Organization Can Ease Some Pain

Organization makes me happy! :-)   I love organization!  Organization can be a big help for Moms.

With so much going on it can be hard to keep track of the things in our houses.  I know at the end of the day the last thing I want to do after work is clean or pick up. However it is important to keep some semblance of order with the chaos and clutter to help the days and nights go smoother. Nothing is more frustrating then looking for something and not being able to find it.

Top 3 things we do to help stay organized:

1. We have the cubes with the cloth boxes for our daughters toys 

     2.  We use lots of Tupperware to contain groups of toys like My Little Pony items or Littlest Pet    
          Shop

    3.  Almost everything in our living room does double duty. The coffee and end tables have drawers       
         and baskets to hide toys from sight.

 

I like how easy it is to hid things if we want or need to. Yes we do clean the house and make it adult like from now and then for company.  

She knows where her things go and it makes it easier for her to find things later.

Do things still go missing? Absolutely. Do things always get put away? Nope.


Our house does not have an entry way closet. So to help with piles of coats and shoes on the floor we installed a coat hook bar and placed what is actually a book case under it to hold our shoes. Since we recently got new carpet a few months back we also have a basket with grippy slippers for guests to put over their socks if they are not comfortable other wise. Hey we all have something.

I do believe I have a touch of OCD :-)  As everything has a place and the routines at the end of the day are to put them in their places is a must. It is a nice way to feel in control of life when life gets crazy.

As they say there is a place for everything and everything has its place. Happy Organizing!

What things do you do to help keep your life organized?

5 Things For My Daughter

As the school year ends and my daughter's first year in elementary school comes to an end, I have been thinking about all of the changes she has gone through.

My daughter was diagnosed with high frequency sensioneural hearing loss bilaterally about 2 weeks before the start of the school year.  She had gone for her kindergarten physical and failed her hearing test. They at first thought maybe it was a fluke since it was the first time she did the test and actually had to follow the directions. Being that they could not pass her on her forms she had to go to the audiologist where she had 2 more tests that confirmed it was in fact not a fluke.

This started a whirl wind of activity for us at a time of great transition for her. We had to sign her up and wait for approval for medical assistance (the hearing aids are expensive) and figure out ways to make sure she is able to learn to the best of her abilities in school. She has no other issues does not have any academic or behavioral issues as well as no speech issues. Lacking in speech issues is pretty much what masked the hearing loss.

There are certain sounds and frequencies that she cannot hear and or hurt her physically when she does hear. I was the meanest Mommy and had her get hearing aids that blended in with her hair and clear ear molds instead of bright red. Oticon is a wonderful company that makes removable stickers for their pediatric hearing aids and she has a blast changing those.

So here she is starting a new school where she knew no one in her new class, all of a sudden has these hearing aids and now can hear things she did not before and has to re learn how to adjust to those sounds in her world in order to concentrate and succeed. 

For as long as I can remember she did not like loud noises. As parents we just decided to avoid those noises. This means sit blocks away from fireworks, avoid automatic toilets, no movies or bowling.

The reality is that we do not know what caused this or the future of the loss. We have no clue if this will get worse. As a baby she had GERD so bad she did not sleep through the night until 2 1/2 years old, she was on 2 different medications and special formula. She would eat and vomit and cry in pain 24/7 and the specialists could not figure out how to help her. She did grow out of it but it was still a very difficult time.

We will do all we can to help her accept this permanent hearing loss and the adjustments she needs to make in her daily living.

As I sit here and reflect on this first year there are 5 things I want my daughter to know.

1.  I love you no matter what.
2.  You are not your disability. You can still do whatever you want just maybe a little differently.
3.  I am amazed at the strength and resilience you have shown while going through this. I know no child
     wants to be different or stand out. You have dealt with this with grace and maturity beyond your years.
4.  It is okay to advocate for yourself. It is okay to ask for help or for someone to repeat things for
     you. That does not make you any less smart then your peers. 
5.  You are still the strong, beautiful, talented, smart, creative, wonderful person you were before the
      hearing loss. You are still you and that is the best way to be.

Perry The Platypus

I love, LOVE Pinterest. I wish someone would pay me to go on Pinterest and make a bunch of their projects. I have done several and some turned out better then others.

This project I made for my Dad for his birthday because he likes Perry the Platypus and I was crocheting my Mom a scarf and knew he would like something handmade as well (he already received a new hat so making one was out of the question).

I learned how to crochet a couple months ago from a YouTube video. The person I follow on there and look to for how to is fabulous and shows you step by step in a very easy way.

I apologize for not taking step by step pictures of this project. I am however posting the link from Pinterest to the pattern I used. It turned out great :-)

I promise next time I will take those pictures so you can follow along. Forgive me I am new to all of this.

