1. Parenting & Family

Stay-at-Home Parents: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Borax
Borax is a laundry booster and multi-purpose cleaner. Explore the many household cleaning uses of Borax.
Ziplock Bag Ice Cream
Recipe for Homemade Ice Cream in a Ziplock Bag, part of a collection of family camping recipes. Your kids will enjoy making, and eating, this ice cream made in a ziplock bag.
Powdered Sugar Icing/Glaze
Powdered Sugar Icing/Glaze, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. This is a very simple icing and it will glaze one 12-cup bundt cake or a 10-inch angel food cake.
Ice Cream Maker
Here are instructions on how to use your Rival electric ice cream maker.
Household Uses for Borax
Here are the top uses of Borax, a laundry booster and general purpose cleaner with many uses around your house. Also great for your craft projects.
Carpet Steam Cleaners
Top picks for carpet steam cleaners, including Hoover Steamvac and Bissell.
Adding a Signature Graphic to the Forum
Learn how to add a graphic and signature file to your discussion forum posts.
Vanilla Ice Cream
This is a recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream for your ice cream maker.
Clean a Coffee Maker
a simple how to on cleaning a coffee maker.
Simple Meatloaf
Simple Meatloaf, part of a collection of meatloaf main dish dinner recipes. This is a basic meatloaf recipe.
Bagless Upright Vacuum Clea...
Top picks for bagless upright vacuum cleaners, including Eureka, Hoover, Fantom Fury and the Dirt Devil.
Ice Cream
Recipe for Homemade Ice Cream in a Coffee Can, part of a collection of family camping recipes. I've made this homemade ice cream several times while camping and the kids love making it and eating it.
Kill Cockroaches in Your Home
Here's how to make your own, homemade roach killer with borax and powdered sugar.
Baking Soda
The many household cleaning uses of baking soda.
Salt Dough
Recipe for Salt Dough, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
Mountain Pies
Recipe for Mountain Pies, part of a collection of family camping recipes. Mountain pies, made with an iron maker, are a favorite while camping for many families.
Easy Lemonade Pie
Easy Lemonade Pie, part of a collection of family pie recipes. Made with lemonade concentrate, this tangy pie is simple to make. Pictured.
Remove Ink Stains From Clothes
A simple how to on removing ink stains from clothes.
Sandwich Maker Recipes
Beyond grilled cheese; sandwich maker recipes.
Quick Tater Tot Casserole
Quick Tater Tot Casserole, part of a collection of quick main dish dinner recipes. This quick dinner entree calls for just 4 ingredients.
Buy a Carpet Steam Cleaner
What you need to know before you buy a carpet steam cleaner.
Benefits
Stay-at-Home Parents tell why it is important for them to stay home and raise their children.
Swimming Pool
A review of the Intex Easy Set swimming pool, a fun and easy to set up backyard pool for your entire family.
Cool Whip Pies
These easy-to-make pie recipes start with Cool Whip. : 10  s: 10  s: 2 packages pudding mix or Jello
Creamy Yogurt Dressing
Creamy Yogurt Dressing, part of a collection of salad dressing recipes. This is a tasty, creamy salad dressing your family should enjoy.
Both Work
Author Ric Edelman discusses the pros and the cons of both parents working outside of the home.
Camping Recipes
Camping Recipes, part of a collection of recipes for kids.
Make a Homemade Floor and W...
A simple how to on making your own wall and floor cleaner.
Cheesecake
Lindy's Famous Cheesecake, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. Even those who don't generally like cheesecake seem to enjoy this version.
Jump Start
Ways for stay-at-home parents to help prepare their toddlers for kindergarten from home.
WD-40
WD-40 is a lubricant and cleaner. Explore the many household uses of WD-40.
Cornice Board
An inexpensive window treatment you can make yourself. Detailed instructions and pictures of a homemade cornice board for your windows.
Crock Pot Roast Beef
Crock Pot Roast Beef, part of a collection of beef slow cooker and Crockpot recipes. Any inexpensive roast cut will work for this recipe. Pictured.
