So… this is super late and I have absolutely zero excuse.  The file has been sitting on various hard drives for over a year and I just never got around to doing the post.  On Sunday, when you’re sitting down to breakfast or brunch or lunch or… lunner? with your kids, it might be fun to fill these out.  And save them so you can do it again next year and create some fun memories that you can look back on.  Again and again!

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.

My mom celebrated her big 5-0 last month and I wanted a special gift to give her from Little Monkey.  They love to spend time together.  They have a standing date on Friday nights.  We often spend afternoons and weekends at Grandma’s house.  Little Monkey adores his grandma and it’s pretty safe to say that is a two-way street.  So, I wanted to give them the gift of time.  This would be a great idea for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or just for fun!  Or flip-flop the idea around and give it to your kids.  Maybe as rewards for extra chores or extra good behavior.  Or a fun way to fight the boredom blues.

ACTIVITY COUPONS GIFT
FOR MOM OR GRANDMA

Materials:
– Paper
– Scissors
– Stamps
– Markers
– Hole Punch
– Twine or Yarn
– Glue Stick
– Printable Coupons, if you want to use them

Directions:
– Cut the papers down to your desired size.  Cut out the printable coupons, if you’re going to use them.  I have a full set of coupons with 30 activities available in my Etsy Shop, if you’re looking for more ideas or a larger booklet.

Click the image to download the watermark-free file. If you have issues, let me know.

– Write down the activities you want to give your special mom.

– Embellish and decorate your coupons any way you want.
– Punch holes in the tops of your coupons and string the yarn or twine through the holes.  Tie the twine securely.
– Create a cover by using a piece of paper twice the height of your coupons.  Fold it in half horizontally.  Punch holes in the top, near the crease.  String the yarn or twine through the holes and through the coupons.  Tie securely.  Embellish the cover.
– Wrap and give.

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.

This is just random jibber jabber, so if you’re expecting a great project, don’t hold your breath.  You’ll pass out before you find it.  There is a printable below though.  You could use it to make a card for Mother’s Day…

I spent the last week home alone with the boys while Mr Napping was out of town on a business trip.  I love my boys and am so grateful to be able to stay at home with them… but sometimes, I need a break.  A conversation that doesn’t involve nonsensical baby babble or talk of Dinosaur Train or Lightning McQueen is a huge deal.  By Wednesday or Thursday, I’m in survival mode.  My days are a big jumble of snacks, chores, refereeing sibling squabbles, diaper changes, bottles, meals, and bath time… and the dreaded bedtime!  I have a huge respect for single parents, you are my heroes and I have NO idea how you manage.

A while back, I watched of Everybody Loves Raymond because it’s on Netflix streaming and I can power through the episodes while I’m cleaning in the evenings.  In one of the episodes, Debra starts charging Ray for her services around the home when he claims it’s “his” money.  Mr Napping has never claimed that in the least, let me make that clear up front.  But; sometimes, when he comes home and sees a new project I’ve started he gets frustrated that the dishes aren’t done or the laundry isn’t washed.  Clearly, I found time to do this project, so why not the laundry?  Some times, I feel a little taken for granted.

Anyway, the point I am ever-so-slowly getting to… do you have any idea how much it would cost to pay someone to come in and do what I do?  Any guesses?  Any one?  $500/month?  $1000?  Does that sound outrageous?  Well, let’s break it down and find out:

These are averages and may vary depending on your location, size of your home and exact services.

The Stats:
Our home is 1696 square feet with 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen, a combined formal living/dining room and and a family room.  The carpeted area is roughly 1200-1300 square feet.  We have two children, ages 14 months and 3.5 years.  No pets.  Our three year old is mostly potty trained, but not some days are rough.  And he has a harder time when Daddy leaves.  The baby is in diapers, obviously.  We typically eat dinner every night as a family and have two to three meals a day on Saturday and Sunday.  During the days, the children eat one to two meals and about half a dozen snacks or more.  The baby gets a bottle at nap time and at bedtime.  He also typically wakes between 2-5am to eat another bottle.  My husband is a tremendous help in the kitchen, so I knocked my time down to five lunches and dinners and two breakfasts.  I typically complete approximately 7-10 pounds of laundry a week.  Monkey attends preschool 2 times a week.  We make various other outings for groceries, shopping and occasional play dates.  I figured these prices from the average in our area.

Cost of Professional Services Hired for One Week:
Maid Service (for weekly basic cleaning of the home): $100 – this is the simple stuff, no windows, refrigerators, stoves or the like.  Just vacuuming, toy pick up, bathroom cleaning, ect…
Laundry Service (Clothes and linens washed weekly): $12.75 – can you image the laundry load after a trip or vacation?
Personal Chef Services (5 Dinners/5 Lunches/ 2 Breakfasts): $2,375 – this doesn’t include the cost of food
Chauffeur Services to Preschool:  $50 – doesn’t include gas money (which is another $25-45)
Daycare Center Costs (5 days a week/9 hours a day, 14mo & 3.5yo): $426.25
And I got peed on today, so I’ll tack on a good $50 for that.  Okay, I won’t.

The weekly total: $2,964
The average cost to employ a homemaker for one month?  $11, 856.

I don’t know about your families, but we don’t have $11, 856 to spare each month.  Even if I were to work full time, I don’t have a degree that would allow me to compensate for those expenses.  And, you know what?  I would miss my husband and kiddos like crazy!  So, if there are some days the dishes don’t get done or the laundry is still on the floor, it’s okay!  The kids are alive and not bleeding (much).  There is something resembling food for dinner.  No one is running around naked (most of the time).  We’re ok.  Heck, we’re even happy, in the big picture of things.  Not so thrilled about being peed on.  And guess what?  The dishes, the laundry and the vacuuming with all be there tomorrow.  It’s important to take time for things I enjoy and relax so I don’t kill anyone…  because I’m not clever enough to get away with it and, from the looks of those numbers, I’m irreplaceable!  And, even though my husband doesn’t always understand why I prioritize the way I do, we are all happier when I take a little time for me too.  What’s that they say…?  “If momma ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy” right?!

Investopedia did a similar comparison back in January.  It’s even higher than the numbers I spit out.  So, if you are a homemaker, I hope you realize how important you really are.  Don’t focus on the shortcomings!  Look at everything you DID get done.  Everything else will be there tomorrow.  And you working mommas… you’re pretty awesome yourselves – working all day long and then coming home to deal with dishes, dinner, baths and chores.

Click and then right click the image to “Save As”.  You can then print your own mother definition printable.

Cost Sources:

Personal Chef: http://www.howmuchisit.org/personal-chef-cost/
Laundry Service: http://www.howmuchisit.org/laundry-service-cost/
Maid Service:http://www.howmuchisit.org/maid-service-cost/
Daycare cost: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-youll-spend-on-childcare_1199776.bc#articlesection2

This post was written by Krista and originally appeared on While He Was Napping.
If you’d like to get more While He Was Napping, you can find me here: