S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help (question #7)

To speak or not to speak?!?! That is the question.

Today, I want to continue the Wednesday series S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help.

Today's topic is more of a "whatcha think?", rather than a cry for help, but I know it's an issue that many people face or think about, almost daily. I'm talking about openly "rebuking" another parent's actions out in public.

You know what I'm talking about. In fact, we were leaving my parents' house today and a police officer was looking for the parents of two boys who were playing in the street. The officer pulled up at the house and scolded the mother. I had seen the boys earlier and couldn't believe they were riding a little car in the middle of the road and I knew the mothers were around somewhere?! I'm happy that the issue was taken care of before a tragedy occurred.

Or, there was the girl who's little boy was pulled out of the lake almost lifeless TWICE in fifteen minutes because she was sitting on the beach texting. Both of these instances I have mentioned were safety issues, but similar situations happen daily all around each of us. Some are issues of safety, some of morality, some of unloving acts and some are just lack of common sense.

On the flip side (meaning I was the recipient), there was an occasion where a woman began yelling at me when we walked into a store without coats on during winter. She was ranting about what a horrible mother I was and didn't I know the temperature and so on and so on. I was so taken back that she was almost over with her rant before I even realized who she was talking to. Thankfully, I was so caught off guard and didn't have a chance to respond. {Hopefully, I would have had enough self-control to respond politely, but I just walked away. I did say "hopefully".}

The part she didn't know is that my husband drove so far up on the curb to drop us off that we were outside for about six inches before entering the store. What she also didn't know is that we occasionally keep our coats in the van because it's too hot to wear them inside the van when the heat is on. We then put them on to get out. Well, that day was a crazy day and after playing in the snow that morning, we quickly packed up and headed out to run an errand. Yes, we forgot that our coats weren't in the van until we arrived at the store. UGH! I was horrified enough and then the "lady" reminded me how horrifying it was, also.

My point is - when, really, is it our duty to call a parent out on the way they raise their children? Hence, I ask:

Question #7

When do you think it is appropriate to correct another parent's actions in public?

S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help (question #6)

Thanks for visiting today! A few Wednesdays ago, I started this series to help all of you with those everyday practical questions you may have about housekeeping or raising children. OK., that is SO not true. I started it for more selfish reasons - to help myself! I'll admit it. I wanted to hear your advice, your systems and your encouragement. We all need a little of each of those from time to time, don't we?!?!

I thought I would do things a bit differently today. I want to answer my own question and then I hope to hear from some of you, as well : )

Question #6

What are some things that you do to get some down time (alone time) or refresh?

A: For me, I renergize by going for a walk outside (with my favorite worship music on my ipod), taking a hot bath, reading (books or blogs), blogging (yes, it's true), or working on a hobby/project that I haven't had time for. Sitting down for a few moments with a cup of coffee or chai tea does wonders for me too!

S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help (question #5)

The ever ticking "clock" of time. It never stops, never slows down, does it?! It seems since having children, that has become even more evident. Everyday in our home, we seem to reach different milestones and reach new phases of life. Crawling, walking, saying new words, learning new skills, potty training and so on. It's almost monthly that someone is wearing a new size of clothing and the old is being packed away in boxes.

I want so badly to stop time and really live and relive each and every moment. I want to capture every second and bottle it up. I think most of us try our best to capture those moments the best ways we can. I'm learning to keep a camera handy and a notebook close in reach. Still, my best efforts won't truly tell the daily story in years to come. I don't want to miss out on life by worrying about preserving everything, but I do want to have things to remind us of the days that little feet scurried across our floors.

This truth leads me to todays question in this series:

Question #5

In what ways do you preserve memories to look back upon in the years to come? Are you partial to photos, video, scrapbooking or journals?

S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help (question #4)

Whether you know me or whether you may have observed from my posts (or lack therof on this topic), that housekeeping is not one of my greatest strengths. Managing home finances....sure, teaching children....yep, cooking...eh, all right?!

I could be wrong, but not many people actually LOVE cleaning and doing chores {okay, okay even if you do....just humor me here}. Don't get me wrong, it can actually be somewhat therapudic at times and I have learned to enjoy it a little more. I DO, however, like interior decorating and setting up my home very much. That is a motivator for me because you can't decorate what you can't find in a cluttered mess ; ).

Over the past few years, I have really searched my heart in this area. I have also realllllly tried to become better at organizing/cleaning, etc. and not just settle with the attitude "I just don't like it and it's not my thing." I know that attitude does not bless God or my family. On that note, I'll share some things that have helped me (are helping me NOW) in this area:

1.) As I said, I have had a major attitude/heart change regarding this issue. I have been really challenged to view it not as doing something I just don't like because it has to be done, but that I'm doing something to serve my family and make our home a clean, sanitary, beautiful and peacful environment for the people I love - and myself : ).

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Col. 3:17

2.) I bought the Motivated Moms app that totally fits my personality as far as loving checklists and my "get 'er done" style. P.S. they also have a printable version which I almost chose. I'm so old school when it comes to lists. There are so many resources and systems out there to help those "like me" who need to find one that works best. There is no one size fits all.

3.) Having balance and showing grace {to myself and others}. I seem to go from one extreme to another - from being totally okay with clutter, to being completely overwhelmed and stressed out by it. I'm trying to focus on what matters most and that is relationships and not walking around with a bad attitude or grouching at the kids because of a mess. I try to do all that I can when appropriate and leave the rest for when I can get to it. It's also a matter of realizing the season that I am in {one of raising small children}. It's been said that:

"cleaning with small children around is like shoveling during a blizzard" and I couldn't agree more.

