Then Darryl’s teacher says ‘Darryl doesn’t seem to be interested in doing his school work’. Sigh, I have to admit I have NOT been keeping the kids school events and homework organized. I have no homework system or home work routine. So in a hope in becoming the organized mom again I took my daughter to the dollar store to get a system in place for her.

The boys each have a school agenda, that I NEED to be using. Abbies is primary and the school doens’t order school agendas for the primary grades. So I needed to create one for her (actually it’s more for mom).

So here is our solution for organzing Abbie’s school homework.

Total cost: less then $7.00

Large zip locking bag (with a slider because the other ones are frustrating for little fingers and won’t get closed = lost homework organizers). ( I usually have these in my box but I bought 8 for $1.00)

One pencil (we had this at home)

One pencil sharpener

One fun homework bag sign

One hard covered blank journal (letter size)

The plastic bag keeps it all organized AND helps with rain (this busy mom lives in the North West).  Of course now I have to establish a homework routine. Establishing any family routine usually takes some patience and incentive always helps.

So I made a Mom’s homework organization bag to help me with my attempt to get the children’s homework and school events organized.  A bag to organize the homework items (which belongs to mom to ensure it dosen’t migrate into someones bedroom). It includes a new box of crayons, pencil crayons, three pencils, my highlighter & pen (for writing notes for the teacher), and $6.00 worth stickers (homework incentive). I think I might make a fancy sign for my bag as well.

Abbie’s homework agenda or organizer will be used to practise her spelling, write her reading times, send notes back and forth to the teacher, and write about her day to help improve her writing skills.

My homework routine means I can expect to site at the table with Abbie and Darryl for at least 30 minutes each night. No one said parenting wouldn’t be time consuming !

Now if you need an organizer for mom -> go check out the MOM AGENDA and get up to 40% off.

Another option for a school organizer if you want something a bit cuter … Freckle Box has personalized notebooks.  They cost 9.95 personalized clipboards are just $19.95  the coupon code FBFRIEND may give you 15% off if it hasn’t expired :)

How do you keep your children’s schedules together ?
I don’t overload my children with activities. If there is an activity they want to join (dance, etc) then that is fine. However, my belief is that concentrating on doing well in school and creative play at home are the best way to raise a child. I’m probably not going to be popular in saying that, but I see too many children “overscheduled”.

I like to eat dinner together every night. If there are activities, parties and other events going on, I just keep everything up on the family calendar (right on the refrigerator) so everyone knows what’s going on.

Do you use a particular day planner ? I used to. Then I’d leave it in my car and fall asleep before I could go out and get it.

Do you own a blackberry? Yes! I’ve had a BB for three years now. I went two months without it to test my endurance. I won’t do that again.

What is you most used ‘time saving tip’ when it comes to running your house?
I believe in doing the same routine every day. My children actually help me save time. They all have to put their things away after school, set the table for dinner, clear the dishes, etc. So, the biggest time saving tip has been for me to teach my children to help out. I rarely have to tell anyone to put away shoes or throw their laundry in the hamper. It becomes routine when everything has a time and place.

Do you have a favourite quick meal for your family? Yes. It’s a really basic recipe and dinner is ready in 15 minutes. Home made macaroni and a wayyyyyy lot of cheese, salad and fruit.

Tell us the truth ? What would we find in your car right now ?
My car is always clean in the passenger area. I’m just a little uptight about that. I don’t allow food unless we’re on a road trip or it’s really early and we’re heading somewhere when breakfast at home is impossible. I don’t like a car that looks like a basement. However, check in my trunk and you’ll find a case of bottled water, 3 sand buckets, 4 shovels, a bottle of Febreze, baby wipes (I don’t have babies but these are great to have!), a box of trash bags (hey, you never know how handy they can be!), my last pair of crutches and four different knee braces. I’ve had three surgeries in the past 18 months. Life is unpredictable. I need to be prepared.

