When you first move into your home it seems like you have so much space.  As the years pass, you might find yourself becoming a pack rat.  What are you going to do with all the stuff you have accumulated?  Perhaps it’s time to weed out the unnecessary items and organize your home.

Home organization is a step-by-step process.  It will take more than a day or even a week to get everything to a manageable level, but once you do staying organized is an easier task.  If you have a family, enlist their help.  They can pitch in and learn a thing or two about controlling clutter in their life.

1. Start with the high traffic areas.  The living room and kitchen are usually the two most used rooms in the house.  Everything gets dropped on a counter or the couch in these two places.  Concentrate on getting everything set up the way that you like it before moving on to another room.

2. Use storage containers.  Over the years, the style of storage containers has upgraded to be pretty as well as functional.  Instead of storing containers in stacks in the garage, purchase ones that match your décor in each room and integrate them so that no one would even notice they were being used for storage.

3. Divide items into categories.  You can use heavy duty trash bags for this part.  Everything that you find can go into a pile: KEEP, THROW AWAY, GIVE AWAY, and RELOCATE.  Items that will stay in that room are to keep.  Things that you don’t need or are broken can be thrown away.  Clothes or furniture still in great condition can be donated and scheduled for pickup by the Veteran’s association or Goodwill.  Anything that definitely belongs in another room can be labeled for relocation when you get to that room.

4. Remove everything from drawers and cabinets.  This is a time-consuming process but it is easier to start with an empty space and fill it instead of simply pushing things around.  If you line things up on the counter, someone else can help by putting the items in some type of order.

5. Make use of all of your available space.  In the kitchen, for example, appliances or extra containers can be stored on top of the cabinets provided they don’t extend all the way to the ceiling.  That’s extra storage space without benefit of a storage container.  Also use the top of the refrigerator for cereal boxes and breakfast food like boxes of instant oatmeal or grits.  In the bedroom, shoes and winter clothes can go into flat storage bins that slide easily under the bed or the dresser.

6. Label your containers.  Use tape and a permanent marker to identify the contents of your storage containers.  Avoid writing on the actual container in case they are reused and the contents are changed.  Labeling also makes for easy identification if you decide to sell or give away a container of books or something.  You won’t have to open each container to locate them.

Organizing your entire house takes time.  But, once it is done, returning everything you use to its proper place will maintain that same level of organization.

that Really Work

Young parents get scared when they hear stories about the “terrible twos.” Take courage, though, you will survive the toddler stage. It’s not easy to understand why your toddler has a tantrum but at such a young age, a child is consumed with thoughts of themselves. Everything is about them and how they feel. Until they are taught how to share, every toy or piece of food they see automatically belongs to them.

Toddler temper tantrums can have a variety of effects. Your first thought might be that everyone is focused on you and your screaming child, but getting embarrassed won’t diffuse the situation. Besides, as a parent, you have many more years of embarrassing situations to look forward to courtesy of your children. So worrying about what others think during this situation is simply going to stress you and make you feel worse.blog pic 1

1. Ignore the tantrum. This technique works best when at home. In public places, you don’t want to ever leave your child unattended as a form of punishment. Good behavior in public begins at home. Ignoring a toddler is not harsh. If your child is squirming on the floor screaming for a cookie, continue to talk to them as if you never noticed. Eventually, they will get the hint and stop screaming.

2. Avoid instant gratification. In public, toddlers throw tantrums when they are denied something that they want. Some parents give in to keep their child quiet but a child learns quickly. Tantrums will continue if they know you will cave. Simply tell them “no” and keep moving.

3. Don’t get angry. When you scream and they scream the situation is wildly out of control. You’ll end up crying and your toddler will still be screaming. In any situation, raised voices mean civilized conversation has ended in favor of basic primal instincts. Don’t revert back to the days of early man. Keep using the same calm voice you use when they are behaving to get your child to calm down as well. Remember this is NOT your fault and is NORMAL child behavior.

4. Praise your toddler when they behave well. Positive reinforcement is better than negative. In the absence of positive attention a child will behave badly just to get some attention at all. Acting out and throwing tantrums may be a cry for attention. Don’t let it get to this point. Clap and celebrate when they go to the potty successfully and when they put away their toys. Good manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” deserve a smile and a hand clap as well.

5. Run errands after nap time. Kids get punchy when they get tired. A toddler misbehaves more often if they are dragged around when they are tired.

6. Carry snacks with you. Low blood sugar can lead to tantrums. If you are out longer than anticipated and lunch or dinner time is close at hand, let them eat a healthy snack to keep their hunger pains at bay and sugar levels stable.

7. Be consistent in your consequences. At home, you might use “time out” to deal with a tantrum for uncalled for behavior. In public do the same. Sit your child on a bench for five minutes or take them to the car. Eventually they will learn that you are not a pushover and they will begin to behave.

You will survive the toddler years. Nip temper tantrums in the bud with the above tips.

