Friday Thoughts
Happy Friday!
This summer has been weird. It’s a new phase of life for us where my boys still at home are mostly working and my 13-year old is busy playing tennis/volleyball, selling cookie dough, helping around the house and property (including bottle-feeding three calves), and reading in all her spare moments.
What that means is that basically no one is around to go to the community pool with me in the afternoons or do arts and crafts or fill out homemade chore charts. 😉
Gone are the summers of the past (flashback ⬇️ going to the zoo with my kids 8 years ago). It’s bittersweet. 😢
Questions for You
- If you have children, do your kids/teens have summer jobs? Full-time? Part-time?
- My teenagers tell me a lot that they’re the only ones their age who have full-time jobs in the summer. While that isn’t entirely true (one of my sons works with his best friend, for instance), it does seem like a lot of teens in our area don’t work during the summer. It leaves me with a lot of questions. Do you have the answers? 😜 I’m asking these questions in good faith – meaning, I’m not being critical of other schedules/families. I’m genuinely curious!
- Namely, who is paying for all their “stuff”?? We pay for our teens’ car insurance, half of their monthly gas, school sports fees (and reasonable gear, if required), and phone, but otherwise, they pay for all of their own social activities, clothes, remainder of their gas, eating out, and anything else they want to spend money on (which is a lot or a little, depending on the kid 😆). They also save 50% of their earnings for future (college, church missions if they choose to go, etc).
- Whether or not your kids work, do you require summer chores around the house/yard? Daily? Weekly? What does that look like at your house?
- My teenagers tell me a lot that they’re the only ones their age who have full-time jobs in the summer. While that isn’t entirely true (one of my sons works with his best friend, for instance), it does seem like a lot of teens in our area don’t work during the summer. It leaves me with a lot of questions. Do you have the answers? 😜 I’m asking these questions in good faith – meaning, I’m not being critical of other schedules/families. I’m genuinely curious!
I’m fascinated by how other families manage life, so thanks for chiming in on this!
Things I’m Loving
- September travel plans. After years (decades??) of talking about it, I’m actually following through on a lifelong dream and going to Switzerland in September (with my mom, sister and cousin)!!!!! My sweet grandma (my mom’s mom) was born and raised there, so it holds a special place in our family’s history and hearts. I’m excited (and nervous! I’m such a homebody…traveling is way outside of my comfort zone). 💗
- This crepe maker. I even did an Instagram video about it. Not all kitchen gadgets are created equal (as in, most of them are overrated) but this one is worth it. I absolutely hated cooking crepes before I got this. Here’s my go-to crepe recipe.
- These two card games. Flip7 and Trio. Both of them are fast and easy to learn, and so, so fun to play. They’re out full-time on our table right now, because we are playing them so often. What are your favorite games right now?
- This puzzle. I like to keep a puzzle up all the time during the summer. I find that my kids will stop and work on it for a few minutes here and there, which is an opportune time to casually chat and connect with them. It also means I stay up way too late most nights. Puzzles are addicting!
- My evening walks. For the last month or so, I’ve made an intentional effort to get out of the house in the evening and take a walk. It’s been a really beautiful thing for my emotional and mental well-being to just walk for fun and to enjoy being outside. It’s not for exercise, not to count steps. Sometimes I walk fast, sometimes I walk slow. Sometimes someone comes with me, most of the time I go alone (some nights I ride my “grandma” bike instead of walk!). I usually pop in an audiobook, and I just love it. Apparently evening sunlight is good for you? So I guess I’ll take that as a bonus, too.
Things I’m Not Loving
- The tragic floods in Texas and New Mexico. I’ve been sick and heartbroken seeing the news accounts of the devastation, particularly in Texas at the girls’ camp, Camp Mystic. I sent my own daughter off to camp this week and couldn’t help saying an extra prayer (ok, lots of extra prayers) for her safety and also for those living in the midst of loss and grief right now. I donated to Convoy of Hope, a very reputable organization on the ground in Texas right now. Of course, it doesn’t feel like enough, but it made me not feel so helpless. I read a quote on social media this week that said something like “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.” I suppose in moments of helplessness, all I can really do is lift where I stand. I’m trying to be better at that. 🤍
All of my other complaints ⬇️⬇️ seem awfully trite after talking about the devastating floods. So please take the rest of these bulleted points with a grain of salt and a roll of the eyes.
- Not sleeping well. I’m trying a BedJet (not sponsored, I bought it myself) to see if I can sleep better/cooler at night. No opinion yet, it’s only been a few nights. Have you tried one? Thoughts? I’m also trying for consistent morning/evening sunlight. Honestly, I’d give my right arm for a good night’s sleep right now (anyone else feeling this??). 😴
- Failed recipes. I usually recipe test for a full day each week to get recipes just right to post. This last week, I kid you not, I made six recipes, and most of them were pretty much unsalvageable failures (brussels sprouts salad, new brownie recipe THAT HAS SO MUCH PROMISE, icy lime drink). I had a little pity party for wasted ingredients and what felt like wasted time. Onward and upward! I shall persevere (especially with that dang brownie recipe).
- The heat. Oh my gosh, I’m dying. Give me cool, mountain air and crisp, fall weather any day of the week. I am not a summer girl.
- The pressure to be skinny. I feel like the influx of easy-access weight loss meds has exponentially increased the pressure to be super thin, fast (and has destroyed a lot of the work of body positivity/body neutrality over the last few years). My thick, athletic thighs and booty are definitely not “on trend” these days, but I sure do appreciate them! They take me on walks, they help me lift heavy weights, and they give me lots of cushioning for k-drama watching and puzzle doing. 💪🏼😍 I will go to my grave talking about how my body is an instrument not an ornament and how I appreciate it for what it can do for me. This is a message I want my sons and my daughter (and myself) to hear loud and clear, over and over.
If you are an every day, any age woman like me who is doing their best to keep their head above water (and drink enough water 😆), exercise for health and strength, and eat a well-balanced diet, just know that YOU ARE DOING ENOUGH. Even if you aren’t doing all of those things, if you are trying, whatever that looks like, you are doing enough. We are so much more than what our bodies look like. 😘
EDITED TO ADD: I am by no means making a comment or directing an opinion toward anyone taking GLP-1s/weight-loss meds – I’m grateful for the reminder in the comments that those meds have been a game-changer for some of you for overall health and personal recovery. 💗
If you saw the salad I posted on Instagram the other day, it’s coming to the blog Monday! The ONE recipe that actually worked…and IT IS AMAZING!
