Nanny to Mommy

Being a stay-at-home mom, I like to learn anything I can about how to help my children further their education. Education is the most important thing to me and I am always looking for ways to help my children. I have recently found that podcasts are a great way to get information on topics you enjoy. I started listening to podcasts only last year. From self-help to comedy and more, there are so many options available. If you are like me and looking to help your children succeed whether through homeschool or with furthering their education from at-home help, then I have found an excellent resource for you to enjoy.
This post is sponsored by College Prep Science. Copyright 2020 by Greg Landry.

Former college professor, homeschool dad, and homeschool science pioneer, Greg Landry, has a new podcast specifically for homeschool moms – the Homeschool Mom’s Science Podcast. The purpose of this podcast to encourage, entertain, and equip homeschool moms to teach science (6th - 12th grade) and to make it interesting and enjoyable for students (and mom).

You’ll enjoy a familiar voice with science, stories, and humor every week – a new homeschool mom’s podcast available every Tuesday morning.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Please check out the fun, education gift ideas below that kids are sure to enjoy. Please make sure to check out the recommended age range of each product listed. And don't forget to enter the giveaway below as well!

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

My son started Kindergarten this year and to be honest, I was worried he would be starting the school year behind. Although I tried to work with him this summer to catch him up, we were so busy that sometimes we didn't have the time. We didn't confirm that he needed glasses until this past January so I know that has played a factor into what he learned. I want him to excel and feel confident in his abilities. My son has the type of personality where if something isn't "his idea" and fun, then he doesn't want to do it. So when I was sent the TinkerActive Workbooks through MomsMeet, I was excited to see how they could help him.

TinkerActive Workbooks are designed to build your child’s fundamental math and science skills while inspiring them to try new things, discover new skills, and imagine new possibilities. Vetted by award-winning educators and aligned to Common Core State Standards, they are an excellent supplement to schoolwork or at-home study. Packed with curriculum-based exercises designed for all learners (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), TinkerActive Workbooks are a surefire way to encourage your child’s love of learning.

Right from the days of being a toddler, we all have memories of indulging in solving an extensive number of puzzles. Parents tend to sit with their children and make them play these due to their wide-ranging importance for the exercise of minds. The way puzzles manage to challenge children makes them apply every ounce of their mental strength and capabilities, thereby allowing them to experience adverse situations and honing skills. Hence, they seem to act as a learning tool for the children, whether they be 5 or even 15.

This article intends to delve into the positive aspects of solving puzzles for children and discuss the benefits that accrue to them.

My daughter loves school and learning. I know that this isn't the case for all. My son just turned five and when he starts kindergarten next year, I know we will have our hands full especially when it comes to homework. But if you're child is like my son and school aged 2nd to 5th grade, I thought I would share our experience with a wonderful supplement to homeschool or at home tutoring program focusing on math.

They reached out to me before Christmas, but I was so slammed packed with Holiday Gift Guide stuff that I never got around to it. I wish I had sooner though because my daughter has absolutely LOVED this program! My daughter was in her class with another girl. The teacher was very nice and engaging. Here is our honest review of the program:

Enter to Win a Teach My Preschooler Learning Kit

AND a Teach My Kindergarten Learning Kit

Mommy's Playbook's Prize is Sponsored by Teach My

I love having supplies on my to extend my child's education from the classroom. We have our list of Back to School Shopping List, but Teach My products are perfect for anyone!

This post is sponsored by Crayola in the form of complimentary products. All opinions are my own. These products were featured in our Back to School Guide.

My mom was a teacher when we were growing up. I remember watching her go back to school after she and my dad divorced. She worked so hard to become a teacher, a lot of late nights studying and creating lesson plans. She loved being a teacher so much. Educating our children is such an important and, often times, underappreciated profession.

Crayola has been our brand of choice for so many years. My mom and I would create lesson plans and activities using Crayola because they make high quality products with beautiful vibrant colors in every box. And they are the one and only crayon and marker brand I trust to actually be washable when the package says it is. This summer Crayola has started an amazing initiative. They have started the next phase of the “Thank a Teacher” campaign. They want kids around the country to show their appreciation for teachers and help reach one million thank-yous to teachers across the country!

I received complimentary products to provide this post. All opinions are my own. Includes affiliate links.

