Modern Parents Messy Kids

We're all about finding ways to make family life better while keeping our sense of humor. Check out our famous MPMK Top Toy Awards, already viewed over 7,000,000 times!

How to Use the iPhone’s Burst Mode to Get Perfect Pics of the Kids Every Time

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Do you guys know about the iPhone's burst mode? If not, you HAVE to read this tutorial - it will make a huge impact on the pics you get of the kids. And it's so easy too! What I love most about my Canon 5D Mark III (the professional camera I use for my job as a children's photographer) is the quick response. I click the shutter when I see the shot I want and I know there's going to be no delay.  I can time my shots perfectly.  And, when you're working with kids who move quickly, you need a … [Read more...]

Family & Money-Earning Jobs For Toddlers & Preschoolers

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There are lots of great reasons to treat your children (even your youngest kiddos) as accountable, active participants at home by giving them both family jobs and money earning jobs. Here are a few of our favorites: It gives them a sense of respect and awareness for their surroundings It instills in them a healthy relationship with "stuff" and stops entitlement in it's tracks It teaches work ethic It provides them with a sense of belonging that comes only through contributing It … [Read more...]

2015 Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life Printables Now for Sale!

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Is it just me or does shipping the kids back to school make you crave order and routine??? If simplifying your life by organizing yourself and your family is on the top of your wish list, we've got a great news AND a great deal for you just for being an MPMK reader. LIMITED TIME, BACK-TO-SCHOOL OFFER! Get all 4 of our top-selling MPMK e-products for one amazing bundle price $12.98 That's 50% off the regular retail value of $25.97! The 2016 Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life Printables … [Read more...]

Simple Ideas for Celebrating Grandparents

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(sources clockwise from top left: 1/2/3/4/5) So, technically, Grandparents Day was last Sunday. But I think most grandparents out there are pretty understanding about the fact that last week was also the first week of school (what genius decided to put Grandparents Day during one of the busiest weeks of the year?!) and are willing to give us a pass. As such, I've put together a great list of ways to honor the grandparents in your family. It includes the fun crafts above, but also … [Read more...]

POYEL: Kids Clothing Organization

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Question for you guys - do your kids put away their own laundry? I recently mentioned in my post on our Kids' Responsibility & Money Management Kit that my 4 and 5 year old get themselves dressed, brush their own teeth and make their own breakfast each morning and have been doing so for over a year. That alone created a bit of a stir on facebook and I didn't even mention that they also put away all of their own clothes - woo hoo! (Now you know how I actually survive being a mama of 3 … [Read more...]

Our Fail-Proof 3 Step Plan for Saving Kid Art & School Projects

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My kiddos headed back to school last week, and I know it won't be long before they start coming home with all sorts of papers, projects and pictures. Last year, I struggled quite a bit with deciding what to keep and where to keep it. This year, I'm starting with a plan. My plan is intentionally simple. I don't follow through with overly structured systems for managing household tasks, and I know it's likely to fall to the bottom of my to-do list if it isn't amazingly easy. Here are the basic … [Read more...]

How to set up a study space anywhere

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With a soon-to-be kindergarten in the house (what?!) I've been scouting out spots in the house to set up a study station for him. And, after doing a little web surfing, I became convinced that it's impossible to set up such a space in literally any space. So I put together a handy roundup of the most ingenious ideas I found. You can check them all out here. Want more MPMK goodness over the weekend? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter (and get the free 6 week meal plan) and to follow … [Read more...]

{Memory Keeping} Chalkboard Photo Frame DIY

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Have you guys checked out our new Photography & Memory Keeping category yet? The plan is to fill it to the brim with usable ideas for busy parents on how to take great photos, how to organize them, and what to do with them once you actually print them! It's one of the things I'm most excited about this year - can you tell? Here's Kristin with a quick and easy photo project that will make a big visual impact in a special nook or cranny in your home. We already know the importance of … [Read more...]

{POYEL} Decluttering, Recycling, Earning Money & Giving Back with Your Old Technology

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We've got a new Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life installment today. This time we're tackling just what to do with all those old (and sometimes broken) smart phones, tablets and MP3 players with the help of our newest sponsor, . Have you heard of them? I hadn't but I was quite pleasantly surprised to hear I could make money AND safely recycle my old tech with a simple trip to the mall. (I was also pleasantly surprised by the amount of money I could make!) Here's Kristen with her experience … [Read more...]