Tag Archives: stress

Are you Happy or Stressed that the Kids are out of School for the Summer?

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summer vacation stress question

I asked the question on Twitter this morning “Two more days until my 11 yr old is out of school. Do you get excited about your kids being out of school, stressed, or both?” and was thrilled to get a good mix of answers includes those below..

Kids out of school for summer vacation - are you happy or stressed?

 

Yes, I am super excited that my 5 year old daughter is already out of school and that my 11 yr old son will be out of school is T-24 and counting.  But I also get a little stressed when I think about trying to run a business (AtlantaMoms.com too), transport my son to camp, cook, clean, play, travel, etc..

Here’s what I’m most excited about:

  • Not having to wake up at or before the crack of dawn to get the kids off to school.
  • Being able to jump in the car and go to the park (or where ever) whenever we want.
  • My son experiencing some amazing summer camps.
  • Going to the beach with my family for a week.

Here’s what I’m least excited about:

  • Not knowing from minute to minute when my 5 year old is going to come into my office or whatever room I happen to be working in at the moment, and ask for a snack, help with a toy, or for me to play a game
  • The money I’m going to spend on gas for transporting my son to his four summer camps.
  • Having to take the kids everywhere I go.. grocery store, etc..

What are your most and least favorite things about the kids being out of school for the summer?

P.S. Follow me on Twitter here.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Inspirational Quote: When it is Dark Enough, You Can See the Stars

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Inspirational quote
Click image for a printable view (print size about 5in x 3.5in)

Moms are always on the go.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.  I knew when I ‘signed up’ to have children, that having kids was going to be a game changer. I had been a nanny before and was totally in love with the kids I nannied and they still hold a special place in my heart.  Sorry, got of track..

However, no matter how much we love our kids, moms sometimes get so overwhelmed we don’t know which way to turn, who to turn to, or how to take care of ourselves and sometimes we let go.  That’s not a good place to be or a good feeling.  I recently read this quote by Charles Austin Bear: “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars” and after reading that quote, I realized that the darker things get in life, the more I appreciate what I have. What stinks is then I usually get MAD at myself for letting myself get depressed because I know that I have a great life.

I like to put inspirational quotes on my refrigerator or in my purse so I can read them often.

Click the image above to print and tape this inspirational quote on your fridge or put in your wallet for quick and easy access when you need a lift.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

EcoMaids of Marietta house cleaning – just in time for the holidays

Atlanta Moms Edition, Cleaning & Cleaners, Holiday, New posts, , , ,

EcoMaids of MariettaOK, moms.. I know your stressing about Thanksgiving and the holidays.  What exactly is causing your stress?  Here’s my list:

  • Finding and buying gifts for everyone
  • Planning travel
  • Decorating the house
  • Making, buying, mailing holiday cards
  • Cleaning – that’s a doozy!

I am going to go out on a limb and guess that your list is similar to mine.   If it’s not, leave your list in the comments below.. I’d love to know what I’m forgetting to stress about!

I recently crossed one item off of my stress-list – cleaning. The lovely folks at Eco Maids of Marietta deep cleaned my house and made it look like we don’t have an 11 and 4 year old inhabiting our place.  The poor cleaners even witnessed my husband catch a huge spider in the den.  I felt terrible that they had to see that and it was right after they arrived too.

Getting ready for EcoMaids was quite a task.
Here’s a snippet of a conversation I had with my  husband and two kids the night before EcoMaids was coming:

Me: Alright guys, we have to clean the house.  The cleaners are coming tomorrow.

My 11 year old son: Oh, Mom!

Me: No really.. get up to your room and pick everything up!

My 11 year old son: But Mom.. that’s what they do, right?

Me: Come on.. just do it!  I am going to tell them to throw away whatever they find on your floor, dresser, under your bed, and on your nightstand.  They are coming to CLEAN, not straighten up after you!

My husband: (with a surprised look on his face) Alright, let’s go clean up.  We have to get ready for the cleaners.

The EcoMaids cleaners were at our house for about 5 hours.  That’s how detailed they are.  It was so nice to see shiny baseboards, clean appliances, dust-free ceiling fans, and made beds.  The relief my husband and I felt when we looked around the house for the first time after the cleaners left, was immense.  I am so thankful for EcoMaids and know you will be too!

EcoMaids of Marietta

EcoMaids of Marietta services the majority of Cobb County and the immediate surrounding areas and has been green cleaning in Cobb County since August of 2009.  EcoMaids’ products and services are safe for kids, pets and our planet. They use Green Seal Certified solutions and methods, multi-level HEPA-filter vacuums, and microfiber tools and cloths.  All of EcoMaids of Marietta’s employees are screened, bonded, and insured, as well as trained in the most progressive green cleaning techniques.

EcoMaids attention to detail is unmatched. Superior service, Competetively Priced, & We’re Green! You cannot go wrong.

Leave the cleaning to EcoMaids and spend more time with the people you cherish most.

Get a free estimate online or call us today at (770) 427-0066.

EcoMaids of Marietta websiteEcoMaids website

EcoMaids of Marietta Twitter page EcoMaids of Marietta Twitter

Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak – A Book Review and Giveaway

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If I had to say just one thing about this book it would be – confidence booster.

