CLOTHES CALLS

How do you help your kids get dressed and out the door?

1.  Dress a Mini-Me:  To help my daughter choose her school and church outfits, I traced her figure on a large piece of cardboard, then cut around the shape, punched a hole in the top, and hung it from a nail on the wall.  Each evening, we pick out her clothes for the next day and use clothespins to attach them to the doll.  Mia adds jewelry, socks, and shoes as well as her book bag and lunch bos.  Now mornings go more smoothly and are more fun too.  (Renee Gidcumb)

2.  Go Halvsies:  Each night before bed, we have our 5-year-old daughter, pick out either a top or a bottom to wear the next day.  (Since we pack away out-of-season clothes, all her options are weather-appropriate.)  My husband or I then select a corresponding piece.  This way, our daughter gets the power of choice--and a matching outfit.  (Lisa Arenas)

3.  Make a Weather Spinner:  I made a simple chart with a spinning arrow in the middle.  Everymorning I check the weather report, then point the arrow toward the correct weather symbol.  Next to each, I've listed the types of garments that my kis can choose.  This is a fun way to give them a little more say about what they wear.  (Kristen Goodwin)

From FamilyFun Magazine  December/January 2010

ALL DAY ENERGY

Tips from the May 2008 Woman's Day Magazine on how to keep up your energy. (That would help us out in the home management business, wouldn't it!)

OPEN YOUR CURTAINS: exposing yourself to light is like winding your internal wristwatch and increases levels of serotonin.

TAKE A WALK: exercise is breakfast for your brain!

EAT BREAKFAST: any breakfast boosts mental altertness, but whole grains (like oatmeal) are high in fiber & they'll help keep your blood surgar stable for hours.

TACKLE IMPORTANT TASKS IN THE MORNING: that's when we are best at understanding & paying attention to details.

STRETCH: move around before lunch time to stimulate the central nervous system.

DON'T SKIP LUNCH: this is crucial to maintaining a constant power supply.

CRANK UP THE TOONS: play up-beat music in the afternoon to help stimulate your heart and keep you feeling pumped.

MOOD_BOOSTING SNACK: between 3 and 3:30 our brain's supply of serotonin starts to dip - have some carbohydrates.

TAKE A WALK: get more sun and get your blood pumping.

DRINK WATER: not being hydrated can make you feel sluggish.

DE-STRESS AFTER YOUR BUSY DAY: do something relaxing or distracting to keep your mind off your worries

HAVE A FEEL-GOOD DINNER: something with protein to increase energy.

SLOW DOWN BEFORE BED: prepare yourself for sleeping. A good night's sleep is key to feeling rested and restored the next day.

(For more details, go to the May 6, 2008 Woman's Day article by Sara REistad-Long)