(Also, we loved having my oldest son, Jackson, home for a few days over the 4th! 💙)
I love reading and listening to other’s opinions…so please feel free to share yours below in the comments! ⬇️
Quick Note 7/12/25: Thank you to all of those who have commented below! Truly. This might be one of my favorite Friday Thoughts discussions to date! Some of you have expressed how vulnerable they feel by sharing, and I just want all of you to know that your thoughts and opinions and life experiences are welcome here even if they are different from others. I have LOVED reading all of the comments (still working my way through them, tbh, because I’m wanting to read each one carefully and thoroughly!). It is the best discussion below! So many helpful and insightful comments. THANK YOU!
Summer jobs. It’s been a struggle here. No one has kids mowing their lawns because adults are doing landscaping. Same problem with snow removal. Very few places will hire kids under 16, and they are full, with a waiting list! Athletic teams require practices – okay, it’s a soft require, but makes it harder to hold a job. So, long answer – not this year. We are hoping he can get on with someplace for next year, but the short summer, plus church camps plus having to drive him everywhere. Honestly? I’d rather not deal with a summer job until he can drive, or find one in biking distance. Selfishly, I already am mom taxi, and don’t need one more place to drop off/pickup on my plate.
But I want him to get a job. It’s just hard with no one hiring, and if they can get an adult why hire a teen with restrictions?
It is really so hard with teens and expectations from coaches…and also the lack of hiring! So many people in this thread saying the same thing. And I agree, my boys have waited to work full-time until they can drive.
I loved reading this! And your comment about our bodies being instruments not ornaments was so inspiring. That’s something I will use when I become a mom!
Thanks, Savannah!
It’s such a weird time as we get to the grown up kids stage. We have one left at home who is 16 and it has been a big adjustment for me.
Our kids have all worked part time in the summers. We expect them to pay for going out with friends, social stuff, and gas. We do pay for clothes – however I have 4 boys and none of them ever really wanted much more than they needed. Although if they wanted special shoes – those were from their own money. We had a cap for needed shoes – anything above the cap they paid. And yes my kids all had summer chores in addition to their regular chores. They are around more so there is more clean up and they help. From picking up the grocery order on their way home from early morning sports practices to cleaning out the garage. They all helped. I have a part time job so on the days I work I leave a check list of things. Also my kids help prepare/cook dinner. Some like cooking a lot more than others and will just make it all, some not so much so they help.
My philosophy with all this is that they feel more prepared to be independent and more confident in that independence. Money can be a huge source of strain on individuals and then couples. I want my kids to know how to manage money and make the mistakes now versus when they are trying to build up their credit score. Plus when they are involved with paying things like tuition they are more likely to be engaged in it since they have skin in the game so to say.
Sounds about like my boys! They mostly shop at the thrift store…and like expensive shoes which they pay for themselves! I love the life lessons you are trying to instill in your kids. So valuable!
I have 8 kids and don’t want them to have college debt like I did. So they will work as much as possible to save up enough to buy their own (used) car and for whatever else they plan to do after high school (college, vocational school, trade school, whatever). Hard work is good for them!
Sounds like a great plan for you and your kids, Ashley! College debt is no joke.
Per usual…reading your thoughts is like reading about my own life — same stage of life. I was just thinking today about how different it is without little ones in the summer. All of my kids started working summer jobs at age 14….like full on paycheck jobs. We are very lucky that my parents live in a resort town and they know a lot of people who actually don’t mind hiring 14 year olds. I’m lucky that I have a husband who allows me to stay with my parents for the summers so that our 4 children can work from 14 years old to today — my 21, 19 and twin 15 year olds all have jobs. My dad also makes them do all sorts of chores…so they work hard for their keep!!
Switzerland has always been my “happy place”. I am a hate-being-hot, please give me fall/winter/spring weather all year, mountain girl and the fresh mountain air of the Alps is like nothing else you’ve experienced. There’s nothing I could tell you that would over-exaggerate how much you are going to love that country. It is literally breathtakingly beautiful. And the chocolate????!! Oh yes. You will love all things Swiss. All of it.
Oh and puzzles and games all summer long….always. We are playing Skull King pretty much every night. I’ll have to get Flip7 and Trio to change it up a bit. And the crepe maker.
I absolutely love my summer evening walks. Now I know I’m not alone when I’m walking…♥️
Jackson has a mustache?? He went from the zoo outing sweet little boy to a man with a mustache in the blink of an eye….
Love your Friday Thoughts posts. Love your tried and true recipes. Love your sweatshirt and soft pants wearing instrument. My family makes fun of me cuz, whether you know it or not, I am the loyal friend and bestie you’ve never met. Some day maybe we’ll meet in a pantry and share our dark chocolate chips.🥰
Amy, thanks for your comment! Your kids are so lucky! What an amazing summer situation for them. And your plug for Switzerland makes me so excited. Yay! Thank you! And haha, yes, mustaches! We all have our own individual thoughts about it. Hahaha. He’s such a great young man. We sure love when he comes home to visit. Time surely does fly. I’ll meet you in a pantry with chocolate chips any day!
Loved reading this post! Looking forward to the new weekly menu plan you talked about, I believe on Instagram?
Yes! The email went out last Saturday. Let me know if you didn’t receive it!
Bless you. I couldn’t sleep for several months. I cut out every supplement and am miraculously doing better. Hormones play a huge role in that, so get them checked out. Hope you find sleep!!
I’ve wondered about teens and expenses too. Alot of my boys friends don’t seem to pay for anything. We pay for high school athletic fees, provide a car and currently pay gas and insurance. I don’t think we did it right, so I’m giving them a deadline to prepare for future financial responsibilies… like in 2 months you will be paying for your own gas. Then we will add insurance and phone bill as well. We are learning as we go, so know you can make changes as needed!! Summer jobs are tricky with athletic camps, family trips etc. One works part time, my other son worked hard in the spring and earned alot of money to pay for the camps and be able to attend them. We have them pay for their own clothes, eating out, and basically anything else besides the basics. Love evening walks as well. Thank you for all you do.
That’s so interesting you suggested that, Tiffany. I’ve been tempted to cut out all supplements and start from ground zero. I think all of us are learning as we go – appreciate that reminder!!
We definitely have working teens here. We too seem to be outside the norm as only one or two of his friends in the same age range have a job at all. My 16 year old has three jobs this summer and is working 50+ hours a week! He bought his own vehicle, pays for the ownership costs including fuel, maintenance, insurance and registration.