I like to keep fun stuff around to help my kiddos stay school ready and avoid the summer slide. That why I love having Play Smart activity books around.


Play Smart activity books have been raking in the awards! Early Learning 2+, Early Learning 3+, and School Skills 4+ have been given Family Choice Awards and Early Learning 3+ also won a National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA). "It's a great combination of learning and having fun. This is a fun activity book filled with puzzles, games, and art projects. We especially like the design and the colorful stickers that make the book engaging for early learning. And now Play Smart workbooks is growing! Play Smart Picture Puzzlers (6 new titles) are packed with 64 themed fun-first, adorably illustrated activities, a wipe-clean game board, and more than 80 colorful stickers—value priced at $6.99! Age ranges include 2+, 3+, or 4+.

My hope each and every summer is that my children avoid the summer slide which is not forgetting everything they learned the previous school year. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. I love to have educational toys on hand during the summer in hopes of beating summer slide.

I received complimentary products to provide this post. All opinions are my own.

Did you know National Engineers Week is February 18 through 24 this year?

Ellie loves to build. She’s always engineering new creations with the help of her imagination and her best friend Kit. Unfortunately, with Kit’s birthday just around the corner, the French-braiding machine Ellie built turns out to be more of a hair-knotting machine. What’s Ellie going to do? Luckily, the girls overhear Kit’s mom talking about Kit’s surprise – it must be the dog she’s always wanted! Ellie is struck with inspiration: she’ll build Kit the best doghouse ever! The project quickly becomes more than just a present for Kit – it builds a bridge between Ellie and those bothersome neighbor boys, as well as the other handy girls in her class.

This post contains affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Give your kids the world! The best kids’ gifts inspire the imagination and keep kids interested and engaged. That’s exactly what you get with Little Passports monthly subscriptions! They have the perfect gift for all ages:


As they grow, kids are constantly discovering that they are citizens of the world. Gifts that encourage exploration of places, cultures, recipes and ideas will bring excitement and spark new conversations and knowledge. These award-winning subscription gifts for kids bring those experiences right to your front door! Whether it’s a geography or science focus, connect with them through shared adventures, and help change the way they see the world – one activity-packed monthly package at a time.

I have been a fan of ABCmouse.com since 2012. Recently I contacted them about adding their program in my Annual Holiday Gift Guide because I love giving the gift of fun education to my children.

ABCmouse.com is an early learning software developed by Age of Learning, Inc. for the purpose of using technology to educate children through a full online curriculum. The current program will benefit children ages two through second grade with curriculum created by a board of teachers and educational experts from a variety of fields including science and history.

So if you live in the US, then you probably know all about the Solar Eclipse (and might even be tired of hearing about it). We knew this was a once in a lifetime experience and so we wanted to visit the Path of Totality for ourselves. So we rented a hotel room (camping was already full) and we made plans to spend the whole weekend hiking and visiting far away friends.


Viewing the eclipse in totality was truly a once in a lifetime, breathtaking experience.

My daughter just graduated Kindergarten and I have been stressing this summer making sure she doesn't forget anything she learns last year. The thing is, I don't want her to stress about it. I still want her to have fun and enjoy her summer break. I was recently sent this fun game from PlaSmart called Catch and Learn. It's "the educational game where you fish for answers".

Easter is right around the corner and I am just now starting to find goodies for my kiddos Easter baskets. I have some ideas. Last year I was so fortunate to work with so many amazing companies that their baskets kind of fell together. This year is different. I want to continue to give them items that are meaningful and they can use over again.

Education is so important to me. I believe that in order to help our children be self-sufficient, they need a solid foundation which in my opinion is education. I have been home schooling SweetPea for a few months now. I looked into a two year old preschool for her, but with money being tight, I didn't feel that was a viable option. I was recently asked to try an Early Learning Academy app with my daughter. I feel it is more budget friendly option for the parent who wants to help further their child's education.

You can sign up for one (or both) subscriptions to follow Sam and Sofia on their exciting adventures around the USA and the world. Inspire a love and understanding of the world as your child learns about geography, history, culture, and language in a fun and memorable way. Watch as your children race to the mailbox every month to learn about Sam and Sofia’s latest destinations. Monthly packages arrive filled with lots of goodies and access to online games and activities.