The Frazzled Homemaker

Swim Season is Here: Tips to Make Your Pool Look Young Again

Cathy Ratcliffe — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:59:07 +0000

Ah, summer. It’s hot, the kids are out of school and murmurings of “I’m bored” are around the corner. If you haven’t already gotten up your swimming pool in tip-top shape to carry you through the next three months, it’s time to get going. These easy fixes can make swimming [...]

Protecting Your Children From Afar

Cathy Ratcliffe — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:00:07 +0000

Your little bundle of joy is the most important person in the whole world to you. In a few years, your little one will be turning your hair grey: running with her friends, climbing trees, and trying to ride her bike without a helmet. The most difficult thing in the [...]

Happy Healthy Family Summer Eats

Cathy Ratcliffe — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:00:16 +0000

Routines often get tossed out the window when summer kicks off, and that includes your family’s regular eating habits. Kick off the summer with a commitment to your family’s health and nutrition with the following delicious and kid-friendly recipes: Grilled Vegetable Skewers Traditionally, firing up the grill can be an [...]

Tips For Becoming A Frugal Homemaker

Cathy Ratcliffe — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:00:59 +0000

Being a homemaker is a lot like running a business. You have to manage other people and their schedules, keep the place well stocked on supplies, and maintain a balanced budget. You are responsible for what comes into the house as well as what goes out. You are in charge [...]

Eight Toxic and Dangerous Items For Children in Your Home

Cathy Ratcliffe — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:15:50 +0000

Most parents understand that certain toys, objects and chemicals are more dangerous to their children than others. As such, parents choose carefully and don’t bring them into the home. New parents do not tend to leave guns, knives or matches around the house when children are present, as these can [...]

Bed Makeovers: Add Headboards, New Bedding & Bold Accents

Cathy Ratcliffe — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:46:02 +0000

Bed makeovers don’t have to be a headache. In fact, a bedroom makeover can be a fun project that makes you proud of your creative accomplishments in the end. Simple touches can completely transform your bedroom into a beautiful oasis or modern hideaway. To pull off the perfect look, below [...]

Easy End-of-the-Year Teacher Gift Ideas for Busy Moms

Cathy Ratcliffe — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:21 +0000

Compared to other countries, U.S. teachers rank 10th in pay, falling below such places as South Korea, England and Singapore, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Yet, they’re so generous of heart. CNN Money reports that 97 percent of teachers in America purchase classroom supplies out of their own pockets. [...]

What Your Child Can Learn From a Community Service Trip

Cathy Ratcliffe — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:31:28 +0000

When it comes to modern children, parents often have a litany of complaints. Many parents worry children today spend too much time on video games, aren’t as polite and don’t have the same work ethic compared with earlier generations. The question isn’t what’s wrong with today’s youth, however—what you should [...]

The Ripe & Wrong Way: How to Harvest Fruits & Vegetables

Cathy Ratcliffe — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:00:45 +0000

Planting, growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables is a yearlong process. If you’re an avid gardener like me, there’s always a fruit or vegetable ready to harvest no matter the season. There are ways to successfully pick your fruits and veggies for your home garden; be equipped with a green [...]

A Guide to Child-Safe Toys

Cathy Ratcliffe — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:55:18 +0000

As a parent, you of course want to keep things safe for your child. Most parents know to check the safety notes a toy that they are buying, but are you aware of the general guidelines for toy safety? There are a number of hints that you can use to [...]