Using Time Wisely

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Summer Goal 2011 Update

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Photograph Credit: Flickr

With the arrival of the last week of summer, I am taking a moment to reflect, review, and re-evaluate my goals. Towards the beginning of the summer, I shared my summer goal to get to know my children.

As I have worked to spend time alone with each of them daily, I have grown to love them more. Though I still get frustrated with them, I tend to understand them better and their way of “helping” me.

I am grateful for their help, but it is not always helpful. By showing them what would be helpful, I am teaching them and spending more time with them.

Using time wisely depends on my priority. If getting the load of laundry finished must be done and my daughter wants to put together a puzzle (at the same time), then I have learned some options I can take:

1. Decline my daughter’s request

In declining to put the puzzle together, I usually have a reason. For example, if we are about to eat, then I may decline because puzzles on the table will need to wait until after the meal. Sometimes she will need to put away her other toys before getting out a new toy, like a puzzle. While she is working on another task, I can complete the load of laundry. Then, maybe we can find another place to work on the puzzle.

2. Accept my daughter’s request

Leave the load of laundry and put together the puzzle. I could then return to the laundry when we finish. This option has not been very successful because my daughter never wants to finish one puzzle. The request of “Mommy, can you help with a puzzle” really means, “Mommy, will you work on puzzles with me for the next half hour.”

If I left the laundry that long, then the clothes would be wrinkled. I would then be using my time ironing clothes. Of all my household duties, ironing is my least favorite. Though I know how to iron, I am not proficient. The articles of clothing are less wrinkled when I am done, but still wrinkled. Knowing this fact, I really need to get the laundry folded.

3. Compromise my daughter’s request

Having chosen option 1 and 2 with mixed results, my favorite choice is to compromise. This option works consistently for my oldest daughter. Since she CAN put the puzzle together on her own, she really wants Mommy’s attention. Here’s how I accomplish both tasks:

    • Go to the table (since little sister does not stay out of the puzzle pieces) and ask my daughter to lay out all the pieces right side up. While she is working on this task, I return to the couch to begin folding the laundry.
    • When she gets pieces right side up, then I help her sort the pieces into two piles: outside pieces and inside pieces. After she is underway, then I return to the clothes. I usually have all the hanging clothes laid out by the time she finishes this step.
    • Return to the table and assist in assembling the puzzle. I usually remain until the puzzle is finished. Then she wants to work on the next puzzle. I will again have her lay out all the pieces right side up. I will then return to the couch and continue folding the clothes. The process continues until the load is complete, and then I work on the puzzles.

In giving her attention with instructions one at a time, I am accomplishing both tasks. Having tried numerous ways to work with my middle child, I am finding out the source of her requests – getting Mommy’s attention. As I spend time with my children, I am learning more about them and how to best nurture and “train [them] in the way in which [they] should go (Proverbs 22:6).”

My summer goal is perpetual, but I am off to a great start. In addition to knowing my children, I was able to get my home de-cluttered, reorganized, and deep cleaned (only once). In reflecting on this summer, I have grown in my understanding and am ready to take on more goals for the fall.

Question: What are your goals for the fall? If you feel comfortable doing so, please leave a comment with your goals.

Summer Family Picnic

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Jeremy Noble)

Are your summer activities drawing you away from home during mealtime? Between sporting activities, outdoor concerts, zoo visits, and playground fun, our family can easily be away from home during a meal. To allow for these special events, I enjoy planning a summer family picnic.

My mom gave me a great picnic basket for my birthday a few years’ back. She added a liner, cloth napkins, napkin rings, plates, cups, and silverware. I have added paper plates, paper napkins, plastic bags, and sealable bags to help make clean up quick and easy. I keep my basket stocked and ready to be loaded into the car.

When the opportunity for a summer family picnic arises, I have my basket ready, and can concentrate on the food for my family. Though I sometimes make our picnic meals at home, I am not opposed to purchasing items to help use my time wisely. Here are some meal options I choose for these special occasions:

  1. Homemade chicken salad served on crescent rolls with chips and cantaloupe;
  2. Papa John’s pizza (using a coupon, of course);
  3. Publix turkey submarine sandwiches, chips, and fruit;
  4. Bucket of fried chicken, baked beans, chips, and fruit;

For me, getting the family together with all the gear and arriving on time keeps me more than busy. If I can place side items into our picnic basket and bring drinks, then purchasing the main dish helps me to use my time wisely. In addition to the options listed above, we also consider restaurants where kids’ meals are free, e.g. Firehouse Subs, Chick-Fil-A, etc.

