Managers of Their Chores- Update

I received the Managers of their Chores kit in the mail on Friday and spent most of the day yesterday reading the book. I really like the approach that they take with teaching chores to your kids. They often reference a Biblical basis for doing chores, and although I appreciate that perspective, it does get a bit over-the-top for me. What I really like about it is the tone that they promote. There is a chapter for each Mother and Father to read and take to heart the instructions on a meek and mild-mannered approach to instilling responsibilities in the children. In addition to this instruction, there is a step-by-step process and very detailed information on how to establish a long-term habit of routine chores in your home. I am excited to get started.

The first step that I am going to take is to simply sit down with the children and explain to them that there are going to be some changes in the way we do things around here, and that we will ease our way into them slowly. We will review some of the reasons it is good to have chores to do:
1.) Read and discuss the Biblical references
2.) Discuss how even at a young age, responsibilities and chores are preparing them for when they are grown-up.
3.) Discuss how it is my hope that this will help to bring about a more peaceful atmosphere in our home.
4.) Remind them that by working together it will create more time to spend together as a family.

I will briefly show them the system that we will be working on, and then ask them for any input on the chores they would each prefer. This is recommended in the book, not as the deciding factor in who does what, but as information to take into careful consideration when determining each child's chores.

It is my goal to begin implementing a morning chorepak routine this week.

Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Living

At the risk of taking on too much at once- focusing on too many things and accomplishing nothing- I am also going to commit to adopting healthier eating habits for myself and my family.

I think I am finally ready. While life is busy, and stressful at times, there is never the perfect time to do this! In the last few weeks and months, I have slowly been "getting there" mentally. There was a time when I think I was pretty good about limiting the sweets we kept on hand in our house. It was not a daily event to have a sweet snack. Lately, we have somehow morphed into a constant state of scrounging for the next sugary treat. It has got to stop.

Today, rather out of the blue, my 7yo told me, "Mom, I think you should try to lose 16 pounds by Christmas." I don't know what prompted this comment, or where he came up with that amount, but I am taking it as a sign. It's a rather daunting goal for me, considering that I have gained 20 pounds in the last 7 months. It is time to get serious. Life is too short to waste any more precious time.

I am still trying to figure out how best to fit exercise into my life, but I am going to give myself 1 week to come up with that plan. For this week, I am going to focus on getting my eating under control. I am going to "count points", Weight Watchers style, and track them in my journal. I also really want to focus on eating healthy, nutritionally dense, foods; lean proteins, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables. In addition, I need to work on cutting my coffee habit, mostly because I "have" to use flavored creamer. Too many unnecessary calories that I can't afford! I am going to try to drink herbal tea in place of my after-supper cuppa java to start with. Then I will work from there.

Wish me luck! I will try to post my progress here each Saturday!

Routines and Organization

I have heard it said more than once that children thrive on routines. I also know that it is the lack of strong, established routines that often cause our family life to feel so out-of-control. I need to work on this. While I don't want it to be so ridged that we can't (every once in a while) just throw the routines out the window and be spontaneous and have fun, I do want to have some systems in place so that my children can experience a better atmosphere to grow and thrive.

The first thing that I am going to focus on establishing is a working "chore" system. Believe it or not, some of my kids have been requesting this! "Mom, you should make a list so that we know what each person has to do every day and then we can put a smiley face by it when we get it done." Along with this, I want to incorporate an allowance system. Teaching them that, as members of our family, we are all expected to do certain things. (Ex: make our beds, carry down our own laundry, pick up toys) In addition to those tasks, they can have the opportunity to earn money by going above and beyond. (Ex: matching up the socks and putting them away, cleaning and wiping out the dish drawers) And I want them to each have their own place to keep their money- some for "saving", some for "spending", and some to put in the collection at Sunday School.

A while back, I came across a kit of sorts to help establish a system of chores. I stumbled on it through A Prudent Homemaker's recommended reading list. It has been on my mind ever since, as I have mentally wrestled with the idea of having to spend money to set up a "Job Chart". Seems so simple. But, everything I have tried in the past has petered out, or sometimes never even made it off the ground. I have decided that today I am going to order MANAGERS OF THEIR CHORES. I will keep you updated on how it all works out.

Changes......

I think I am going to take this blog in a little bit of a different direction.

I started this as a way to take some time out for myself, away from my busy family, to focus on the things I enjoy. It was the perfect outlet for several reasons. It was easily accessible; I could take a few moments out during the day, or use it to unwind in the evening. It gave me a chance to "window shop", or admire (obsess?) the "things" that I couldn't afford to go out and do or buy. A chance to throw parties that I didn't have the time or resources to throw in my real life. And, I could do it all without spending a dime of my dear hubby's hard-earned coinage.

I think I will still do some of this, from time to time.

I am hoping to do something more here, though. I would like to use this as a sounding board for those thoughts and events that effect me as a mother. A place to share "those" moments, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Something more like my own personal diary.

I hope that it will continue to give me that refuge that I seek from the day-to-day activities, but that it will also help me to grow as a woman, a friend, a wife and a mother.

Living Room Inspiration for My Mother

Living Room Inspiration for My Mother, originally uploaded by findingcalminchaos.

I came across an ad in Elle Decor Magazine that featured the floral print in the middle. It was shown as a bed spread on a bed with a dark plum leather headboard, with throw pillows in rich velvety fabrics in dark plum, sage green and orange.

I right away thought of my mothers Living Room. The walls are sage green, and she has a dark plum leather sectional. I think orange is the missing link! Somehow, these jewel-toned colors remind me of her.

All of the items pictured can be found on Etsy, with the exception of the center fabric (but there are some similar substitutes), the orange pitcher (flickr photo) and the birdcage (also flickr). The "Dream" sign is made with a vinyl decal, so I'm thinking some other wording would be more suitable: welcome, family, etc...

Wedding Inspiration- Lilac and Buttercream

My creation, originally uploaded by findingcalminchaos.

Row 1: Fan Program, Reception Tables, Fruit Picks
Row 2: Bouquet, Centerpieces, Lanterns
Row 3: Candy Buffet, Seed Sachets, Bike

Wedding Inspiration- Lavender and Brown

Wedding Inspiration- Lavender and Brown, originally uploaded by findingcalminchaos.

Row 1: Hair Flower, Boutonnieres, Wedding Sign
Row 2: Bridesmaids, Groom, Bouquet
Row 3: Details, Window Frame, Chalkboard Menu
Row 4: Tarts, Cake, Lanterns