Bissell Powerforce
Read my review of the Bissell Powerforce Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, an affordable vacuum cleaner with many extra features.
Three Step Cleaning
Making your own cleaners is simple, effective and inexpensive. Here's a vinegar cleaner with multiple uses around your house.
Childproofing Your Home
Protect your children with these 12 safety devices for your home.
Make Homemade Slime
Make your own homemade slime using white glue and borax.
Remove Gum From Carpets
A simple how to on removing gum from carpets.
Strawberry Pretzel Cake
Strawberry Pretzel Cake, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. Strawberry Pretzel Cake is an unusual recipe that has a pretzel crust and is delicious.
Make Homemade Scouring Powder
Baking soda and borax, mixed with hot water, can make a great natural scouring powder perfect for your kitchen and bathroom.
Tomatoes
What to do with the abundance of tomatoes from your garden including how to freeze, how to can and tomato recipes for salsa, tomato salad, dilly green tomatoes and tomato soup, tomato dumplings and tomato preserves.
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole, part of a collection of main dish dinner recipes using chicken or poultry. I really like making this chicken and rice casserole during busy week nights. It only takes a few minutes to assemble and my family loves it.
Avon
Guest writer Amanda tells about her home-based business experience as an Avon Representative, and how she organizes her busy days.
Cornflake Balls
Cornflake Peanut Butter Balls, part of a collection of family cookie and bar recipes. Cornflake Peanut Butter Balls are no-bake cookies that are fun and easy to make.
Household Uses for WD-40
WD-40 is a lubricant and cleaner. Explore the many household uses of WD-40 including crayon, adhesive, and grease removal.
Cereal Cookies
Jacci's Cereal Cookie recipe, a great way to use up that extra cereal.
Language
Susan du Plessis discusses steps to take to help develop language skills in young children.
Hoover SteamVac
A summary review of the Hoover SteamVac Plus, carpet cleaner.
No-Bake Dessert Recipes
Here are some of my favorite no-bake dessert recipes.
Banana Cake
Recipe for Banana Cake Mix Cake, part of a collection of family cake mix recipes. This is a very moist cake and it's a great way to use those over-ripe bananas.
Remove Candle Wax From Carpets
A simple how to on removing candle wax from carpet.
Hobo Beans
Hobo Beans, part of a collection of slow cooker and Crockpot recipes. Lots of beans, bacon and ground beef make this a delicious supper for your family.
Toilet Bowl Stains
What's the best way to remove stubborn stains from toilets? The first thing to do is to empty the bowl of most of its water using one of three methods.
Chocolate Cake Cookies
Recipe for Chocolate Cake Cookies, part of a collection of family cake mix recipes. All you need is chocolate cake mix, eggs and oil to make these delicious cookies in a hurry.
Chocolate Cookies
Recipe for Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, part of a collection of family cake mix recipes. For chocolate lovers, these cookies use a devil's food cake mix and chocolate chips.
Gorp Balls
Recipe for Gorp Balls, part of a collection of family camping recipes. This healthy recipe is a nice snack for hiking trips or as an after-school snack.
Drinking
Parent-to-parent tips: real parents share their tips and advice for dealing with toddlers and how much to drink.
Easy Cubed Steak
Easy Cubed Steak, part of a collection of quick main dish dinner recipes. Here's an easy to bake cube steaks.
Magic Erasers
Real parents share their comments and testimonials about Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.
Home Cleaners
Instead of buying expensive household cleaners, you can try these alternate products that you probably already have at home. Here are the top picks for alternate home cleaners to keep your house naturally clean. Includes baking soda, vinegar, borax, bleach and WD-40.
Banana Split Pie
Banana Split Pie, part of a collection of family pie recipes. Made with cream cheese, Kool Whip, and fruit, this chilled pie would make a great dessert for family get-togethers.
Canister Vacuum Cleaners
Top picks for canister vacuum cleaners.
Upright Vacuum
What you need to know before you buy an upright vacuum cleaner.
