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I imagined that sometimes you might want the ability to look at list of things that we use as a family to work with our kiddos so I created a resource page. The resources on this page will grow as we experience more parenting and different ages but I recommend bookmarking it for your reference and convenience. Enjoy!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links (at no extra cost to you). These are all things that I have experience with that I am recommending because they are helpful and are companies that I trust, not because of the commissions that I may earn from you using these products. Please do not spend money unless you feel it’s for something you really need and will help you reach your goals.

Electronics:

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. – we were introduced to LeapFrog in Christmas of ’11 when my grandmother purchased my daughter Anna a LeapPad with Creativity Bundle. Though I had heard of the hype of these pieces of technologies I wasn’t interested in them, thinking it was cult-branding.  After the first day of having it my daughter proceeded to walk up to me and tell me what an invertebrate was, and how to say dinosaur in Spanish and since that day she has learned more interesting biology, art, mathematics, and Spanish than ever before.  I highly recommend LeapFrog products, even on an educational level, for your kiddos.

Internet Monitoring Software

Action Alert – excellent software for monitoring your computer.  With their basic package you can filter, monitor, and put time restrictions…for free.  Their Maximum Protection does everything including video playback, ability to monitor all Facebook activity, and ability to create different users with different levels of monitoring.  Please listen to my episode about the positives and negatives of Facebook before purchasing the software.

Family Outdoor Activities

Burpee – thought we love our technology, we also believe in teaching our kiddos the value of hard work and getting in the dirt.  This year we have allowed our kiddos to pick out what they want to plant, grow, and possibly eat.  Burpee is a company we have ordered through for years.  They have an amazing selection (my favorite are the tomato selections).  I grew TONS of tomatoes last year from what I bought.  It is an excellent way to teach kids responsibility and have some fun family time!  You can also catch awesome deals like $5 flat shipping and other deals.

Mixing Family and Science

GIANTmicrobes – a fun way to teach microscopic organisms to your kiddos.  As a homeschooling family, we do not have the money for a microscope (mark my words however: we will have one soon!) and want to be able to teach microbial biology to our younguns.  This is how we do it.  Fun, unique, and clever.  One one of these days you can check out the venereal disease GIANTmicrobes.  Yes I’m serious.   My favorite categories are the Exotics, Corporeals, and the Tropicals.

Kiddos and College

Affluent Student – Paul at Affluent Student does an incredible job of answering that tough question: does my kid need to go to college?  But Paul’s passion for helping families does not stop there.  He then explains the scholarship process and how to get any kid in the running for scholarships.  Paul intuitively helps you work with your kid to decide if they really want to attend college, what to do if they are not, and how to keep them out of exorbitant amounts of debt if they decide their passion lies in a college degree-necessary field.

Kiddos and Money

FamZoo.com – Bill at FamZoo took his program he created for his own kids and opened it up for all of us parents to enjoy!  He has created a site that allows families to practice with their kids how to handle money.  It includes how to factor in savings and charitable giving.  If Bill’s warm reception to me and my questions is representative of FamZoo’s customer service, you are in excellent hands.  He has a free version to try for 2 months.  Watch my video review on YouTube!
The First National Bank of Dad: A Foolproof Method for Teaching Your Kids the Value of Money – fantastic book that Bill from FamZoo and I both recommend on how to teach kids not just money management, but how to make money management a value for them.