This is still part of the to do list, I just didn't include to do list in the post title because today is B on the Challenge.
Beat Bedtime Blues By Being Better
Bedtime
I know some people may think this is an odd topic for a to do list. It's not. Writers and non writers alike have trouble stopping what they're doing and going to bed. It's not always easy to get to bed at a decent time. I will admit I suck at it. Most of my nights go on until at least 2AM and many times well after that. I can't stop writing/critiquing/revising/etc. It's a harder feat when you have kids.
Which is something else that this goes with. Getting kids to bed on time. That's almost as hard as getting ourselves there. Kids want to stay up. They want to play, or watch TV or if they're like mine-they're just plain nosy. My oldest is always complaining about going to bed because she's afraid she'll miss out on something exciting.
No matter if you need to get only yourself, or both you and little ones-decent bedtime is hard to accomplish. I've found that no matter what I try, I can't get to bed early. There are too many things I have/want to get done and I can't do it until my kids are in bed. Plus, I'm a night owl, always have been. I function better in the late hours of the night-or VERY early hours of the morning. Either way, I can't make myself get to bed early.
Things to try...If you're one of those people who can tell yourself you're going to do something, and it actually works, then do that. Pick a time you would like to go to bed-do it in advance so it's on your mind-and then that's when you'll stop whatever you're doing and go to bed. Motivate yourself with figuring. Figure how many hours you have until you need to be up the next day. Then motivate yourself with that. You want to get some sleep, so decide how much you need to really function. No one wants to be a grumpy Gus.
If you have little kids that make bedtime a chore...find something that helps them relax. There are several different things we do over here. Some nights it's an herbal tea (decaf btw) My kids love it, they love that they have their own tea, and it's got natural herbs that help them to relax. Win-win. Something else is music-something without words and with smooth sounds is what helps mine. Reading is another excellent way to get the kids to wind down. For mine, it's the Bible. Any children's books just get them riled up. Finally, a massage. Yep, I give my little ones massages, have since they were infants. It came highly recommended by several health professionals and also two different parenting classes i took. My daughters absolutely love it. I usually just gently rub their backs and they get sleepy within a minute or two. Kids stress out too, ya know.
So, yeah this was a bit longer than intended but, there ya go.
Happy Sleeping :)
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Grocery Shop
Before I get to the To Do for the day, I have something to say (dang, I can't help but rhyme all the time :p ). Anywho- It took me forever to gain followers. At times I would make posts and think, yeah, there's no one here to read them. But I kept posting and kept thinking of things I could do to draw in some people. I know a lot of my readers have a ton on their own blogs. But for me, the 32 I have is fantastic. So, I want to say, thank you everyone who follows my blog. Happy to have you here! :D
On to the To Do...
Grocery Shop
This isn't usually on the daily list, but it's on a list somewhere. We have to eat, therefore we grocery shop. I myself am back and forth on the subject-sometimes I enjoy going to the grocery store and other times I despise it. The days I can't stand the grocery stores, I have to force myself to go. There are times when I find inventive ways to make the most of what I do have just so I can put it off another day or two.
We must grocery shop though, so how do you do it? For those of us with kids, it is a little easier to make ourselves. Our kids are top priority and we cannot let them starve, so there's one motivator.
As a writer I have a few things I need when I'm writing. 1. I ALWAYS have something to drink, the entire time I'm writing (water, tea, coffee, juice, occasional Dr.Pepper). 2. I need to snack, it can be something as simple as a handful of peanuts every once and a while (there are times at night when I'm writing from 10 until 2, 3, 4 or even 5 in the morning). 3. Something sweet-you could say this goes along with a snack, but it's not really the same (for me). Sometimes I eat a piece of candy and sometimes it's a candy bar. For some reason, something sweet aids in my writing process.
So, that's another motivator. I know there are other writers out there who have things that they like to have on hand when they're writing, whether it's a certain drink or snack. Therefore, we need to grocery shop to insure we have those things.