What advice would you give to other moms who feel the pressure of trying to be ‘super mom’?
It’s overrated. We are humans and we mess up. I didn’t get an instruction book and I have been a single Mom for the past eight years. I just wing it and when something works, I stick with it. I don’t pretend to be great at what I do. I just enjoy my children and have fun.

What is your number one goal for the year ? How do you plan to reach it ?

My initial thought was to tell you that I want to become a blogger on the Huffington Post. However, that’s a goal that is secondary to something far more important. I want to learn how to climb and descend stairs normally. I haven’t been able to do that since 2007. I am not positive how I am going to achieve the goal…more than likely a combination of more physical therapy and will power.

Cheryl Phillips is a single mother of five, freelance writer, blogger and social media addict who realized that Twitter was created so that she would stop being so long-winded. Her blog, The Daily Blonde, is a commentary of life without sugarcoating. Cheryl is passionate about combiningTwitter and other forms of social media to help grow small business.

Moms need sleep

I was reading a blog written by Karlana this morning where she talks about restless sleeps and a hard time shutting off her mind at night.

When I get into a ‘to do’ frame of mind (which often reminds me of those days of nesting as a soon to be new mom), I have a hard time shutting off my brain at night as well. Leaving this mom tired and grumpy in the morning.

My tips for moms needing to fall asleep faster:

• Turn off all TV’s off in the house by 9:00
• Create a calm environment with more lights off (energy saving too ;) and calming music.
• Keep your bedroom tidy and a place of sleep.
• Turn your computer off at least one hour before heading to bed.
• Write a mom to do list each night before bed so you are not worrying about what you will forget the next day.
• Go to sleep when you feel tired and learn your natural sleep rhythm. Some people only require 6 hours of sleep others (like me) need at least 8 to function coherently the next day. Not getting enough sleep will reduce your productivity the next day.

It’s that time already – back to school time!  A Staples commercial once said “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”  What are your thoughts on back to school?  Here are some tips to help make it a wonderful time:

* Stock up on supplies needed throughout the year and create a homework center.  A clearly labeled, plastic draw unit makes a great homework center where you can store paper, pencils, markers, glue, and anything else your student needs to complete assignments.

* Set up a command center with files or bins for school papers that must be signed and returned to school, homework or projects that are ongoing, library books, and anything else that comes to and from school.

* Install hooks near the door to hang backpacks, and jackets.

* If your child packs a lunch, set up an area in the kitchen to store prepackaged lunch items and the supplies needed to assemble sandwiches, etc.

* If your child purchases a school lunch, post the menu inside a cabinet door or on the refrigerator.

* Post a calendar in a central place to track all of your family’s activities.

Studies show students thrive in an organized environment.  I hope these tips will help your students have their best year ever and a little extra time to just be kids

Once the kids are settled into their school schedule, it’s time to gear up for some organizing of your own.  It’s the perfect time to catch up on organizing projects around the house so that by the time the holidays arrive, your home is organized and you are able to enjoy the festivities without all of the stress!

Cathy Bates is owner of Practical Solutions, a professional organizing company that provides organizing services for your home or office.  Practical Solutions is offering a free organizing workshop on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Citibank in Yucaipa to jumpstart your organizing efforts.  You can register at www.psorganizing.com or call (909)810-3719.

One of the books I have read suggests that the more naturally “organized” partner create the schedule, this does not mean dictate the schedule, simply put it together as agreed upon and print copies for everyone.

What I have been doing is using my monthly word calender to create a calender each month – marking “dad” days with orange cells and then inserting important dates for the kids, I provide Dad with a copy two weeks before the month start and he gets back to me with any changes.
I have been searching for some online solutions since Dad is now plugged into the net and came across:

this online custody planner

I think this is a wonderful idea and I love the feature allowing parents to email back and forth. This solution seems to be a great option for families with Two parents looking to organize a simple co parenting schedule. I was not able to locate a feature that allows you to print the schedule so you have to both be willing to log on.

