Jun 2, 2025 | Balance, Business, Mompreneur, Play Stations, Power
Don’t underestimate the power of play stations as a way to keep your kids happy while you get things done as a mompreneur!
Running a business, managing a household, and raising children isn’t easy—especially when your little ones are home with you all day.
But what if I told you there’s a simple, effective way to keep your kiddos engaged and give you the space to actually get things done?
Enter: Play Stations.
Not the video game console—actual play stations—little designated areas or “stations” filled with different types of activities that your children can rotate through independently (or semi-independently depending on their age).
After years of building a business from home while raising three kids, I’ve learned firsthand just how powerful this approach can be. Here’s how you can set up your own play stations—and reclaim some focused time for YOU.
🧩 Step 1: Understand What a Play Station Is
A play station is a small, intentional setup with a specific activity—something your child can do solo or with minimal supervision. Think of it like a mini learning or fun zone.
These aren’t complicated or expensive setups. In fact, the best ones use what you already have at home.
Examples:
- A coloring station with crayons, paper, and stencils.
- A building station with blocks or Legos.
- A sensory bin with kinetic sand or dry pasta.
- A dress-up corner.
- A kitchen play station near your real kitchen.
🏗 Step 2: Choose 3–5 Stations Based on Age and Interests
You don’t need a dozen options. Start with just 3 to 5 stations.
For toddlers (2–3 years):
- Stacking cups
- Felt boards
- Chalkboard with oversized chalk
- Soft blocks
- Pretend kitchen or baby doll care station
For preschoolers (4–5 years):
- Craft kits (glue, paper, pom-poms)
- Sorting activities (buttons, shapes)
- Magnetic tiles
- Simple puzzles
- Dance zone with a playlist
For early elementary (6–8 years):
- Lego challenges
- Write-your-own-book area
- Science kits
- Art easel with paint-by-numbers
- Card games or memory games
🧼 Step 3: Keep It Contained and Cleanable
Use bins, trays, or small tables to define the space. This helps your kids understand where each activity belongs—and helps YOU when it’s time to clean up.
Tip: Rotate stations weekly to keep interest high without needing to buy new toys.
⏰ Step 4: Use Timers or Music for Transitions
Structure can help make this magical. Set a timer for 15–30 minutes per station depending on your child’s age and focus level. Let music be the signal to rotate—when the song changes, it’s time to move!
This makes it feel like a game, not a task.
🧠 Step 5: Embrace Independent Play
It’s okay (and good!) for kids to feel a little “bored” sometimes. Boredom breeds creativity.
Let them make the station their own, even if that means coloring outside the lines or turning a fort into a spaceship. This builds confidence—and gives you more breathing room.
💬 Real Life Bonus Tips from the Mom Elevated Community
- Use a chalk wall to redirect from drawing on wallpaper!
- Magic Erasers for crayon emergencies.
- Sock puppets and mirrors can entertain babies during tummy time.
- Sensory bags for three-month-olds (gel in a ziplock with toys inside).
- Water tables outside on warm days are a hit with toddlers!
🎯 Final Thoughts: Play Isn’t Just for Kids
Setting up play stations helps your child grow in independence, creativity, and confidence. But just as importantly—it allows YOU to breathe, focus, and thrive.
Whether you’re answering emails, jumping on a client call, or folding laundry in peace, this system helps create balance in your home.
Try it. Tweak it. Make it your own.
And remember—you’re not just managing chaos, you’re building a village. One play station at a time. 💛
Join us in the free FB group for updates, support, conversations, advice, sharing, and building up!
Click HERE for access to the Mom Elevated Group ——–> https://www.facebook.com/groups/momelevated <———–
Please, remember to sign up for my email list, so you never miss anything flawsome around here! And grab your freebie on the Benefits of Time Management. If you’d like to work with me, find out how! For any questions or to say hi, contact me today!
If you have a little in diapers but aren’t sure which brand may fit the best for their little tush, feel free to try a mixed selection with the Diaper Dabbler!
May 26, 2025 | Balance, Business, Mompreneur, Taming, Tantrum
When your kids have big emotions, our job is to assist them in taming the tantrum, which is just a big cycle of regulation on our end and theirs.
Parenting a toddler (or two, or three!) can feel like navigating an emotional minefield—especially when tantrums explode without warning.
Whether it’s the wrong color cup or an overtired meltdown at bedtime, these moments are tough—but manageable with the right tools.
