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Launched in 2020 as a community for busy Moms. This community is quickly growing into a go-to resource to help busy moms shortcut their to-do list and regain a sense of time-freedom, so they can put their minutes where they matter most.

If you are a busy Mom, looking to equip yourself with information, make decisions, give quality care to your family, but not get so lost in your to-do list that you don’t actually get to spend time with them, you’ll feel right at home here!

My goal is to equip you with information so you can shortcut your to-do list, automate what you can, and put your focus where it matters most, on your kids, and your family.

I have a degree in Human and Social Development, with a focus on working with children and their families, am about to start my Masters of Education, and have been working with families for over 20 years! BUT nothing equips you for being a Mom yourself, and I’ve spent the better part of the last decade trying to figure out my own parenting path.

My name is Kim. To some, I am that Mom. I work full-time, parent my kiddos, and make lunches full of fresh-cut fruit every morning. I chair the PTA (co-chair luckily!) and take on waaay too much. I admit, on paper, I’m kind of irritating! But, I have found shortcuts and ways to automate my to-do lists, that actually allow me to do these things, without being the hot mess of a mom I once was.

And I was a hot mess. I was completely overwhelmed trying to be all of the things for all of the people. I was a hot mess all of the time. Leggings and a “messy bun” to {somewhat} disguise my unbrushed hair, was (and still sometimes is!) my uniform. I didn’t make any of it look easy. I kind of looked like I was coming apart at the seams most of the time, and I relied on caffeine and carbs way too much! But then I stopped doing work others had already done, I automated what I could, and I became a better parent for it.

When I realized my research tendencies had made me the go-to for friends who wanted quick and reliable answers when making their own choices or picking their own products, I landed here, in hopes of saving other busy moms the same valuable time.

Like you, I am always on the hunt for something, there is a party coming up that I need to plan, a holiday, a vacation, a purchase I need to make, and those kids I need to raise, so I am always learning, researching or making a list of some sort!

I’m so glad that you have landed here with me. I strive to build community and connection for my children, and I do the same here for us. I really look forward to getting to know you better!

If you’re here, I feel like it’s safe to assume you are a busy Mom like me! As I research, plan, and make my lists, let me send you what I find and save you some time! There’s really no point in both of us doing the work  😉

Get my work straight to your inbox so that you have it when you need it!

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Can you feel it!? 😍 It’s finally the WEEKEND Can you feel it!? 😍 It’s finally the WEEKEND and we are so excited to be giving away a Cricut Explore Air 2, an Apple iPad, Apple Pencil, UGG slippers, a Starbucks gift card, a yeti tumbler, and a @mikibeads gift voucher. ☺️ You choose the colors for everything!

All you have to do is:
🤍Like this photo.
🤍Follow @happyclassroomsgiveaway
🤍Follow everyone @happyclassroomsgiveaway is following.
🤍Tag a friend!

Bonus entries:
🤍Tag more friends in the comments- each new tag counts as an additional entry!
🤍Repost this image on your story or your feed and tag @happyclassroomsgiveaway

🤍This giveaway closes Sunday, January 24th at 10 pm EST. The winner will be contacted via DM and then announced 48 hours later. We will NEVER ask for CC info or for you to click any links- please report and block anyone who does.

🤍This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or associated with Instagram, Apple, Cricut, or UGG. This giveaway is open worldwide. Non U.S. residents will be awarded PayPal cash.

#teachergiveaway #teachergiveaways #ipadprocreate #cricutcrafts #teachersofthegram #newteacher #firstyearteacher #aussieteachertribe #iteachprep #preserviceteacher #weareteachers #distancelearning #middleschoolteacher #iteachmiddleschool #iteachk #iteachfirst #teachershare #cricutlife #letsgetcreative #selfcarefirst #selfcareday #teacherinspiration #teachertribe #fridayfavorites #homeschoolmama #homeschoolfamily #teacherlife🍎 #teacherootd #educationmatters #kindergartenclassroom
“𝕀𝕟 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕜 “𝕀𝕟 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕜 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖, 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕗𝕒𝕣 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕟 𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕤.”
𝕁𝕠𝕙𝕟 𝕄𝕦𝕚𝕣

Today, it was the simple wish to make a snow angel, which of course lead to pondering how to get up without undoing his careful work, which lead to better problem solving skills and creativity. 

