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Posted in Sewing on 11/28/2004 04:59 am by admin

Cross Stitch Magazine

Ten tips to tame Chaos

Keep First Things First

Those things that we consider our highest priorities often end up pushed to the bottom in the practical day-to-day. Arts and crafts can be high on the philosophical priority, but supplies are difficult to reach projects fall through the mesh. Family reading times are clumsy in a room where everything is for the rarely used television. (In some cases, something as simple as moving the bank had over the family's culture in the evening to change!)

I see things "up" plans are often neglected. I think, "Of course we remember scripture!" That assumption leaves me vulnerable to the vagaries of my memory. It is a constant challenge for me to live deliberately and something else first to be held in a practical sense than just so sentimental good intentions. Giving important things their rightful place on the schedule helps me on track.

Leave It Better Than You Found It

Leaving things better than we find them is a simple concept we teach our children, but I can be heard reminding myself to do the same each day. Especially in these years I do not like to pursue complex goals, I try to ensure the laundry is caught up more today than it was yesterday, that our finances are better this month than last, and that the children know a little more today than last week.

Productivity Gives satisfaction

When one of the children boundaries testing and is inexplicably difficult, I wonder if his days are meaningful and productive. Thorns and thistles are part of the curse, but the work itself was awarded to Adam before sin into the world without us have trouble finding our place.

Now, I have a little boy suffering from work hardship. He begged to learn to read and looks longingly as a mom, dad, and older sisters do most of the chores. It is easy to him off a new recruit training takes longer than doing the tasks themselves. Young minds and hands are anxious to do something purposeful, constructive and when deprived of that option will do something destructive. I recently seen my little helper and a few special jobs I already notice a difference. His eyes reflect the confidence and joy of being part of the family team.

Especially with children requires large amounts of playing time to the hull, blowing dandelions, and just see dust in the sunlight, but unless it is balanced with productivity and lost her license to relax and renew lessons.

Productivity is good for us as mothers. If I do not care to spend my balance, I am listless and detached and irritable. Regardless of our age, productivity breeds contentment.

Do not expect what you are unwilling to inspect

This phrase (borrowed from a Marine Sergeant) is now one of my favorite self-memories! The Marine sergeant knows he must be diligent in training and then follow with the inspection. (And if that applies to adult men, how much more so for small children!)

If the goal is neatly made beds, then inspect the bed every morning is crucial, especially in the training phase or "Boot Camp." Catching problems quickly and not allowing sloppy habits ingrained to be worthwhile.

Ironically, I would not dream of neglecting a first grader's math assignments review until the end of the year, because I know that without consistent feedback and evaluation, bad habits and mistakes to take root. But for some reason I'm more diligent about teaching new math skills than I am encouraging my children to develop a good attitude.

Do the next thing

In I'm at the end of my strength and the end of my rope, God answered my prayers often remind me of Elisabeth Elliot says, "Do the next thing." Rather than think of everything I do, I just focus on the task at hand, and that alone does not seem so overwhelming. One step at a time, climbed a mountain.

Eradicate UFOs

UFOs are out of control in your home? No, I'm not talking about flying objects. (Although if your home is like mine, you can catch a glimpse of the sky Articles zipping past occasion!) The types of UFOs I am thinking of his unfinished objects.

Partly done cross stitch projects lurking in my Workbasket are UFOs. I've cut fabric for jumpers, but the girls before they ever outgrew my sewing machine. I've bought the wardrobe hooks still sitting in the bag from the hardware store. Incomplete objects can be sources of debt and waste. I want the week to begin by thinking of a few UFOs to eliminate and then enjoy the thrill of crossing them off my list afterwards.

Get a new perspective

Imagination is a wonderful tool in the organization. Try looking at your home from an outsider perspective. Walk through the rooms in preparation for an imaginary world lodge. When you shower, ask your host using the same bathroom. If you open the refrigerator, look at it through the eyes of the alien. Visualize her opening the medicine cabinet in search of a replacement roll of toilet paper or looking for a towel in the linen closet. (When I did I saw spots on the bathroom ceiling, and I've also noticed that my sink caulk needs.)

Familiarity often leads to complacency instead of contempt, and I have become insensitive for things I see every day. While remembering that it's not all about external appearances and, think of yourself and your family as guests of honor worthy of a great "first impression" every time you come in the door.

I want the same "fresh eyes" applies to our school. I make-believe that a friend is considering homeschooling and want to look at an "average" day in our house. While trying to get real and true to who we really are, I think, 'What would I do differently with an audience? "Assuming that my friend has a similar style and goals similar to my own, what would they like about my day, what would she like to change? (If nothing else, this exercise always makes me smile more when I teach. What a pity that I laugh more than an observer, I would just for my own children!)

Taming The Procrastination Monster

"Do not Leave for Tomorrow..." The adage reminds us.

Some time ago my daughter brought me a sweater with a single button. I had sewn it on immediately, but I was not in restore mode. Instead of a needle and thread, I began searching for a safety pin to secure it for her stay in my pile to restore. In the time I located a safety pin and temporarily attached to the button, I could sew it on and done the job. I find myself in similar cases of delay too often counterproductive. Recover my stack (and countless other aspects of life) are less overwhelming if I'm not postpone until tomorrow what simple can be done today.

Beware of "Broken Windows"

Police refer to a phenomenon called "broken window effect." The theory is that signs of physical or social neglect in a neighborhood "green light" to bring to the characters already inclined to criminal behavior.

A broken apartment window indicates that enforcement is lax offenders. Thus, a prankster with a spray can is probably the "broken window" alley preferable to a good maintained area. The graffiti in turn sends a message that litter is acceptable, and people lose pride in their run-down neighborhood. Such material, destroyed corner pulls even shadier characters and more violent crimes.

The "broken window" principle applies to clutter and chaos in our homes too. If I were in a hurry after lunch and refrain from unscrubbed a spaghetti pot on the stove, feels any person licensed by the kitchen to leave a snack dish unrinsed. (What does an extra bowl dirty matter, as two others already on the clock?) chairs around the table will not be pushed, and the crumbs and splashes have been added to the mess. The children come from outside and pick up on "anything goes "attitude, throw their jerseys on the bench instead of hanging them in the closet. The sweater strewn bank in turn stimulates other trash crimes. As the week progresses, the room (At first just "pleasant living") turn into complete chaos and disorder flows into the adjoining rooms.

I am quick fix "broken windows" because I know that once I let things slide, they can quickly away from me. The rewards of care are a neat house and a quiet atmosphere. Just as chaos begets chaos, often conceived to order, and a quiet, tidy house does wonders for morale.

Organization is not an end in itself

My last memory of me is that the structure that a mother can stay on course, loads and suffocate the other. Organization is a tool to better stewardship and your family to the plans God has for you to reach out to rest. If otherwise, the organization can become an idol. I regularly evaluate my motives to make sure that my schedule and my family structure rather than vice versa.

Whether repairing "broken windows," the eradication of UFOs, or just do it "The next thing," a bit tame chaos today!

Ken Dell and her husband homeschool their five children on the windswept plains of Wyoming. If they do not care, training and education, allows Dell to find with her nose in a book, behind a camera lens, the chocolate chip bag, or blogging . www.HomeschoolBlogger.com / Dell

Copyright 2009. Originally published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Spring 2009.
Used with permission. Visit them at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com