De-clutter Equals De-Stress

Posted on January 6, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Did you know that living in a cluttered environment actually adds to your stress level?

It’s doubly hard for me because I would like to be organized and live more minimalistically, but my husband is a collector…of many things! Books, all things flyfishing, art supplies (he has taken up painting and is really very good). So you can imagine how difficult it is to keep things neat and in their proper places because we have so much STUFF that we sometimes run out of the proper places and stuff winds up on tables, chairs…even the back of the couch! If this sounds familiar, maybe the list of books below will help.

I am always waiting for the BIG block of time to REALLY get organized 🙂 but I think the secret is to simply make a decision to DO IT and when you have an hour or a half hour, clear one drawer or one table and just keep at it. Even if it takes a month or more, eventually you will be more organized and surrounded by less clutter. AHHHHHHHH!

There are hundreds of books available on organizing and cleaning up clutter. I’ve listed just a few you might want to get from the library or bookstore if you’ve decided to organize and want some more direction. Some of the books listed are geared for homes with children…children definitely benefit from living in an organized environment also! You can also go online and find a wealth of ideas.

1. Helping Kids Get Organized – Activities That Teach Time Management, Clutter Clearing, Project Planning and More by Robyn Freedman Spizman

2. Organized Kidz: E-Z solutions for Clutter-Free Living by Debbie and David Williams

3. Stop Clutter From Wrecking Your Family: Organize Your Children, Spouse and Home by Mike Nelson

4. Organized Living: Clutter Clearing Strategies and Creative Storage Solutions by Dawne Walter and Helen Chislett

My husband asked me the other day what my New Year’s resolutions were…now I know. In addition to trying to blog EVERY day with something of value, I am going to take my own advice and grab an hour or half hour every day and clear out one drawer, cabinet, counter or whatever…I promise to blog in a month and update everyone with my progress.

Never Too Busy For Your Child

Posted on January 5, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Sometimes it’s really hard to juggle all we have to do as parents…home, family, work, social and/or athletic pursuits. Yesterday I offered a few simple suggestions that will save time.

So what should you do with that extra time? If you have a young child, why not read a story with him or her and do a little eco-friendly craft project and a child-friendly healthful cooking activity? The time we spend participating positively with a child leave a lasting impression on him and help build self-esteem and a life-long parent-child bond.

THE BOOK: The Very Busy Day written by Diana Hendry and illustrated by Jane Chapman

Big Mouse is busy working hard in the garden and constantly grumbles that Little Mouse should help him instead of continuing his seemingly useless daydreaming. Little Mouse, however, has not been wasting his time, and has actually prepared a picnic for Big Mouse.

The story stresses the importance of spending time with your loved ones. Perhaps you and your child can tackle the task of simplifying and organizing together.

THE CRAFT: HOMEMADE STORAGE BOXES

You will need: Shoeboxes and/or boot boxes (with lids) or other size cardboard boxes, self-adhesive shelf paper (or gift wrap…you will have to glue this on), labels made from a blank piece of paper.

1. Decide what toys or supplies will go in each box.

2. Cut the shelf paper to wrap around the outside of the box and lid and press in place.

3. Write the name on the label (and draw a picture) of the toys or supplies that will be stored in the box and attach to the box.

THE RECIPE: NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

You will need: 1 cup peanut butter (health food stores often grind various nuts fresh daily and the cost is comparable to the leading brand peanut butters…for a little more money you could request cashew or almond butter for a different taste sensation), 1 cup honey, 2 cups non-fat dry milk powder, 1 ½ cups crushed cornflakes or shredded coconut for rolling the balls in, 1 large bowl, 1 cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

1. Mix the nut butter, honey and 2 cups of non-fat dry milk powder in a large bowl till well blended.

2. Roll mixture into small balls…about the size of a walnut.

3. Roll the balls in the crushed cornflakes or shredded coconut.

4. Place on waxed-papered cookie sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

5. ENJOY!!!!!

6. Place uneaten balls in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week.

7. This recipe makes about 18-24 pieces, 150-175 calories each…the more you make per batch, the smaller they will be and fewer calories each, of course.

How to Avoid the “Last Minute” Blues

Posted on January 3, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Mary glanced at the clock and felt her heart start racing…the doctor’s appointment was in 15 minutes and the doctor’s office was 10 minutes away. The breakfast she had set out on the table was still uneaten and her 4-year old son was running around upstairs, searching for a missing shoe. Hurrying up the stairs, she shouted, “We are going to be late because of you!”

Are you shaking your head up and down because you recognize this scenario? I can replay in my mind several similar episodes that occurred when my children were young. Anyone who says that keeping a family running smoothly (and on time) has obviously not been a parent.

But, there are solutions to this problem! Lack of planning and organization are the root causes…there is a saying that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. If you sometimes (or often) find yourself searching for that missing shoe or you would like to put in place a few simple routines for the New Year that will help de-stress your life, perhaps the following simple suggestions will help.

Put a calendar near the phone for logging in appointments and other important dates and times. You can even set up a calendar for your child to keep in his room (free ones are usually available at pharmacies and other stores at this time of year). He will enjoy marking his own calendar with his own very important dates (his birthday, his friends’ birthdays, special outings, etc.).
Before going to bed (maybe as part of his special bed-time ritual), help your child choose his clothes for the next day (or let him choose his own…just make sure that if it is winter, you have put the bathing suits away). In addition, check the calendar to see what is scheduled for the next day and get ready any other items needed (i.e. library books that are due at the library).
Attach a short clothesline (about 12 inches long and equipped with clothespins) or a store-bought or homemade rack with hooks or pegs on a wall near your exit door (front, back or side, wherever the family goes in and out) and have your child hang up his gloves, hat, scarf, etc. when he comes in. If the items are damp, they will dry out much better this way than if left in coat pockets or stuffed in a book bag. In addition, they will be ready at a moment’s notice when your child needs them and you will immediately be aware if one of the mittens or gloves is missing.
Hang a key rack in a convenient place so that all family members who have keys (house, car, etc.) will automatically hang them up when they come in. This will save many precious minutes (or hours) of time because no one will have to look for the keys when it is time to go out. I can’t tell you how many times we searched our home looking for a set of keys that turned up to be “hiding” under a pile of papers on the dining room table. How stressful….and what a waste of precious time!
Try to avoid the pitfall of too much activity…although it is important for our children to be offered many different types of activities (karate class, dance class, nursery school, etc.), one-on-one quality time with YOU is the most important, whether it is reading a story or participating in a craft project or cooking activity or just sitting together watching cloud formations roll by.

For more great tips and tactics to help you simplify your family life, check out the blog carnival starting on January 8th at http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2010/12/28/join-the-january-blog-carnival-simplify-your-life.htm?nl=1