Where’s my Calgon?
I just wrote this whole post about how busy I am. I went in to the nitty-gritty about how school is really pissing me off. I told you all about how I totally forgot to go to the parent information meeting for kindergarten roundup last Thursday. I went in to way too much detail about how I forgot to send the picture form with Keaton yesterday and therefore I will not be getting any soccer pictures this year. And I bitched and moaned about how far behind I am in my blog reader and my email.
But then I deleted it because you so don’t care. It wasn’t funny. It wasn’t informative. It was just me whining about how crazy my life is right now. I think you all can relate to that.
So instead I’m just going to beg for advice. How do you deal with stress? I apparently deal with it by forgetting appointments and crying in to the keyboard of my laptop. I’m sure there’s got to be a better way to deal. So please share.
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Swistle Said,
March 28, 2007 @ 8:25 am
I’m a fan of lists (one for “someday, not now” and one for “seriously, this has to be done”), dropping as many responsibilities as possible (bye, toilet scrubbing! see you when the kids leave home!), blogging, and snacking. I have two school kids, and when they come home with forms or whatever, I try to either do them on the spot or else put it on the calendar that they need to be done (I trick myself by putting the deadline a day or more early).
Stephanie Said,
March 28, 2007 @ 11:52 am
I’m all about the lists, too. But the trick is to keep them all in one place. I will periodically clean out my purse and find dozens of slips of paper, open them up, and say, “oh, yeah, I was supposed to do that two weeks ago.” Get a little notebook where you write down everything as soon as you think of it, and then take a few minutes each day to go over it and circle, highlight, and put little stars beside what absolutely has to be done ASAP. Or get a big family calendar to put on your refrigerator. Sounds like you just need to schedule a chill out time everyday where you relax and review what needs to be done.
Plain Jane Mom Said,
March 28, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
I’m afraid I have nothing to add since you already know my two ‘tricks’ — the forgetting and the crying. I have no idea how to keep everything together, but if you ever figure it out please let me know!
Kim Said,
March 28, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
I’m with Swistle. I’m a total stress-monger, so if I don’t have a list to help keep me organized, I lose it. So between my desk calendar, my Google calendar, and the notes on the side of the fridge reminding me of even the littlest of tasks, I can keep a bit of sanity.
BTW, a glass of merlot and a good listener in my husband helps me too!
Momilies Said,
March 28, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
You’ve got several good suggestions. I endorse these as HUGE stress-relievers:
1. Fill out forms when you get them (don’t put it off).
2. Keep a list. I have a white board on the fridge and I keep lists there of things I need to do, chores for the kids, and the kids leave me notes and reminders there too. Seeing it every day really does help!
3. Family chores. No all for me, only all for one. This means NO ONE cooks a meal just for themselves, or only washes their own tshirts, or only brings one roll of toilet paper up from storage when we are out. ALL FOR ONE. All for one cause. Once kids are over the age of 5, it’s time to get them vested in household maintenance and recovery. The stress of having to clean up behind four people besides myself was totally eliminated when I took this attitude. There is no law that says mommy does it all, especially when Mommy is the main bread winner and also works a side job and homeschools the children. Everyone eats, so everyone works.
4. Limit outside activities. ONE sport or regular activity for each child, especially if you’re trying to go to school too. Make one day each week “homework free” for yourself while you are going to school. That day is yours to do whatever you need or want to do and you are not allowed to think about school and stress yourself over it.
Liz Said,
March 28, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
I forget appointments, cry into my laptop and/or desktop and then blog about it – do NOT delete yourself – it’s your blog and it feels sooooo good to vent!
Then, just breath.
Bob Said,
March 29, 2007 @ 3:30 am
Your weary mind maybe causing the stress you are experiencing. You probably need to rest your mind and try to relax. This way you can be calm about solving your problems after your relaxation.
Mrs. Flinger Said,
March 29, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Um. I write boring posts about how freaked out I am about crap.
And then I delete them.
Lori Said,
March 29, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Ummm…I don’t think someone (me) who forgets to even wake their kids up for school twice in the last two weeks, then has to call the school to see if their kids are there (and if not, by default there are still home) and then take them into school and do the walk of shame up the stairs to the office and sign them in 2 hrs late is qualified to give any advice…
Carrie Said,
March 29, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
I agree with lists. Posting it is even more important. I use to remind myself with lists posted on spots where I usually stay and stare on a spot.
Melissa R. Garrett Said,
March 30, 2007 @ 8:04 am
BIG HUG!
Seriously, first I lock myself in the bathroom then cry. Then I find something to clean, because I think my insanity only goes into hyerdrive when my house is messy. And I am also a BIG FAN of lists. I have to have every last detail planned out – you should see my calendar right now! I think writing posts and then deleting them is really helpful too. Only, I never delete my gripey posts!