529 Savings Plan? Hurry & grab this 2018 Florida 529 Savings Plan Promo for up to $50 FREE! This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Plans as a my role as Believer Blogger. All opinions are my own. #StartingIsBelieving

2018 Florida 529 Savings Plan Promo – FREE $50!

Excuse us. We’re jumping into summer like…

This had to be one of the craziest school years for us. Somewhere between the constant carpool line for my preschooler (I certainly won’t miss the 3-hour school days) and double the after-school sports, I was definitely counting down until the lazy days of summer. Can anyone else use some relaxing summer vibes?

But before we jump out of “school mode,”, let’s talk about jump starting our summer college savings with Florida Prepaid and the Florida 529 Savings Plans! Take advantage of this exclusive 2018 Florida 529 Savings Plan Promo and find out how you can get up to $50 for FREE towards your child’s college education. But HURRY!

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