We pay his cellphone and college tuition, clothes and “extras” if they are family oriented. His social expenses and stuff he wants but doesn’t need, he pays.
Chores are expected around the house but definitely lighter because he’s working outside of the home so much.
This leaves room for the 14 year old to step up and take on more of the weight. He works very part time so chores are his work for now. It’s training to become a hard worker!
Neither get an allowance.
It’s bittersweet to see them grow up and it goes oh so fast. Even though in the midst of it we tell ourselves to cherish it-it goes so fast-it’s like I can never soak it in fast enough or fully enough.
I hope you have some lovely summer days before your crisp fall returns, Mel.
Thank you for your blog and recipes and being a friend I’ve never met. ☺️
Holy cow, Sarah! Your 16-year old is amazing! Let’s set him up with my daughter in about 8 years, whatdya say? 😉
Oh man this is a tough stage for sure!!
So I asked my kids to be sure and in our area in NC most parents pay for most everything. Our kids are required to work in the summer (hopefully a more entrepreneurial type job like teaching) and we’ve told them if they save all their money, we will pay for their things. If they choose to use the money they make on clothes/food/etc then that will all become their responsibility. That does mean they have to ask when they want things and we may say no. So far three kids have had enough by the time they graduated to be a good start on their down payments so it has worked for us!
Thanks for sharing how you manage kids and work, Kate! Super interesting and helpful! That’s amazing your kids have saved so much!
My husband got me the bedjet a year or two ago. I didn’t love it at first because its too heavy for me and I had to have it running at all times to breathe, lol. I hadn’t put it on the bed this year til a week or so ago and I am SO HAPPY I have it!! I don’t wake up so sweaty anymore! Yeay 40’s!
My kids got their first jobs at 17, and have worked ever since. And were very busy in high school too. They still “only” work part time but I feel like since graduation, they cover all of their own expenses except groceries and rent. They can’t afford to move out and they attend college close enough to stay at home. So they are required to pitch in with household chores too.
I’m giving the bedjet more time – thanks for chiming in with your experience!!
Same boat! Summer isn’t the same now! My youngest is also 13. It’s been kind of sad. I miss the summer pool trips too!! New phase. Even my 13 yr old has worked with his brother most of the summer.
Regarding sleep- my lack of sleep issues have been due to the thing I wouldn’t wish on anyone- restless leg syndrome. After trying about everything- holistic meds, stretching, yoga, deep breathing, I’m finally on some prescription meds that are helping a lot.
Walking- wish I was enjoying that (I’m extremely jealous) I’ve got some foot issues that have made it impossible this summer. I feel like I’ve really missed out 😢
Games- my son’s girlfriend introduced us to the old fashioned card game of Spoons! It was fun. And I’ve played Rummikub a few times when I can get my kids to play. It seems everyone is too busy to even sit down to a game!
Just have to say I love love love these Friday posts. Wish I could hang out with you in real life!!
Question- How’s Kam’s quilt coming??
I’m glad the meds are helping you, Andrea. I have heard just the worst things about Restless Leg Syndrome. It can be truly awful. We need to play spoons again! I don’t think I’ve played that since college. Thanks for chiming in! Camryn actually finished the quilt! We just need to sit down and bind it!
Your kids are not the only ones!
My kids work full time in the summer (age 15 and up- as lifeguards for our city.) They try and work as close to 40 hrs/ week as they can and our kid $ set up is very similar to what you listed. In addition to earning money- having to work with other people and care about customer safety and experience teaches them so many valuable skills.
I am so curious to hear about your bedjet!!
Walkers unite! Even though it’s 90 degrees at 5:30 AM and 100 degrees at 8:00 PM for the next couple months in Phoenix- it’s worth it!
I’ll keep you posted on the Bedjet, Marie! I have high hopes!
Our kids’ school district is a year-round district, so we only have seven weeks off in the summer. Usually a week for girls camp, one for boys camp, usually another for other youth conferences, and another for their college siblings to come home and visit. So having summer jobs per se don’t always work. However, my kids have developed a reputation for pet sitting and watering plants for people who go out of town. And since we live in the Phoenix area, a lot of people leave town in July. They keep themselves earning some $$$ with pet and plant sitting. And when they are old enough, we encourage them to volunteer at the library during the summer to get some experiences working with shifts and managers, etc. We do require our kids have a part-time job by their junior year so that they can start helping pay for missions and college, etc. We do expect them to do daily chores as well as work on personal goals during the summer like improving on an instrument, reorganizing their spaces, or focusing on a fitness goal. I’m all for having Summer be a bit more relaxing, and have a lot of downtime! As long as we are also using our time well. But I also use Summer and other breaks to teach them skills like doing their own laundry and cooking, etc. And I try and have some of those skill be ones they look forward to as well, like learning how to sew curtains for a bedroom or play some new songs on the guitar. That’s how we do it! And if I can put in a plug about sleep… For years, I woke up every morning, feeling like trash no matter how much I slept. In short, it doesn’t hurt to talk to your doctor about signs of a sleep disorder and determine if you need to do a sleep study. It might be more than a mattress issue!
Lots of Arizona parents int his thread giving good reminders that different school districts operate with a lot shorter summers. And yes, that would be exceptionally hard with kids and jobs! Sounds like you’ve done an amazing job managing the schedules and summer with your kids! Thanks for the plug about sleep disorders!
As I enter the dreaded PERIMENOPAUSE years, my sleep has only gotten worse, along with my blood pressure and other things despite no major changes in my life. A no cost thing to try is something called yoga nidra meditation. I’m not kidding, I went from waking three times a night, and sometimes being up most of the night, to sleeping through the night for the first time in my life and actually waking up feeling refreshed. I typically only make it through about 10 minutes of it before I fall asleep. My blood pressure also dropped from 150/100(!!!) to 120/82. Anyway, just a great thing to try.
Thank you for the recommendation, Julie! I am excited to look into it!
Hello Friend, I feel like if we lived close we would be friends. My kids are all grown… but when they were young the girls had jobs babysitting and cleaning houses. The boys mowed lawns. They could make more money doing these than working another summer job. They had chores they had to do, clean bathrooms, vacuum, dust, dishes, fold laundry, clean their room (which honestly was a joke!), help make dinner, help with outside chores. I could have definitely done better with things, but they have all turned out as responsible adults so far.🤞🤞🤞
We have gone in evening walks for years. It is a blessing. When our kids were little it was to get out of the house. My husband worked a lot of nights and had church stuff other nights so he was gone a lot. But now it is just my husband and I and it is good.