Finally, what are we if we whither away due to lack of food/drink? What good would we be? That is the last motivator to help get Grocery Shop checked off the list. We may not like it, but we have to do it.
Happy Grocery Shopping :)
On to the To Do...
Grocery Shop
This isn't usually on the daily list, but it's on a list somewhere. We have to eat, therefore we grocery shop. I myself am back and forth on the subject-sometimes I enjoy going to the grocery store and other times I despise it. The days I can't stand the grocery stores, I have to force myself to go. There are times when I find inventive ways to make the most of what I do have just so I can put it off another day or two.
We must grocery shop though, so how do you do it? For those of us with kids, it is a little easier to make ourselves. Our kids are top priority and we cannot let them starve, so there's one motivator.
As a writer I have a few things I need when I'm writing. 1. I ALWAYS have something to drink, the entire time I'm writing (water, tea, coffee, juice, occasional Dr.Pepper). 2. I need to snack, it can be something as simple as a handful of peanuts every once and a while (there are times at night when I'm writing from 10 until 2, 3, 4 or even 5 in the morning). 3. Something sweet-you could say this goes along with a snack, but it's not really the same (for me). Sometimes I eat a piece of candy and sometimes it's a candy bar. For some reason, something sweet aids in my writing process.
So, that's another motivator. I know there are other writers out there who have things that they like to have on hand when they're writing, whether it's a certain drink or snack. Therefore, we need to grocery shop to insure we have those things.
Finally, what are we if we whither away due to lack of food/drink? What good would we be? That is the last motivator to help get Grocery Shop checked off the list. We may not like it, but we have to do it.
Happy Grocery Shopping :)
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Something Sunday
Since I had the amazing Jean Oram on my blog this past Thursday, I thought I would give her KidsPlay site a shout out.
It's All Kids Play is a place where you can go to find fun activities and parenting tips. Jean offers tons of fun stuff to keep your little ones occupied. She also gives things that will help keep you occupied with them. She also tweets tips and fun activities @KidsPlay. I don't have much else to say except if you have kids, grandkids, niece(s)/nephew(s), or know some who has any of them--GO CHECK IT OUT!
I've found tons of stuff to do with my little ones and I know you will find something fun to do.
So, one more time: It's All Kids Play go check it out.
Happy Sunday :)
It's All Kids Play is a place where you can go to find fun activities and parenting tips. Jean offers tons of fun stuff to keep your little ones occupied. She also gives things that will help keep you occupied with them. She also tweets tips and fun activities @KidsPlay. I don't have much else to say except if you have kids, grandkids, niece(s)/nephew(s), or know some who has any of them--GO CHECK IT OUT!
I've found tons of stuff to do with my little ones and I know you will find something fun to do.
So, one more time: It's All Kids Play go check it out.
Happy Sunday :)
Monday, March 19, 2012
So Little Time
So it's time to work on tackling those non writer to dos. The list goes on and on, at least for most people I know. For these to dos, I will be making some of them work with my A to Z Challenge posts. Those don't start until April though. Here are some things I will be talking about:
School
Grocery Shop
Errands
Bedtime
Date
Homework
Job
Nuke
Pick up
Time
Volunteering
Some of you may think these topics are strange and many will think they don't apply to them. But, it may surprise you once the posts are up, so come back and take a look. Even if I don't give you anything that helps with your to do, it may be interesting all the same.
Happy Monday :)
School
Grocery Shop
Errands
Bedtime
Date
Homework
Job
Nuke
Pick up
Time
Volunteering
Some of you may think these topics are strange and many will think they don't apply to them. But, it may surprise you once the posts are up, so come back and take a look. Even if I don't give you anything that helps with your to do, it may be interesting all the same.
Happy Monday :)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Kids, Dads, Revisions, and A to Z
This week's Saturday wrap up is late because I didn't want to post my original. It was LONG and ventful (yes, ventful :p). So, I decided I wasn't posting a post like that. I cut it back, got rid of a some of the venting and here ya go...
