http://www.mainstreetmom.com/budg/wipes.htm
http://users.resist.ca/~kirstena/homemadecosmeticsbabies.html
http://www.wildroots.com/recipes.htm

Here are some really great websites that have recipes.

http://www.wildroots.com/recipes.htm
http://users.resist.ca/~kirstena/homemadecosmeticsbabies.html
http://www.mainstreetmom.com/budg/wipes.htm

I am starting to make my own household cleaners, baby wipes, laundry items, recycling clothes into purses, quilts, and pillows. I have been cutting back on the household cleaners that are potencially harmful to my toddler and replacing them with prodcuts that i make that still cleans suffecient. I also recycle my paper into making new paper, by using the lent from the dryer, and a screen I can make my own paper. Buying generic items instead of the name brand items, and watching the sales adds to match prices. There are tons if items that you can make given that you have the time. I make soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. not just for me but the kids, and the dog. We have started growing our own garden in the house using a Jiffy greenhouse. I buy clothing, and toys from the local thrift stores, yard sales, and second hand stores. The clothing that we out grow goes to making quilts for us and our community for free. We like to share our blessings with others.

Thanks for sharing the link. I make my own products as well and have been for years.

I make and use my own baby products, and laundry soap for my kids. Does anyone else? Is anyone interested in finding out how that you can make your own baby wipes, diaper cream, and laundry needs?

I agree aloe does work, as long as it is pure aloe there are some items on the market that isn't pure. The above suggestion does not whiten skin it only heals and protects the skin from previous damage. Are you asking me where I am from or who? i am a Natural Helath Consultant and have studied and grown herbs, and their uses for over 20 years.

I have made a recipe using jojoba oil and honey for after sun bathing, not before. Jojoba oil is a safe all natural oil for all skin types that protects the skin, the all natural honey is for healing. You can add a little all natural beeswax to make the lotion stiff. Beeswax that is all natural is dark in color, not white or pale yellow, but a dark creamy yellow. I have used this for many people. I have also used a little vegetable glycerin in it to make a soap for cleansing after a hard day in the sand and sun. Of course this is only a suggestion its up to you if you use it or not. I think Burts Bee products may sale a similar product. I make my products for my natural health clients, and my friends and family. Remember when looking for 'all natural' products, don't buy the ones that contain alcohol or mineral oil. And if you use petroleum products think about what you are putting on your skin? My children can not use any petroleum products it eats their skin off. Look up what petroleum is, you might be amazed.

Kentucky

It's really great that you are finding time to teach her on weekends. And I am sure that it is helping her in her public education as well. Having a little one home with you while you cook, and clean is a great way to teach independence as well. Keep up the good work mom! I am just now getting into the Little Reader, and math but I'm sure that my toddler will enjoy it and so will I.

My toddler loves to count buttons, so I have decided to make a play mat with all kinds of buttons, with colors, shapes, etc, and i have made fabric buttons also with different textures of materials. He loves the play mats. For Science he loves to help me cook, mixing, stirring, beating the steak, stuff like that he loves, plus making a mess. Thanks for posting these are great tips for homeschoolers.

I have been put down for teaching my child too early, but he seems to be ahead then some of the children who haven't been taught at his age.. i am a homeschooling mom and i have been told not to teach my child so young. Even playing with a toy can be learning. Thanks for posting.

My hubby is self employed so he's popping in and out all the time, which I love because he helps me with the physical play part of my sons routine, but he usually catches me in the middle of teaching. I homeschool my toddler most of the time 3 days a week. That's all my time allows. I have sat down and studied the house duties and schooling, which ones can I combine together, for example while my son eats and I feed my infant we sing songs, i use flashcards of the foods that we are eating, or the places that we are going. You mentioned about going to town with you and out with dad make those days a field trip. Have him bring you something back that he picked up during his day and talk about when, where, how, etc. We pick up rocks, or flyers of the places we visit, etc. Then i make a story up about what my son did and where he went so he will be excited to finish the story the next time we go to that place. On my weekdays i have scheduled to clean a room or 2 for everyday like for Mondays=living room, kitchen, and guest bath, and laundry. Tuesdays=bathrooms, and bedroom, laundry. That's a sample of my schedule. I don't try to crame everything in at one day, i work on a room at a time.
homeschooling schedule Mondays=introduce the story, Bible verse, read the corresponding book, word flashcards from the story, a new sign for signing that goes with the story, music that goes with the story. Tuesday=introduce the story, read the story words, art or coloring, practice sheets for writing, we use our finger then we are miovng towards a pencil, shapes in the story, colors in the story. Wednesday=read the story book, word flash, math time counting what ever object, or sorting the object in the story usually using file folder games. Thursday=none Friday=sensory time and field trips, Social studies. Saturday= play school using specific toys that corresponds with the theme, lots of music time, teaching to play different instruments, computer time using Brillbaby and another that I don't think I ort to mention, it is free. Everyday before 7:00 dad has gym class with him to help make him go to sleep.
Most of the stuff I have made before my son was ready for it. I have some websites that I use for a basic theme but they don't cover all of the subjects so I make my own up. I am still making as we go but I have a lot already finished. I create Bible based curriculum, so if you are interested in that then I can help you with yours in interested?

