Do overs...

Do overs are the best!

Here is what a "Do over" looked like in my house. The balance in our house has been somewhat blown off course for a short while since school started, I am launching a business and we are moving! It was Vicki Hoefle who inspired my "Do over" - thanks again to Parenting On Track!

Morning Routine: 2 out of the 3 were crying. Nothing was going right. Tears were in my eyes. So what did we do? a DO OVER! I picked them up and we snuggled on the couch until everyone was calm. We watch a bit of t.v. to get our minds off the thing that was wrong and BINGO. It was like a light switched in them and the smiles and giggles were back. Not kidding. Dropped one off late to school, but who cares, she was happy and our relationship was intact.

I don't have a picture of the lovely moment but believe me in that it was blissful. Try it the next time all of them are crying.  Good Luck.

My Summer Vacation

What I learned on my summer vacation...

1. When school got out I changed my work schedule to be present with my kids even though I launched EIO Products just as the kids were getting out of school. Crazy!
2. I learned to throw out the school routine of bedtime and wake time and started the summer routines, with help from the kids
3. I learned quickly that I needed time to get used to this new routine. I could tell I was not used to the loose routine of summer as I started to yell at my kids. They brought that to family meeting and asked me to stop getting mad.
4. I learned that being present with my kids meant that I gave up the things that pulled my away from them: I stopped blogging and I stopped talking n the phone when I was playing with my kids. Those two things paid off in HUGE ways. HUGE.



5. I learned AGAIN that the family routine will get way out of control sometimes as kids grow up and try on new personalities BUT with consistent family meetings we can get that routine back to a comfortable place.
6. I learned that no matter what age kids are they really do love REAL JOBS that contribute to the success of the family. My kids age 2,4,5 contributed to the launching of the EIO Kids Cup. They packed boxes, they assembled cups, they stuck labels on and they LOVED it.

NEW Tricks:
1. Have an iPod handy and when they are all nagging or crying put it on and tune out!
2. Have jobs for your kids that are real but ask them if they would like to help.
3. Have relaxing time with a hobby, passion or friends and leave the house or put the kids to bed to do it.

Thanks again to Parenting On Track! They continue to create a community of parents who support each other, solve problems together and laugh a lot!