Okay...I'll admit it...I've been 'teasing' you with those last few blog entries.  (Forgive me?)

No more suspense, I want to tell you what I have found, tested and LOVED!

Many years ago, I saw Kathy Peel, "America's Family Manager" on Oprah.  Her ideas and book seemed great, but I wasn't a mother yet, so it didn't apply to me much.

More recently, I heard her on a podcast, and I got excited about the Family Manager system she created.  What she said just made so much sense!  

She explained that the same priniciples which create successful organizations and businesses, when applied with the 'family manager touch' will help you to create the warm, nuturing, and organized home you've always wanted.  She talked about using business priniciples like managing  your it by department, team building, delegating  and establishing  standard operating procedures  to create a household that runs smoothly and is a pleasure to live in.

This goes beyond traditional home organzing and is not about creating a Martha-Stewart like perfection or a cold corporate environment. Rather, this is about making it much easier for all of us to feel great about our families, and where we live.

One thing that really caught my attention, is when she explained that a Family Manager could manage their home more effectively by "departments"  The seven departments of of any household are:

* Home & Property -- The maintenance and care of all tangible assets, including belongings, house and its surroundings, and your vehicles

* Food/Meal Prep -- Meeting the family’s daily food and nutritional needs of your family.
   
* Family & Friends -- Dealing with relational responsibilities as a parent and spouse, and with extended family, friends, and neighbors.
   
* Finances -- Managing the budget, bill-paying, saving, investing, and charitable giving.
   
* Special Events -- Planning and coordinating occasions--birthdays, holidays, vacations, garage sales, family reunions, and celebrations -- events that fall outside one’s normal routine.
   
* Time & Scheduling -- Managing the family calendar and daily schedule; dispatching the right people to the right place at the right time with the right equipment.
   
* Self-Management -- Caring for one’s body, nurturing the mind and spirit so you can run your home without running yourself into the ground.

I have found it so helpful to organize my household around these "departments!" In fact,  I’ve found in my own family that the Family Manager strategies help reduce clutter, chaos, and stress in huge ways. Kathy offers a myriad of time-tested, mom approved solutions for each of these departments.

***** 

On a more personal note, you know that I make it my mission to seek out great solutions for busy moms.

I've seen it all.

It takes a lot to impress me.

But this time I was so impressed, I did just want to tell you about it, I wanted to be a part of the company that offers this solution as well!

Now I am qualified and authorized to teach you the Family Manager System through your very own Family Manager Makeover!  Just click here to learn more about the Family Manager System and Makeover!

PLUS...

To celebrate my new coaching certification, later tonight I will be starting simple contest where one lucky winner will get a FREE Family Manager Makeover...so check back soon to enter to win a FREE Family Manager Makeover! 

Toddlers are naturally full of emotion, but to an exasperated parent a toddler temper tantrum can feel like a natural disaster if not quelled quickly. Tantrums are not a toddler’s way of being a bad kid, but simply how they cope with their feelings the best way they can for their age. What’s a parent to do to calm the storm before it gets out of hand? Here are a few simple tips to help compose your distressed toddler without losing your temper or surrendering to the tantrum.

Ignore the behavior: Although at times it seems impossible, one of the most effective ways to stop a toddler tantrum is to just ignore it. Leave the room or move to another location in the room if you can. Your toddler will soon figure out that what they’re doing isn’t working, and without an audience they usually stop crying rather quickly anyway. Keep an eye on them of course to make sure they can’t get hurt, but give them room and let them work out their emotions.

Express Yourself: Tell your toddler how their behavior makes you feel. Sound kind of silly to talk to a toddler about feelings? Perhaps at first, but with time a toddler can see how talking makes you happy and they will learn to discuss their feelings rather than throwing a fit. They learn that talking about feelings is a good thing.

Don’t Give In: If the tantrum is a result of you having to remove a favorite toy or because you will not let them have what they want at the moment, remember that giving in to the tantrum only instills in your toddler’s mind that screaming is a good habit. They’re simply testing the waters to see how far they can push before you give them what they want. Tell your child why they can’t have the desired object and then talk to them about it or distract them from the toy etc. Kids soon learn that screaming and crying will not work and that you have set boundaries that they cannot cross.

Monkey See, Monkey Do: This may sound surprising, but sometimes mimicking your toddler’s behavior will distract the child enough to stop the tantrum in its tracks. Throw the same silly fit as your child and most likely they’ll stop screaming and look at you like you’re nuts and crack up laughing. They’ll see how silly their behavior is and perhaps not try that one again. Don’t be surprised, however, if they enjoy it enough to want to play ‘silly fit’ with Mommy again, only not as a real tantrum!

What to Do in Public: Why is it that so many toddler temper tantrums occur in public places? Most likely it’s because there are bright and shiny objects around that they want and also because toddlers tire easily and that’s prime time for tantrums. If a temper fit starts to build in public just remove your child to a quiet private place and implement step two above. Although tantrums are more stressful in public, try to stay calm and tell your child that screaming in public is not ok. Tell them it’s ok to feel sad, angry, tired, hungry etc., but that temper tantrums are not. If at all possible, the best bet is to just go home if you know that your toddler is overly tired and/or hungry.