My Perry the Platypus:

I attached the hat permanently as I know my Dad would not want to worry about losing it.  The hat could be better but hey it was my first try. This was actually pretty easy to make and the first written pattern I ever followed for crochet. It took me about two days as I did not have the time to sit and do it all at once.

 

The link:
http://my-crocheted-world.blogspot.ca/2011/11/perry-platypus-free-crochet-pattern.html?m=1

Memorial Day

On this day while most people enjoy spending time with family and friends please take a moment and remember those fallen soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives in order for you to have yours. Always support those that support your right to be free and live.

5 Things You Can Add to you Memorial Day Celebrations

1. Actually tell  a soldier, veteran and their families thank you.
2. Visit the VA if there is one near you.
3. Write thank you cards and hand them out at your local town celebrations.
4. Volunteer.
5. Visit neighbors who may have served or are apart of the military who may not have family with or near 
   them.


Thank you Service Men and Women!!!

Disclaimer! It takes a village

Just for the record I have nothing against SAHM. I know some pretty fantastic ones the are very  near and dear to my heart :-)
 (besides in post one I said I wish I could join their ranks)

This is just a place to talk about struggles, triumphs, etc of parenting and life. The main focus may be the working Mom but I love everyone as long as you support and love each other.

We all have gifts, insight, and ah-ha moments that we can share with  other Mom's. So far in the Survival guide many things can apply to Mom's all of kinds.

Saturday Night Date Night

Ahhh last night we had an unexpected at home date night. The princess went to bed early after swim lessons and an outdoor birthday party. So hubs and I got to enjoy some time together.

We ended up baking a cake and watching a movie on tv. What a good sport he was watching the Princess Diaries with me :-) These are the times together we enjoy the most. I also feel like it's the time where we talk about the mundane (it's so needed). I always go to bed after these times with so much love and joy in my heart.

I feel you should always be working on your relationship with your significant other. Take the time to relax, reconnect and rejuvenate your relationship.

This is the first at home date night in a while. We really had no clue what to do besides a movie.

What are some fun and creative ways you spend at home date nights?

Working Mom Survivial Guide: The Good Enough Mom

The term "good enough mom" was coined by Dr. D. W. Winnicott, a british pediatrician, sociologist, and psychoanalyst. Basically its the anti "supermom and slacker mom".  He states "the key role of the good enough  mother is to adapt to her baby, which gives him a sense of control and the comfort of being connected."


The term continues on by thinking most moms already have everything that their kids need inside themselves and uses those mom instincts in order to take care of their child.  Good enough  moms "use their own best judgment, is available to their child, learns from their mistakes, and loves their child."


Seems pretty simple right? If we could all be able to keep our expectations realistic and not sweat the small stuff then you too could be just the right kind of mom your child needs. 


Choosing your kids over house work will not cause the collapse of an empire but may make some pretty stellar memories for your child.  No one is perfect but we all are good enough.


I can tell you the following:
My dishes are rarely done every day
I have dust in my house
I have projects half finished
Scrapbooks/photo albums that need completed
Clutter on the counter top
Toys scattered everywhere


And you know what? If you don't like it then don't come over :-)




A quote from the survival guide states "  Remember that your children grow up fast. Fifty years from now it won't matter how much money you had or how clean your houses was, but your children will remember you for the kind of person you were and for how deeply you loved your family."

Time With Your Child

Being a working Mom can make it hard to go to your child's school activity. Today I was lucky enough to be able to leave work today (and return) to attend a picnic lunch with the princess at her school.

It was a beautiful day out and we has lots of fun. Sitting there I realized I am not as involved in her school community as much as I would like to be. Many of the families knew each other especially the ones with older children.

Don't get me wrong we've had play dates and birthday parties but life gets in the way making it difficult to keep things up.

With the summer approaching I'm concerned  about trying to find better ways to stay in contact with her friends. Especially since  most times your child's friends parents aren't part of your tribe.

Some ideas I have:
Pen Pals (or email if old enough)
Pre-set reoccurring meet ups
Babysit for them and they return favor

Does anyone know of any other ways (fun, easy, creative etc) to keep her in touch with her friends?



(photo from cafepress.com)

Just Another Manic Monday

Manic Mondays seem to be the norm around here. So much to do and so little time. Today was no different. Started out normal then this afternoon picking up the princess from after school care I noticed she was out of sorts and actually wanted to leave with me (I know who knew Mom was more fun then going outside with friends). This was my first alert that something was not right.


