Hello,from Kids Klutter and Happy Fall!
If you joined us for the last blog you
have some ideas on getting your family
organized and school has begun in full
swing!
Most of us are ready for the summer to
be over and are switching gears for the
next season. Shorter sun days and warmer
clothes are closer. Having three children
myself, I often wonder how I keep them
all on track with school work, home chores
and family time along with all the extra
curricular activities they choose. I ask
myself if we are just too busy already and
school has just begun. And if so, how can
I instill slowing down in each of their minds
if I am moving just as fast?
Whether you are a stay at home or working
mother, there are not enough hours in the day.
How do you carve out time for everything and
everyone? It takes careful and timely planning
to make it all work for sure. And, as we all
know, time does not slow down for anyone.
My suggestion to everyone is to take time
to plan. Whether it be a goal to have dinner
together nightly or on certain nights, set it
up now and make it a pattern moving forward.
If one on one time can only happen in transition
then make the time count in content. We bring
a devotion book with us in the car and on the
way to school or an activity we choose a subject
to discuss and keep one another engaged in
conversation and family. Another suggestion is
to have the kids be responsible for planning a
meal a week and then helping to prepare it. The
time you share in the kitchen will be the memories
you remember most.
The biggest thing in family dynamics is the tone
the parents set. If we are busy, the kids get
busier. If we slow down, they slow down. Realizing
that activities tend to dictate our time these days,
re-evaluate how to plan them to fit your family and
not have your family fit into the activity.
And if you are running around, make that car time
count. Share a story, play a game and do not forget
to laugh.
I think it is best said that being a parent is the
greatest and most difficult job you will ever do in
your life. It is also the most rewarding. Family is
the most important thing! Chaos is a part of life
these days, but we can all rope it back in to less
stress with a plan. We all need some structure
regardless of age to function at our best. So, sit
down with your family today and make a plan.
And, take some time to see those turning colors,
smell that fresh air of changing seasons and crunch
some leaves together!
Blessings and have a great fall. From your
friends at kidsklutter. Visit us at
www.kidsklutter.com and pass us along to your
PTA or PTO!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Back To School Frustrations
Can you believe it is August already? Some of
us are wondering where the summer went. The
weather has been extreme all over the United
States and many have had to deal with difficult
circumstances. We hope that if any one of your
families was affected by this weather you are
on your way to healing and recovery.
Going back to school can sometimes feel very
frustrating. The kids have been home, schedules
have been flexible and getting back into a set
routine is always a challenge at the start of
school. However, DO NOT despair. This is the
cycle of a busy home.
So, how can you make this transition a little
easier when each year it seems to be more
complicated? Our children are growing, activities
are changing and expectations at school seem to
be more involved.
In preparation for school, you can begin by
making a few early changes. Start with making
bedtime a little earlier and slowly begin waking up
your child up closer to the time needed to get
ready for school. Another way to get your children
in the school set of mind is to serve meals and
snacks closer to the time it happens during the
school year. These will just help regulate your
child's clock for the school year routine!
Family preparedness is always important to the
success of getting back into the school routine.
Begin the year with a family meeting and start
a journal at dinnertime. Ask everyone what a goal
might be for the school year (this can be done
for any age) and how they feel they will achieve
it. Write it down in the journal so that you
revisit it as a family during the school year.
Family members can offer suggestions and ideas
in helping one another reach goals. You can
also write down things that worry one another
and come up with a plan together on how you
can ease a family members concerns. Creating
a journal helps everyone be accountable.
Another good resource for families is to have
a communication center that everyone has access
to. Whether it be a large calendar, a whiteboard
or another source that your family feels will work
for you, it is important to be on the same page.
Using different color markers for each member of
the family is also an easy way for everyone to
understand their own schedule or chore.
Adding a way to give inspirational messages to one
another is very empowering as well. Perhaps sticky
notes on the bathroom mirror, bedroom door or backpack
with a happy note for the day can create smiles and
hidden hugs. These go a long way!
Most importantly, the family needs to have some
ground rules based on what you all feel are most
important in the well being and safety of everyone
in your home. Respect, expectation and consequences
are all a vital part to helping one another grow as
a family and role model these attributes in your
day.
Getting your children organized for school can also
be easier by using a supply vendor. Visit us at
www.kidsklutter.com for more information and happy
return to school!
us are wondering where the summer went. The
weather has been extreme all over the United
States and many have had to deal with difficult
circumstances. We hope that if any one of your
families was affected by this weather you are
on your way to healing and recovery.
Going back to school can sometimes feel very
frustrating. The kids have been home, schedules
have been flexible and getting back into a set
routine is always a challenge at the start of
school. However, DO NOT despair. This is the
cycle of a busy home.
So, how can you make this transition a little
easier when each year it seems to be more
complicated? Our children are growing, activities
are changing and expectations at school seem to
be more involved.
In preparation for school, you can begin by
making a few early changes. Start with making
bedtime a little earlier and slowly begin waking up
your child up closer to the time needed to get
ready for school. Another way to get your children
in the school set of mind is to serve meals and
snacks closer to the time it happens during the
school year. These will just help regulate your
child's clock for the school year routine!
