Could you post how you keep track of everyone's schedule? Do you have a HUGE calendar somewhere that has all of the events posted? It's only the 2nd day of school, and already I'm drowning!!
I have NO fancy system...I just use a normal-sized wall calendar and write everything on there, even if I have to cram it all in with tiny words. I've tried more complicated systems, day planners, huge wall calendars and I have always gone back to my plain ol' calendar. I check it constantly to make sure I'm not forgetting something and I usually write a schedule/to do list out every day so I'll copy what's going on that day into a simple notebook I keep out on my kitchen counter.
Can I ask where you found that marble track! It would be perfect for an upcoming birthday in our house!
Here is that great wooden marble track.
I'll tell you that it's not as easy as it looks to put together. It comes with a book of instructions and example but I'd say ages 5 or 6 and up could do it by themselves. I put it together with Patrick who is four. It's a favorite around here. (Here are a few more of our favorite toys, games and books.)
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I am sticking with my plain ol' calendar too! It's not even a real calendar. Just some pages printed off the internet. :) But it works for me. My husband can't understand why I'm not using technology for this job and I keep telling him, this works for me so why mess with it.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the advice about the personalities of children. I have two very easy going children and one who is a complete control freak. He really threw us for a loop when he was 2-4 but has now eased up a bit.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou answered MY question! Thank you so much!! No matter how many different methods I try to keep us organized, I always go back to the paper calendar and notebook!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for answering the strong willed question. I like the part about embracing this characteristic and not viewing it as bad or abnormal. I'm workin' on it!
ReplyDeleteAnnie is like Abbey in so many ways...The past month has been non-stop planning and details....most of which is handled by her but when a car is involved, I am involved. Sometimes I just don't feel like making another decision. That's one of the (many) difficult things I struggle with when parenting teens. The constant, non-stop, making of plans...with friends, with cars, when can I, I need this, etc.... it totally drains my mind - even though it is not usually major life decisions! (But, throw in college search, etc., and there are a few big decisions, too.) Some of our problems, lately, is wanting to hold on to traditions we have had in the past, but not having the time to still do them. We all have in our mind what we want to accomplish, but then the reality of our schedule and time doesn't always allow that. So there always seems to be disappointment. Ahh, Calgon, take me away!
ReplyDeleteI used to swear by a paper calendar, but since I found the (free!) Cozi online family organizer, I no longer keep a paper copy -- I love that my husband and I can pull up our family schedules from our smartphones, and I print the weekly and next few weeks' schedules out every week, to show the updated schedule (color-coded by family member!) -- shopping lists, to-do lists, I don't know what I'd do without it now!) ~ Kat
ReplyDeleteMy three year old, Nora is VERY strong willed. She is our third out of four. I thought I was a wonderful mother before she came along. I struggle with being a good Mama to her. I know that this is a good trait and will serve her well into adulthood. I do ask myself sometimes, what would Sarah do?! And now I know. Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteThe whole strong-willed bit...beautifully said. I've read amazing stories, In The Shadow of His Wings and Unbroken are both on the list, where strong wills kept them alive. Temperaments are God-given and therefore very good. Too bad we have sin and selfishness to wade through to temper all the rest and how we deal with it, but the will is not bad in and of itself.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite calendar is from More Time Mom. I usually get mine from Amazon. (Just type in More Time Mom calendar)
ReplyDeleteIt is still just a regular calendar. It doesn't have the neat pictures on the top part of the page, but what it neat about it is, the top part and bottom are all calendar days, so you have a much bigger square for writing. Check it out if you like. I love mine. :)
I enjoy your blog!
Blessings!!!
Back again to say that I just looked at Amazon and they have raised their price for the calendar. Normally, it's around $15.99, but now they are almost $30.00. (??) So you may want to check around at other places if you want to order it. :)
ReplyDeleteI need you to know that I needed this post today... thank you for the sweet words on the strong-willed ones at different stages. I'm there with a 3 year old and an 18 month old. So thank you so much!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I bought several things for Christmas last year off your "favorite toys list. In fact, I'm just looking at it again for this year. I think I'm going to order the indoor soccer for my daughter - perfect for all of the rainy days ahead. And the cars and tracks look so fun for my great nephews. Would love to hear if you have more favorites!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Sarah. Thanks for sharing your tips for preventing disappointment down the road. Prevention is the best cure! I've always said that those things that my girls do that drive me the craziest will someday be their biggest strengths. They're just not as palatable in a 2 or 9 year old.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely the way that Abbey is, but I think it has served me well in the long run :) Although I think motherhood has taken me down a notch (or three).
