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Moving Can be Fun for Kids!

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Well, the move is taking place as I speak!  We’ll pick up keys this afternoon, and start moving the boxes in this evening.  My children are elated!  Many people are concerned about how their children will respond to a move, as were we.  But there are a few things parents can do that will minimize the stress on the children, and perhaps even build excitement about their new place!

  • Allow the children to be involved in choosing the new home.  You can only do this to an extent, but being involved gives children a sense of control,which is something they can feel a loss of when a move is taking place.
  • Give the children choices…of rooms, paint color, room decor, etc. 
  • Ask the kids to “help” pack…and remain patient as they do this!  I am very structured when it comes to packing, so I was a little nervous when my daughter offered to pack for my two-year-old.  But she has packed over three times what I have, and the important thing is that we get it there, right???
  • As tempted as you are to send the kids away while you’re moving in, let them be a part of it…even if it’s just for a few hours.  My son is DYING to play with his “cars and trucks and trains in his new house”.  So the plan is to get some of his toys there, unpack them in his space, and let him play while we unpack elsewhere.

Remember to remain as calm as possible during your move, and speak positively of the experience.  We’ve been referring to ours as our latest adventure.  Your children will follow your lead.  And with your positive guidance, the move will be a positive experience for everyone.

Photo by popofatticus via Flickr Creative Commons.

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A New Idea

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I think I’ll start my own series of posts entitled “Maddening Monday”.  Lately, I’ve had plenty of those.  We’re in the middle of a huge move, which is very difficult with no paid vacation days or PTO.  But when you’re self-employed, that’s what you have to deal with. 

Yesterday Patrick scheduled a job for after 3pm today, at the customer’s request.  That was convenient, as we figured we could get a lot done while our daughter was at school.  This morning the customer called, and told him that he could come anytime because his wife would now be home all day.  Patrick drops everything here, runs to Nashville to pick up the glass, and heads their way…because customers come first.  On his way, he receives a phone call from a woman saying she needed to cancel the job.  When he asked if she wanted to reschedule, she replied that they had called two companies, and they went with the company who arrived first!  Patrick just called to tell me that he was on his way home, after wasting most of the day and quite a bit of gas. 

99% of our customers are AWESOME…but it’s days like today that I long for some kind of mandatory “stupid charge” when we get screwed over!  Here’s to a better day (and smarter people) tomorrow!

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Behavior of Toddler Boys is TERRIFYING!

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I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Services.  Today, I’m ready to give it back.  My almost three-year-old is OUT OF CONTROL. 

My sweet angel of two and a half years has morphed into the devil’s spawn.  He unlocks every lock on the doors and runs into the front yard and street, he pours EVERYTHING pourable out of it’s container onto any surface available, he shouts “potty words” at the top of his lungs when we’re in public, he opens exit doors that “alarm” when opened, AND…he takes his diaper off and pees…in MY bed…and on his sister.  A couple of nights ago, my husband and I awoke to a bottled water being poured into our bed at 2AM! 

You know what the worst part of all of this is?  Almost everyone I have talked to about this who has a boy has claimed this as “normal” boy behavior.  THIS IS NOT NORMAL.  Typical, maybe, but not normal. 

Thank GOD the kid is cute!  I am going to fall back on that until this “stage” passes.  And until it does, WATCH OUT PEOPLE!!! 

Photo by soursob via Flickr Creative Commons. 

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Laptop Convenience is Priceless

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Okay, I have to come clean.  I’m partial to the laptop. 

Two years ago, we purchased the laptop for my husband to use while he’s mobile.  That never really happened, so we’ve had two home computers, the desktop and the laptop.  I’ve remained fairly partial to my trusty desktop until it’s recent virus. 

I’ve used the laptop for a few weeks now.  Saturday, my two-year-old decided to see what would happen when his fruit drink was poured into the expensive “toy”.  The hard drive is fried.  So, until we locate the system setup disc, we’re back to the desktop.  And I am realizing how much I took advantage of the convenience of my laptop friend!  Here I sit, facing the wall, working…while my husband is watching television, and talking on the phone.  I feel like I’m in time out!  At one point during our solitary laptop use, I was working in the passenger seat of the car while my husband was driving! 

So, while my desktop remains my friend (my only one right now), I do see myself converting sometime in the near future.  It’s all about the convenience.  And I miss it!

Photo by Arbron via Flickr Creative Commons.

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Teach Them the Value of GIVING!

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We had our last yard sale in our current home this past weekend.  And, God willing, our last yard sale EVER.  I say it every time…but this time I mean it…I’m done.  We’re downsizing into a smaller home, so it needed to be done.  But I hereby vow NEVER to accumulate so much CRAP that I don’t know what it is, when I purchased it, or why it has spent the last two to three years in my garage with tags on it. 

I vow never to wake at 5 am on a Saturday morning to set up heavy, rotting tables that I have kept for this purpose alone.  I vow never to smile at those early birds who arrive, watch me take things out of my garage for an hour, then leave saying, “Nothing we want here.”  I vow not to have to lie to my mother when she asks me why I threw away the fish tank, books she gave the kids for Christmas, or UGLY vase we’ve had in yard sales for the last seven years. 

And…I vow not to send my children away so that I can sell those toys that they have CLEARLY outgrown.  Instead, I will continue to remind them that “giving” is better than receiving.  My goal is to be on a first name basis with my buddies at the Good Will trailer!  Not after a yard sale, but with one small bag, gathered while spring, summer, fall, or winter cleaning! 

For those of you that enjoy them, YARD SALE TIL YOU DROP!!!!  For me and my house, WE’RE DONE!!!

Photo by Daquella manera via Flickr Creative Commons.

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Taking Advantage of the Down Time

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One of the most difficult aspects of owning your own business is committing to a schedule.  This can mean many things, depending on the nature of your business.  But, for all of us, there comes a time when our “normal”, money making tasks are slowed, and we witness some “down time”.  Frequently, this times goes to waste, and not much is accomplished.  But as time has passed, we’ve learned to use this time to our advantage. 

My husband’s business is 100% mobile, and his work is done outdoors.  So obviously, rainy, drizzly, or snowy days are slow.  Use of this time has become essential in keeping up the “paper” side of the company.  Patrick uses these days to catch up his books, make deposits, make follow-up phone calls, and set appointments.  We try to use our unusually slow days to brainstorm marketing strategies, as well. 

These days won’t always fall into your perfect schedule, and you’ll probably have to take a few “regular” days to do some of this, as well.  But don’t look negatively at your down days.  Look at them as opportunities. You never know what’s at the end of that rainbow!

 

Photo by Peter Kaminski via Flickr Creative Commons.

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