Keep It Simple
by Rhoda Samkoff
This blog will tell you about the first, and possibly the most important step in solving the parenting puzzle: keep it simple. Then it becomes easier to change our job to joy.
Little things that cause frustration and stress are everywhere. They swirl around like dust bunnies, daring us to catch them! All we have to do is identify the things that frustrate us, like the ones listed here. Then tackle each stressor until it just doesn’t bother us anymore. You’ll take the energy right out of the whirlwind, and the air around you will be calm.
Do the following scenarios make you feel frustrated? Suggestions are listed to help resolve them.
Forgetting things?
POST A LIST on the inside of the front door:
Keys
Wallet
Phone
Shut off stove, oven, iron.
STOP AND CHECK before leaving a restaurant. Look under and behind chairs and on the floor for toys, cups, spoons, and bibs from home. Before leaving a playground, beach, or campground, stop and check area thoroughly.
STOP AND CHECK Before exiting transportation (bus, train, plane, or taxi) check seats for jackets and toys. It only takes a minute, and will save you a great deal of aggravation later!
Losing or misplacing things at home?
Put keys, wallet, phone in the SAME place EVERY time.
Make extra house keys. Keep one in your car and give extras to people you trust. It will taks the worry out of being locked out.
Keep little box or dish near the sink for your jewelry.
Keep a scissor and flashlight in every room.
Have a special basket or box for eyeglasses and remotes.
Keep a pair of extra sunglasses in the car.
Set up a convenient one-stop charging station with a multi-outlet power strip/surge protector for everyone’s phones, laptops, tablets. No more looking around for an outlet! Keep headphones, earbuds, extra chargers, and small speakers at your charging station table. This helps visitors and caregivers, too!
Forgetting things on trips?
PERSONALIZED PACKING LIST for your family including essentials like meds, and things to do such as fill prescriptions, hold mail at post office, and email your trip itinerary to family members.
COUNT THE NUMBER OF BAGS each person is responsible for, and recount often.
Too many things to do in the morning?
Plan ahead by preparing snacks and lunch for the next day
Lay out clothes for the next day
·Caught off-guard in emergencies?
Anticipate emergencies like power outages and water shut offs.
Keep a three-day supply of canned goods, a can opener, bottled water, flashlights, and batteries.
Frequently running out of essentials?
Buy extra necessities to keep on hand; paper products, especially bathroom tissue, toothpaste, dishwashing liquid, and laundry detergent, and lightbulbs
Keep an ongoing shopping list on the fridge.
Always buying last-minute gifts?
Keep gifts and cards for all occasions on hand for both adults and children. Occasions include but are not limited to: new home, congratulations, birth of baby, graduations, new job, birthdays, good luck, anniversaries, get well, and holidays.
Buy inexpensive wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, and ribbon at a dollar store. This will save you both time and money
Caregiver cancels at the last moment?
Don’t wait until this happens. Have a contingency plan in place.
Keep the phone numbers handy in case of such an emergency
Unplanned messes, spills:
These are inevitable and unavoidable. Cleanup is simple if you keep wipes, extra clothing, stain remover, garbage bags, and paper towels with you.
Keep an emergency bag containing these items and a first aid kit and blanket ready in the car.
Health emergencies?
Cuts, bruises, itches, and burns are the popular ones, so keep bandages, antibacterial ointment or spray, tissues, and hand sanitizer readily available. Public restrooms don’t always have soap, toilet paper or paper towels!
Have poison control number and doctor’s office number on hand. Also, post important numbers on the fridge, for family members and caregiver to see.
Need simple ways to stay in a good mood?
Compliment your child, but only at times when it is well-deserved, so the praise will be meaningful.
Surprise your child with a small reward for an extra-special effort or accomplishment.
Treat yourself to a reward, too, such as piece of chocolate. Or turn on some music and close your eyes for a few minutes.
Be good to yourself. Schedule regular visits to the salon, spa, or gym, shopping alone or with a friend, or a night out for guilt-free rejuvenation. You’ve earned it!
Remember, even if we go out of our way to keep it simple, to anticipate and plan, to be helpful, instructive, caring, and careful, none of us are perfect parents. However, we can take C. Hulbert’s advice:
“Your objective is to put as much distance between your mistakes as possible.”
Until next time,
Rhoda