On being skinny… I am 50+ perimenopausale and really like to bake. I liove to make all the treats!😂😂 I try to be reasonable and some days are better than others. Luckily my husband is kind and loves me as I am and I am ok with how I look. I’m not skinny for sure, but still ok. I love your take that your body is an instrument and not an ornament. Thank you!
I love your blog and recipes. They have been a blessing to our family for many years!!
I love the style of jobs your kids had at home, Becky! I think we could all find ways we could do or could have done better as moms, but you know what? The effort is worth more than being perfect, I think. Thanks for chiming in. I loved your comment!
YAHOOOOO!!! I’m over the moon excited for your trip to Switzerland!…and that Jackson came home for the 4th. Hugs
Thanks, sweet friend!
It sounds like you are getting close to being an “Empty Nester”! I’ve been one for a long time and love the not so much work, but also love the visits from kids and family.
I take your recipes and try them but my favorites are salads. anything different appeals to me, including the quinoa and pasta salads, Right now I’m gathering your Greek Pasta Salad ingredients. I’ll let you know how that works out.
My favorite salad is a take off from a Neiman Marcus salad. Three ingredients and mayo. I sort of made it up myself, I will give it to you if you would like. Three to five ingredient salads seem to be my favorites.
Thanks for sharing
I’m glad you are loving the empty nester phase of life, Sharon!! I would love your salad recipe if you want to send it to me and if you see this! You can email me at contact @ melskitchencafe.com
Your thoughts are my thoughts too!
Oh sleep!! I’d give anything for good sleep. Tried lots of things. 52 sucks for this.
Even the little light on the smoke detector can wake me at times. Tried white noise, herbal, temp, routine. My husband said our room is so dark with black out shades like being in a cave.
I’m also preaching to just be kind to your body and be grateful that my body can still do so much . I just had another surgery, so I’m climbing back from that recovery,
I love your thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
Notice I didn’t comment on teens and young adults. No one tells you it’s a great stage but incredibly more stressful than toddlers. Buckle up I guess and enjoy the calm moments.
Ashley, I hope that some of what you’ve tried is helping your sleep! And good luck with surgery recovery. Hard, hard, hard. And yes, I am learning that this phase of life is great…but wow, so full of unknowns.
First off, for your sleeping issues…have you had your hormones checked? That made a big difference in being able to fall asleep! Also, the best crepe filling ever: 1pkg cream cheese, seedless raspberry jam, powdered sugar to taste, and whipping cream. It is sooo good! I add the cream cheese mixture and then assorted berries to the crepe. It is sooo good!!!
Hi Chelsea! Working on the hormone thing! Thanks for that reminder. AND OK…that crepe filling is calling my name. Will be trying so soon!
I am such a fan of yours, Mel! I so appreciate everything you put out into the world. Thanks for the points you made about bodies and what really matters, thanks for the suggestion of convoy of hope — that’s the second time in a few minutes that it popped up so I’ll probably be donating too 🙂 (and I loved that quote you shared), thanks for the tips on fun games to play, thanks for the reminder to appreciate this summer when I get to have all 6 of my kiddos home still, and thanks for persevering through less-than-perfect recipe experiments so we can benefit from your hard work and expertise 🙂
I’m sorry that you’re dealing with trouble sleeping — sleep is so key to all the kinds of health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual). I don’t know what is your sleep challenge, specifically, but I would suggest looking into this device that has been helpful for sleep for my teenage son (I watched his whole system relax one night when he used it — he had been wired and unable to get to sleep and then he used it and went right to sleep afterwards): It’s called the Rezzimax pain tuner. Here’s a link to a podcast episode i did with the inventor of it: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/bethany-lewis3/episodes/76–External-Vagus-Nerve-Stimulator-Rezzimax-Pain-Tuner-Pro-An-interview-with-Sharik-Peck–PT–Katyrra-Peck–RN-e2pi16a/a-abitn7p
Also, you may want to try out brainwaves (binaural beats) — there are lots of apps that you can try. You need to listen through headphones because the way it works requires sound to be entering both ears.
Hope these are helpful! Thanks for being you and sharing your goodness with us all!
Hi Bethany! Thanks for your kindness. And thanks for the recommendation on the pain tuner and the binaural beats – both of those are new to me and I love to learn about new things. Thank you!
I sympathize with your sleeping difficulties..at 60 years of age and after a few years of intense stress, losing loved ones back to back..I had to get a low dose prescription sleep aid to help me sleep. I also do the ice pack on the chest thing for a while while I’m laying in bed before I go to sleep, it seems to help cool me down. I’ve never heard of a bed jet, but I hope it helps!
I’m glad you found something(s) to help you, Kathleen! Thanks for adding your insight to this discussion!
I didn’t read through all the comments so hopefully this isn’t a duplicate but HRT and specially progesterone is a lifesaver for sleep! If you are having night sweats then for sure estrogen. But for general calming add the progesterone. And I take magnesium before bed as well. It’s the perfect duo!
Also went to Switzerland a few years back and ended up finding the actual home my Staheli grandfather (a few generations back!) lived in. It was amazing.
Thought I’d bring this up to you, it’s been a few years since I had night sweats, very bad night sweats and I took shatavari, it’s a natural supplement and it completely took the night sweats away, Maca is also fantastic, helps level out hormones. Hope you don’t mind me sharing☺️
Don’t mind at all, Shellie! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Lisa! I think I need to do the magnesium thing. I’ve been on HRT for a few months and haven’t noticed a change…kind of bummed about that. That is amazing you found the home one of your grandfathers lived in. I love that!!
My kids have had summer jobs while they have been at home. Our youngest is 17 and he currently does not have a job. He has been able to go on a 2 week Church History Tour, HXP to Bali and a family vacation to Lake Tahoe in a couple of weeks. He is also, scheduled to get his wisdom teeth out and Club volleyball tryouts. He worked during the school year and will get back to find a new job before school starts. Teens are expensive, some more than others. If you have multiple kids everything adds up quickly. All three of my kids work. They are hard workers and we have also taught them to play hard. Balance is important. This summer has been the first summer I am alone with the dogs most of the day. It is fun to be with my husband when he gets home from work, but it does get a little lonely without kids wandering in and out of the house. There is a club on insta that I think is really funny. I am not sure who the lady is that started it, but it is called the we do not care club. Every post is about what we know longer care about in the perimenopause phase of life. I would say that being overly skinny could be added to that list. You should look her up. You will get a good laugh.