Family preparedness is always important to the
success of getting back into the school routine.
Begin the year with a family meeting and start
a journal at dinnertime. Ask everyone what a goal
might be for the school year (this can be done
for any age) and how they feel they will achieve
it. Write it down in the journal so that you
revisit it as a family during the school year.
Family members can offer suggestions and ideas
in helping one another reach goals. You can
also write down things that worry one another
and come up with a plan together on how you
can ease a family members concerns. Creating
a journal helps everyone be accountable.
Another good resource for families is to have
a communication center that everyone has access
to. Whether it be a large calendar, a whiteboard
or another source that your family feels will work
for you, it is important to be on the same page.
Using different color markers for each member of
the family is also an easy way for everyone to
understand their own schedule or chore.
Adding a way to give inspirational messages to one
another is very empowering as well. Perhaps sticky
notes on the bathroom mirror, bedroom door or backpack
with a happy note for the day can create smiles and
hidden hugs. These go a long way!
Most importantly, the family needs to have some
ground rules based on what you all feel are most
important in the well being and safety of everyone
in your home. Respect, expectation and consequences
are all a vital part to helping one another grow as
a family and role model these attributes in your
day.
Getting your children organized for school can also
be easier by using a supply vendor. Visit us at
www.kidsklutter.com for more information and happy
return to school!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Summer Fun
Hello and welcome to the beginning of summertime! Longer days and warmer weather. However, school is out and that requires a bit more organization on our part as parents. So, what is the plan?
Perhaps you have a family vacation planned and that will take getting everyone on the same page with packing and what to bring. A suggestion would be create a to do list for the family and give each member a task to complete for this trip. Even our little one's can get their toys together and help pack. Infact, they love doing those things more than we do sometimes. Make this vacation a memorable one in planning, getting ready to go and being on the trip together. This will also help your children see what goes into taking a trip and a teachable moment in giving them early skills to keep organized and help.
Maybe you are staying home this summer and keeping low key. There is always so much going on during the school year and a quiet summer sounds like the road to travel. The local pool, a picnic or the park. The expense to do activities is sometimes outrageous.
However, it does not always have to be. In most cities, some of the major museums and zoos have a free day during the summer to explore. Check online for your local opportunities and plan a free day with the family. A picnic lunch is a great way to complete this fun day.
A ballgame can be less expensive as well. Look for the family nights where you can get four tickets and dinner for a reasonable fee. Perhaps you encourage your family to look forward to this night. Set up some summer chores around the house where everyone participates and the reward is the game.
On an academic note, let your children pick out some great summer reading books at the library. Keep their skills up in this area and map out family reading time each day. Reading will always promote positive skills and keep children engaged in the learning process. Some libraries even host a challenge of some sort to read so many hours during the summer and then your child can receive a reward from them. Check your local library to find out what summer activities they have as well.
Whatever this summer brings you, remember to practice safety and have fun. Family time seems to be shorter these days and summer is usually a time when the sports and club activities require less meeting time. Use that time to reconnect and find that family laughter with time together. Take a walk, ride your bikes, cook-out and sit on the patio, play board games and find the fun.
We at www.kidsklutter.com wish you a healthy, safe and fun summer filled with family and friends...
Happy Summer!
Perhaps you have a family vacation planned and that will take getting everyone on the same page with packing and what to bring. A suggestion would be create a to do list for the family and give each member a task to complete for this trip. Even our little one's can get their toys together and help pack. Infact, they love doing those things more than we do sometimes. Make this vacation a memorable one in planning, getting ready to go and being on the trip together. This will also help your children see what goes into taking a trip and a teachable moment in giving them early skills to keep organized and help.
Maybe you are staying home this summer and keeping low key. There is always so much going on during the school year and a quiet summer sounds like the road to travel. The local pool, a picnic or the park. The expense to do activities is sometimes outrageous.
However, it does not always have to be. In most cities, some of the major museums and zoos have a free day during the summer to explore. Check online for your local opportunities and plan a free day with the family. A picnic lunch is a great way to complete this fun day.
A ballgame can be less expensive as well. Look for the family nights where you can get four tickets and dinner for a reasonable fee. Perhaps you encourage your family to look forward to this night. Set up some summer chores around the house where everyone participates and the reward is the game.
On an academic note, let your children pick out some great summer reading books at the library. Keep their skills up in this area and map out family reading time each day. Reading will always promote positive skills and keep children engaged in the learning process. Some libraries even host a challenge of some sort to read so many hours during the summer and then your child can receive a reward from them. Check your local library to find out what summer activities they have as well.
Whatever this summer brings you, remember to practice safety and have fun. Family time seems to be shorter these days and summer is usually a time when the sports and club activities require less meeting time. Use that time to reconnect and find that family laughter with time together. Take a walk, ride your bikes, cook-out and sit on the patio, play board games and find the fun.
We at www.kidsklutter.com wish you a healthy, safe and fun summer filled with family and friends...
Happy Summer!
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