“How Do You Get Any Work Done?”

“How Do You Get Any Work Done?”
By Rozalynn Goodwin


When I tell people I work in the office three days a week and from home two days a week , they first say how impressed they are that my employer offers a flexible work schedule option. Their next response is usually a question: “How do you get any work done?”

I could easily give an answer to that question when my daughter was only months old, sleeping 15 plus hours a day and not crawling or walking. She would occasionally cry or whimper, but as long as she was fed, burped and changed, managing her along with my work and house now seems like it was a piece of German chocolate cake. When I had research to do for my job, I would read papers and articles out loud to her, and she would just sit in her bouncer kicking and giggling with glee. I joke that, at age two, she probably has more knowledge about health care than the average adult!

Oh, those were the days. Now, if she’s quiet and alone in a room for more than a few minutes, there will likely be some unsolicited crayon, milk or Vaseline artwork on our microfiber couch, beige carpet or in books that were not made for coloring.

Mothers who work from home actually juggle three jobs: employee, mother and homemaker, and doing all of these with a mobile preschooler is challenging, but doable. I’ve put a few things into practice that I hope can assist you, whether your work at home is an assignment from an employer or the laundry for the week.

Write an outline for the day. The outline should include scheduled breaks dedicated to time with your child (15 minute breaks and a break for lunch) and naptime (for your child, of course).

Rip the outline to shreds and throw it in the trash can.

Dig in the trash can to recover and piece together the ripped up outline. Although you can’t predict a day with a preschooler, planning for the day still helps.

Make sure you have age-appropriate toys that assist your child in entertaining himself or herself.

Embrace educational TV in moderation. I know many think TV for children is horrible, but certain programs can entertain and educate your children and give you some time to concentrate on work.

Take advantage of time your child is sleeping. I schedule my work to begin before she wakes up and I plan conference calls or work needing my undivided attention during her naptime. I also work “after hours” if necessary, particularly once my husband comes home from work and can care for our daughter.

Get some help. See if there is a “Mommy’s Morning Out” at a church in your neighborhood or ask one of your friends who has some free time during the day to take your child to the park for an hour or two. Also, maybe you can find someone to help you with some household cleaning.

Finally, don’t be so hard on yourself. Often, mothers who work from home feel they are neglecting their children if they are concentrating on their work and that they are neglecting their work if they are concentrating on their children. It is impossible to do and have it all, but I’m sure that you are doing all you can to be the best mother, employee and/or homemaker for your family.

Rozalynn Goodwin is founder of The Motherhood Priority, a non-profit advocacy organization working to strengthen mother-friendly policies in the workplace. She resides in Columbia, SC with her husband, 4 year-old daughter and newborn son. For more information about The Motherhood Priority, visit www.themotherhoodpriority.com.

Bringing in the new year!

Well 2011 is finally here!! Reading through my emails I found this great one from MOPS and wanted to share it with those who don't receive the emails.

Enjoy!


                                                           A Clean Slate      By Tally Flint


January is a very minimalist month for us. After the clutter of December, I want to clear out not only our home, but also my heart. There seems to be something so fresh and clean about a new year.


"With God’s help, I’m looking at a clean slate – completely free of mistakes."

I heard a woman speak once about cultivating a practice of “do-overs” in her family. She told the story of how her young son stormed into the house one day and slammed the door behind him, something she’d asked him repeatedly not to do. She described the angry frustration that bubbled up inside her, and then the thought that challenged her to offer him a “do-over.” He accepted the offer and exited the house, paused a moment, and then reentered, this time closing the door softly behind him. He learned a lesson, and she kept the close connection between them.
Could you use a do-over this year? I could. Good thing God is in the business of do-overs. I love knowing that the less-than-sterling moments of my 2010 don’t have to follow me into 2011. With God’s help, I’m looking at a clean slate – completely free of mistakes. And while I’m sure to start racking those up soon, I cling to the truth that they are not what define me or my mothering. And they’re not what define you either. Here’s to a fresh start!




Dear God, help me to revel in the freshness of a new year. Work through me to mold me into the woman and mother you have called me to be.

Can't wait to see everyone at our next meeting on January 11th! Bring a friend and come ready to have a wonderful chat!

A word from our Mentor

Last meeting Jenny C. spoke on coping with fatigue in her devotional.

Fatigue is a widespread and chronic problem for people of varying ages, especially mommas. How do we/you cope with the blahs? How do you energize yourself? Does God's plan for you always include being tired? How can you live a balanced life-doing and ministering to others when you don't want to get up off the couch?

First and foremost, be sure your fatigue is not a result of illness. See a doctor to make  sure you are healthy. Have regular checkups.

Second, get plenty of rest. Give up that common past time of "burning the candle at both ends". If you want to be energized for daily living, you must learn to balance work with relaxation, recreation and worship. In the New Testament, Jesus siad that if you are weary, come to Him and He will give you rest. His rest is for the body and for the soul!