Here are three actionable steps to help you in taming the tantrum while supporting your child’s emotional development and keeping your own sanity intact (as a business owner, this also helps with some clients).
1. Redirect Early and With Purpose
Timing is everything. If you catch a tantrum brewing before it fully erupts, redirection can be a game-changer.
How to try it:
- Ask questions: “Are you hungry?” “Do you need a drink?” “Would you like to help me with this?”
- Switch the focus: Turn the moment into a dance party, a quick game, or ask for their help on a new “important job.”
- Give choices: Let them feel empowered—“Do you want the red plate or the blue one?”
Pro Tip: Don’t attempt redirection mid-meltdown. If your child is in full emotional overdrive, their brain won’t be ready to reason. Wait for the wave to pass, then reconnect.
2. Create and Respect Safe Spaces (for Them and You)
Tantrums aren’t just loud—they’re overwhelming. Help your child recognize their feelings by giving them a consistent place to cool down.
Options that work:
- A time-out spot with a timer (1 minute per year of age is a good rule of thumb).
- A calming corner with soft toys or sensory items.
- Their bedroom, if safe and familiar, where they can decompress.
And for you? It’s OK to take your own time-out. Step away, breathe, and model calm. You’re teaching them emotional regulation through your own example.
3. Talk About the Big Feelings—Every Single Time
Once the storm has passed, don’t move on like nothing happened. Discussing what they felt—and what to do next time—is how children build emotional intelligence.
Try this:
- Use short, clear phrases: “You were mad because the blanket wouldn’t open. That’s frustrating.”
- Ask open-ended questions: “What could we do next time instead of screaming?”
- Offer alternatives: “When you’re angry, you can yell into your pillow or stomp three times.”
Important: Validate their feelings before you correct the behavior. “It’s okay to be upset. It’s not okay to hit.”
Bonus Tool: Visual Charts for Kids
I use and recommend a tool called Charts for Change—a set of visual behavior and routine charts that make expectations clear and consistent. These help kids stay on track with routines, chores, and even potty training.
Final Thoughts
Tantrums are not a reflection of your parenting—they’re a reflection of a child learning to manage their world. Every child is different. What works for one might backfire with another. That’s okay.
Your job isn’t to stop tantrums altogether—it’s to guide your child through them with love, consistency, and a lot of patience. And maybe coffee. Definitely coffee.
You’ve got this, Mama.
Join us in the free FB group for updates, support, conversations, advice, sharing, and building up!
Click HERE for access to the Mom Elevated Group ——–> https://www.facebook.com/groups/momelevated <———–
Please, remember to sign up for my email list, so you never miss anything flawsome around here! And grab your freebie on the Benefits of Time Management. If you’d like to work with me, find out how! For any questions or to say hi, contact me today!
If you have a little in diapers but aren’t sure which brand may fit the best for their little tush, feel free to try a mixed selection with the Diaper Dabbler!
Apr 28, 2025 | Balance, Business, Mastery, Mompreneur, Patience
Parenting is beautiful — and sometimes maddening. Mastering patience is a whole other level when life gets crazy.
Whether you’re dealing with a toddler meltdown, a moody preteen, an unhappy client, or just the everyday messiness of life, patience can feel like it’s in short supply. Trust me, you’re not alone!
In this post, I’ll share my personal experiences, what I’ve learned about managing patience, and actionable steps you can take to stay cool, even when chaos reigns.
Why Is Patience So Hard?
Impatience is usually triggered by two things:
- Your own mood (how you’re feeling physically and emotionally)
- The environment around you (how busy, loud, or overwhelming things are)
As mompreneurs, we’re constantly juggling kids’ emotions, household tasks, meals, bills, pets, and even business(es). It’s no wonder we run short on calm!
5 Actionable Steps to Strengthen Your Patience
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Manage Your Mood First
Before you can guide your kids calmly, you have to check in with yourself.
- Ask yourself daily, “How am I feeling today?” If you’re cranky or stressed, take five minutes to breathe, meditate, or just sit quietly.
- Why it works: It puts you back in control of your reactions.
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Plan and Brain Dump
When your schedule feels overwhelming, your patience will, too.
- Use a planner to map out your day and write down tasks cluttering your mind.
- Bonus: Help kids plan their day too, using checklists or visuals.
- Why it works: Getting things out of your head creates mental space and lowers stress.
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Identify Your Triggers
Recognize specific situations that test your patience — like interruptions during your “me time.”