I recently heard about Earth Fare’s, a local grocery store, Family Dinner Night that offers up to 6 free kids’ meals with the purchase of a $5 or more adult meal. This store has a reputation for offering very healthy meals. Though I have not visited the Thursday Family Dinner Nights, I definitely would consider this option.

By choosing a picnic dinner from these meal options, I am able to use my time wisely by focusing on arriving, parking, unloading, and enjoying my family. Having picnic menu options, either written down or thought through, keeps me organized and prepared for those quick plan changes.

What additional summer picnic menu options would you add to this list?

Kraft: Minor League Baseball Tickets

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Photograph Credit: MiLB

Our family loves this deal! My oldest daughter talks about the mascot all the time. When we finally get to the game, she hides from him. Did I mention she is 3-years-old? 🙂

Since our family feeds off Kraft Singles throughout the year, I save every wrapper for this buy one get one free ticket deal at our local minor league stadium. Here are my tips for taking advantage of this deal:

  1. You will need one Kraft Singles wrapper for each buy one get one free deal. For my family of 5, I will need 4 tickets since my 16-months daughter gets in free. When I go to the box office, I will take 2 Kraft Singles wrappers. I will purchase 2 tickets and get 2 tickets for free. Our tickets are $7-8 per ticket, so I will pay $14-16 per game.
  2. Check your local minor league baseball web site for additional promotions. In addition to the buy one get on free tickets on Tuesday nights, our local ballpark combines a kids eat free promotion. Bi-Lo, a local grocery store chain, sponsors this event. As we enter the stadium, we are handed 3 vouchers (one per child). Then each voucher can be redeemed for a hot dog, chips, and drink. The drink is small, but it is free.
  3. Try to purchase tickets in advance. At our ballpark, tickets are $1 more on the day of the game.
  4. Purchase only the tickets you will use. The tickets at our stadium will not be exchanged for better seats or another game. Be sure to choose your seats carefully.
  5. Take your sunscreen or sunblock to the game. The sun is still shining brightly at 7:00 p.m. here in South Carolina. To prevent sunburns, remember your sun protection.

Visit the minor league baseball web site to find your local team. If you take advantage of this deal, then use your time wisely and enjoy the game with your family!

Summer Camp: Free 3-Day Workshop at Apple Stores

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Photograph Credit: Apple

At Apple Camp, kids aged 8-12 learn how to shoot their own footage, create an original song in GarageBand on an iPad, and put it all together in iMovie on a Mac. This free workshop, held at the Apple Store, spans three days and ends with campers debuting their masterpieces at the Apple Camp Film Festival. Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly so sign up now for a super creative adventure.

To find a participating Apple store, registration form, and detailed camp itineraries, you can click here to be directed to the Apple web site.

Cookout Meal Options

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (D'Arcy Norman)

How are your summer events going? Are your cookouts successful? With our busy schedule, I have not yet entertained this summer. Our grill has gotten used a little to help keep the heat out of the kitchen.

Though I love a good hamburger and sometimes a hot dog, having them at every cookout gets to be too much for me. So, as I prepare for up-coming family gatherings, I am considering some other cookout options. Here is my current list of possibilities:

  1. Marinated grilled chicken, pasta salad, and corn on the cob
  2. London broil steak, baked potatoes, and green salad
  3. Shrimp, fettuccine alfredo, and vegetable tray
  4. BBQ chicken, potato salad, chips, and green beans
  5. Vegetable kabobs, cold cuts, and rolls

If your family enjoys seafood, then a fish fry theme, complete with hush puppies, could be another possibility. Since our family does not care for seafood, I will keep our possibilities fish-free. 🙂

By planning ahead, I can watch for sales on these items. Purchasing the ingredients on sale will save me money, energy, and time. If you have additional suggestions, please leave a comment.