Category Archives: Mompreneur

Tips, Recommendations, & Reviews…Grasshopper

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How do I…manage meetings and phone calls with the kids?

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Very creatively!  There are times when I am secluded and working away in the office, but that is not always the case.  So, here are my tricks for getting a few key moments when I need them.

- I hide…this doesn’t usually work so well, as for some reason I seem to be like a giant magnet and they are drawn to me through the walls, halls and ceilings.

- I ignore…and let them run amok.  I usually pay dearly for this.  Countless times I have re-entered the kid zone and found small floods from the bathroom, huge cereal mounds with trails all over the floor, and tear stained cheeks from the squables I let them “work out”.  This is definitely not my favorite method for getting the time I need, but you just have to do this sometimes!

Mom on phone watching kids in bath

- I carefully separate and set them to tasks…essentially, I delegate and keep them busy with other tasks while I handle the phone call or meeting.

- Put on a video…this is my most popular and most effective tool.  We do not watch much TV here, so they are all eager to watch and the little ones will generally play close to where the bigger ones are.

- Big meeting…I get a sitter.

- Distract with activities…bring out a new toy or craft that will keep them entertained for a short season.

- Make it quick…many times I have taken the kids with me and had someone meet me outside to review a product or check something or sign something.  These usually wind up being fun little trips for us all, as an ice cream treat is almost essential.

- Make it dinner…we have had several meetings at Chick-fil-A, letting the kids play in the play ground while we have the meeting.

I really need to write some of this stuff up in the “That’s Hilarious” category, because some of my phone and meeting times have resulted in some hilarious happenings for the kids (especially the bathroom scenes!).

Making it all work…that’s just one of the roles of the momprenuer!

How I Do…It All??!!

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This is definitely the most frequent question that I get, besides “Are they all yours?”.

There are lots and lots of different ways that I get things done and those ways change almost daily. I guess that the biggest factor in being able to “do it all” is having the motivation.Juggle expenses is used courtesy of pdclipart.org

Part of me wants to get really philosophical here and evaluate the whole psyche of mental motivation, but I think I had better stick to the basics of getting things done. Let’s just keep in mind that I am a personally motivated person and I stay well connected to my Creator and He helps me live and be my fullest potential.

Now, back to the basics of getting it all done…here are some of my methods.

  • I watch very little TV. That gives me an average of 2-3 more hours to get things done.
  • I tolerate sleep deprivation fairly well, meaning that I can stay up late (working) and still function the next day – with the help of coffee.
  • I drink coffee, even if I haven’t stayed up late…I really like it.
  • I am not obsessive about everything being perfect, even though I would like for things to be perfect, I can live with imperfect and move on.
  • I can also tolerate disappointment and still move on. Getting past the fear of failure is a huge deal.
  • Homeschooling does not require as much time as one would assume (with the exception of the fact that homeschooling itself is like teaching 24/7). I can even squeeze in some work while sitting with the kids.
  • I try not to get caught in wasting time, if I am too mentally tired to do some things, I will switch to something mindless, like housework.
  • I get a sitter for meetings or when I have a push to get lots of things done.
  • I like what I am doing, love the kids, being a wife & mom, and starting a business. All are very, very challenging (can’t seem to do anything simply!) and very fulfilling.
  • I take each season as it comes to me and adjust our lives accordingly…in other words I stay flexible and am able to change.
  • Dinners, for example, during busier times I fix very simple & easy dinners. I try to make a nicer dinner at least 2 times a week.
  • This is really hard, but – I try not to get overly concerned about what others are thinking of me. I just do what I am capable of, what I like to do and what is good for our family.
  • I like to try new things and dream big. This is very motivating.
  • I let things go. If I just can’t get something done…I let it go and move on. I know that I will not do everything just as it should be, so I try my best and let the rest go.
  • I try hard to align myself with my husband’s dreams and goals. We work much better as a team.

Really, it’s a lot of hard work. Just having 9 children is a lot of work, and adding the business part makes it a lot more work. So, I just have to “get ‘er done” and that is what I tend to do. I stay up late or get up really early. When I am tired, I keep going – even if it isn’t pretty! We all have a huge capacity to do great things, we just have to get past ourselves and keep moving.

Note:  Juggle expenses is used courtesy of pdclipart.org

Back from Las Vegas!!!

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We are back from Las Vegas and really excited about what’s to come!  Bandette and Gripsterz both had rave debuts.  Now it’s time for all the follow-up.  The ABC Kids Expo is such a great place to meet new people and share experiences.

My very, very good friend did a wonderful job taking care of my kids while we were gone.  Yes, I cried when we got home.  Feels like we were gone for weeks, and yet they were here all the time having a blast.

Great Baby on the Plane

Nicholas was a dream baby at the show and on the airplane.  He especially liked the individual attention he got from mommy, daddy and everyone else at the show.

We will be posting more about the show soon.  Gotta spend some time loving on my little ones!

Momprenuer

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I have a very good long-term friend visiting today.  (I won’t say “old friend” because we are getting a little too close to the true meaning of the word “old” – not going there!)  She is here with two of her three girls to help me get ready for a business show.Business woman, image courtesy of pdclipart.org

Momprenuer lesson number one – use your most valuable resources.  My friend is a phenonmenal mom with a real keen sense for discipline.  Through the years I have watched and learned as she manages her girls.  And today, I have watched and learned as she managed mine.  She has “whipped those babies into shape!”.  Not really whipped – but  managed well and the house is in tip-top shape from the labors of our children.  And they played too!  I have literally asked my friend to write down some of the things that she said, so that I could use them later.  My friend has gifts that I am gleaning from.  That’s what it takes to be a momprenuer, you have to be able to learn from others and appreciate what they have to offer.  As moms and momprenuers, we are already doing so many different things, sometimes we just have to let someone else step up and fill in some gaps.

So, go ahead – let somebody help – it’s not always easy, but you just can’t do it all.

Note:  Business woman, image courtesy of pdclipart.org