REVISIONS! I think that word should be classified as a swear word. I will just leave it at that because if I don't the post will be way too long.
KIDS! My three and five year old were packed full of back talk, attitude, and overall "I will do what I want and there's nothing you say or do that will stop me." It was a stressful week as I tried to get them to check their attitudes and clean up after themselves. It didn't get all the way better, but they're not being as rotten.
DADS! I say "Dads" but really only one dad pissed me off this week, my kids'. He called Monday and cut them off. Said he's done with all of us. Yep-isn't he father of the year? Oh yeah. That's okay though, I hate it for my kids, but we will get through it together. It's going to hurt my oldest more, she is an EXTREME daddy's girl. Oh well, people do stupid things, and that's stupid on his part, but I learned long ago that I cannot change him.
A TO Z! Yes, to wrap up this Saturday, like I did last Saturday, I want to talk about the A to Z Challenge. It's such a positive way to conclude my grumpy post. The challenge is creeping up slowly, but it's coming. I have my poems lined up for every Tuesday and Friday(though they will be poems I wrote a while back, it's just easier that way.) I have my April 1st post written and scheduled. I have my Monday and Wednesday To Do posts planned out for each letter of those days (Yes, we will still be working on the To Dos' it's just the non writer to do) I have some prospects for my Thursday TAG! (Those letters are not so easy) I got my line up almost completely ready to go. Next week I'm going to work on getting posts written and scheduled. NOW-don't you think it's time for you to go sign up? I know some of my readers are already signed up-YAY-but if you haven't you should. It's going to be so fun! Go to the A to Z Challenge site to sign up.
I will tell you, I'm going to mention the challenge for the remaining Saturdays in March. Sorry for anyone who already signed up, I know you don't need to hear about it every week. I just want to make sure anyone who doesn't know about it-or knows but hasn't signed up-goes to sign up. I will try to add a link to something fun about the challenge, like this one: Jeremy over at his blog Geeky Tendencies has a fun list-HERE.
So that's this week all wrapped up, Happy Saturday! :)
REVISIONS! I think that word should be classified as a swear word. I will just leave it at that because if I don't the post will be way too long.
KIDS! My three and five year old were packed full of back talk, attitude, and overall "I will do what I want and there's nothing you say or do that will stop me." It was a stressful week as I tried to get them to check their attitudes and clean up after themselves. It didn't get all the way better, but they're not being as rotten.
DADS! I say "Dads" but really only one dad pissed me off this week, my kids'. He called Monday and cut them off. Said he's done with all of us. Yep-isn't he father of the year? Oh yeah. That's okay though, I hate it for my kids, but we will get through it together. It's going to hurt my oldest more, she is an EXTREME daddy's girl. Oh well, people do stupid things, and that's stupid on his part, but I learned long ago that I cannot change him.
A TO Z! Yes, to wrap up this Saturday, like I did last Saturday, I want to talk about the A to Z Challenge. It's such a positive way to conclude my grumpy post. The challenge is creeping up slowly, but it's coming. I have my poems lined up for every Tuesday and Friday(though they will be poems I wrote a while back, it's just easier that way.) I have my April 1st post written and scheduled. I have my Monday and Wednesday To Do posts planned out for each letter of those days (Yes, we will still be working on the To Dos' it's just the non writer to do) I have some prospects for my Thursday TAG! (Those letters are not so easy) I got my line up almost completely ready to go. Next week I'm going to work on getting posts written and scheduled. NOW-don't you think it's time for you to go sign up? I know some of my readers are already signed up-YAY-but if you haven't you should. It's going to be so fun! Go to the A to Z Challenge site to sign up.