And remember this one very important piece of advice:

Say what you mean, mean what you say or what you say means nothing. (author unknown) Start this philosophy now and you will be grateful you did come the teen years.

At the Flower Show, we won.  I was so happy and can’t believe we came in first. I enjoyed myself so much. Today I avow there is ample victory and richness for everyone to share.

Thanks,

Aunt Sally in Denver

Thanks Again,

Aunt Sally in Denver

I urge you to view the magic in all whom you meet today. Entertain the delight within yourself now and forever.

Thanks,

Sally in Denver

Mom, my wake up hugs and kisses you gave me this morning were wonderful. I felt cherished and appreciated because you give me time and consideration. I pass on to you to be open to love and acknowledge yourself. Always!

Thanks Again,

Aunt Sally in Denver

Moms, can you take a few minutes for yourself everyday and learn how to be at peace with yourself ?

Let’s talk about this the next time we have coffee.

Thanks Again,

Aunt Sally in Denver

After a bunch of us gals had dinner last night, we got into an unsettling conversation. We were concerned that you moms might question how to really evaluate what life is all about.

The elder in the group, a great-great grandmother chimed in that” we are guided by the divine in every thought, word and action in our daily routines.  Staying true to yourself and the divine is all we need to know.

We all pondered that quietly over coffee.

We all know that bullying is something that can be traumatic for children.  Being bullied constantly affects your child’s grades, social, emotional and mental well-being.  The physical and emotional consequences of bullying results in devastating long-term effects that impacts your child’s self-esteem.

• How to Recognize Warning Signs Your Child is Being Bullied
• Understanding the Bully/Suicide Connection
• How to Effectively Advocate for a Safer School Environment for All Students
• 5 Powerful Strategies to Bully Proof Your Child
• How to Know When to Take Action and When to Involve the Law
• Common Misconceptions About the Triangle of Power-Bully, Bystander, and Target
• Top Reason Children Don’t Inform Their Parents About Bullying Incidents

Are you a mom who just can’t stop worrying?  Does everything have you tied up in knots ? The house repairs, the car making that noise, the babysitter didn’t show up last night; we know that our children are young and don’t realize all of the dangers within the world, so we worry. Not only do we worry about our children, but we also worry about relationships with our friends and family, our jobs, our finances and an unlimited number of other things.

Some moms are just natural worriers. . For some reason, women seem to be more susceptible to excessive worrying. If you are a mom who cannot stop worrying, then you have a problem. We need to realize that while we’re worrying about all of the dangers surrounding our children and our lives, excessive worrying is a danger in itself.

Numerous health problems can arise when we allow ourselves to worry too much. Worry is a normal thing for people to do, especially mothers. It’s the excessive worrying that we need to control.

Excessive worrying is when you find yourself worrying about something practically all day, every day. This is the worrying that can cause health problems. Some health problems that can arise from excessive worrying include:

• Memory Loss
• Physical Illness
• Anxiety Attacks
• Heart Attack
• Premature Coronary Artery Disease
• Weak Immune System
• High Blood Pressure
• Muscle Tension
• Digestive Disorders

This is a short list of the health problems that can be caused by excessive worrying. As wise mothers, we want to be in good health so we can always be here for our children. Therefore, it’s important that we learn how to manage worry. Below are a few things that can help you do just that.

Proper Nutrition: Do you notice when you’re excessively worrying about something, you’re most likely not eating right? Therefore, concentrate on eating a healthy, balanced diet; eat throughout the day, but also make sure you aren’t overdoing it either. Eating right is important when trying to control your worrying because when you focus on eating properly, you’re not focusing on the things you’re usually worrying about.

Exercise Daily: Exercise makes us feel better. Every time you exercise, you give your mind a break from the worries that have been plaguing it. You also release chemicals within your body that work to improve your immune system. Walk at least 20 minutes every day.  Get the kids involved.

Meditate: Meditation is well-known for its therapeutic powers and has been around for centuries. Find a still place and quiet your mind. Clear your mind and concentrate on nothing but the present. Your mind has its own ideas.  Continue returning to the quiet place. This means that you must not allow your mind to think about anything that may happen in the future or has happened in the past. Meditating daily has been proven effective in helping manage worry and stress.

Relax: Make time to relax every day. Even if you can only find 20 minutes, it will help reduce your worrying tremendously. Methods for relaxing are different for everyone; you may be able to relax by reading a book, watching television, soaking in the bathtub or gardening. The key is that you take the time to do whatever it is that relaxes you every day. Another one of those tips that may require doing it with the kids.

Get Counseling: If you struggle with excessive worrying and can’t control it on your own, then look for a therapist. Just having someone to talk to about your excessive worrying will help. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it, because excessive worrying is dangerous for your health.

Moms, look closely at this issue and be honest with yourself.  If you don’t stop now, chances are you won’t stop at all.

No time like the present, a thousand unforeseen circumstances may interrupt you at a future time” ( Proverbs Exemplified, 1790).