4.) Thankfully, my awesome husband helps as much as he can. To tell the truth, he does a lot of the laundry. He does it to help me, but also because he is quite particular on how it is done...shhh, don't tell him I told. He also vacuums on occasion and is great at organizing and de-cluttering, which I am quite the pack rat. (I knew I married him for more than his looks ; ))

Anyway, those are some things that are helping me in one of my weak links. Now, what about you?

Question #4

Do you have a specific "plan of attack" when it comes to cleaning and organizing? Do you do specific jobs on specific days or do you do a little of everything each day? I look forward to hearing your womanly wisdom on this....pllllleassseee (hey, don't make me beg here ; ))

S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help (question #3)

It is Wednesday again. Is it me or do the weeks pass like days?! Wow. That is such a reminder to me to truly live each moment.

Today, I want to continue the series that began a couple of weeks ago, S.O.S a cry for [practical] help. It has been fun to receive different suggestions for questions posted. It has also been fun to think of questions to post. I truly enjoy learning how other people and other moms do things. Just today, a great friend of mine brought her two little cuties over for a play date. She and I always swap ideas for crafts, recipes, workouts, character building, discipline, etc. or just dream, laugh [occasional ranting or crying ; )] about motherhood and life.

You know that I love having multiple children, because I have mentioned it various times and I even started the Why I love having a large(r) family series ; ). They are so much fun together and they always have a playmate - their sisters. Some of my favorite moments, however, are those special times (even if it's at home while the others are napping) one-on-one with each of them. It's like they blossom into a different person. They totally thrive on that special attention. Even our twenty one month old thinks she is "top dog" when her sisters spend the night with their grandparents. She puts on quite a show for mommy and daddy. It's a blast!

One challenge in having a larger family, however, is making time to spend one-on-one time with each child.

Question #3

For those of you who have more than one child, how to you balance that special alone time with each child? What kinds of activities do you do?

S.O.S...a cry for [practical] help (question #2)

Last week, I started a series (due to a slight melt down on my end) called S.O.S a cry for [practical] help.  I'm happy to announce that I am feeling much better this week.  Does that mean my house is miraculously spotless, the to-do list is smaller and I'm now a certified organizational expert? Heck NO!

It is pretty much in a similar state than last week because we had a great holiday weekend together (a.k.a not a lot of cleaning) and enjoyed time with some great friends/out of town guests.

I think the difference is a change of attitude on my part and once again I am choosing peace.  I'm reminding myself of the bigger picture.  Does that mean I'm going to skip this series and stop asking you all for help by posting weekly questions? Heck NO again. It is, like many other life issues, a journey, not an overnight quick fix.  It's about learning, growing, seeking, asking, changing and ultimately less of me more of Him (Jesus).  Yes, even when it comes to housekeeping and child rearing.

Thank you to those of you who responded either here or on my Facebook page with your helpful and creative thoughts.  Those of you who didn't, I'll just stalk you until you share your ideas with us. ; )  Just kidding...sort of ; )

Today's question is probably geared towards stay at home moms.  Our children are still quite young, so they require a lot.  Some days, I feel like it's hard to balance the time spent with the kids and the time spent on other responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, other part-time at home jobs I have, etc.  Some days, I feel like I do nothing but play with the kids while other days I feel like I'm there all day only to push them off to play while I work.  Either way, it's a battle of guilt.... either too much work or too much play.  I know there is no perfect "formula".

Question #2

How do you balance quality time with your children (playing/learning/snuggling) with your other responsibilities (cleaning, cooking, working at home, etc)?

S.O.S....a cry for [practical] help (question #1)

Yesterday I had a mini meltdown, which consisted of me freaking out (in my mind) of the 10,000 things I had to do plus care for four small children and their needs.  It didn't help that my husband was out of town. So he got a nice, but panicked text of my thoughts of hiring an organizational expert, a housekeeper and a therapist [none of which are in the budget].  I'm sure he would appreciate the outcome of all of those things, but instead he politely offered to help me when he got back home {therapy included - yay!}  I calmed down and went about my day....putting one foot in front of the other and got to work.

I have mentioned before that we {so gratefully} were able to purchase a house last year that has a lot of space for our family.  It was at a price that we could work with because of the fact that it needs A LOT of updates.  We took on the challenge.  Although, we don't regret the house, it has definitely been a challenge.  Probably moreso mentally than anything. I'm the "get 'er done" type, so unfinished projects hanging over my head all of the time really take a toll on my mental state.  Yes, it's taking us forever and some people like to remind us of that, but I like to remind them that we have four small children and we aren't going to neglect our children for two years while we paint or work.  I think I'm going to kindly start handing out paint brushes to anyone who comments from now on : )

Okay, so now that I am done venting, I wanted to let you know that a new series has been birthed out of my panic mode.  I realized that I don't need to call an organizational expert, a housekeeper, or a therapist.  I have access to the greatest of the greats - an entire community of MOMS and WOMEN who have been there and done that. One of my reasons for starting this blog was not to stand on my soap box telling you everything I know because that wouldn't take long {insert laugh}.  I wanted to connect with other women and other moms and pick their brains and swap ideas.  If I've (we've) ever needed you to speak up and comment with your womanly wisdom, now is the time {no pressure}.

I'm going to post weekly questions, each Wednesday, to practical issues about child rearing, housekeeping and organization.  We would all love to hear your creative and practical tips on these issues. Here we go....

Question #1

Of all of your child's crafts and special work, what do you keep and how do you organize it?