For your Stuff...
COMMUNICATION CENTER : In any family or business, communication is key. So why do we so often leave messages on the back of anything handy and invitations floating around? This month create a communication center for your home. First, this should be the base for your phone and a place for messages. I personally like the message books with duplicate pages. The top copy can go to the receiver and the bottom copy stays in the book for future reference, if needed. You can buy these at most office supply stores; look for one made from recycled paper. Your com. center is also the place for your address book, school and team rosters, and local phone books. A three ring binder can house those rosters and printouts of your electronic address book. The front page of the book could be used for emergency information and numbers (poison control, doctors names and numbers, neighbors). If you keep track of a busy household, each member can have their own section with friends’ numbers, class and practice schedules, upcoming events, etc. Your communication center should have a master calendar. Dry erase boards or large desktop styles usually provide enough space for the family. Try color-coding each member’s activities. Be sure to include important birthdays and anniversaries of course, and get into the habit of writing down events as soon as you get the invitation or announcement. For all those invitations, schedules, and announcements, you might consider a bulletin board, the family favorite fridge, or the family binder mentioned above. Keep them (with directions) handy until the event, but be sure to recycle them once the event is over.
For your Spirit...
TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF : We’ve all heard the flight attendants say that in case of emergency, put your oxygen mask on first, and then help those around you. Motherhood is the same way. It is easy for us to meet the needs and responsibilities of our families, and neglect ourselves. We put our kids and our spouses before ourselves, and often feel depleted, underappreciated, or just plain invisible. Mother’s Day is a time for our families to honor and celebrate all that we are and do, and that’s great. Yet, I wonder why that often means, getting a break from being a mom? They cook, clean, gives us the day off. We sleep in or take off for the spa. So, to celebrate being a mom, we get to behave as though we aren’t moms? Why is that? Maybe, it’s because the job as Mom is overwhelming and all-consuming. So often, we get lost in it. We fail to take care of ourselves, to meet our own needs- to put on the proverbial oxygen mask. Well, by all means, celebrate your day this year with breakfast-in-bed or a pampering pedicure or whatever. But, don’t let that be the end. This month can be the start of great self-care for you! Schedule time to do something every month (dare I say every day?) that nurtures and fuels you. Maybe that is five minutes of meditation before the family wakes up, or a yoga class once a week, or a brisk walk in the park during soccer practice. Find something that speaks to your spirit as a woman, an individual, and give that to yourself. This is not a selfish act. It is necessary. These times allow us to be taken care of, to get grounded, to be more present with our families, and more efficient with our time. It may be hard at first to keep the commitment, and believe me- we all have a million reasons why we can’t do it. I promise the rewards are worth it!
For the Earth...
GREEN YOUR MOTHER'S DAY: Celebrate Mother Earth as you celebrate your own mother! Here are some Earth-friendly gifts for Mother’s Day. Bamboo sheets are silky soft and made from a sustainable resource. Organic chocolates are a delicious gift—find ones that are made from at least 70% dark cocoa for antioxidant benefits as well. You can find great choices at your local Trader Joe’s too! Green the traditional gift of flowers by giving organic and locally grown flowers. You can find them at your local farmer’s market or on the web. Better yet- give mom a plant that will keep growing and blooming long after those cut flowers have wilted!
For your work...
SET BOUNDARIES: So often at work, we are asked to do more, stay longer, take one more call… As a result, we often feel taken advantage of, depleted, and unappreciated. One skill that relieves this sense of overwhelm and supports your organization is setting clear boundaries. Keep in mind clear work hours whenever possible and your actual duties. Hold yourself and people from work to these. Consider your availability and your priorities, before saying yes to any additional projects, committees, etc. Learning to say “No” when something doesn’t serve us or meet our values is an invaluable lesson. So, this month, take the time to clarify your boundaries and priorities and stick to them.
Previous Tips of the Month... |