Swiffer WetJet
Have you been thinking about buying a Swiffer WetJet for your floors? Read my review of the Swiffer WetJet before you buy.
Soft Oatmeal Cookies
Soft Oatmeal Cookies, part of a collection of family cookie and bar recipes. If you like your oatmeal cookies soft and chewy, then this is the recipe for you.
Rocky Road Ice Cream
Make your own rocky road ice cream with miniature marshmallows and nuts in your electric ice cream maker.
Rival Ice Cream Maker
A review of the Rival Ice Cream Maker; make your family fresh, tasty ice cream at home.
Preserve Flowers With Borax
Borax can act as a drying agent for preserving cut flowers. Here's how.
Seven-Up Cake
Seven-Up Cake, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. Seven Up makes this bundt cake moist and delicious.
fury
A review of the Fantom Fury, a bagless upright vacuum cleaner.
English Muffin Pizzas
English Muffin Pizzas, part of a collection of snacks for kids recipes. My sons love pizza, and they really enjoy these mini pizzas because they are ready so quickly.
Wealthy
Author Ric Edelman explains how your family can save and invest money, becoming wealthy a little bit at a time.
Deep Fried Turkey
Deep frying a turkey produces a crispy, dark brown turkey with moist, delicious meat. And it doesn't taste greasy at all. Here's a step-by-step lesson explaining how to fry a turkey.
Dump Cake
Recipe for Cherry Pie/Pineapple Dump Cake, part of a collection of family cake mix recipes. This variation of a dump cake uses cherry pie filling and canned pineapple.
The Inside Scoop:
Everything you need to know about laundry, from getting stains out to choosing the right water temperature.
Daycare Provider
Need some extra income? Learn all about my experience as a Daycare Provider.
Ham and Cheese Omelet
Ham and Cheese Omelet, part of a collection of sandwich maker recipes. This is a fast and easy way to make omelets for your family. Pictured.
Grandma's Shepherds Pie
Grandma's Shepherds Pie, part of a collection of shepherds pie main dish dinner recipes. This easy version of shepherd's pie has corn; you can use ground beef or mild ground sausage.
Spelling Games
These spelling games can be used by parents, or teachers, to reinforce spelling in children. Great for homeschoolers.
Can Tomatoes
How to Can Tomatoes, part of a collection of favorite tomato recipes.
Tomato Soup Shepherds Pie
Tomato Soup Shepherds Pie, part of a collection of shepherds pie main dish dinner recipes. This easy shepherd's pie variation is made with green beans and tomato soup.
Organized
Susie Glennan discusses ideas to help you take charge of your hectic life and get organized.
Spaghetti Pie
Spaghetti Pie , part of a collection of beef main dish recipes. This is a baked spaghetti recipe made with cottage cheese, ground beef and cheese.
Soap Crayons
Recipe for Soap Crayons, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
Bond With Your Children
Finding the time to develop strong bonds with the children can be challenging for busy parents, but with a little effort it can be done. Here are some ideas to help non stay-at-home parents spend quality time and develop strong bonds with their children.
Better than Sex Cake
Better than Sex Cake, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. This is a rich and delicious cake made with caramel, toffee chips and Cool Whip.
BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, part of a collection of chicken slow cooker and Crockpot recipes. This slow cooker chicken recipe uses coke to make the chicken very moist and tasty.
Preschool: Yes or No
Should you send your toddler to preschool?: early childhood educators s education angie nbsp
Clothes Dryer Drum
A simple how-to for cleaning crayon stains from inside your clothes dryer.
Saving on Food
Frugal tips for saving money on coffee, milk, bread and fruit.
Magic Eraser
A review of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, a cleaning pad for dirt and grime throughout your home.
Oreo Cake
Oreo Cake, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. Oreo Cake is a very rich and creamy dessert made with crushed Oreo cookies.
Me Time
Avoiding mom burn out isn't always easy, but guest author Rosalind Mays explains how she takes time out from her busy schedule for some time to herself.
From Two Incomes To One
Tips to help you go from a two income to a one-income family.
