First Meeting

Our first meeting was a blast!

If you were not able to attend we have posted an outline of what was

discussed on the website titled, "Do You Have a Routine" and

"Time Management." Check it out!

Be sure to sign up for June 12, SPA NIGHT! You won't want to miss this one!

Do You Have a Routine?

1. PRAY
Pray that God will give you the strength that you need for your daily routine. Phil. 4:13
says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Our strength will only come from the Lord. We can do it on our own for a time, but there will be a day that you wake up depressed, exhausted, and run-down. Gain strength by asking God for it. Just ask Him. Now!

2. PRIORITIZE
Family - Husband, kids, others (make a list)

Work - You've gotta do what you've gotta do - make the best of it!

House Work - Make a list of what needs to be done

• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Laundry

3. PLAN
Plan for the week for each of your priorities. We chose a few to talk about:

*Family

A. Husband
Plan specific time with your husband without the children. MAKE IT HAPPEN!

B. Children
Have a family day or night. If Saturday is the only day that everyone is home, designate time that is special family time. Start a tradition like Pizza and game night. Whatever your family likes to do.

C. Others
Allow yourself to have GIRL TIME! If you don't have a girlfriend, come to Mommy Break and meets lots of them! Let yourself have time that you have adult conversation with people that you can relate to. Go to the mall or our to eat with a friend. Do it!

*Work

A. If you can get a flexible job that allows you to go on the field trips with your kids or occasionally meet your hubby for lunch, do it. If you can't, make the best of what you have to do.

B. If work if stressing you out, FIND A STRESS RELIEF! Don't take it out on the kids or your husband.

C. Work is necessary in most families - make the best of it!

*Housework

#1 Housekeeping TIP - It is easy to clean a CLEAN house!

CLEAN as you mess it up!

Cleaning:

A. For dinner make the clean up part of the normal dinner routine. Give the kids a job like clearing the table or putting the forks in the dishwasher - make them help.

B. After the kids are finished playing, before they lay down for a nap or bedtime make them clean up their toys. ALL OF THEM!

C. Take 10 minutes before bed or first thing in the morning to straighten up things that have gotten out of place throughout the day. (Set a kitchen timer and make it a game with kids)

Cooking:

A. Plan meals for the week (this will save on the grocery bill, it will save time deciding what to make, and it will keep you from running to the nearest Chick-fil-a or McDonald's)

B. Prepare meals 2 or 3 at a time (freeze the extra and just toss in the microwave for a quick meal)

C. Prepare lunches the night before (this will make hectic mornings a little easier)

Laundry:

A. Do what works for YOU!

B. Have at least one specific laundry day a week.

C. DO NOT LET IT PILE UP!

D. When returning from a trip, take the suitcase to the washer.

E. Do whites on Monday, darks on Friday

F. Make the kids help according to their age

G. Pick out the entire families clothing the night before (even shoes and socks)

4. PROCEED with the PLAN - Don't let planning be your time-waster!

*Don't beat yourself up if you don't get it all done!

*Do your best to keep it fun (play music, let the kids help)

*Remember:

IT IS EASIER TO CLEAN A CLEAN HOUSE! PLAN DAILY TO PICK UP AND WIPE DOWN AND YOU WILL SAVE ENDLESS TIME OF SCRUBBING AND SOAKING.

KEEP YOURSELF UNDER CONTROL - DON'T BLOW UP, CLAM UP, EAT UP, SHOP UP, OR TALK UP - INSTEAD, PRAY UP - TALK TO THE LORD ABOUT YOUR STRESS!

Time Management

Ever feel like there is not enough time in a day?

Here are some basic Time Saving Strategies that we discussed at our first meeting.

1. Get Organized
Start with the housework

2. Find Your Timewasters
Do you watch a couple hours of TV and wonder where the time has gone?

3. Write Things Down
Grocerie list/Chores to do

4. Get a Calendar
Keep yourself from the frustration of double booking

5. Keep a notepad by your phone
Write down phone numbers, addresses, and other important info in one place so it is easy to find

6. Designate Days
Have a specific day for grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning...

7. Do Things in Bulk
Buy toilet paper and other essentials in bulk to keep you from running to the store a couple times a week

8. Teach Your Child
Have the kids help clean up - an extra set of hands goes a long way

9. Finish What You Start
Leaving many things undone will cause you to get depressed - pick a project and see it through to the end

10. Maximize Your Trips
Run errands on the way to work or school

11. Review Your Priorities
What is really the most important thing?

12. Make a File System
Have a file system for bills, taxes, insurance, and other important papers

13. Have a Reading Pile (or declutter the piles that you already have)
Take 10 minutes a day to read to unwind or if you are not a reader take 10 minutes to straighten things around the house

Mommy and Me Activity Time

Do you ever wish you had somewhere to go or something to do with your kids that did not include having to keep them quiet, crumb free, and still? Each month we will get together for a kid friendly outing that you and your children can enjoy along with other mothers and children. Outings will include places and activities such as:

• Chick-fil-a and Play
• Picnic in the Park
• Story and Snack
• Backyard Fun
• and much, much, more...

Be watching for dates to mark your calendar! See you then!

Topics we will be discussing

Mothers of young children experience things that only other mothers with young children can understand. If you are the mother of a child or children under the age of five, this MOMMY BREAK is for you. We will bring questions to the table in which you have been longing for answers. Below are just a few of the topics that we will discuss:

• Managing Time
• Keeping House
• Training Children God's Way
• Loving Discipline
• Spending Less, Enjoying It More
• Who Really Is the Head of the House?
• Home Decor on a Budget
• Depression
• De-clutter House and Home
• Teaching Children the Bible
• Trying to be SUPER MOM?

Mommy Tips

These are tips that were submitted during our first Mommy Break Meeting:

• Remember that kids go through phases; in a month or two they'll be on to something new, so don't stress the small stuff.
• Teething Tablets are great for teething fussiness.
• Excercising releaves stress!
• Potty Training Tip: Drop a few drops of blue food dye in the potty. When they go - "It's Magical" - It turns color and they get excited.
• Potty Training Boys: put cheerios in the potty and make a game of it. This will keep him from going other places than in the potty (he will have a target).

Stay Tuned for more helpful tips from other moms.