ReplyDeleteI've been a silent blog stalker for awhile now but I just needed to pop in to say thank you for your part about strong-willed personalities. It was just the reminder that I needed to read right now. Each child is unique and special and I really needed that reminder to embrace those qualities that make them who they are. Too often we try to make them conform to what we feel they should be.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to say that I really admire your views on parenting. I find it refreshing and comforting to find others who don't succumb to society's view on how children should be raised, trying to be their "friend" first before being their parent. It's nice to read of others who stay strong and hold fast to teaching children good old-fashioned values and morals, while still being there for them and loving them as they should be. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and stories!!
Thank you so much for your post. It's so true that "if one person has this question, probably others do, too", my teachers always used to say that. Well, I'm staying home with one very strong-willed two year old. While my daughter is so much fun and sweet, I'm recognizing triggers, like you mentioned. I think we need to shift some things around in our house and create a more scheduled day. The tantrums and melt downs are so challenging.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy your blog and feel so in-tune with your goal on creating a peaceful home environment. I am only two years in to the mommy world but I love it.
My kids are both strong willed in different areas and your tips are very similar to what I do with them. ESPECIALLY the preparing them for the upcoming no - that's an invaluable one!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Personally, I think ALL children are strong-willed, but a great deal of the "meltdowns" and "tantrums" are what we as parents will tolerate. Children learn quickly what they can get away with and if they have a meltdown and it works, they will continue...If YOUR day to day life was a struggle of meltdowns, I don't think you would have had 6 kids!!! And I wouldn't have had 4! Every child has his/her own personality, but young children especially need to know their limits and they in turn are wonderful to be around!
ReplyDeleteI so very much love reading your blog! I have a 4 (almost 5) year old who is so sweet and easy-going, and likes being his Mama's helper. Then I had twin boys who are so different from each other and so different from their big brother. Sometimes I wish they were all the same so I didn't have to keep adjusting MY way of handling things with each one, but they come pre-programmed. Each one is a special son of God and its up to me take care of each one the right way. And the right way for one is not always the right way for another. I'm so thankful for your post, because you sound so happy and thankful for your children's qualities, and THAT is what I need to work on. Not just taking who they are and dealing, but loving the heck out of life BECAUSE of they differences and individualities. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is so refreshing to see/read someone with the same sort of views in regards to parenting. I have only three kids, but they are spanned quite a distance apart. Ages 24, 14 and 5. I don't have whiny kids. I have never tolerated the whining. They don't beg because they know it doesn't get them anywhere. I also do what you do when you get somewhere and state the expectations or the what they can/can't have or do. My middle is very particular on things... she too is a great student always handing in her best work. I don't have major issues with chores. My baby just started kindy and his teacher told me on day 4 that she wished she had 20 more of him. She moved him to a different table. Not because he was naughty, but because he doesn't fall for the antics of others instigating trouble. I am very lucky. Congratulations on your new baby girl. It has been months since I have caught up on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have 5 children and I can relate with the calendar and schedule...it is hard to break away from the good 'ol wall calendar. I also just read a brand new book called The Child Whisperer by Carol Tuttle that you would find fascinating. Every parent needs to read this book as it talks exactly about the different natures of children and how to communicate in ways that honor each nature and yet still teach them what they need to know without driving you crazy. You can start honoring your children at any age they are whether newborn to adults. It covers the busy and animated child, soft and sensitive child, the determined child or the more serious child. It helps look at those descriptions as positives instead of negatives. It has been amazing of how my whole family is more honoring to each others differences. Check it out at www.thechildwhisperer.com when you get a minute. I am sure you are having fun with that adorable baby!
ReplyDeleteHaha...I was going to do a plug for Cozi as well! The only thing that sometimes works better for me is Google Calendar - I have it send reminders to my phone, or my husband's, or e-mail, or whatever I need. The only way Cozi beats it usually is the style - Cozi is just a lot cuter! :p
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