Third, your body needs to exercise regularly. Strange as it sounds, exercise counteracts fatigue. When you think you can't put one foot in front of the other again, go play ball with your child, mop the floor, sweep the steps, etc. If you have not proved this to yourself before, try it! It is true! When you are weary in the body and mind, get your muscles working. Even in Eden, God had plans for Adam and Eve to do physical work.

Fourth, remember that tired toughts result in tired bodies. Negative, unhappy, gloomy thoughts cause muscles to sag and vitality to disappear mysteriously. When we are with complaining, self-pitying, negative people, we find the energy drained right out of us. At times there are situations in our lives that are serious and we do have heavy thoughts, but regularly choose to think positive. In Philippians 4:8 Paul tells us what to think about, things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. This is a formula to help us have vitality in our life.

Fifth, have a purpose, a mission and a dream! Have something to anitcipate and work toward that goal,it will generate energy and enthusiasm. It could be a big dream, or a small activity. It could be a 30 minute time of being along or working on your favorite hobby undisturbed; or planning a trip with your family next year. Enthusiasm and energy comes from anticipating a desired activity or event.

Sixth, keep your faith alive. Each of us needs time to regenerate our energy supply through regular Bible reading, meditating, prayer and corporate worship. Duke University Medical Center reports in an article called "Aging and God" that faith not only re-energizes us but also helps us to live longer and better lives. Through studies they have descovered that people of faith who attend church frequently have lower blood pressure and fewer strokes; lower rates of depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and a greater sense of well being. And people of faith adapt better to the rigors of physical illness and disability.

If your problem is fatigue, you can learn to energize yourself. As Isaiah 30:15 reminds us "in quietness and in trust shall be your strength".

"Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 401:31

From Get a Faith Lift by Nell W. Mohney

Our Last Meeting

Hope that all the great mommas out there have had a wonderful Merry Christmas and plan to have a delightfully Happy New Year.

Last we all met we had the opportunity to hear from a great, great speaker.......Judy Magnussen, LPC-MHSP from Elbow Tree. Here is her outline for her uplifting speach:

                              Delightful Mothering: De-Stressing Your Legacy

Live in Reality

    1. One Can't Do It All
              Common themes in counseling
         a. Over-compensating for the other parent's harshness
         b. Over-compensating for one's lack in one's own up-bringing
         c. Parenting by "guilt"
         d. Being "over-responsible" for another's irresponsibility
         e. The "Messiah Complex"

   2. Ask For and Receive Help
       a. Mother's Day Out Programs (Such as our MOPS meetings)
       b. Support Groups
       c. Counselin
       d. Trade out babysitting

   3. Take Time for Yourself
       a. Have time alone daily to do what you enjoy
       b. Maintain your own identity

   4. De-Stressing Techniques
       a. Consciously slo down and breath deeply
       b. Nurture your body and mind
       c. Use the "Seven -Minute" rule (Take 7 mins prior to going to bed, entering home after work, etc. and
           just take in positive energy and refuse to complain about the day)

Reality Check

      a. You are a woman of worth, value and dignity. You have a right to live that way.
      b. Your children are also people of worth, value and dignity and deserve to live as such.
      c. Your season of mothering pre-schoolers will pass.

If you would like to find out more about Elbow Tree go to http://www.elbowtree.com/ or email Judy questions to judy@elbowtree.com Phone 423-517-7070 x3

Delight in Your Children-"De-stressing" your Legacy

Coming December 14th, for our one and only meeting that month, will be Judy Magnussen, licensed professional counsler (see biorgraphy below) to share insights from her own journey as a former mom of pre-schoolers. Along with practical ways to "de-stress", learn how to attune to your own needs as well as the needs of your children. Judy will share ideas for the upcoming holiday and useful advice for all season of mothering. Join us for a thought-provoking and nurturing time together.

Objectives: Participants will.......

1. Know the difference between external stress and internal stress
2. Attune to their own needs, longings, and beliefs
3. Attune to the needs and longings of their children
4. Learn practical ways to "de-stress"

Biography
Along with her professional licensure, Judy is a Certified Imago Relationship therapist in private practice with Elbow Tree Christian Counseling (http://www.elbowtree.com/) Her therapy includes working with couples, families, and individuals dealing with a variety of issues including stress management, communication, depression, and life transitions. Judy has a passion for helping couples dialogue in ways that promote growth and connection. A mother of four adult children and grandmother on one, Judy's rich life experiences enhance her therapeutic approach. She enjoys mountain biking, canoeing, camping, and ballroom dancing with her husband Joe Herman. They partner together in facilitating the "New Way To Love" program for couples.

Please come join us and bring a friend!! There are extra points for the mommy night out if you bring someone!! Hope to see everyone there. December 14th, 2010 at 9:30AM First Baptist Church Soddy Daisy.

MNO (Mom's Night Out)

Hi there all you wonderful mommas!!!!!!

Come join us Friday November 5th at 7PM at the Holiday Bowl in Hixson.

It's going to be fun, fun, fun!!!! Bring a friend and let's get the game on!!!!

Service Project

Ladies.........

Here is the email that MOPS Internationational sent out in regards to OCC.........



Don't forget to bring all your supplies and your $1 donation to our next meeting on November 9th.

God Bless Everyone!!!!