- If reading, working, or exercising is your sacred space, schedule it when interruptions are least likely (like after kids’ bedtime).
- Why it works: Managing triggers proactively prevents many meltdowns — theirs and yours!
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Teach (and Model) Emotional Awareness
Children don’t automatically know what their emotions mean — we have to teach them.
- Talk openly about feelings. Use phrases like: “I see you’re angry. That’s okay. Let’s talk about it.”
- Bonus: Validate their emotions first, then guide their behavior.
- Why it works: When kids feel seen and understood, emotional outbursts often shrink.
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Have House Rules — and Follow Through
Consistency is key to raising respectful kids.
- Create house rules together with your children, and explain the “why” behind them.
- Follow through with consequences calmly — no empty threats!
- Why it works: Predictability helps kids feel secure and teaches real accountability.
A Final Thought on Patience
Some days will still be hard — and that’s okay!
One of my mantras is: “Some days are better than others.“
Be gentle with yourself. Patience isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up, trying again, and sometimes, faking it ‘til you make it (thank you, Guy Kawasaki, for that great quote: “Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.”)
You’re doing better than you think. And remember, every day is a new opportunity to show patience — not just with your kids, but with yourself.
Want more support?
Come hang out with us in the Mom Elevated Entrepreneurs group where we talk business and motherhood, or dive even deeper in the Mom Elevated Society with guest expert advice you’d normally pay thousands for.
Join us in the free FB group for updates, support, conversations, advice, sharing, and building up!
Click HERE for access to the Mom Elevated Group ——–> https://www.facebook.com/groups/momelevated <———–
Please, remember to sign up for my email list, so you never miss anything flawsome around here! And grab your freebie on the Benefits of Time Management. If you’d like to work with me, find out how! For any questions or to say hi, contact me today!
If you have a little in diapers but aren’t sure which brand may fit the best for their little tush, feel free to try a mixed selection with the Diaper Dabbler!
Apr 21, 2025 | Balance, Business, Connection, Mompreneur, Present
Our topic up for discussion today: How to be more present.
Let’s Be Real for a Minute
I get it. Life is full. For me, that includes running a business, homeschooling (yep, takes us about 5 hours a day), raising three amazing kids, and still trying to show up fully—at home, in work, and for myself.
Some days feel like a whirlwind. By the time dinner is done and the bedtime routine kicks in, I’m completely drained. Sound familiar?
But here’s what I’ve learned: presence doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean doing all the things. It’s simply about creating moments—intentional ones.
Let’s break it down in a simple, actionable way.
5 Actionable Steps to Be More Present (Even When You’re Exhausted)
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Simplify Your Expectations
We’re queens of overcomplicating everything. Guilty? I know I am. 🙋♀️
Try this: instead of asking, “How can I do more?” ask, “How can I do less but be more intentional?”
Even 10 minutes of undivided attention with your child can mean more than an entire day of multitasking.
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Pause Before Transitions
Before jumping from one task to another (like school to work or work to dinner), pause for 1–2 minutes.
Breathe. Center yourself. A short reset can help shift your mindset and allow you to enter the next moment with more presence.
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Create “No Phone” Moments
Phones are sneaky thieves of presence. Choose one small pocket of time daily—during meals, playtime, or bedtime—where your phone goes face-down and away.
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Narrate the Now
Kids love connection. Even just saying out loud what you’re doing and inviting them into it can help:
“I’m folding laundry. Want to help with socks?”
It keeps you in the moment and models presence for them too.
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Forgive Yourself Often
You won’t get it perfect every time—and that’s okay. Let go of the guilt and remember: every day is a new chance to show up with love.
A Peek Into My World This Weekend…
We’re headed to celebrate Easter at my sister’s this year, to get family photos taken since we’ll all be in one location, and see a Cirque du Soleil show Crystal (on ice!). I made sure work, school, and most cleaning was completed so I could truly disconnect. These are the moments I’m reminding myself to soak in.
Presence isn’t about the perfect setting; it’s about the intention we bring. 💛
Want to Dive Deeper?
If this topic hit home, make sure to check out:
Being present isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we practice.
And you’re doing better than you think. 💪💕
Come say hi in the group, or drop your favorite way to slow down in the comments!
Join us in the free FB group for updates, support, conversations, advice, sharing, and building up!