He doesn’t see his learning, but I do 💕
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#snowfun #snow #snowplay #1000hoursoutside #outdoorfun #outdoorplay #outdoorkids #snowkids #kidfun #winterplay #yourbestmomfriend #kidsplay #winteractivities #snowactivities #kidsactivities #familyfun #canadianwinter #familytime #canadianmom #winterkids #canadianwinter #funinthesnow #homeschooling #canadianhomeschooler #homeschoollife
“𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝔹𝕠𝕪, 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕦𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕤, 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤: 𝕡𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕦𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕤!”

This is the most beautiful tribute to little boys everywhere. It perfectly embodies so many of the lessons that my Mama heart wants to impart on my sweet (& wild) boy.

We always give books, inscribed with hand written love notes from Mom & Dad for Valentine’s Day, rather than a card. This year Dear Boy & Dear Girl will be given to my little crew 💕

✍️ Paris Rosenthal
🎨 Holly Hatam
✨ A book full of sweet messages, lessons, values and love. 

Sneak peak in stories. Link in Bio. 
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#kidswhoread #familytraditions #valentinesforkids #valentinesideas #booksforkids #booksforboys #boysbooks #momofboys #boymama #familybooks #readaloud #valentinescards #dearboy #boyhoodmagic #magicofbooks #booksbooksbooks #books #booksofig #booklove #homeschoolmom #bookfamily #kidswhoreadsucceed
𝕀𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕠𝕗 ℕ𝕒 𝕀𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕠𝕗 ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 ℙ𝕠𝕡𝕔𝕠𝕣𝕟 𝔻𝕒𝕪...🍿

I’m pretty sure we crossed off math, science, art and life skills by making popcorn balls today...no? 💁🏼‍♀️

#kidsinthekitchen #kitchenskills #learninginthekitchen #littlechefs #kitchenhelpers #kidsactivities #handsonlearning #handsonactivities #reallifemath #reallifescience #21stcenturylearning #playfullearning #kidswhobake #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #familyactivities #lifewithkids #lifeskills #littlebakers #bananabread #nationalpopcornday #learningthroughplay #homeschoolers #homeschool #kidapproved #kidfriendlyrecipes #recipesforkids #kidfriendlyrecipe
ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤𝕥, 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜? 💁🏼‍♀️

We absolutely love playing in the kitchen. 👩🏼‍🍳

Kids learn so much in the kitchen, from math and science to important life skills like problem solving and creativity. 

Nothing beats the learning that comes with hands on activities and there’s no better motivation than learning your way to yummy treats! 🙃

We’ve been working out some kinks lately to find what is now our favourite banana bread recipe. They’ve been changing things up, adjusting ingredients and baking times, and even playing with bakeware to get the exact texture and taste they want. Today they found it 🥰 

We were also working on equivalent fractions as Mama purposefully provided measuring cups that were missing the measurements they needed 😉

The kids “perfect banana bread” is up on yourbestmomfriend.com 💕 Link in Bio! 

You will also find info on the awesome heart shaped mold we used! 💜

#kidsinthekitchen #kitchenskills #learninginthekitchen #littlechefs #kitchenhelpers #kidsactivities #handsonlearning #handsonactivities #reallifemath #reallifescience #21stcenturylearning #playfullearning #kidswhobake #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #familyactivities #lifewithkids #lifeskills #littlebakers #bananabread #bananamuffins #learningthroughplay #homeschoolers #homeschool #kidapproved #kidfriendlyrecipes #recipesforkids #kidfriendlyrecipe
Tell me you play Racko 💁🏼‍♀️ We have Tell me you play Racko 💁🏼‍♀️

We have literally spent hours playing this today. 

The kids love the strategy aspect, I love the learning disguised in play. 

