Kids Can Clean

Maintaining your home is a family affair.

 

 

Even at a very early age your child can complete age appropriate cleaning tasks to help around the house. Now, busy moms, don't stress out if it's not done to your liking. We are talking about children here. Initially, what you are doing is teaching responsibility in the home. You are setting the expectation early... Trust me, you'll get alot less resistance later. And don't worry, you can always go back and tidy up or reclean behind the job done by your small children. **Hint: Don't let them see you do it. None of us like to have someone running behind us and correcting our every move. ;)

Find Your Fit

Good morning, busy moms. I hope you all doing wonderfully today. I sure am because I was able to get in my first crossfit workout in a really long time. I know as a busy mom it can be tough to make time to work out. Between getting the kids up, getting to work, taking the kids to different events cleaning the house, cooking the dinner, and so on we find it difficult to take the time to stay fit. 

Now, I'm not talking to you from a perfectionist stand point. It's been a long time since I've been to the gym. It's even been a long time since I've hopped on the stationary bike or gone for a walk. But because of this lapse in time, I'm realizing how important it is. This morning I was huffing and puffing like the chain-smoker during crossfit. I felt out of shape. At one point in my work out I was actually praying to God to give me the stamina and breath to keep going. 

The workout today just emphasized the fact that working out is so important for everyday lives. There are so many times when I want to run and play and have fun with my kids but I have physical limitations... not because I'm not strong enough but because I'm not fit enough.

So, once again I'm figuring out that IT HAS TO BE A LIFESTYLE. And the way you make it a lifestyle change is you find your fit. Find that workout that doesn't feel like work. Find the fitness routine that fits your personality. If you like being outdoors find a fitness activity that's outdoors. Don't do it at home in front of a television. Get outside and get moving. However if you are someone who doesn't like to sweat, doesn't like the trees and has severe allergies don't take hiking. Don't pick running outdoors. 

If you're a loner, try swimming or bike riding. If your social butterfly like myself take a class... join a gym. Whatever it takes find your fit. If you like what you're doing, you're more likely to keep doing it.  

**If you look closely on the wall below, you can see my name and the beloved Rx. 

Inspiration- You Can Do It

Dear Busy Moms,

How is life treating you? How are you feeling about where you are today? How are you feeling about you? My hope is that your responses were overflowing with positivity and you are in a happy place with your life as it is now. 

However, if your thoughts turned Eeyore (sort of gloomy), I'm here to say I understand... Now do something about it. 

So many times people lay down and allow life to beat the crap out of them. They stick with a job they hate, put up with people who put them down, and miss out on various opportunities. Why? Because they are comfortable or powerless. Because it's what they've been doing. Because the don't have the time or the money. 

Busy moms, I'm here to tell you, "You are worth it." and "You can do it."

Personal Story

I got out of the army in April of 2005. I was a newly web mother of 1... 2 counting the addition of my beautiful step daughter. I began working immediately as a bank teller, but that wasn't my goal. I wanted more. I wanted to go back to school and in August of that same year, I did. Granted , I had to quit my banking job because the hours didn't fit my schooling. I didn't panic. God is good. I got a temp job at a inbound phone call center. Did I mention I was 4 months pregnant at the time? I had AJ in January. I had to quit my job because I was still in school with a newborn and the hours didn't work. God provided. Fall came around and I started working again at another phone call center that was open 24 hrs so I could take day classes or night classes. Spring came around and what do you know... I am expecting again. I continue with my last year of undergraduate school. In November, I gave birth to my son and quit my job. In December, I took finals. In January, I began my internship at an elementary school. Still God Provides. I was offered a job at the school. I accepted it, grateful that my journey put me where I wanted and needed to be at the time. 

Now, granted some of you have done things more difficult than this. Many of you have done it alone. But my story is simply a testament to the fact that if you have a goal and a belief in God, anything is possible.

So if you are not happy with your job, your friends, your location, your life... Plan to make a change. Put God into your plan. Then start working. 

You can do it. 

Kids and Towels- The Mystery is Solved

So, if you are like me all too often your children's bath towels end up on the floor which leads to more washing, drying, and folding. And for busy moms like myself, more is not more.

 

But thanks to this helpful tip, you will be better able to help your kids be responsible for their bath time essentials.

 

If you enjoyed this helpful bathtime or have some recommendations, please leave a comment below.

The Book that Changed my Life

This is the book that changed my life, revamped my home, and quite possibly saved my marriage. 