I often feel like I’m the only mom in the world that’s overwhelmed.  I’m constantly trying to balance work and family life.  More often than not I’m dissapointed in myself at the end of the day because there’s still a pile of laundry on the floor, my 4 year old’s bedroom is a mess, one of my kids didn’t bathe, or I fed the kids macaroni and chicken nuggets.. for the 2nd time that day.  Lucky for me, I recently read Balance Is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak by Amy Eschliman and Leigh Oshirak and have a different outlook on things.  I now know that other moms.. that’s you.. yes you!, suffer the same mental challenges that I do every day and it’s OK that we feel challenged and overwhelmed.  This book made me realize that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed out and that I don’t have to put on a show.  Ever since reading Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak, I’ve asked moms I meet what their stress level is on a scale of 1 to 10.  I often get a strange look, then a very quiet, whisper-like answer of either 10 or 12.  It’s always as if it’s a secret.  Why don’t moms feel like we can tell other moms that we are stressed out and overwhelmed instead of putting on the June Cleaver show and holding all of our stress in?  Reading this book provided a release of some serious tension.. I felt it and you’ll feel it too.

Amy and Leigh are veteran working moms who share their un-censored survival secrets and personal experiences with readers.  Amy and Leigh’s funny, honest stories and useful advice cover topics ranging from quick and easy cooking and organization, to work travel and doctor’s appointments. I found Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak to be a very easy read and actually looked forward to sitting in my reading chair (not used often) after the kids went to bed, to read this book.

Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak is an indispensable guide for working mothers and the perfect gift for expecting and new moms.

Buy the book.

Like Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak on Facebook.

Disclosure: The Mommy Insider received a copy of Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak for purposes of this review, free.

Book Giveaway!

We are giving 3 lucky readers a copy of Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak!  To enter, leave a comment telling us what your biggest daily challenge is whether it’s work, working out, exercise, your husband (ha!), or your kids.  Don’t want to leave a comment?  Also, follow @mommyinsider on Twitter and @theofficemoms for an extra entry per follow.  Be sure to leave your Twitter ID in your comment so we can confirm that you follow and give you 2 or 3 entries!

Entrants must live in the U.S. and be over 18 years old.

Entries accepted through August 24th, 2010.

Or you can fill out this form to enter to win:

Worry, worry.. for no reason apparently

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I was a wreck yesterday (Monday) and this morning (Tuesday).  Besides recuperating from a busy July 4th, I had a couple of things on my mind.

First, I was nervous about Sebastian starting a new camp today, his first day at Camp Kingfisher at Chattahoochee Nature Center which I know he loves because he went last year and LOVED it. In addition to worrying about his first day at camp, I was very worried about Madelyn’s 9am dentist appointment. Ahh!

The Dentist Issue
My issue with the dentist situation

Today’s appointment would be Madelyn’s second visit to the dentist. Actually this might have been her third dentist visit, I may have blocked one visit out… I don’t know. She did great at her last visit so *I don’t know why I was worried*, that’s just the way I am.  I worry.
I got a call from the receptionist at the dentist’s office, Post Oak Pediatric Dentistry in Marietta, yesterday to confirm Madelyn’s appointment and to let me know that she shouldn’t have anything to eat or drink for two hours before her appointment.  What?! Oh Maaaaan!
I immediately started thinking that Madelyn was going to freak in the morning because she wouldn’t be able to give have her morning apple juice.  But then I remembered that Sebastian had to be at camp at 9 this morning, the same time as Madelyn’s appointment. I thought if I took Sebastian to camp and Tim took Madelyn to her dentist appointment, I wouldn’t have to deal with feeling terrible about Madelyn not geting to eat or drink.  So that’s just what I did.  I took Sebastian to camp.  The really funny thing is that Madelyn didn’t even wake up until 8:30! I called  Tim to make sure that everything was OK (to make sure that she wasn’t freaking out about not getting to eat or drink) and found that Tim wasn’t even awake to get her ready so she didn’t even have time to be thirsty before they left for her appointment.
All that f***ing worrying for nothing!

Camp worry

Because I was in such a hurry to get Sebastian and I out of the house this morning and avoid breaking Madelyn’s thirsty heart, Sebastian and I darted out the door at about 7:30, a little early to be leaving for camp. As we were getting in the car I realized that we hadn’t eaten (whoops!) so we stopped at Einstein’s Bagels where we had a nice breakfast and I worried about Madelyn.

Sebastian went to Camp Kingfisher last year and LOVED it but because I’m a worrier, I was concerned that he would be shy or nervous on his first day but had a great time and told me all about it tonight.  The name of his camp group is Crunchy Katydids.  He thought that was really funny.

Swim worry

So now I’m worried about Madelyn’s swim class at Aqua Tots tonight because she’s going to a different location than usual and she doesn’t like change.

Swim update: So, we went to swim and Madelyn was perfectly fine at the new location.  Go figure!  She LOVES Aqua Tots and even floated on her back all by herself for the first time today!  Way to go Madelyn!

The moral of the story is that I should stop worrying.  Everything went great.. camp, dentist appointment, and swim, and all that energy I spent on worrying was for nothing.
Energy can be better used elsewhere.. like on the treadmill.
Awe crap.. I really should get on the treadmill. Now, I’m worried about that. I’m going to bed.