I will tell you, I'm going to mention the challenge for the remaining Saturdays in March. Sorry for anyone who already signed up, I know you don't need to hear about it every week. I just want to make sure anyone who doesn't know about it-or knows but hasn't signed up-goes to sign up. I will try to add a link to something fun about the challenge, like this one: Jeremy over at his blog Geeky Tendencies has a fun list-HERE.
So that's this week all wrapped up, Happy Saturday! :)
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sick Kids, Migraines, Linky Followers, and A to Z
This week my daughters were sick-strep throat. It was very exciting. Especially since on top of that, I have a migraine that has been going strong since Monday. I never like my kids feeling bad, but it gets really hard to focus and nurse when you feel like your head is going to explode. Makes it harder to get critiques, revisions and writing done too. I did manage though. Well, I didn't get enough revisions done, but some is better than none.
On a different note, I did learn about Linky Followers and I signed up. You can follow me with it, the link is on the sidebar to your right. I hadn't heard anything about Google Friends going away, but I read about it when I was on a blog so I thought I should go ahead and sign up. You haven't checked it out yet? Perhaps now is the perfect time. Head on over and see what it's about. :)
And finally, the April A to Z Challenge-I wrote a post about it previously (Find it here), but I wanted to mention it again. I brainstormed some ideas this week, and I wrote a few posts. That way I start off in ahead when April comes around. So, if you haven't yet--GO sign up!
That was my week, much better then last week :)
How was your week? Have you signed up for Linky Followers? Are you going to do the A-Z Challenge?
On a different note, I did learn about Linky Followers and I signed up. You can follow me with it, the link is on the sidebar to your right. I hadn't heard anything about Google Friends going away, but I read about it when I was on a blog so I thought I should go ahead and sign up. You haven't checked it out yet? Perhaps now is the perfect time. Head on over and see what it's about. :)
And finally, the April A to Z Challenge-I wrote a post about it previously (Find it here), but I wanted to mention it again. I brainstormed some ideas this week, and I wrote a few posts. That way I start off in ahead when April comes around. So, if you haven't yet--GO sign up!
That was my week, much better then last week :)
How was your week? Have you signed up for Linky Followers? Are you going to do the A-Z Challenge?
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Men, Kids, Friends, and Laptops
Oh the week I've had. It's been great and horrible all wrapped up together nice and neat-or not so neat. WILD is the best way to explain the ride i've been on all week. Between trying to better organize myself, CRAZYYYYY kids, attitudes (from everyone myself included), my asshole ex, and all things writer related...this week has been exhausting. I hit bottom, fell through, and haven't stopped falling.
I'm okay though, i can handle it. Everything will balance out eventually. Last Saturday I ranted about details. What did you say? You didn't read it? Oh, well, It's right here. :) This week, so many things went wrong, and so many things went right that I'm going to do a mix of ranting and excited talk.
First off, let me just say-Men: If you make a child or children, please take care of them. And I don't mean just sometimes care about them, I mean ALL the time. My ex is a great dad in the sense that he absolutely loves our kids. And I mean, truly unconditionally loves them. The problem is that he also unconditionally loves himself. He thinks that as long as our kids are provided for, he doesn't need to give me any money for them. Yeah, doesn't work that way. I don't care if the mother of your child, or children is the most famous best-selling author-you still need to provide for them. It may suck, but you do. And please do NOT pass up an opportunity to spend time with them because you want to go out instead. I mean damn, your child(ren) should ALWAYS come first. You should NEVER chose hanging out with friends over them-it just shouldn't happen. UGH! Please men (and women who know men that have kids) never put anything before your kids.
Now, on to more pleasant things....I did a lot of connecting this week and it felt great. Maybe I'm a little lame, but I don't have many friends outside of my online friends. I don't do much that would allow me to connect with people outside of the internet and the TWO friends I have (who have been my friends for almost 15 years) don't live anywhere near me. So, whatever friends I connect with online are what make up my circle of friends.
