7/27/11

Things I Know By Now...

...but need to be reminded of every once in awhile.

1. Getting up earlier than the kids, if at all possible, even for 15 minutes, makes my day magically run so much smoother.

2. If I want to get any big project accomplished, I need to break it down into tiny steps so it won't be overwhelming and I won't feel frustrated.

3. Planning meals and ingredients and a weekly shopping trip is essential.  Trying to think of what to make for dinner at 5 p.m. makes me miserable, as does not having the right ingredients.  And hungry children at 6:00 p.m. are really really scary.

4. If I want free time, it MUST be planned.  It will never just happen.  Someone will always need something.  It is up to me to plan for it, and if I complain about not having a minute to myself, I only have one person to blame: me.

5. Positive reinforcement goes much farther than nagging, harping, and criticizing


Posted by at
Labels:

25 comments:

  1. PlanningQueenJuly 27, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Such great points always worth hearing again. I need to focus on no,5 at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NicholeJuly 27, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    I need to remind myself of these things constantly!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ErinJuly 27, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    GREAT reminders Sarah! I so need to work on the meal planning thing!

    I just posted something that helps me a ton too. Planning ahead always makes life easier and moms happier! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. CarolineJuly 27, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    I had to print this one and pin it on my board. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Printing it? What a great idea. Very, very true and real stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  6. CarrieJuly 27, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Great list!! I am a big believer in #1!! Really really need to work on #3. I am notorious for not having everything I need.

    ReplyDelete
  7. RuthJuly 27, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Isn't it odd how the day can wear away and suddenly Starvation descends on the kitchen in physical form?
    Post ideas for meals-in-a-flash on the inside of the most used cupboard. Inside a page protector, of course.
    Best Part: Most meals-in-a-flash can be made by children 10 years old and up.
    Mac-n-cheese with cut up hotdogs and a can of green beans.
    Grilled cheese or tuna sandwiches, carrot sticks, fruit.
    Pasta Roni with microwaved chicken tenders, frozen corn microwaved.
    Cook up hamburger, crumbled or patties or both, then freeze in serving sizes. These can be added to pasta or stuffing or baked beans very easily. (You might have to hide them in the freezer somewhere. Or make a rule about consumption.)
    Soup, crackers, bread, fruit.
    Cut-up hotdogs fried with some onion, then 1 can tomato sauce added, serve over rice. Veggie of some kind.....

    (oh, weren't you looking for more recipes?) (You'd forgotten kids can cook?)
    (Cans and Boxes are No-Nos in your house?)

    Just sharing ideas. One of the best things my mom ever did for me was send me a page of 30 min. meal ideas when I had 4 little kids. I posted it, used it, and still have it in my recipe binder.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AmandaJuly 27, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    So very true Sarah!
    I've started setting my alarm for 6am for the past two weeks, to prepare ME for getting little ones off to school in a month from now. I'll start getting them up early in a few weeks as well to prepare their bodies for the early mornings that are the school year. blah!
    The meal plan is also essential!! I've learned this the hard way so many times. And planning/scheduling free time for me is also only going to happen if I make it happen. My husband does not read my mind or just get that I need that time unless I ask for it and plan for it. Great reminders as always Sarah! Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I love this! We need simple reminders along the way. Thank you for this post. I adore your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Susan RJuly 27, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    1, 3 and 5 are my favorites and all are so true. I put 5 to the test regularly and it always comes out positively.
    I tried your shake yesterday, it was wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. VictoriaJuly 27, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Hmmm...#4 really hit home today.

    Thanks for sharing your smoothie. What you said about changing the way you eat to mostly veggies and fruit has also hit home with me. I would be considered fit or skinny by most people but I have put on some weight and just feel icky and tired most every day. :( I don't want to feel this way now while I am in my 30's and know it will only get worse if I don't change it now.

    I have been weaning myself off of coffee onto tea but will definitely try the smoothie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. dottieJuly 27, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I need to get better at #3. Great list!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. KerryJuly 27, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    I think that it may have been you that got me started on Meal Planning last year. Ever since I started I have never looked back. I work full time and it saves me on a daily basis. It's hard enough coming straight home from work and cooking, it's a whole additional level of hard when you don't even know what you're making. Meal Planning also helps when you're on a diet too. Just don't think about what "sounds good" just cook what's on the menu!

    ReplyDelete
  14. BeingBrookJuly 27, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    I so needed to hear this today! I was just complaining to my husband that I never get anytime to myself and the summer is starting to wear on me! Good reminders. Have you tried the app for iPhone called mealboard? It is the best 99cents I've ever spent. You put your favorite recipes in there and then you can be out and about and click a few of them and it makes you a shopping list.

    ReplyDelete
  15. KelliJuly 27, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    1-5...AGREED!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Inspired By JuneJuly 27, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    So true and great reminders! Thanks, Sarah!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love is all you needJuly 27, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Thanks for the reminders! I don't know you at all, but your words inspire me to be a better person and mother, so thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    sarah-
    i feel exactly the same on EVERY ONE of those points. think i should print them and post them on my fridge as a daily reminder. you put them so succinctly for me!
    hope you are well and enjoying the waning days of summer!
    megan

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Every single one is spot on. I need to work on number 4 though!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kara HerronJuly 27, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Well said. I've learned that if I don't carve out "me" time, I'm not quite as happy as I could be. And that suggestion about breaking down a huge job into smaller pieces - great advice! Something I've been teaching my 14 year old, who has been "cleaning" his room for several days, now. ;-)

    -Kara

    ReplyDelete
  21. kayce hughesJuly 27, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I might need to have that tatooed on my hand so I don't forget!

    ReplyDelete
  22. LizzyPJuly 27, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    I love how ownership is a part of everyone of those items. Maybe someone else already pointed that out. No "woe is me". Actually, that would be a fun visual for the front of my planner--"Woe is Me" encircled with a line through it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. RachelJuly 28, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    Amen to all that. Especially #s 1 and 3!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJuly 31, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I learned (most) of these lessons with our sons, but have to remind myself of them with my grandsons.

    ReplyDelete
  25. MirienJuly 31, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    I've been complaining a lot about number 4 lately--never a moment of free time! Now I know who to blame. It goes back to #1. I know my day starts so much better when I get up before everyone else, but at 5:45am all I can think about is the snooze button. If I want me time, I need to start actually getting up when the alarm goes off. Thanks for reminding of the Things I Also Know By Now but Don't Always Do. You are so smart!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)