Tips for reducing the morning stress.

1. Have all clothes ironed and ready the night before.
2. Put children’s clothes in a place where they can easily access themselves. We put our boys clothes over the same chair every day so when they go to get dressed everything is there.
3. Prepare notes the night before. We have a thin folder for communications between school and home
4. Have lunch boxes out ready to be packed. Depending on what foods you include, some can be prepared the night before.
5. Have an early bed time. Reduce stimulation well before bed time – have quiet music, relaxing baths, turn of TV, read aloud etc
6. Start early in the morning. Don’t leave everything until the last minute when you have to run around madly.
7. Have children do their ‘morning jobs’. Kids thrive on rhythm and routine. Depending on their age they may be able to do their own jobs such as making the bed, tidying their room etc.
8. Get yourself ready early. Get up before your children so you have a head start on the day.
9. Take the time to have a good breakfast.
10. Turn off the TV in the mornings. Time always go slower when the TV is off.

I knew there was a reason I am called BusyWoman ! Once again, I have been busy busy busy!

The football was very enjoyable, even though at times I had absolutely no idea what was going on! LOL. It seems that the commentary is only for TV and doesn’t happen over the loudspeaker. Of all the games to see, this one certainly gave us our money’s worth. 12 all full time and the Knights won in extra time. The crowd went crazy !

I was surprised by the family atmosphere. I thought it would be full of drunken yobbos, but I was wrong. It was quite okay and my boys loved it. Hubbie and I laughed because we were cheering and booing like we actually knew what was happening !

I think sometimes we live in a parallel universe. There is a whole world out there that we are oblivious to. In a way, I am glad!

A wise women told me last month that she was going to an Iron Maiden concert because she was spending some quality time with her 18 year old son and nephew on ‘their terms’ and was meeting them ‘where they are at’. I really admired her for this. It reminded me of another wise woman at work who has raised two beautiful children to adulthood and has remained ‘connected’ with them by taking an interest in their interests ( no matter how awful the music is !)

To cut a long story short, we are off to the football this weekend to see Newcastle Knights play Manly Sea Eagles. I have NEVER been to the football. I haven’t watched a game of football since about 1981 when Mick Cronin played centre for Parramatta ( I can hear NSW people my age laughing !) I have this sense that this weekend is an indication of the future. Me as the only female in the family, immersed into ‘boy things’ over the next few years. I am not overly feminine so it’s not as if I am wishing for shopping trips and beauty parlours, it’s just that I didn’t imagine that I would be ‘meeting them where they are at ‘ so soon. I am actually looking forward to the game – even though I disagree with the commercialism and the ‘worship’ of sports stars and would much rather my sons worship scientists or peace activists. I am actually smiling at the thought of the four of us sitting up in the grandstand with the boys cheering, with Hubbie and I not having a CLUE about what is going on. ( he is NOT a fan of football either).

But….. I am looking forward to the reminiscing ……” Mum, remember the time we went to see the footy……………….” I just hope that Iron Maiden aren’t still doing concerts by the time my guys are 18 ! LOL

See them jump when I announce ” who would like me to scrub their feet in the bath?” It works so much better than screaming ” get in the shower NOW !!!!”

I light the candles, set the mood. They lay back, relaxed, and enjoy the pampering. I scrub their feet with a peppermint scrub that’s crunchy and smells great. They love the attention. Little do they know I am hypnotising them, slowing them down, preparing them for bed. They get out, we read together and they go to sleep so easily and quickly. Little do they know of the hypnotic, soothing effect of light and water. I think I will try it myself.