Remember, parents are people too, and it’s only natural to feel exasperated, embarrassed and just plain mad when your toddler throws a temper tantrum. Try your best to use some of the tips mentioned and not give into frustration and start yelling at your child. By giving in to bad behavior yourself, you’re only sending the message that tantrums are acceptable. Redirect the behavior and talk to your child. By starting this type of effective communication with your child at an early age, you’re setting a precedent for future positive behavior that will help your toddler become an expressive and respectful individual throughout their life.

Article by:Sherry Frewerd

Learn more about toddler behavior and find fun toddler play and learning activities at ‘Family Play and Learn’ familyplayandlearn.com and ‘Toddler Learning Activities’ toddlerlearningactivities.blogspot.com

Hi! I'm back! Did you miss me?

Sorry to be gone so long ladies. The Jewish Holidays this year were...well...challenging.  Three 3-day holidays in the span of four weeks. Think Xmas times 4 (and then some)!

But...my kids go back to school today and this year my youngest is in school 'till 3pm.  Perhaps I should be sad, but secretly, I'm thrilled. (Shhh...don't tell the mommy police!) I'll finally have some 'breathing space' in my busy life!   So...G-d willing...you'll see much more from me in the coming months. I can't wait to bring you more solutions and fun stuff! 

And here's one to start with. This is a great solution for moms of toddlers who have to schlep their little ones to the grocery store.  Let's admit it, one of the chief strategies in food shopping with toddlers is to give them a snack  to keep them busy and happy...but it's a bit challenging if your toddler isn't quite ready to feed himself yet - right?  Well...no more...

You've got to check out OnTray! It's a container that snaps right on to the handlebar of the shopping cart and will hold your child's snack right in front of her while you shop.  AWESOME!  Consider getting one for your child's snack, and another to  hold your cell phone, coupons, tissues etc etc...

Now that's a great solution by a busy mom, for busy moms! Makes a good gift too! 

You can find it at http://www.ontray2go.com/ 

You CAN communicate with your baby, even before s/he learns to talk!

People in the deaf community have known for years that babies could communicate through sign long before their vocal cords allow them to speak, but the trend didn’t really catch on because of the false assumption that signing led to later verbal language development. Three seperate studies have shown that not only does signing not keep a baby from talking; it actually helps them to start talking sooner and have better language skills.   

By using sign, children learn how to express themselves with words, and some will even start to put words together in sentences before they turn one.  Sign is also great for relieving some of the frustration you and your child face because they can tell you exactly what they want.  This is especially helpful if your child is ill.  Imagine a child under a year being able to tell you not only that they’re in pain, but where it hurts.

Before you start teaching your baby to sign, you should decide what signs to use.  I used sign language with both of my babies and found that it was REALLY helpful. I  am trained sign language interpreter, but I found that I only needed to teach my children about 10 - 15 signs to make life easier for all of us.  Think about how great it can be if you teach your child the signs for: More, food, drink, nurse,  pee, poop, "I have pain here"  (which is done with one gesture) etc.

Once you’ve decided what signs you are going to use, you need to take the time to learn them.  If you do decide to use ASL, there are many resources online to learn from.  Not only are their online ASL dictionaries; there are also specific resources that include only signs babies will need.  They even have videos so you know you’re doing them right. I recommend the ebook and videos called Sign Language For Babies and Beyond!

To learn the signs, you may want to start using them even before your child is ready.  This way you’ll be in practice when they are.  The important part is to be consistent.  Once you choose a sign, stick with it.  And use it whenever the baby is in the room.  That way, they think it is a normal part of communication.  

Teaching a child sign language takes a little time, but is fairly simple.  If you use hand signs, you can start around 7 to 8 months; however signs involving the lips and tongue can be taught starting at birth.  You can teach your child to stick out their tongue for pacifier, or purse their lips if they want milk.  To teach a sign, simply make the sign or facial expression every time you use a word.  To keep your child from getting confused, teach them one word at a time.  Once they’re successfully using that word, add another.  Since this process might go slowly, teach them the most important words first, like: milk, wet (diaper), and ow (pain).  These will also be the most useful words to you. 

I just found out a great new product called the "potty hammock." It's perfect for when you're little one says "I have to go potty!" at the supermarket. No more holding him/her over the bowl or awkward, hard plastic covers (I always hated them!) Made out of parachute material (so you can easily rinse it off) you just slip it over the toilet and there is a perfect size hole for a little tushy to fit comfortably.  (It also makes those public toilets sanitary by covering it up)  Then just rinse off -- it dries instantly, put it back in the little pouch (also of parachute material) and stick the pouch in your purse. It's small and lightweight. A GREAT solution! You can see it here at http://www.pottyhammock.com/