Click HERE for access to the Mom Elevated Group ——–> https://www.facebook.com/groups/momelevated <———–
Please, remember to sign up for my email list, so you never miss anything flawsome around here! And grab your freebie on the Benefits of Time Management. If you’d like to work with me, find out how! For any questions or to say hi, contact me today!
If you have a little in diapers but aren’t sure which brand may fit the best for their little tush, feel free to try a mixed selection with the Diaper Dabbler!
Apr 14, 2025 | Balance, Business, Busy, Connection, Mompreneur
Let’s be real—mompreneur life is BUSY. Between work, house chores, and everything else on your plate, finding quality time to connect with your kids can feel like another task on the to-do list.
But here’s the beautiful truth: it doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming.
You just need a few intentional moments each day or week to show your child: I see you, I hear you, and you matter.
Here are 7 simple and impactful ways to bond with your kids—even on your busiest days:
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Create a Weekly Tradition (Like Movie Night!)
Set aside a regular night each week where your family can unplug and be together. A classic? Friday Movie Night. Popcorn, pajamas, and picking out a movie (even if it’s just streaming on Netflix now instead of a Blockbuster run) makes for consistent connection and something they can look forward to.
📝 Try this: Let your kids take turns choosing the movie. Add a themed snack or fort-building challenge to spice it up!
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Read Together—Every Night if You Can
Reading before bed isn’t just about literacy. It’s about closeness, calm, and conversation. Whether it’s a chapter book for older kids or interactive picture books for toddlers, this is a cozy, quiet way to wind down together.
📝 Try this: Choose a book series to read as a family. Rotate who picks the story, and talk about it afterward to boost engagement.
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Cook or Bake Something Together
Mealtime is built-in bonding time! Invite your kids into the kitchen while you’re already cooking. Measuring ingredients, stirring, and even taste-testing turns chores into memory-making.
📝 Bonus tip: Picky eaters are more likely to try food they helped make. Win-win!
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Break Out the Board Games and Puzzles
Games build teamwork, patience, and plenty of laughter. Keep it simple with age-appropriate games and puzzles—no need for a three-hour Monopoly marathon unless you’re up for it.
📝 Mom Hack: Keep a puzzle roll-up mat handy to save in-progress puzzles from tiny hands and curious pets.
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Make a Mess (On Purpose!) with Arts & Crafts
Arts and crafts don’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. Grab some dollar store supplies, toss a tablecloth on the floor, and let the creativity fly. Paint, glue, cut, and create—it’s therapeutic for them and for you.
📝 Craft idea: Fingerprint flowers, toilet paper roll stamps, or just good old coloring books. (Psst…I made it even easier for you, you can get the Mom Elevated coloring book with 20 easy craft ideas!)
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Go Outside—Even Just for 15 Minutes
Fresh air = fresh attitudes. Whether you’re gardening, walking, playing chalk games, or just blowing bubbles, nature is an easy backdrop for connection. Even a quick rock hunt or dandelion bracelet session can be magical.
📝 Try this: Teach them an old-school trick like making noise with a blade of grass—total mind-blower for little ones!
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Talk (and Listen) With Intention
Kids have thoughts, feelings, and endless stories. Give them space to talk. Ask about their day, let them vent, or just be there to listen when they need it most. These conversations matter more than we often realize.
📝 Night Owl Tip: Bedtime is prime time for deep convos and surprising questions (yep, even about puberty—in the middle of a grocery store aisle).
Let’s Wrap It Up
“The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Your presence is powerful. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present—in all the messy, silly, beautiful, chaotic moments.
Need a little help planning activities or keeping ideas on hand? Grab my Activity Planner—it comes with seasonal scavenger hunts and ready-to-go bonding ideas to make your days easier and more intentional.
💬 Let me know in the comments: What’s your favorite way to connect with your kids during a busy week?
Join us in the free FB group for updates, support, conversations, advice, sharing, and building up!
Click HERE for access to the Mom Elevated Group ——–> https://www.facebook.com/groups/momelevated <———–
Please, remember to sign up for my email list, so you never miss anything flawsome around here! And grab your freebie on the Benefits of Time Management. If you’d like to work with me, find out how! For any questions or to say hi, contact me today!
If you have a little in diapers but aren’t sure which brand may fit the best for their little tush, feel free to try a mixed selection with the Diaper Dabbler!
Apr 7, 2025 | Balance, Business, Growth, Intention, Mompreneur, Power
If you know anything as a mompreneur, it’s the true power (and art) of acting with intention.
