A Mom's Survival Guide

Hello Wonderful Mommies!
I am sure you can all relate to what I am about to say..."But I need a vacation!!!! A retreat if you will..." I am feeling frazzled and that is when I am at my worst at being a mom. You know what it's like when you have had NO sleep and your energy level is less than stellar, and then your little one(s) still have needs, and you feel like you've got nothing to offer. Well, it has been that kind of week for me. So I had an idea...a cry for help of sorts. I thought it is time for a "Mom's Survival Guide" Oh I am sure there are zillions of books out there...I don't want to read those books...I don't have time anyway! I am asking YOU the moms I know and trust. I would love to have your BEST mommy ideas. And you can feel free to forward to other moms as well.


Here are some categories:
1. Rainy Day Diversions
2. Making Bedtime Blissful
3. Defeating The 4'Oclock Doldrums
4. Hidden Healthy Snacks for Picky eaters
5. Creative Discipline
6. Synchronizing Naps for Siblings
7. Project/Games
8. Mini-retreats for Mom (How to get some DOWN time...or better yet DEVOTIONS)

Give 'em to me and I'll compile them and post them to my blog...I hope to learn from all of you!
Love,
Angela
P.S. You might even want to suggest the best make-up for covering up bags under the eyes...mine are looking like the grand canyon lately!

Tips for the Tired Mom!!!

AKA Misc! I can't think of other categories. SO if you have other glorious advice post it here!

Mini-retreats for Mom (How to get some DOWN time...or better yet

Oh boy! This is a tough one for me! With sleep being so fleeting...the only thing I ever want to do with any spare moment is to take a nap. I'm already behind on my "One Year Bible" and it's only January...I usually make it 'til at least March before I fall this behind! At this rate I'm reading the 3 year bible!

Project/Games

This is an area where I can do fairly well...but I am ALWAYS looking for more fun ideas. My tired brain cannot seem to get beyond finger painting and playdoh!

Synchronizing Naps for Siblings

Okay...I am asking for the impossible...but does anyone have any miracles up their sleeve? Okay so what I'm really asking is will I ever get a nap again?

Creative Discipline

This is a work in progress for sure!!! What works one week is totally ineffective another time. It makes being consistent difficult. I am so open for ideas here....especially with my preschooler who sometimes seems like a teenager!

Hidden Healthy Snacks for Picky eaters

I have GOT to do a better job with this. We so don't eat healthy snacks the majority of the time, and it is always an issue of convenience. And now I fear I have formed bad habits for my 3 year old. Help! How do I slip her the healthy snacks without HUGE amount of time!

Defeating The 4 O'clock Doldrums

Don't know about you but the hours post nap (if there is any nap to speak of) pre-dinner are among the hardest in our house. It can seem SOOO long. And I so don't want a T.V. junkie for a kid (though I judge NO ONE in this regard...sometimes a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do to survive the day...)Tivo can be a blessing and a curse in this regard. How do you make the hours fly by?

Making Bedtime Blissful

Just when I think we've got a good routine going. We have the bedtime rebellion! My daughter is painfully social...and I think bedtime is her nemesis. What works for you?

Rainy Day Diversions

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY! Yes I know we need it...but rain can make days painfully long! How do people actually live in the Northwest???