Wednesday, April 21, 2010

It's that time of year!

It started a few weeks ago, the gradual bombarding.

Everywhere I went with my kids there was a flyer with specific instructions about where to be and when and sometimes what to wear or bake and bring, and of course the numerous ways I could volunteer to help out with the upcoming big event.

A field trip, an open house, an art fair, a 1st grade musical, a preschool water day, a class trip to the zoo, a field day, a friend's birthday party, another friend's birthday party, a baseball end of the season party, my child's birthday, the beginning of swim team season, a dance recital, the end of school party, the teacher gifts . . .

and on it goes. . .

I've seen other bloggers post on this so I know I'm not alone in thinking the busyness of the pre-Christmas season is nothing compared to the April/May of a mom!

Here are 13 ways I'm attempting to manage it this year:

1. I will volunteer to help with some things, but quietly pass on the sign-up sheet without writing down my name for other things (For example: yes, I will chaperone the field trip, but I will let someone else bake cookies for the open house)!

2. I will write everything down on my calendar and check it daily!

3. I will use my crock pot, nearly every night.

4. I have cooked ahead some freezer meals.

5. I have lowered my expectations about exactly how clean my house will be during this season.

6. But, will be extra-diligent about keeping up the organization systems that make things run more smoothly, like kids putting their shoes on the shoe shelf, baseball hat always on the same hook, and laundry done often before it becomes too overwhelming!

7. Nearly all the things crammed on my calendar are truly fun things, so I will attempt to live in the moment of each one, and enjoy it without worrying about what is next on the agenda.

8. For every crazy, frenzied, jam-packed day we have these next couple of months, we will have at least one day of absolutely nothing planned over the summer!

9. I will keep my camera charged.

10. I will prioritize a quiet time each day and exercise, too!

11. I will not stress that this blog post is not formatted quite as perfectly as I'd like.

12. I will lay-out clothes and pack bags the night before.

13. I will thank God for the privilege of a front-row seat to my kids' lives!

So how do you do it? Any good survival tips to share?


Find more Thankful Thursday, Thursday Thirteen

12 comments:

  1. I too am trying to stay sane right now. Try cooked-ahead meals. I cook (actually my husband usually cooks) several meals on Sun that work for re-heating during the week.

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  2. Hmm. Good advice. I'm a big one for checking the daily calendar.

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  3. You're so right! This time of year is very busy for us too. So much to do and seemingly so little time! I've been trying out a new schedule that seems to work so far - going to bed by 10 p.m. and rising at 5 a.m. in order to write and get some work done. Then, the rest of the day is free to get the other l-o-n-g to-do lists done (and maybe more work in the afternoon too!).

    Great tips here! I need to pull out the crock pot today!

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  4. Well again you have brought me back to days gone by. And you have described it soo perfectly. For years and years this was such a busy time. My youngest played INTENSE softball since she was 8 and "the games" (or the amount of them) became soo overwhelming. Especially from the time she was 11 until 16 (she was then on a travel softball team and we played year round every week-end a different place) I had MANY coping ideas, but you mentioned several. I did keep some things always in my trunk. Chair, sun umbrella, blanket, rain umbrella, (yes we played in the rain) cooler AND I always had "my" bag packed. Current book I was reading (soo many practices I sat at) Bible, journal tablet, and my Sudoko book, haha...ENJOY this season in your life. There is nothing better than a front row seat. = )

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  5. I have no tips but I am think you (and all moms) must be superwoman to get through the day.

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  6. Crock pots are wonderful!

    Have a great Thursday!
    http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/04/are-you-doing-anything-special-for-earth-day/

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  7. Yes, this is the craziest time of the year- hands down! I'm definitely doing the things you mentioned above...and then also carving out some down time each day to read- this really gets my brain to slow down from the frenzy- even if it's only 20-30 minutes :) Hang in there!

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  8. I don't have any tips either but I can do with all you have to dispense. I will soon be in your shoes - not for a while though. Have a wonderful April/May!

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  9. Can I ever relate! April is nearly gone and where did it go? Baseball practice. Drum lessons. NHS induction. Awards ceremony. New job. Old job. Birthdays. Holidays. End of year field trips. Three afternoons a week with aging grandparents.

    When do I have time to do meal planning? Argh. My crock pot gets so much use, it's going to rebel one day soon. I've had it for twenty-six years; it's ready to retire. Who has time to retire? Oops...I'm rambling.

    Thanks for sharing your list.

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I'd love to hear what you think!