Mom Chat: Tell us Everything

September always feels like a fresh start, doesn’t it? The rituals of buying school supplies, welcoming a crisp feeling in the air, sending kids off to school all help us feel like we are starting anew. And we happily take on the task of getting our kids ready for a new year every fall, making sure that a happy,constructive year lies ahead.

But now that we have put our energy into making sure our kids get off on the right foot, what about our own days? Every September we fret over how to make sure our kids have a great year ahead in learning and becoming more of who they are as people. Are we doing the same for ourselves? What effort are we putting in to make sure our lives are fulfilling and going in the direction that we want?

Our lives as parents are terrifically important. But we do have other hours in the day, and some or many of us are spending them working – in whatever form we choose. And when the days are busy and routines packed full of things to do at work and at home it can be hard to step back and weigh what we do and how we spend our time. But just like we spend time planning our kids’ lives once a year,perhaps we should do the same for ourselves.

Perhaps it’s full time work that fills your day. Is it what you really want to be doing? Is there anything you would change? How can you get there?

And what about part time work, freelance or work from home parents? When was the last time you sat down and really looked at how you are spending your time? Is it all worthwhile work? Do you like the part time balance you have created?

And parents who are taking care of kids full time, how does it feel now that you are living it? Is it still filling you up? Do you feel as though you would like a new challenge? Are there things you could add to your life that would help you feel fulfilled?

Do any of you need a fresh start too?

Tell us Everything!

Two tall filing cabinets, two book shelves, one closet of file boxes and others of randomsize and several piles on my L-shaped desk.

In these lie my paper clutter. Oh, yes, I have paper clutter. I may be a type A, I may like to micromanage everything done in this household and I may pay bills the day they arrive…but once I handle each task or piece of mail, I have a hard time knowing what to do with it. I hate filing, and though I am on top of all that needs to get done, I am startlingly unmotivated to file the aftermath.

I have purged. I have shredded, recycled, and still I have this feeling I’m not in control of it yet. I know I have a few boxes of magazines that really need to go. And I’m sure I have things in files that should be cleaned out. And that giant basket of receipts is really scary. I am slowly getting on top of it all, and realistically seeing as I’m running our household and a couple of businesses out of this office, I’m not doing too badly. (Or am I?)

So much paper comes into our home: mail, school bulletins, artwork, magazines, catalogues, flyers, cards, receipts. And for each category we need a system. A way to decide what goes, what stays and where. And a way to know what is important to keep, and for how long. I see organizational guides that give suggestions, but know it’s my own heart and mind that need to decide about things like artwork and special cards.

How do you feel about paper clutter? Is it taking over your home? Does it get in the way of you handling bills, returning permission slips and responding to communication? Do you keep artwork and cards, and other sentimental items? News clippings? Magazines? Any tips or suggestions? We want to know what’s working for you, and what’s not!

Tell us Everything!

Ready or not, the time is upon us. Back to school! Almost September, some kids are already back, others heading soon. It comes so fast every year.

I think back to when I was a kid…back to school was exciting, if maybe a little nerve-wracking. But it was always a fresh start. I loved the new school supplies, the clean notebooks, fresh pencils, clean erasers. We usually even had new clothes with which to start the school year, and so really, September was pretty great, full of new stuff with nary a birthday or other holiday in sight.

Except now we are parents. And now we are the ones in charge of the back to school experience. I was always happy for new school supplies and new clothes, but now I’m the one with the lists, checking off supplies, shoes, clothes, backpack, haircut…all the little details that feel like they will make or break the whole deal.

But as I make my lists and shop, and look at the cancelled cheque I wrote for school supplies in June, I wonder at how much money I am spending at back to school. I try to be careful, I shop sales, buy cute, yet practical items for my son for school….yet I know that if I totalled it all up, I’d be shocked. We’re fortunate to be raising kids at a time in our lives when we can accommodate these extra expenses, and my oldest is too young to know anything of labels or trends, but every family situation is different.

When did back to school become all about shopping? And between this need to have all the cool stuff, new clothes AND all the school fees and extra costs that start up in September, anyone wonder how many families are struggling right now? How many families are trying to figure out how to handle their basic household expenses as well as suddenly afford school supplies, new clothes and shoes, school fees, activity fees and equipment for recreation or sport?

How do you feel about back to school spending? Is it all reasonable, practical shopping? Or is it getting out of control? Are the supply lists from schools getting longer and longer? Does any of your back to school stress have to do with expenses? Do you know families who struggle at this time of year? What are you doing to keep costs under control for back to school?

Tell us Everything!

They say love is a battlefield. I say let’s leave love out of it for the moment and instead talk about beauty routines. Yes, we all have them, even moms who barely have time to get ready each day. There are still steps you take and products you use, in the shower, afterwards, before you are ready to face the world. Or products that you use before bed in hopes of repairing whatever damage the day has thrown your way. Yes,natural beauty is best and as we age, we learn to love our naked faces. I’m with you. But from the time I get out of bed to the time I climb back in at night, I’ll be honest, I use a surprising number of products. Just a little of this, a little of that, but it all adds up. I’m no glamour queen, and most days I’m lucky if I actually manage to dry my hair all the way beforeI have to give up and go join the circus that goes on around here each day. But if I start counting the number of products I rely on, no matter how small the amount...yikes!

It takes work and lots of trial and error to find our staple products. And once we find them, we stick with them, don’t we? Some products I like I have been using for years. That’s why it’s so upsetting when companies suddenly discontinue products. It makes me crazy to have a favourite product suddenly removed from the market! Don’t they know how frustrating it is?

What products are absolute favourites in your beauty routine? What products have been on your counter or in your make-up bag for years? And has anything you liked ever been discontinued? Did you ever go around buying up extras when you saw them in stores? Did you ever contact the company, either to find more or to complain?

Tell us Everything!

I wonder what we would all do without retail pressure. Honestly, in the middle of summer, would I start thinking about school supplies and clothes if the stores weren’t changing their displays in mid-July to prompt me? Every season, every holiday – there they are, weeks or even months in advance, telling us to buy this, buy that, make it perfect.

Back to school is no exception. If you’ve been in a department store, drugstore or mall lately, you might have been wearing shorts and flipflops but your mind was already on September. Anyone else feel rushed this year? Anyone else feel like we barely got summer off the ground and already are supposed to be planning September?

Yesterday we opened our windows to a 12 degree morning. Today is no different. Suddenly, I’m feeling like September could be very close at hand, but am still amazed how fast it came. This fall I will be sending my son to his first full time days, grade one, and I can’t believe how soon I will be at the school registering him. I have such mixed feelings, wondering if we really got the most out of summer, yet also looking forward to the return of routines and regular schedules.

Are you ready to face September? Are you dreading the whole back to school preparation thing? Are any of you happy to see it coming? Do you feel mentally and emotionally ready to send your kids to school? Or is this is your first back to school season? How are you organizing this busy time?

Tell us Everything!