Thanks for chiming in, Heather! And yes, I will definitely look up that Instagram account. Sounds like something that will resonate with me for sure!
We have our kids to odds and end jobs for people starting at a young age (weeding, mowing, watering plants etc). When they get to be teenagers and need more money, they have the skills to work for other people, but also the flexibility to do church and sports camp, which eat up a lot of summer if your kids do high school athletics! Two of my boys just ended working cherry harvest for one month, but now the rest of the summer consists of camps and family vacations. In between those camps, they will do their lawn mowing jobs and other things that people ask them to do since. My oldest has his entire summer gone because we chose to send him on an hxp trip, and now he has required hs sports camps and a family trip…but he can still earn money when he has a free weekend. It’s been a hard transition for me because I had to pay for basically everything when I was younger, but I also know as a mom I want the freedom for my kids to be able to do things since they are SO tied down during the school year.
I hear you on everyone being instantly skinny. I’m hoping healthy squishy mom bodies come back in style soon! I’ll be ahead of the trend!
Thanks, Chelsea, for detailing how do the work aspect with kids. Sounds like you’ve figured it out. The summers my boys have gone on HXP trips have been especially hard because they are gone so long…so I get that! Haha, you and I both will be on trend when that happens! Thanks for being here.
I’m in the same stage of life. It’s so weird!!!! I’m trying to find new hobbies and activities I love now that I get to focus a little more on myself. It’s hard!
It is so hard! The other day I was literally like “gosh, maybe I need to sign up for pickleball lessons??”
Morning from Alaska ! I have thoughts on kids working, and insomnia.
We are seniors and have grandkids that want to earn money. Thankfully they live within a few blocks from us. As we’ve gotten older we find through circumstances like hip and back problems or my husbands knee replacement, that we are needing help with things like walking the dog, weeding, mowing the lawn, or moving the furniture on the deck, etc. I’ve hired one of my grand daughters for those chores. We agreed on an hourly rate for the chores and a set rate for each dog walk. It’s been a God-send for us. I was thinking there might be people in your area that are in need of just such a service that don’t mind paying for the help.
Insomnia: I have suffered with insomnia for decades. I am slowly improving the number of hours of sleep and I’m now up to 6 1/2 hours. That is HUGE for me. I will share what I have learned through years of research, trial and error.
~ set a time for going to bed and waking and be consistent, even on the weekends. I try to be in bed by 9pm and up at 5am. Sometimes I lay and rest until 5 but I figure rest is rest. Keep the room dark and cool. If you are like me and need to “see” when you wake up so you don’t panic….there are tiny nightlights that use a special yellow light that doesn’t disturb your brain patterns and wake you up. I have one.
~ No TV or computer in the bedroom. I do take my phone, turned off, with me so if I wake at 2am and can’t sleep I can listen to a “sleep story” on the CALM app. That can help sometimes.
~ Try to get some movement in early in the day. It’s hard for me with hip and back issues, but I try. You need a reason to be body tired.
To shut off my always active brain I breath slowly in and out with words like IN: REST and OUT: RELAX. Something like that. Find what works for you. I also like to include a prayer for sleep and restoration of my body and mind at the end of my prayers. : )
~ Get away from any screens at least 30 mins before bed. If that’s impossible, get yourself a pair of those dark red glasses. You need to stop the blue light that blocks your ability to sleep. My grand daughter now has sleep issues because of “game-playing” late at night.
~ Check your meds and vitamins to see if you’re taking any that cause insomnia. I was surprised to learn that B vitamins keep me awake. So I switch things around to get these in before lunch. This included the Super Beets I was taking. Full of B’s.
~ I also slowly cut out caffeine and alcohol. Goodbye to my beloved coffee all morning, and red wine with dinner. I didn’t want to let them go, but had to finally admit it was affecting my sleep, even hours later. So I got myself a nice electric tea pot and sip on green tea until lunch. I can’t argue that it made a difference !
Some people also have trouble with sugar affecting sleep.
~ there are 5 supplements my Dr. turned me on to that I feel have really helped. I’ve tried a lot all but these seem to make a difference:
Before I brush my teeth I take these 4 with a few spoons of FAGE zero Greek Yogurt. This also gives you a bit of protein before bed and the live cultures are good for your gut health. If you don’t like the taste, find one that you do.
1 Neuro-Mag. LIFE EXTENSION (this magnesium breaks the blood-brain barrier and helps calm your muscles and your mind.
1 Cortisol Manager INTEGRATIVE (keeps cortisol from spiking and again calms the mind for sleep. You can also take this during the day if needed)
1 zinc capsule 30mg (I read about a proven study that showed magnesium, zinc and melatonin helped people sleep better)
1 C15 capsule. (fatty15.com. Longevity supplement. What a surprise and game changer this has been. I learned about this through a Bulletproof podcast and started watching all the videos on Youtube plus a Ted Talk on it. Supplement of the year for 2 years now, I had never heard of it… But I did try it and was very happy with the improvements I noticed at the 4 month mark. Not only with my heart rhythm, which I take meds for because it’s so erratic, but less aches and pains, lower blood pressure, more energy, and better sleep! I splurge and take it 2Xa day. I was so impressed I even put my old dog on 1 capsule a day. If you’re not aware of this amazing Odd-chain Essential Fatty Acid, I really recommend you look into it as most of us are deficient. and NO, I have no stake in this company ! : )
After that, I dissolve in my mouth: 1 OLLY sleep gummy with L-Theanine & Botanicals 1.5 gm. (It calls for 2 gummies to give you 3gm, but I just take 1 gummy as a tiny dose is all you need and want. A high dose can actually keep you up!)
Then I brush my teeth and go to bed.
These things have actually helped me. I still have a night here and there that I just can’t seem to sleep, but those are getting more rare. I’m hoping that my 6 1/2 hours will continue to expand to 7 or 8 hours.
Thanks for taking the time to read this old womans missive, and I truly hope that some of this will help you with your insomnia.
I love your site, read almost everything you put out and feel like I know you.
Ok, I loved your comment. Thank you for taking the time to relate all you have learned. Honestly, I LOVE learning from others, especially those with more life experience than I have. That is awesome you have grandkids close to help you but also to give them a way to earn money. Sounds like a true win-win! And thanks for detailing what you’ve learned works for you with sleep and how to get more hours of successful sleep. I appreciate it so much!