Something else-For the time being, my house is completely cleaned. It's usually clean, but with two little ones, it doesn't stay that way. There are always a sink-full of dishes, floors that need swept and mopped, a lot of dirty clothes (especially since my 3yo hates being dirty and changes her clothes frequently), and more. It takes a lot of work to keep up with the house, as I'm sure anyone else with kids understands. But this week, I was able to get more help from my kids and we kept the house clean. All that's on the cleaning list for this weekend is sweep, mop, and laundry. It makes me feel good and means that I have more time to play with the kiddos and hopefully keep them from being as crazy.
One last thing that made me enjoy this week-I got through a lot of my critiques, although I still have some to do before tomorrow, I'm still proud of what I did get done.
I'm adding one more thing that was irritating this week. Well, truly this has been happening for almost 3 weeks now, just gradually getting worse. My laptop (which is a mini) is unhappy. I don't know exactly what the hell is going on with it, but it's soooooooooooooooo slow. It takes me forever to get anything done on it. Each day this week it has gotten worse. I'm tired of the slowness and I was already starting to dislike the size of it, so I'm going to move on. It probably won't happen for about a month or so, but I'm going to get a new laptop. I think when I do, I will let the girls play some games on it.
Anyway, that was my week. If you have a headache just reading this, be positive, trust me-it's much worse if its happening to you.
Happy Saturday :)
I'm okay though, i can handle it. Everything will balance out eventually. Last Saturday I ranted about details. What did you say? You didn't read it? Oh, well, It's right here. :) This week, so many things went wrong, and so many things went right that I'm going to do a mix of ranting and excited talk.
First off, let me just say-Men: If you make a child or children, please take care of them. And I don't mean just sometimes care about them, I mean ALL the time. My ex is a great dad in the sense that he absolutely loves our kids. And I mean, truly unconditionally loves them. The problem is that he also unconditionally loves himself. He thinks that as long as our kids are provided for, he doesn't need to give me any money for them. Yeah, doesn't work that way. I don't care if the mother of your child, or children is the most famous best-selling author-you still need to provide for them. It may suck, but you do. And please do NOT pass up an opportunity to spend time with them because you want to go out instead. I mean damn, your child(ren) should ALWAYS come first. You should NEVER chose hanging out with friends over them-it just shouldn't happen. UGH! Please men (and women who know men that have kids) never put anything before your kids.
Now, on to more pleasant things....I did a lot of connecting this week and it felt great. Maybe I'm a little lame, but I don't have many friends outside of my online friends. I don't do much that would allow me to connect with people outside of the internet and the TWO friends I have (who have been my friends for almost 15 years) don't live anywhere near me. So, whatever friends I connect with online are what make up my circle of friends.
Something else-For the time being, my house is completely cleaned. It's usually clean, but with two little ones, it doesn't stay that way. There are always a sink-full of dishes, floors that need swept and mopped, a lot of dirty clothes (especially since my 3yo hates being dirty and changes her clothes frequently), and more. It takes a lot of work to keep up with the house, as I'm sure anyone else with kids understands. But this week, I was able to get more help from my kids and we kept the house clean. All that's on the cleaning list for this weekend is sweep, mop, and laundry. It makes me feel good and means that I have more time to play with the kiddos and hopefully keep them from being as crazy.
One last thing that made me enjoy this week-I got through a lot of my critiques, although I still have some to do before tomorrow, I'm still proud of what I did get done.
I'm adding one more thing that was irritating this week. Well, truly this has been happening for almost 3 weeks now, just gradually getting worse. My laptop (which is a mini) is unhappy. I don't know exactly what the hell is going on with it, but it's soooooooooooooooo slow. It takes me forever to get anything done on it. Each day this week it has gotten worse. I'm tired of the slowness and I was already starting to dislike the size of it, so I'm going to move on. It probably won't happen for about a month or so, but I'm going to get a new laptop. I think when I do, I will let the girls play some games on it.
Anyway, that was my week. If you have a headache just reading this, be positive, trust me-it's much worse if its happening to you.
Happy Saturday :)
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