http://www.sheknows.com/authors/mary-fetzer/articles Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:48:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/841919/3-reasons-a-thank-you-card-rocks Writing and sending thank-you cards takes very little time and reaps huge rewards. http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/841919/3-reasons-a-thank-you-card-rocks Mary Fetzer Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:54:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840673/how-to-create-a-family-game-night-bracket Spice up family game night by creating a tournament. You can track each family member’s progress – as well as those who have been eliminated – by using a tournament bracket. Brackets help you organize competitors and figure out who plays whom. Here's how to make one. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840673/how-to-create-a-family-game-night-bracket Mary Fetzer Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:07:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840641/3-ways-to-make-time-for-family-nights We have work, school, activities, lessons, housework, homework, bills, dinner, exercise and so much more to fit into each and every day. Who has time for family night? With a little bit of planning and some creative scheduling, though, your super-busy household may be able to find time for a weekly or monthly family night. These tips will help make it easy. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840641/3-ways-to-make-time-for-family-nights Mary Fetzer Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:11:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840565/beat-board-game-boredom For kids who are accustomed to three-dimensional video games, an ordinary board game may seem pretty unexciting. For adults, those classic board games may have gotten a little old, too. Beat board game boredom with these creative tips for making family game night fun again. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840565/beat-board-game-boredom Mary Fetzer Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:14:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840541/easy-fun-rewards-for-family-game-nights If your kids are less than enthusiastic about family time, add some incentive. A few easy, fun rewards for family game nights will have your children looking forward to it every week. They don’t have to cost a lot of money, either. Motivate your kids with these fun, inexpensive incentives. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840541/easy-fun-rewards-for-family-game-nights Mary Fetzer Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840439/how-to-make-a-personalized-t-shirt There’s more than one way to personalize a T-shirt. You can use any number of crafty items and shortcuts to create a customized top that highlights your unique personality. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840439/how-to-make-a-personalized-t-shirt Mary Fetzer Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840437/how-to-make-paper-flowers Tissue paper flowers originated as a Mexican craft for Cinco de Mayo. These traditional decorations are great for casual parties and celebrations -- and they make great teacher gifts, too. Teach your kids how to make them for hours of family fun. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840437/how-to-make-paper-flowers Mary Fetzer Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840435/how-to-make-a-cell-phone-cover Your cell phone makes a statement about you. If you’re tired of having a phone that looks like everyone else’s, make a sparkly cell phone cover that will set yours apart. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840435/how-to-make-a-cell-phone-cover Mary Fetzer Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840419/how-to-make-an-ipod-case You want to protect your iPod from wear and tear as well as theft. Disguising it as something ordinary – such as a gum wrapper – is a great way to keep your expensive little gadget safe. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840419/how-to-make-an-ipod-case Mary Fetzer Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840367/how-to-make-soda-bottle-butterflies Not sure what to do with those empty plastic soda bottles? Transform them into beautiful butterflies. This project is both fun and eco-friendly. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/840367/how-to-make-soda-bottle-butterflies Mary Fetzer Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:43:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/839963/satisfying-snack-ideas If you’re a do-it-all mom who’s prone to mid-morning or afternoon slumps, then you need to learn the right way to snack. Sure, you’ll get an instant lift from that sweet, sugary treat, but you’re likely to crash even harder when the high wears off. Junk foods will not help you make it through the day. Instead, choose wisely by opting for one of these truly satisfying snacks. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/839963/satisfying-snack-ideas Mary Fetzer Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:32:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/839939/on-the-go-snack-essentials Keep these healthy grab-and-go snack essentials in your pantry, car, purse or desk, and you'll never have to hit the vending machines and convenience stores. Buy them as pre-portioned snacks, or save money and bag them yourself. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/839939/on-the-go-snack-essentials Mary Fetzer Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:20:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/839913/planning-tips-for-meals-on-the-go Busy families need healthy and nutritious meals, but eating right isn't easy when you’re always on the run. With a little planning, you can make sure your family is getting what they need to keep those energy levels high. http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/839913/planning-tips-for-meals-on-the-go Mary Fetzer Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:28:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838697/recycled-clothing-what-to-look-for Recycling is simply taking old stuff and making it new again. American clothing manufacturers are doing just that by recycling plastic bottles, paper and more to create clothing you’ll be proud to wear. http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838697/recycled-clothing-what-to-look-for Mary Fetzer Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:54:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838681/benefits-of-natural-fiber-clothing Switching from traditional fabrics to natural-fiber clothing is good for us and our planet. Here's why. http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838681/benefits-of-natural-fiber-clothing Mary Fetzer Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:05:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838665/5-small-green-changes-to-make-this-month You turn off the water while brushing your teeth and turn off the lights when you leave the room. You can do many more super-simple things to make the world around you a little bit greener -- and such changes add up to make a big difference. Start small with these five simple green changes. http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838665/5-small-green-changes-to-make-this-month Mary Fetzer Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:10:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/838251/6-ways-to-boost-your-body-confidence You know a confident woman when you see one. She carries herself a certain way and simply looks comfortable in her own skin. You can feel that way, too, with these six easy tips. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/838251/6-ways-to-boost-your-body-confidence Mary Fetzer Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:28:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/838243/pap-smear-basics Every woman knows that she should have regular Pap smears. Here's what the Pap test really is -- and why it is so important. http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/838243/pap-smear-basics Mary Fetzer Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:33:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/shopping/articles/838071/tips-for-saving-money-on-school-clothes Back-to-school shopping can be really expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Before you take out a loan for your kids' school clothes, try some of these money-saving tips. http://www.sheknows.com/shopping/articles/838071/tips-for-saving-money-on-school-clothes Mary Fetzer Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:31:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838069/tips-for-saving-money-during-the-school-year It's back-to-school time again. This year, challenge yourself to save as much money as you can on school expenses. There are obvious ways to save money throughout the school year -- pack a lunch, take the bus -- but there may be a few things you hadn't considered. http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/838069/tips-for-saving-money-during-the-school-year Mary Fetzer