You know, I always want to title this “The Art of Acting with Intention,” but truly, it’s also the power of it. Because intention? That’s where the magic lives.
And when you’re a parent—especially a mom entrepreneur—intention can shape your entire day. Heck, it can reshape your entire mood if you let it.
One morning, we had a rough start. Like, cartoon steam-coming-out-of-your-ears kind of rough. Everyone was grumpy, everything was going wrong, and I could feel that snowball effect starting to take over. But I wasn’t about to let that set the tone for the rest of our day.
So what did I do? I called a huddle. Hands in. “Team Halvorsen, we’re hitting reset. We’re not letting this morning win.”
And you know what?
- We laughed.
- We regrouped.
- We restarted.
Because that’s what intention can do—it gives you back your power.
It lets you say, “Nope, we’re not doing this anymore,” and instead, guides you toward a lighter, more grounded place.
Whether it’s a family huddle, a goofy dance break, or just taking a moment to breathe and hug it out, those little intentional shifts matter. They’re not just mood changers—they’re day changers.
And it doesn’t matter when you do it. Morning? Evening? Mid-meltdown on a Saturday? Doesn’t matter. I’ll hit that reset button as many times as I need to during the day. Because the snowball effect doesn’t get to be in charge. I do.
I’m not naturally outgoing.
I’m what they call an extroverted introvert—I genuinely love people, but they drain me. I give a lot of energy to each conversation and each interaction, so I also need that quiet time to refill my cup. My husband, bless him, is more outgoing, and my kids definitely pull me out of my bubble in the best possible way.
But again, knowing this about myself helps me be intentional with my time and energy. Whether I’m being social or taking a step back, I honor what I need so that I can keep showing up in the ways that matter most.
Because being intentional means knowing when to pull back and when to lean in. When to push through and when to pause. And that awareness helps me support my goals—whether they’re personal, family-related, or business-focused—without burning out or losing myself in the process.
- We call it “finding your center” in our house.
- Others might call it balance.
- Some might call it survival.
Whatever the name, it comes down to choosing your response. Choosing how you want to show up. Choosing what you’re going to breathe life into today.
One of my favorite quotes ever is from Bryant McGill:
“Every journey begins with the first step of articulating the intention and then becoming the intention.”
How beautiful and powerful is that?
First, you say it. Out loud. You write it. You share it. You declare it. That first step gives your intention life, energy, motion. And then? Then you become it. You step into those shoes—whether they fit perfectly yet or not—and you walk forward in that intention.
Is it scary? Yes. Vulnerable? Absolutely. Because once you say it, people might check in. They might ask how it’s going. And if you’re not moving toward that intention, that accountability can feel a little… uncomfy.
But that’s the magic, too. That’s the growth.
So say it. Say what you want. Say how you want your day to feel. How you want your business to flow. How you want your relationships to look. Speak it out into the world—and then take the steps to live into that.
And if it gets messy (because it will), regroup. Huddle up. Laugh. Try again. That’s the real power of intention—it’s not perfection, it’s presence. It’s trying again. It’s choosing to shift, even in the middle of the mess.
If this resonates with you, tell me below. Or message me—we can absolutely talk more about it. I don’t expect everyone to see things exactly the way I do, and that’s what makes these conversations so powerful. Your perspective might shine light on something I haven’t thought about yet.
✨ We had Allison as a guest expert in the Society talking about simplifying business with intention—so, so good. And Janine talked about assertive communication and setting boundaries, which also ties perfectly into intentional living. It’s all coming together.
And hey—if you haven’t already joined us in the Mom Elevated Entrepreneurs or Mom Elevated Society, we’d love to have you!
Come join the conversations, access amazing resources (like my coloring book, eBook, activity planner, seasonal scavenger hunts, and behavior charts!), and grow alongside other intentional mamas in business doing big things.
Go act with intention—and see how much power you already have.
Join us in the free FB group for updates, support, conversations, advice, sharing, and building up!
Click HERE for access to the Mom Elevated Group ——–> https://www.facebook.com/groups/momelevated <———–
Please, remember to sign up for my email list, so you never miss anything flawsome around here! And grab your freebie on the Benefits of Time Management. If you’d like to work with me, find out how! For any questions or to say hi, contact me today!
If you have a little in diapers but aren’t sure which brand may fit the best for their little tush, feel free to try a mixed selection with the Diaper Dabbler!