Poinsettia
Even without the pretty red flowers (bracts), a poinsettia makes a lovely green houseplant after Christmas. Here's how to keep your poinsettia alive throughout the year.
Bulletin Boards
Bulletin Boards can help end the isolation for Stay-at-Home Parents. Here's what you need to know about bulletin boards.
Dirt Dessert
Recipe for Dirt Dessert, part of a collection of Halloween recipes for Kids at About.com. This is fun Halloween recipe that uses gummi worms and crushed oreo cookies.
Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Pot Roast, part of a collection of beef slow cooker and Crockpot recipes. This is a simple way to cook your less expensive pot roast. It will come out tasty and tender after slow cooking all day.
Camping Kids
Recipes, crafts and links for camping with your kids.
Business Index
Index of home-based businesses, arranged by business category.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled Cheese Sandwich, part of a collection of sandwich maker recipes. Here's how to make a basic grilled cheese sandwich in your sandwich maker. You can add thinly sliced ham if you want. Pictured.
Baking Soda Deodorizing Tips
Baking soda deodorizing tips.: kitty litter boxes baking soda readers tips catbox foot powder
Crispy Burritos
Crispy Burritos, part of a collection of sandwich maker recipes. This recipe calls for leftover pork or beef. Pictured.
Air Conditioner
Other parents share their money saving tips. For those who live in hot climates, the air conditioner is a big user of electricity during the summer months. These tips will help you save money on your air conditioner's energy use.
Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
Recipe for Yogurt Mashed Potatoes, part of a collection of Thanksgiving recipes. Yogurt adds a different touch to these mashed potatoes.
Recipe for Indian Dance Stick - Recipes For Kids
Recipe for Indian Dance Stick, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
Team Rocket
Make it yourself this Halloween: Pokemon Team Rocket Costumes
Spaghetti and Cheese
Made with cooked spaghetti and lots of cheese, this meatless main dish makes a nice change from the usual meal for your family.
Freezer Cherry Jam
Freezer Cherry Jam, part of a collection of family cake and dessert recipes. This cherry jam recipe can be stored in the freezer.
BBQ Chicken Wings
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings, part of a collection of chicken slow cooker and Crockpot recipes. BBQ sauce, cayenne pepper, and chicken wings are all you need to make these easy hot wings.
Pineapple Peach Dump Cake
A dump cake is an easy way to make a quick dessert for your family. You put fruit on the bottom of a
Recipe for Bubbles - Recipes For Kids
Recipe for Bubbles, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
Snow Cones
Snow Cones, part of a collection of snacks for kids recipes. This homemade snow cone recipe can be used with shaved ice or, if you have one, with your snow cone maker.
Homemade Oreo Cookies
Homemade Oreo Cookies, part of a collection of family cookie and bar recipes. You can make your own Oreo cookies at home with this recipe.
Cheerio Bars
Cheerio Bars, part of a collection of snacks for kids recipes. Cheerio Bars are delicious snacks with peanuts, cheerios and honey.
Homemade Baby Wipes
Recipe for Homemade Baby Wipes, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
Your Tips - Household Uses OF WD-40
WD-40 is a lubricant and cleaner. Here are our reader's submitted household tips for WD-40, including removing hard water spots from a shower door and killing ants.
Remove Urine Odors From Mat...
Borax can neutralize urine odors in your mattresses. Here's how.
Clean a Microwave Oven
A simple how to on cleaning a microwave oven.
Pie with Mixed Vegetables
Use packaged onion soup mix to make a "gravy" for this savory shepherd's pie. : 15  s: 30  s: 45  s:
Play Cooking Sets and Foods
These are my top picks for play cooking sets and pretend foods for your children. These will enhance your child's play kitchen or can be played with alone.
Toy Tools for Kids
Here are some of my favorite toy tools and workbench accessory toys for your children.
Coffee Can Bread
Recipe for Coffee Can Bread, part of a collection of family breads and rolls recipes. This unique bread recipe is baked in coffee cans.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a Blanket, part of a collection of sandwich maker recipes. Pop a heat-and-serve sausage link into pancake batter, cook in your sandwich maker, and you have pigs in a blanket. Pictured.