Saturday my princess started complaining of a headache and nothing else. We gave her some children's Tylenol and all was right in the world. She ran around all weekend like she always does participating in her activities acting normal. Even this morning she was fine just the headache.


Well being the overprotective Mom that I am, I called her pediatricians office to speak with a nurse about these headaches (she's never had one before). At this time I had no idea she was not acting like her self since she was at school and I at work. We discussed maybe it's just allergies since she was acting fine and that to give her some over the counter children's allergy meds. Also to call back if something changes.


Then BAM it changed. When we got home sure enough she had a fever, wanted me to carry her everywhere and crashed on the couch. I call the peds back told them she has a fever and is complaining of a sore throat and painful ears. They of course said to take her to either the urgent care or ER since they were not open anymore for appointments. So off we went to the urgent care where they promptly looked in her ENT which apparently had lots of drainage. Her rx is to take it easy, get lots of fluids and give her Tylenol for the fever as it looked viral in nature.


My little princess was not happy she had to miss her last day of school year gymnastics class but said she would be okay because she starts back up again in a few weeks. Poor bugger.  :-( 


Tomorrow it will be Mommy and Princess time with lots of cuddles and fluids.


Mondays just never seem to go the way you hope. Do you find yourself dreading Mondays as much as me?

Working Mom Survival Guide

Recently I have discovered a book called How to run around less & enjoy life more Working Mom Survival Guide by Suzanne Riss and Teresa Palagano from Working Mother Magazine.  I have not finished it yet :-)

http://www.workingmother.com/me-time/it039s-your-turn-working-mother-survival-guide-0






I admit I skimmed the first couple sections as I am past the I'm pregnant, telling the boss, just back to work phase. The first section that resonated with me is section 4 Strategic Alliances. It discusses the need for Moms to have more people in their lives.  I really like how they lay it out saying to gather your "Mom tribe"





The Mom Tribe is a group of supportive people outside of your partner.
They say you need 3 types of friends:
"1. The friend just like you (she's got kids the same age, works, similar relationship status etc.)
2. The more experienced friend (not necessarily older but has already been through what you have been in now)
3.  The no-kids friend (your connection to pre-baby self whether she is coupled up or not)"






Thinking back on my daughter's earlier years I realize I pushed many people away as so many of our friends were no where near where we were at that point in our lives and those more experienced had no idea how to support us since our child was so different then the average baby [some health issues that are luckily better now but another has cropped up :sigh:].





I also feel like some of the time we are just burdens on our friends since we are the ones with a child and can't and don't want to just drop everything in go.  Like some others I know babies can be traumatizing :-) and you really need to be able to trust someone to watch your child especially when there are other needs outside the normal baby realm in order for you to become comfortable leaving them.  It seems to me that many Mom 's already have their groups almost like high school and if you don't fit their standards of what a good Mom should be and do then you and your child are ousted! Gasp!



Right now I think I have 2 out of the 3 types of close friends. They are 3 of the best girls I've ever met and am thankful for each of them being in my life.  I do isolate still IRL but have made large efforts since my little lady has gotten older.  I do admit I am jealous of those Moms & friends who have BFF's they have known since childhood they still keep in touch with. I feel that I am missing out on something and still strive to find that one person to be my BFF now :-) Yes I know I am a grown woman with issues but hey who doesn't want someone like that?

A Mom to Mom quote from the book states: "Having a person to talk with when everything is falling apart helps keep you feeling up.  It's the ears listening to your needs for once instead of your kids."




This section encourages you to make time for yourself as it is needed in order for you to help balance the crazy life you are living and relieve some stress. I'm starting to see the beauty in that and have made efforts and have seen the good come from it.



Do you have a tribe? Do you want one?

Working outside the home

I am sick of others looking down upon those of us that have to work and put our children in daycare. Would I love to have been able to stay home with my daughter? Yes. Would I like to at least be able to work from home? Yes. Would I like her to be able to ride a bus to and from school from our neighborhood instead of the before and after school care? Yes. Would I like my kiddo to have a play date with yours on this day off of school? Yes.

However for some people, like myself, this just is not possible. For many reasons like my actual work schedule does not mesh with the bus schedule we cannot do this.  I really like when people tell me "you'd save so much money if you just stayed home". No, no I wouldn't because there are things called student loans that need paid.

Don't get me wrong I think it's great some people get to be stay at home parents. I wish I was one of them. Raising kids is the hardest, most rewarding job you will ever have. I just wish women supported each other more.

So alas I struggle with the guilt that is thrust upon me by the main stream media that in order to be a great Mom I need to stay home, make beautiful creative meals and constantly entertain my child with activities that not only stimulate her but teach her.

What happened to just letting kids be kids?

What are your thoughts?