I also think the simplicity of this site and scheduling service for parents would work well for those with limited internet or computer skills.

My only one large concern is not being able to download and save or print out your schedule, It’s important to keep copies of your co parenting schedule.

For those of you looking to integrate something into a palm or blackberry we shall have to keep looking.

The almost always organized Mom.

PS: It’s great to see a parent who codes take the time to create this sort of family tool and offer it to other parents and families for free use !

In the mean time check out this fun site fro your children aged 10 and up ! I sure fire way to sneak a few extra minutes to yourself while your children exercise their brain :)

I don’t know about you other moms, but those days when I lounge around doing nothing it’s usually because I have mentally shut down a sure sign that this mom hasn’t been looking after herself. When I studied Early Childhood Education one of my professors actually encouraged us to take care of our selfs with a mental health day as required. I learned that for me a morning walk and sneaking away (even if it meant cutting class) to hit the rowing machine at the gym.

Keeping mom healthy isn’t just about eating right and getting exercise. Those morning walks may count for exercise but it really those walks are about my state of mind. Clearing my thoughts, keeping things in perspective.

Our mental outlook not only helps us physically, studies of optimists found that those at age 25 were significantly healthier at ages 45 and 60 than those who were pessimists*.

Wouldn’t it be great to hold the following powers in your super mom hand ?

- less stress (think of your to do list)

- more patience (think of the morning school rush)

-  cognitive clarity ( a presentation at work ?)

- a higher rate of acheivment in most areas of your life

Aren’t these things we want in our lives and to pass onto our children ?

Optimism; some of us may be born with it but the great news is the rest of us can choose it. By modelling optimism, we can install this trait in our children.

Maryann Troiani, Psy.D. offers five great tips to feel super optimistic in her article
5 Ways To Feel Super-Optimistic: Tips for Your Health, Wealth, & Career Success.
Take a moment to write them down … you just may see those super mom powers increasing this week!
*Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman’s scientific articles.

Of course I have the internal ability to wake up 30 minutes BEFORE I have to wake up after only five hours of sleep. Unfortunately that alarm doesn’t seem to carry over into the waking hours. A thirty minute heads up would be handy.

Not having that constant heads up, instead, I wear the super mom cape as I leap over shoes, bags and the cat in a flurry of movement. Knowing full well that the school bell is going to ring in ten minutes and the drive is a minimum of 11 minutes and three seconds if no one is in the cross walk and that light isn’t red. Of course, I will have to drive laps to locate a place I can stop to let my son in. All the parking spots are taken by those nannies with an internal clock.

I thought I had the alarm clock before I had children. As a professional Nanny I was never late for a soccer game, a music lesson, or birthday party. It turns out there are two types of internal alarm clocks. The one reserved for those of us who don’t have children under the age of 18. This one allows you to roll out of bed just before your alarm goes off after a night of 8 hours of restful sleep.

Then there’s the other alarm clock. The one called the mom alarm clock. This internal alarm wakes you up at three minutes before the baby needs to be fed, or two minutes before your toddler wets the bed, or 8 minutes before your five year old wakes up with growing pains. Sometimes these alarms are all in the same night. The mom alarm clock results in a pure hatred of the real alarm clock that wakes you up at 7 am as the children are peacefully sleeping telling you to start your day.

Luckily I have some other time management tips under my cape to keep me on time and organized as a mother. Despite the internal mom alarm clock working against me at night, my children make it to their soccer games and birthday parties, usually with the present and cleats in the bag. Was that the blue bag or the red one?

*I wrote this last year – feel free to share it on your blog or website, just link back :)

My daughter turned five this week and on Sunday we are having a princess and fairy party. This year my bathroom is in the middle of renovations and the family trip to Disneyland has left my single parent budget a bit strapped.

When you plan your children’s party I encourage you to plan in your budget. Some years she may have 20 guests, this year thats just not feasible.