Mideast Goulash
Recipe for Mideast Goulash, part of a collection of family appetizer and dips recipes. This is a savory Middle Eastern appetizer made with Filo pastry.
Toy Workbenches
Kids love to pretend to build things and these toy workbenches make great role-playing toys. Here are my top picks for toy workbenches for kids.
Easy Tator Tot Casserole
Easy Tator Tot Casserole, part of a collection of quick main dish dinner recipes. This dinner in a dish will be ready to eat in less than half an hour.
Rolled Tortillas
Rolled Tortilla Sandwiches, part of a collection of main dish dinner recipes. These finger foods make a nice change for light dinner.
Crunchy Brittle
Recipe for Crunchy Almond-Caramel Brittle, part of a collection of Christmas candy recipes. Crunchy Almond-Caramel Brittle is an easy-to-make variation of the classic peanut brittle.
How to Clean a Microwave Oven
A simple How to on cleaning a microwave oven.
Electric Can Openers
Top picks for electric can openers for your kitchen.
Amish Friendship Bread
Recipe for Amish Friendship Bread, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
The Cost of Working - Calculator
How much will you really make by going to work.: daycare expenses transportation expenses dry cleaning total value net income
Biscuits on a Stick
Recipe for Biscuits on a Stick, part of a collection of family camping recipes. Biscuits on a stick, cooked over the campfire and filled with peanut butter and chocolate chips, are fun to make and eat.
Pokemon Costumes
Fast, easy and cheap Pokemon Halloween costumes you can make for your children.
Bubble Bath
Recipe for Bubble Bath, recipes saved from the stay-at-home parents forum.
Puberty
Parent-to-parent tips: real parents share their tips and advice about preteens, puberty and tampons.
Baking Soda Basics: Index
Household tips and hints using baking soda around your house. Includes tips for cleaning, deodorizing, health and beauty.
Ajiaco
Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken, Corn, Potato Stew), part of a collection of homemade soup and stew recipes. This is a delicious, thick and rich main dish stew with chicken and potatoes.
Broccoli Cheese Chicken
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Chicken, part of a collection of chicken slow cooker and Crockpot recipes. This recipe has just 2 main ingredients; condensed broccoli cheese soup and chicken breasts.
Choc. Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe for Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, part of a collection of family cake mix recipes. Made with devil's food cake mix, peanut butter and peanut butter chips, these are easy and very good.
Gooey Chex Mix
Recipe for Gooey Chex Mix, part of a collection of Christmas cookie and dessert recipes. Chewy, gooey version of chex mix is perfect for parties.
Hershey#146;s Homemade Choc...
Recipes for Hershey’s Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream. Includes directions for 3, 6 and twelve servings, along with nutritional information.
Baking Soda Basics
Baking Soda Basics: household tips and hints using baking soda.
Campfire Stew
Recipe for Campfire Stew, part of a collection of family camping recipes. Seasoned with packaged taco seasoning mix, this is an easy-to-make main dish stew that's good served with cornbread.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes, part of a collection of quick main dish dinner recipes. I've tried so many different recipes for Sloppy Joes, and this one is my favorite with a sweet and tangy flavor. Pictured.
Boston Cream Pie
Recipe for Boston Cream Pie, part of a collection of family cake mix recipes. Although it's called a pie, this is actually more of a cake. This easy adaptation of the classic Boston Cream Pie is made with yellow cake mix, ready-to-serve pudding, and canned chocolate frosting.
Envelope Stuffing
Frequently Asked Quesions on starting a home-based business - envelope stuffing.
Pancakes
Pancakes, part of a collection of sandwich maker recipes. My kids love pancakes cooked in the sandwich maker. Pictured.
Homemade Bubble Bath
Other parents share their money saving tips. Most kids love bubble baths, but they can be fairly expensive. Here's a tip to save money by making homemade bubble bath for your kids.

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