My youngest is 16 and she is working! She has a part-time job at a restaurant in town. I think it’s good for teens to work and start learning how to budget their money.
I love your blog and your recipes, Mel! I also LOVE your gift recommendations you post around the holidays, particularly the game ones. We have found some of our favorite family games from your suggestions. Have a safe, wonderful trip in September!
Thank you, Jordyn! Glad your daughter found a job! And so happy you find value in those gift guides! Thanks for letting me know that!
We only have 1 of 4 still at home, but none of my kids worked full time but they all worked (and my youngest does) 30 hours a week in the summer. No one would schedule them for more than that until 18.
Appreciate your thoughts on our bodies. It’s hard. So many people who look GREAT at my age (50), but the underlying issue is they sell stuff. I’m like “why can’t we all just share what works and stop making people pay you for your fitness/food tips?” Oh well…
Made your new cobbler last week! YUM!
30 hours a week is substantial! That’s great and sounds like you have hard-working kids. Agree with your thoughts! And glad you love that cobbler!
When I was growing up I had to pay for all my “extras” but not gas or insurance. I also was not taught to save. When I got married my husband and I asked lots of people lots of questions. We settled on preparing our children to pay for all of their last year of college (for us, the equivalent of making them save $15,000 by their senior year of college.) They have all worked year long and attended early morning seminary etc. They have all reached their goal. They also contribute to insurance monthly and pay for all of their own gas. We do provide the car. They are super responsible, goal driven, and proud of who they are and what they can do. It makes it more fun for me to send them a $15 Chick fil a gift card because I know they need it. We did the opposite of many people and only allowed our kids to take 2 “hard” classes each semester in high school. They were all highly successful and all got into their dream school (BYU). I know we’re messing up in lots of other areas, but asking lots of people their advice and then taking what works for us was super helpful.
Love your insight, Susie! Thanks for sharing that. I also feel like I’m messing up in a lot of ways, but I do love to hear how others *do* things at home with kids. Sounds like you’ve formulated a great plan for you and your kids. Love that!
There’s a lot here in this post, Mel, but as an older grandma aged 65 I can still remember and relate to these concerns. The sleeplessness is so frustrating and I never found a solution other than using that time for prayer. Put it to good use and the Lord will reward you. There’s certainly plenty of concerns to give to Him.
Teenagers and summer employment brought back many feelings and I understand exactly how you feel. There’s a short time in your life when the children are safe and present under your loving care then one day you wake up and everything has changed. It’s hard!! Take heart in the fact that you are raising competent, intelligent, and caring children who will grow into hardworking, contributing ADULTS. That’s the goal so well done, mom!!
That was very sweet to suggest using the awake hours at night for prayer. Thanks for that reminder, Eileen!
I am going to Switzerland in September as well! My Dad was born and raised there so I get there whenever I can. I know it will be life changing for you.
That’s amazing, Sarah! I hope you have an incredible trip!
I am in the same season with my four kids that your are in. Summer has changed for sure and yet it’s still so loud and busy and full of life so I’m definitely in my happy place even if my house is a wreck! I believe teenagers should work! That has been the best things for all four of my children. It seems some people view it as some sort of punishment but working has been my kids biggest confidence booster and source of joy! Blessing Mel and, as alway, we couldn’t get by without you!
Thank you, Ellen. Love having you in this space!
Thank you for this honest post. Your integrity in life and cooking are why I follow you.
My daughters wanted American Girls dolls – they are 36 and 38 now so this was 30 years ago. The dolls were very expensive and I wanted to make sure they appreciated them so asked them how they could earn money to pay for them. They came back with cleaning up the yard after the dog and the litter boxes and stayed with it without complaints for 3 months. We pitched in most of the money and got the dolls at that point. They still take good care of those dolls.
Thank you so much, Mary! That was so heartwarming hearing about your daughters and how they earned money for their American Girl Dolls. I love that.
Oh my gosh I am obsessed with our BedJet!! I am always so cold, but seeing as I’m 9 months pregnant in Missouri..I am melting at all times. We sleep with it at 74° and 15% all night and it’s life changing. Sometimes if it’s a particularly warm night, I’ll bump it to 73°. I was so skeptical at first, but I will never sleep without it again.
Ok, this was super helpful, Natalie! I changed my settings after I read your comment last night and it worked better! Thank you!
I love how your Friday thoughts are so real and relatable. My life looks similar, but different. Mom of 9, ages 22 down to twins that are one, we have kids in all the places. Married, college, high school, middle school elementary and still home with me. My older two kids that are out of the house both had jobs during the end of high school in summer and nights and weekends during the school year. My oldest at home has looked very different as she deals with different challenges, anxiety being one of them. We are working up to the job and hope that it will build confidence and independence as she is a getting closer to graduation and adult life. It is definitely so different with each kid!
I love what you said about our bodies being instruments and not ornaments. Definitely support that way of thinking and trying to teach that in my home.
I love puzzles and so do a few of my kids, but it has always felt difficult because of little ones to have them sitting out. We will get there!
Being in nature and moving my body is such a critical component to my mental health and I find helps me get better rest, mostly. I would definitely recommend magnesium and getting up and moving or brain dumping if needed, and then going back to bed. I am just starting to have more of these issues and will probably be looking up this post to read the comment for my own benefit within the next while, I am sure!
Thanks for sharing your life and insights!!
Jennifer, you are amazing! I have friends who are also parenting kids in literally every phase of life. Adults, young adults, teens, tweens, under 10, and toddlers. I don’t know how you do it! I love the perspective you (maybe unintentionally) shared about how each of our kids are wired differently. What works for one may not work for another. You are an incredible mom to meet your daughter where she’s at and help her work toward things that can help her and you. Thank you for all you added to with your comment!
Hello, Mel! Wanted to start off saying what a huge fan of yours I am!! Your website is my go-to for all things delicious!! You never disappoint!
We are in the same boat as Marian from Chandler, AZ with super short summers. So between church camps and family vacations, finding a summer job is not really doable.
One thing that really affected my outlook on kids and working was reading Marjorie Pay Hinckley’s biography. She relates a story about one of her kids the moral of which is that children will have their whole adult life to work, but they only have a very short time to be children. Our kids range in age from 21-10, and we have always supported when they want to work, but never required it. They have worked on and off part time through high school. We do expect them all to help with household chores on a daily and weekly basis, and we pay them for these so they can learn to budget and save and pay tithing and all the good things.