To my daughter its all about the cake. She was in tears yesterday when she thought the cake we made for after our family dinner was”THE cake” once she realized her party would include the special ordered Tinker Bell cake with a rainbow (rainbows are her favourite thing). She was happy. Her birthday will include the cake, three special friends, making magic fairy wands, Disney princess karaoke (we have a family machine) and loot bags.

Every town usually has a “cake lady” she’s a women who loves baking and will create you a custom family party cake according to your child’s wish. Try calling your local Hobbie and craft store and ask if they know someone who makes amazing cakes from home as a business. Our Cake lady charges $30 and delivers the cake to the DOOR! This saves me time from baking or a trip to the bakery.

A tip about budgeting; plan your children’s party a month ahead of time. With parenthood comes many unexpected costs (for me this month it’s dental work and some extra bathroom renovations costs). I always try to purchase their gift and party supplies a month ahead.

There are allot of great online services that allow you to purchase your party in a box, if you have the budget, this can save you allot of time. I personally enjoy searching Ebay and other venues for unique party favours.

Good luck with your cake planning! let me know if you have a cake lady in your home town. If you ARE a cake lady, please post your website or details in your comment…Here’s to your child’s party memories.

How time flies by, it only seems like yesterday when the tedious job of taking down the Christmas decorations was undertaken and stored up the loft, only to repeat the whole tedious process accordingly to commemorate Easter. However, because the lord is involved with both festive dates – makes tasks as such not so tedious at all but much more rewarding. Christmas day we celebrate the birth of Christ and Easter Sunday his resurrection.

Tradition up holds by giving a child a chocolate egg on Easter Sunday, and in some cases more because of greed, all because mom and dad give in to their demands. This is not good for their health or your pocket. Parents need to downsize on the chocolate egg or quantity. Huge savings can be made by doing this thus giving you those extra pennies to spend on healthy candy alternatives.

Easter is about feasting but do take care of what edible delights you are serving up. Keep your child’s welfare in mind. hence no guilt trip for you if the child is sick from overeating or piling on the pounds.

If the feast table is to be laden with yummies to fill the tummies then it is a good idea to include some healthier alternatives. There is a vast variety of healthy replacements for candy baskets.

Instead of chocolate or marshmallow candy, fill the baskets with natural cookies which can be baked at home and juicy fruits. Mini boxes of raisins dried apple pieces and sultanas are a good choice of appetizer.

Fill basket with low fat candies.

Both stuffed bunny rabbits and jelly beans are tempting eye candy to a child and low in calories.

After the feast their will be the cleaning up so no time to cook tea, a good idea is to have the children decorate hard boiled eggs which can be eaten with a salad.

If the hens have been laying and you have spare eggs organize an egg rolling competition. Hard-boiled eggs are rolled down a slope, the winner is the one which rolls the egg the furthest, survives the most rolls, or is successfully aimed between two pegs!

Below budget-friendly activities for kids this Easter:

Take the kids on a shopping spree. Give each whatever you can afford and let them choose their own Easter gift, by doing this the day will not seem as long than that of being in the home running out of ideas as to what to do next.

Easter Garden : Pick up some flower pots, and seeds, and teach your kids a few gardening basics then let them plant their own spring flowers.

Sometimes a change of location is all it takes to keep kids entertained and more so at Easter time. So why not take the kids on a picnic, weather permitting. Whether it is the garden or a nearby park the kids will love it. Bring a toy to play with, it would be in your best interest to replace the old kite or ball with a new one, this will excite the children more.

Give young children a basket of brightly coloured plastic eggs; with coins inside each egg, be careful with small items placed in an Easter basket.

Easter day is named after the Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre, whose feast took place at the spring equinox. Easter is now the spring feast of the Christian church, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Traditionally Easter eggs are given as presents symbolising new life and the coming of spring.

Happy Easter

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/best-easter-ideas-chocolate-yummies-fill-empty-tummies-349174.html

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