The first thing is to set your schedule then incorprate his learning in, and remember not to leave hubby out of the picture. Say on Thursday is my church night this is when i concentrate on the church there is no schooling on that day except singing, and playing with specific toys that goes along with the story, shich i make as well using felt and glue.

I sleep when both of mine sleep duteing the day, then at night i can be up for my infant if i need to and work on the next months theme lessons.

I use a lot of computer software to help me make my own worksheets, books, and lessons as well.

You mentioned that he doesn't like to write, there are ways to introduce writing in differnt was by using different writing utensils. Mine love red, so i use a red marker, a red colored pencil, etc. Now if he seems not to be able to hold a pencil very well or it seems akward for him then i can tell you how to make a pencil or crayon that fits better into his hand using model magic, also bingo doppers work, tracing stensils, and using writing worksheets that have a fav character or in my case a Bible person on the page.

www.hubbardscupboards.com (I think) is a good site to find free faith based lessons. If you wnat to purchase one Hands on homeschoolong i think is the name is a good one too. But i will be glad to help you get going.

As a homeschooling mom who recently became a homemaker and mother of 2 finding the time to keep the house, take care of hubby, and the infant dog,  was extremely hard at first.  Well if you are like me trying to find the time is the hardest part. I am even a pastor's wife with a small country church, plus a Quilting Ministry. It takes planning and creating a schedule, and of course a budget now that I have no income myself, relying on my hubby. However I have found days that homeschooling is not an option. Days that we have our ministry deliveries, and services is really hard for me to crame 1 hour of schooling in, but there are small ways that you can incorprate time in, for example, my husband drives so when we come to a red light we sing a song, or count or something that corresponds with his lesson. I spy the color ? is a good game as well. I finaly have come up with a schedule that works most of the days. However on Fridays we have play school, music, and movie, Saturdays and Sundays are free days. Homeschooling everyday for my toddler is to much. Keeping a routine is very important to toddlers, and keeping their surroundings the same each day is a big help well with mine anyway. He knows that his high chair is for eating, his table is for painting, his room is for play school,etc. Having a specific place or spot in the home or room is wonderful for my toddler. He knows what is expected of him in those areas.  Are some of you thinking about homeschooling but seem to can't find the time like I was?

I agree with having toys for specific reasons. I love the rings that have different textures to them. I am a homeschool mom and I have made my own musical instruments out of recycled containers, like pringles cans, baby formula cans by putting rice, or other objects that are secured to shake, rattle, and roll. My child loves those toys. He has even helped me with making the toys. I also like to make sensory mats or felt toys for him that corresponds with the faith based curriculum that I have created. He loves sorting yarn and ribbons too. I don't ever want to give my child a video game that causes him to stress. I have seen children who become addicted to vidoe games that leads to, to many unhealthy things. Some video games however are okay those that teach corrdination, and of course the new interactive games. But i prefer the old fashioned bright colored, noise making toys. A lot of people put down homeschooling kids to early but playing with toys is learning. I always include play school with my child, this is when he plays with his favorite toy, and if I can I incorprate his fav toy into the curriculum.
I can tell when my son has had enough of TV time, he gets to yelling at me, then I know he has became bored. He repeats momma, momma over and over. TV time is usually in the mornnings to allow him to get woke up for he is not a morning person.

I found a microscope at Toys R Us. It was also a camera, and a projector. It was very durable as well. It had all kinds of plastic and glass slides, specimens and more.