This philosophy works for our family and comes with the benefit of giving our kids more time at home to be together and build strong relationships with us and each other.
Kristi – it’s been so interesting to hear about people that live in school districts with modified schedules/short summers. That definitely makes things different for summer jobs! Sounds like you’ve found just the right balance with your kids! I love that.
My kids are required to get summer jobs/pt jobs once high school is done. They pay for random social things, we pay for the rest until that point. Oldest is in uni, so she pays for her books, school fees and phone, and clothing. We cover tuition (cheaper here in 🇨🇦). Youngest is in hs, no job, but he’s paid to shovel snow for neighbors in winter; we cover most, but he does the random out with friends.
For sleep, progesterone helped me (you and I are of an age). Might be worth talking to your Dr about? It’s not perfect, and I still take melatonin about once a week or so, but way better than it was.
Also, yay for strong bodies that can do all the things. We’re allowed to take up space 💕
Thanks for adding how you do things, Kristi! Love your last line so much. And I actually started progesterone a few months ago…I was hoping I’d see more of an effect. Looks like I maybe need to go back in for another dr chat. Urgh. I wish this was easy. 😉
About summer jobs: It seems like most of my 16 yo daughter’s friends all have part time jobs, but she has applied several places with no luck. She’s too young, or they aren’t hiring, or they want her to work until midnight. She finally started applying at fast food places, which are notoriously horrible to work at, so she’s not excited about it.
Even my (home-for-the-summer) college student has only found a part time job. No one wants to hire him for only 3 months.
My 16 yo babysits occasionally to earn money, and has lots of plans to sell artsy stuff she makes – she is way more creative and talented than I am- but has yet to start selling. It’s a bit frustrating.
My kids earn a little bit of money doing chores, and can earn more by doing extra stuff on top of the daily or weekly chores. We pay for the basics for the kids, but if they want more expensive clothes, shoes etc. or want to go out with friends (food, movies etc.) they pay for that themselves.
I hope your daughter can find a job somewhere, Emma! It’s especially discouraging when they are applying so many places and they aren’t getting called back/hired. I love the creativity of your 16-year old!!
Mel, you are awesome! I wish I could walk with you in the evenings! I would love it! Summer is even more weird as an empty nester, but when my 4 kids were home full time summer jobs were required at our house when they got about 14-15 yrs old. Summer jobs and chore charts were life before full-time jobs. Games for 2 that we love right now–Sushi Go, Silver and Gold, Skip-bo. Also, love puzzles always and forever! We love the White Mountain ones too. I think the cereal one is our favorite.
I love your evening walk! We were doing that before it got way to hot and humid here. I am looking forward to less humid and fall.
My husband and I love to read books/listen to audiobooks together. We have gotten into the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear and have really enjoyed those. Read 3 so far.
I hear you on the sleep things! Hello perimenopause. Magnesium L-Threonate seems to help me and having a fan right on me all night. I also hear you on the weight loss drugs. Right there with you on that one and thoughts on body image. We would make the best of friends–great minds think alike!
Thanks for being a rock star, Mel!
I wish we were going on evening walks together, too, Jen. I’m just sure we’d be friends in real life! Thanks for the games you added. We LOVE Silver and Gold. It has been so fun (and I need to pull out Sushi Go – we haven’t played that one in years!). That’s so funny about the puzzles, we JUST opened the cereal one tonight to do! Thanks for your book recommendations, as well. Thanks for being here, Jen! Truly.
Some sort of summer job, usually ends up being yard work for people near us or pet care when they’re gone.
We do same for insurance, gas, etc. Think it’s been good for them to figure that part out as they move on.
Agreed on body things. Though I do love muscles over skinny. We’re all so different.
Been awhile since we have done a puzzle. We used to do tons. I don’t love them but it brings the teens over.
Love ya, Heather.
I’m reading through all of your comments as we speak and hope to be able to respond to all of them. But until then, I just want to say how much I appreciate all of you! Even in our different walks of life, with our different opinions and different family structures and different schedules…this just feels like a good chat with good friends where we can discuss all the things. I wish we could be sitting at my kitchen counter doing just that. Thanks for being here. 💗
Hi Mel, I just wanted to say that you could probably chat with thousands of other women “of a certain age” at 3:00am nightly. Whether it’s hormones, or just the endless worry over kids, finances, the state of the country/world, you are in good company. The melatonin, magnesium route did not help me, but I find that getting out of bed and reading or listening to music for a short time can often quiet my mind enough for me to get back to sleep. When I am really feeling the lack of sleep, I will take ZZZQuil or it’s generic equivalent. It is non habit forming, and I can sleep 8 hours straight through. I feel like sometimes just getting my body to regulate for a night or two can change the sleepless nights pattern. I have never taken this more than 2 nights in a row, and probably 1x month.
Hahaha, that made me laugh. Yes, we should have an online forum for all of us to hop on when we aren’t sleeping at night!! And I think you also hit on the fact that a lot of what keeps me up is related to stress and anxiety. It’s not easy to figure out the root cause or the solution! Thanks for adding what has worked for you!
I’ve been saying this for years, but can we be real life friends someday? I feel like we are living parallel homebody lives with our 4 boys and 1 girl (only mine are 5-15 years old).
I came for a cookie recipe, but ended up reading this post. I can relate to so many things you said! But most of all, the evening walk love language (THE BEST!) and the frustration with the resurgence of THIN culture. AMEN AND AMEN on my body being an instrument and not an ornament, but the dang algorithms of the world are trying their best to convince me otherwise.
Our family’s latest favorite game is called Bank. You download an app (Bank Dice Game) and need 2 dice. It is so simple but everyone loves it from my youngest daughter to my parents.
Yes! Friends! Consider it done. Seriously. I love all the comments here of 4 boy/1 girl families. So fun! I’m ready to throw all the dang algorithms out the window. We love Bank!! My son got up to a shocking high amount (I think he said like 74,000 or something) at a church camp this summer during that game and he has now retired and won’t play it ever again. 😜
Hey Mel! I think you’ve got a good attitude about your body, and I agree it’s hard to tune out the pressures and social media hype. I’m in my mid-50’s and my goals for exercise and eating (mostly) healthy are so I can be an active person until I die and I can stay mobile, keep my balance, have good functional movement, keep my bones strong (and prevent osteoporosis from getting worse), recover faster if I should ever have an injury or surgery, and I simply feel better when I move and eat food that nourishes! I love that you are finding joy in your evening walks – great for the body and soul!!