I don't know if you can tell, but it's pages are dog eared after only a few months. That is because it went with me everywhere. I read and reread it. I found it a treasure trove of knowledge for mastering my extremely cluttered home. Don't believe me, just ask my family. They'll tell you that our home has come a long way from where it used to be. 

Previously, I'd have to clean my home for a day and a half in order to have friends over (and even then you couldn't open a closet or a cabinet). Now things are manageable. I don't freak out when I have unexpected guest. Now I take about 15 mins to make it it's best. 

QT for a Big Family

I polled my Facebook friends tonight to find out what is important to busy moms. The response was outstanding. I got so much insight from so many wonderful woman. So, I'm going to use that insight to fuel my posts.

The following topics was posed by one of my longtime friends. 

How to make equal time with each child of different ages? I have a 7 year old a3 year old and 7 month old. ~ Fawn

So, Fawn, I definitely know where you are coming from. I have 4 kids of my own ( if this confuses some of you I'll explain later). I have experienced challenges of my own with ensuring everyone gets the time they need and long for. Let me preface this by saying their is no one size fits all recipe for giving everyone the time they deserve, but there are somethings that should help in any case. 

Spend One-on-One Time

Up until recently I believed that hanging out with all of your children together all the time was the best option. But because of feedback from my children and other moms, I've changed my tune (slightly). 

You see this past spring I went to Washington, DC with Brianna (11). It was such a wonderful bonding experience. She's truly a different child when she's not around her siblings. It was important for me to see that side of her and for her to experience me without her brothers presence. Additionally, her brothers were excitedly awaiting their alone time with mom. 

Double Dip

One way that I tackle QT when time is short is to roll it into another individualized task. In our household nightly reading is a perfect time for QT. Now, I  know reading time can sound something like " Go in your room and read for 20 minutes"... 20 minutes later... "Did you read?" "Yes" "What'd you read about" "I dunno." Trust me, I've been there. One of the great things about becoming an educator is that I've gotten some excellent parenting advice along the way. 

Moms it's important for us to listen to our children read for so many reasons. For one thing, it shows them that reading time is important to is. Second, it shows them that they are important enough for us to stop what we are doing and listen solely to them. Third, you can help with reading fluency and comprehension. OK... OK... I know I was just up on my teacher soap box. I'm off. Now, QT with a big family fits right into this whole reading thing. You see, you can spend time with your oldest reading to you while the others nap or play. You can read to your 3 year old while the your 7 year old reads to the baby. And the same goes for the 3 month old. You don't have to have this alone reading time with everyone every day, so mix it up. As long as everyone is listening to or reading to someone, it's a win. 

Special Days

I've recently talked to moms that say they have a special outing or trip with each child at predetermined increments. Granted, this one is new for me. I usually just make it happen as opportunity strikes... i.e the boys are on a play date, let's go. But I can see the merit to planning it out and making a big deal of it. In this case, everyone knows they will get their time, so no one feels slighted when you return. Plus, you can really play the event up so they know exactly how special they are to you. 

Use Your Resources

Now, maybe you can't afford to make it an event everytime. It's ok. Stolen moments are just as valuable. Take advantage of sleep overs when the other siblings are away. Ask a relative to entertain siblings while you and the oldest grab a snack or prepare a meal. Sign her up for Girl Scouts and while she's meeting take the others to the playground. Flip flop at times and leave the others with a friend or sitter while you help with the meeting. Those moments matter. I know because my children tell me. 

Spend Time By Any Means Necessary 

My dear mother had 7 kids. The 5 boys were very close together with my sister and I lagging behind. And let me tell you. She did an awesome job. You know, there wasn't all of this research out there on how to do this and how to do that. There was no YouTube, Facebook, ask.com, or google. Still she did it. She spent time. Maybe not to much 1 on 1, but time none the less. And at the end of the day I can say we are all great people. 

 

This Busy Mom

If you are like me (the typical busy mom)...you work, cook, clean, chauffeur, help with homework, spend quality time with the kids, and attempt (and I do stress attempt) to have social life. It's something that I often compare to spinning plates. The act isn't as good if plates start falling. Oops! The house is a mess. Crap! I don't have time to cook... Guess it's takeout again. *+!?@ We didn't do the practice spelling test on Thursday. 

I know the feeling all too well. Still, I'm learning that with various resources and support I can keep more plates spinning longer. Plus, I have strategies in place to pick up those fallen plate a little more gravefully. My hope is to share some of those strategies with you along the way and also gain some techniques from you. 

I am by no means perfect, but then again, none of us are. I'm simply seeking the means to have an enjoyable and less chaotic life while doing all of the things my family and the woman in me need.