It’s win-win. 

If you haven’t played before, it’s a really simple concept, collecting and  trading cards in order to hold a rack of sequenced cards. Special runs increase your points, but the first player to have all of their cards from smallest to largest wins - or can take their chances at increasing points before calling Racko! 

We sometimes use this during what would be our math period as they learn a lot about number sequence and probability. 

What are you family’s favourite games that disguise learning in the fun?!
It’s that time of year again 💁🏼‍♀️ It’s that time of year again 💁🏼‍♀️

Time for fresh starts and putting our best foot forward. 

There’s such a beautiful feeling that comes with getting everything out of the house that really doesn’t need to be there...I think it’s called relaxation 😘

But I’m all seriousness, it really does support wellness ~ both emotionally and physically. (Did you know it is actually linked to healthier food choices like less snacking?!)

It’s also an awesome way to teach positive life choices and involve kids in family responsibilities and rituals. 🥰

My favourite part? It creates more time in our lives to spend with those we love 💕 

There’s no better time than now (and when we are all spending more time at home.) 

New post up on the blog, including free printables 👏

My kids LOVE the kids checklist (have I mentioned they think they are super independent 😂)
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#momlife #familylife #cleaningtips #cleaningroutines #familytime #kidswhoclean #familychores #choreideas #choretime #organizedhome #homesweethome #homelife #newyearsresolution2021 #springcleaningtips #springclean #freshstart #familygoals #familyfun #kidschores #kidschorechart #teachingresponsibility #teachingrespect #familyproject
Do you have a little gamer? 🎮 (Link for MarioK Do you have a little gamer? 🎮

(Link for MarioKart Home Circuit is in my bio 😃)

I used to worry a lot about video games, but I don’t anymore.

In fact, I now embrace his love of gaming and whole heartedly support it - because he is growing and expanding so much with them. 

He is learning team work, patience, commitment, problem solving, strategizing, money management and is even growing by way of emotional regulation. 

Through lock downs he’s stayed connected to friends and family through online play and family game nights have been taken to a whole new place sometimes! 

This little one has dreams of becoming an engineer and creating games and he is eager to learn any and all skills that help him achieve those dreams. 

He has also helped me to open my mind, shift my thinking and embrace the unexpected good in something I was, at one point, firmly against. 

Video games have been a perfect example of why I choose free play, why I choose playful learning, and the importance of not setting limits simply for the sake of setting them. 

I’ll be forever thankful for the fun and the growth he’s accomplished because of the imaginative worlds he’s become absorbed in through his games. 

In this picture he’s playing MarioKart Live Home Circut from @nintendo. 

This has brought him SO MUCH joy. Oddly enough, he’s also bonded with his great grandmother in a new way as he playfully torments her with it 🤦🏼‍♀️

Tell me how your kids have expanded your thinking?! 👇🏻
Come on Canada, do your thing ❄️ We are in ne Come on Canada, do your thing ❄️

We are in need of some packing snow! ☃️

We are absolutely in love with this Igloo from @playsnowigloostructures 🥰

If it hadn’t been rainy up until today I would have had a really hard time waiting on Christmas to give this to the kids 💁🏼‍♀️

This comes in pieces that very easily snap together. When you cover it with packing snow the frame is hidden and you have a very special, and very fun, Igloo structure. How amazing is that?! 

You can buy additional Igloos and tunnels to attach them together and my kids are already wishing for additions to make themselves an Igloo “city” 🤞🏻💁🏼‍♀️

We are bundled up, enjoying the beautiful snowy day, now we just need the right snow to get our Igloo play on!! 
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#snowfun #snow #snowtoys #snowplay #1000hoursoutside #outdoorfun #outdoorplay #outdoorkids #snowkids #kidfun #toysthatlast #favoritetoys #outdoortoys #wintertoys #yourbestmomfriend #igloofun #kidsplay #winteractivities #snowactivities #kidsactivities #familyfun #canadianwinter #familytime #canadianmom #winterkids #canadianwinter #funinthesnow #qualitytoys

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