I love those goals, Kristine! They sum up how I feel. Thanks for putting it into more eloquent and more organized words!
Switzerland, warning—beauty, organization, chocolate. You may never want to leave!
My children and I would go somewhere every day in the summer when they were young. Even if it was just to the library, park, or for an ice cream cone. If you have the opportunity to be at home with your children in the summer, I would highly recommend this because time flies. Sometimes it was tiring, but I’m really glad I made that happen. Although it is difficult to not have that anymore, I look at them doing work and socializing and I know that it is the right thing for them to be doing in this phase of their life. Even if it means leaving me in the dust.
It is difficult for teens to find a summer only job when their school year life may not support keeping that job. The answer we have found is scout camp, and many camps hire non-scouts. My son worked last year and is working this year at a scout camp in Montana. Many camps are short-staffed all summer long and would be glad to have your teen or college student. The pay is not high, but it keeps teens off screens all day and into the evening working hard. They get away from home experience and they learn and teach skills. For, example my son has learned and now teaches scouts how to fix bikes and leads them on a mountain bike trail ride.
haha, I think you’re right about Switzerland – based on those three words alone, I won’t want to leave! Scout camp is a great idea for jobs! And summer camps in general. Thanks for that idea. What great skills your son has learned!
Oh dang, I didn’t realize we were the same person…all your thoughts are my thoughts. Breaking it down:
Kids and money – I want my kids to be social because some of them would prefer to sit and home and read all day (same). But kids being social is expensive! My two teenagers worked a golf tournament this year and made a good chunk of change so they are looking for more one day jobs like this.
Travel – I want to love travel, but I love home/comfort too much. That being said, Switzerland is on my (very short) list, because MAGICAL.
Puzzles – Always a puzzle at my house, but I’m the only one who will do them. Such good way to keep my hands busy for audiobooks and podcasts. I’m working on one called “Book Nerd” by Workman Puzzles, and it’s darling.
Walks – I’m a morning walker because I’m old and solidly in bed by the time the sun goes down in the summertime. But the quiet and solitude of early morning walks makes me feel big things, like maybe life actually does mean something and maybe I can be zen and stuff? Probably not, but morning walks makes it feel possible.
Sleep – My doctor made me get a CPAP, and I hate it AND I’m sleeping. So there’s that.
Skinny – Sometimes (all the times?) it feels like all the worth/respect/attention is reserved for the skinny. Most days I feel invisible, AND I still battle daily to love this body for all it can do and teach my kids the same.
Yay for Friday Thoughts! My favorite posts from you.
Oh gosh, I’d prefer to sit and read at home all day, too, haha, so I get it. I love that there are so many similarities in our interests. I think my husband needs a CPAP. But maybe it’s me that does? Haha. Who knows. You and me both, loving our bodies the best we can. Thanks for your comment!
I just returned home from 2 weeks in Switzerland! I’m so excited you are going. I was the trip planner for the 6 of us who went and it went amazingly. I would love it if you contacted me with questions about Switzerland or for my notes on going there.
I emailed you, Catherine!
Hi Mel, we have 3 kids, 22, 19, and 17. One is married, 2 are at home with us, but not really 😉. They’re so busy with work and friends that it’s been a few years of being part empty nesters. It is a weird feeling when you’ve devoted your whole life to your kids and then you wonder what to do with yourself!
In response to your questions, yes our teens have part time jobs and have for several years now. They pay about a third of their insurance and all of their gas. We pay for clothes when needed, dance/sports, and their phone bill (but not the actual phones). They pay for fun stuff on their own. Our 19 year old (almost 20) also pays rent because he’s not going to college or serving a mission. They do weekly chores and we have them cook one dinner a week.
We love puzzles too! We have done so many White Mountain ones!
I also walk every morning and evening, but having a needy dog makes that easier 😃. I also enjoy barre, pilates, and yoga. I agree about our bodies, what a blessing they are.
I’m also with you on the summer thing, if it was 70 year round, I’d love it!
I hope you have a wonderful time in Switzerland. Thanks for sharing with us. I love your blog and delicious recipes!
The “part empty nesters” resonates! It’s gradually easing me into the full empty nester phase. I love hearing how you guys *do things* – we also had our graduated son pay rent when he lived at home when he wasn’t going to college. It wasn’t a lot, but it kind of helped establish some boundaries (but interestingly, when his friends parents found out about it, they were kind of appalled 😬). Who knows if we’re doing it right. Loved your comment! Thanks, friend.
I have twin 15 y.o. and twin almost 13 y.o. kids. My 15yo’s still have a hard time finding a place that hires that age; they earn money pet-sitting, babysitting, etc and one of them is a counselor in training at a local day camp where he attended for a number of years, so that gives him a few weeks of work. For us, as a busy family without independent drivers just yet (two newly permitted drivers is another crazy addition!), the jobs need to be very nearby, almost walkable/bikeable, to make it work at this point. Next summer will be different.
All four have a chore that rotates every two weeks, and we just started having each kid choose a night every week to cook our meal. They can pick anything (mostly from your site!), but have to list what groceries we need in our shared family apple note so I can order those in time (or they walk to a little grocery store nearby, which is super convenient). This has been the biggest help to me.
My husband just had major surgery, and as the sole driver in our house for maybe six weeks, I also have the kids rotate taking a day of “dad duty” when I’m at work or out taking them places. They have to wake up (not sleep til 11), make him something to eat, refill his therapy ice cooler, etc.
Kids are so capable if we are patient to teach them and let them make some mistakes, so we’re working hard to teach them some good life skills and the importance of taking care of each other.
Summer jobs (any jobs??) are so hard. Especially at that in between age. Sounds like your kids are well-established finding what work they can at their age. That’s awesome! And what a great way for them to help at home (driving dad? love that). Good luck with this parenting journey. Lynn. Sounds like you are on the right track.
My doctor recommended magnesium glycinate at night to help me sleep. It has helped. I also take a 3mg Melatonin if I have had caffeinated drinks during the day. If you are in Menopause, and having hot flashes, Amata Life Pueraria Mirifica Plus (on Amazon or their website) helps a lot. You can take it once or twice a day. I started with one at night and it is enough for me. It was developed by a woman gynecologist.
I made your easy strawberry frozen yogurt this week with my 10 and 12 year-old grandkids and they did most of it themselves and loved it! My daughter and I love your recipes!
Thank you so much, Gina! I’m checking out the magnesium glycinate!