"What is in a Moment?"

Hello and Happy Holidays from Kids Klutter and
Aspen Lane Gifts!

Have you every stopped to think about what a
moment might look like in each of our days? Let's
take a look.  It takes a moment to wake up and
decide to start the day on a positive or negative
note.  It takes a moment to respond to a child's
needs.  It takes a moment to watch an animal scurry
through the backyard.  It takes a moment to capture
the sunrise or sunset.  It takes a moment to say hello
to a passing stranger, I love you to a family member
or you mean a lot to me to a friend. Wow!  Think
about what we accomplish in a moment of time and
also what it might mean to how our days work or do
not work.

During this holiday season we are busier then ever
and it has just begun.  Black Friday shopping has
passed and Cyber Monday approaches.  We have
all started those Christmas lists and the calendar is
most likely already looking full!  Crazy time begins!

STOP the craziness this holiday season before it
gets out of control.  Simplify your life over the next five
weeks and think about finding those moments to treasure.
Say "no"  to the things you can and find more family and
friend time.  As you decorate, look around and see the
smile in a child, the wonder in your family and the love
within your hearts.  Make your life simple this holiday.
Buy gifts for the needy, volunteer at a shelter, serve a
meal to the home bound. The teachable and most meaningful
moments are the easiest to find and they are all around us!

And, make your own gift giving simple and smaller this
year.  It is not in the cost, the size or the gift itself...it is
in the act of giving that makes the difference and true
moments are discovered!

We wish you the happiest, healthiest and simplist of
holidays this year and may your moments come in many
ways!  And, may your treasures be that of the heart!

If we can assist you in special basket gifts, please visit
us at www.aspenlanegifts.com or through www.kidsklutter.com.

Happy holidays!

Tools For Families

Hello from Kids Klutter!

Well the school year is in full swing now.   How do we make sure we are on track for a successful year?  What tools do we need to have in order to be successful this school year in our families?

As a parent, we need the standard things to get our children ready...new clothes and school supplies.  We
also need to formulate a schedule that meets the needs of the entire family.  How do we figure this all out?
Several blogs ago, we talked about having a family meeting.  This is still a great place to start in getting
everyone on the same page.  Go over the master schedule, where it will be posted, when things will be added, when will family meetings happen, who is responsible for what on certain days and so on.  Even if you feel like you are always running, roping everyone back in for a weekly meeting around a meal and keeping a master schedule will give you some basic tools in organization. And, if you designate your day before the school year gets crazy, then you will get that commitment to making that weekly meeting take place regularly.

On another note, think about the technology in your home. A recent trip to the doctors office left my head spinning over the new research on kids around screens.  This is any kind of screen...phone, computer, television, game boy, kindle, etc.  They have now discovered that if children are in front of a screen for
more than 2 hours a day (based on 14 years of age and younger), brain cells are actually shrinking.  I was baffled.  We think as parents we are giving our kids that needed down time when they get home with games or television and they could have already been in front of a screen for a significant amount of time at school.
We need to get back to basics in our homes...send the children outside everyday for a chunk of time, have no technology days where nothing goes on and cell phones are left in a basket at the door, get those board games out and communicate through conversation.  Also, an actual book is better than a kindle or e-reader.  Yes, we want our children to learn technology for the future; however, it could end up costing more than bargained for.  It is important we all learn to find that balance in our homes.

And finally, routines are important for all ages.  We function best if we know what to expect in our day so that we can combat those things we cannot change.  Morning, daytime, evening are equally important in some consistency.  Think about what this would look like for your family and make it a habit now.

We on the kids klutter team understand parenting because we are parents ourselves.  We know the trials and triumphs.  We are all in this together!  Get the supplies and tools your need to have a more
peaceful schoolyear!  Enjoy the time together as it passes quickly.

Timing

Timing

Welcome back from Kids Klutter!  It is that time of the year again when we begin to get organized for the start of school.  Supply lists, new clothes, back to school events and getting the schedule in tune for the entire family.

Having three children myself, I look at each of them and realize how very different they are in how they organize themselves for any day.  I began to think what that meant to the family dynamics at bedtime and in the morning for us.  One of my children chooses to sleep until the last minute and throws everything together at last the last minute.  My other has a very specific needed routine and if is rushed in anyway, their entire day is off.  My third child, is just fine with being woken up at a certain time and getting ready always goes with the flow.  And, then you have my husband and I have with our own routines, which typically involve getting up much earlier then the kids and being ready to run the troops from point a to point b.  Mornings are busy in our home for sure. Does this all sound too familiar?

What it comes down to is timing in each of our homes.  We cannot expect the entire family to fit into a mold that may not be conducive to one’s own success in getting ready for bed and morning.  As they get older, they develop more of a personal identity and what works for them all around.  It is key, we, as parents, take that into consideration when we are trying to make the bedtime and morning schedule run smoothly.  Understanding the “timing” of our children is most important in how they will greet the day and have success throughout.  On that note, make sure you are organized in the routine as well.  Our children totally feed off our energy in the scope of their day.  I have had stressful days where I left my child at drop off feeling bewildered and to be honest, it totally ruined my own day.

Sitting down with your children and developing a bed time and morning routine, involving them in the process is a great way to bond.  More importantly, it shows them they do have control over their day in making it a successful one.

We at kids klutter wish you a peaceful, successful and exciting school year.  And, if you are interested in hearing about more fundraising opportunities for your school, jump on our website at www.kidsklutter.com and check us out.  Have a great year from your kids klutter team!