Blog Posts by Lyn Lomasi

Kids make messes. Why? Because it's fun. The clean-up isn't so great at times. But making a good mess can be quite entertaining. My kids seem to have mastered the art of mess-making from an early age.

The most messy time of all had to be when one of my kids was two years old and the other was just six months. This incident reminded me why Vaseline should be in high places when you have kids. It's also why the bathroom should be left slightly ajar if you're a mom or dad with little ones at home.

I went to the ladies room for maybe two minutes. The six month old was secure in her infant seat with some toys and the two year old was busy playing with her toys on a blanket. Keeping kids busy usually prevents mischief. But not this time.

I came out of the restroom to discover two kids with Vaseline from head to toe - in the hair, all over the clothes, and yes, in between the toes. The two year old decided putting Vaseline all over them both was a fun game. Back in the bathroom I went - but

When other moms are dishing out the latest gossip, making date night plans, and getting excited over the latest fashions for moms and kids, I can't help but feel out of place. The things I want to discuss seem so different and I am often way out of touch with what everyone else is interested in. I'm not like many other moms. In no particular order, here's five reasons why.

I don't look forward to dropping my kids off at school -- or anywhere. I'm all for quality education. In fact, that's one of the main reasons I used to be a homeschool mom. You'd think after all those years of seeing my kids all day every day, I'd be glad to drop them off at school every morning. I'm definitely glad they are getting a great education. But I'm never excited to spend the whole day without them. I can't relate to that relief many moms seem to experience when dropping their kids off at school or with the sitter.

I'm so lost with the latest gossip. I'll never knock those who are into it because we all

As the summer draws to an end, it's great to go back through the pictures we took and reflect on the fun times. My kids and I are the outdoorsy type, so we spent a fair amount of our summer exploring nature trails and having equally exciting outdoor adventures. This fun snapshot provides a very accurate glimpse into our entire summer, from the fun poses to the natural scenery of the local trail.

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Lyn is a freelance web journalist, the Community Advocate at Yahoo! Contributor Network, and a Y! Shine Parenting Guru. She's also the founder of Write W.A.V.E. Media, parent company to LifeSuccessfully.com and several others. She enjoys publishing freelance writers and supports advocacy through journalism. She has been published all over the web with major media companies, as well as smaller businesses and organizations. Contact Lyn for guidance in the world of freelance writing.

Every parent has those places they treasure and want to share with their kids, as well as places they've never been but want to experience the magic as a family. As I sit and think, the five places I want my kids to see the most are a fair mix of both.

Niagara Falls in New York and Canada - If you've never been to Niagara Falls, you are missing out. I went here as a child in upstate New York and plan to take my kids as soon as I get a chance. The rushing sound of the falls, the magical scent of the misty water and forest greenery, and the sound of birds and other wildlife has a feel all its own. I always felt so at peace here, whether on the New York or Canada side. The whole area is stunningly beautiful. because our family practically lives outdoors (we're always exploring nature in some way), I know my kids will absolutely love Niagara Falls.

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France - I've never been to France myself. But I've always been fascinated with the country and its rich history. Plus,

"Please, Mommy. Pleeeeaaaase! He's soooo cuuute!!" If your kids are begging you to get a pet, think first before making that purchase. Many pets are bought on an impulse, which is sometimes not a good thing. Before you bring an animal into your home, be sure you teach your kids how to care for pets. It may seem simple in retrospect. But caring for an animal is a big responsibility that isn't for everyone.

"Yummy!" If your kids are not saying that when you feed them healthy snacks, read on for some of my healthy snack suggestions. Healthy does not have to lead to the kids turning up their noses.

Yogurt-dipped fruit - Set out a plate of sliced fruit and a bowl of yogurt and watch the kids get excited. Kids love dipping things and this healthy snack seems like a dessert/ The kids won't be thinking about whether it's healthy or not. They'll be too busy enjoying this delicious treat.

Variety tray - Set out a tray full of a mixture of healthy choices. Some suggestions include sliced apples, unsalted nuts, raisins, fresh berries, carrot sticks, rice cakes, and sliced bell peppers. Use homemade onion dip (light sour cream seasoned with green onions, garlic, and a touch of sea salt) if the kids want to dip their vegetables. It's hard not to be tempted by all the finger food when it's right there. Picky kids will enjoy the variety of options.

Homemade trail mix and granola bars - Kids

Need some help coping with those crazy days when the kids just don't want to focus? Trust me, we all have those days throughout the years of homeschooling. Here are some of my best coping methods for all the zany days.

Take a break. Sometimes the kids really need a break. Maybe you're the one who needs to relax. Either way, if things are getting a bit too zany for comfort, just step away and take a break. You can always get back to it later.

Switch subjects. If the kids are getting restless, but really need to meet some goals, try changing the order of things for the day. A bit of rotation can help refresh the mind and get everyone back into focus.

Do some family yoga. Maybe everyone needs to relax or relieve some stress. Drop what you're doing and get in a good yoga session. If you have cable, you can usually find some routines via on demand television. There are also great pictorial instructions and videos all around the internet.

Embrace the zany! It's perfectly fine if every day

(c) Lyn LomasiThis school year is one I am really trying to treasure. As it is nearing the end and summer is right around the corner, it's hard to believe this will be my last year as a homeschool teacher.

Have my kids grown up? No. That's what makes it so difficult. I know full well that no one will have the same dedication toward them that I do.

They won't get to have field trips every day. They might not get to spend extra time on lessons if they need to or move on ahead of time if they comprehend something quickly.

So why am I doing this? Why am I letting go of my responsibility as a homeschool teacher? It's simple. I'm doing it for them, for me, for the family.

(c) Lyn LomasiI will be returning to school myself in the fall. Therefore, I need to give up some things in order to be able to study successfully. My writing takes up a good portion of my time. However, that's what pays the bills. It's also what keeps me sane so I can properly care for my family. Our world would be too empty without the writing.