Heard about best selling book "You Sexy Mother" by Jodie Hedley Ward? I read it several months ago and was thoroughly impressed by the insightful content. What is even better is that Jodie, along with Dr.Angela Huntsman from a QLD University are spearheading a massive new Study on women and motherhood. to find out more follow this link.
http://yousexymother.com.au/content/research-study.aspx?l1=YOU0002426There is expected to be approx 10,000 paricipants in the study and I highly recommend you let your voice be heard and be one of them. If we want our roles as mothers understood and respected more then this is one important was we can change attitudes and ultimately policy. the Study is being launched tommorow to coincide with Mother's Day.
In the longer term this can help with feeling more in control of our lives and having more choices - which of course makes us better able to keep on top of our day to day lives and maintain good organiziation at home, at work, as a Mum - the list goes on. It's all connected!
Happy Mother's day from us at Organize Your Life!
Putting yourself into the equation when it comes to your life is important - if you want to read more on this topic then read on:-
How to put yourself back into the equation for more 'Me-Time'
by Claire McFee
Many people I talk to, particularly those with children, say they have come to the point where they rarely have any time for themselves, and are at their Wit's End, desperate for some 'Me Time'. What's worse is that if they do find some time just for them, they feel guilty using it! So let's look at why it is important to look at your time -management to slowly but surely factor in some personal development for you to grow into the person you have the potential to become.
Me Time
To be able to happily have some 'me time' for yourself, you need to be at a point in your life where you can do this without feeling guilty about it, by realizing that it is better for everyone -definitely not just you! We should all have our personal self improvement factored into our lives so we can grow and learn and not become stagnant along the way - which is of grave risk of happening if you do not look at time management and how you can improve this as you (and your family) go through all your life stages.
Not there yet?
If you are not in a place where you could possibly imagine having me time let alone family or couple time at this point, and have no idea of how to get there, then you more than likely need to sort out your home affairs! Once you do this, you will then be in the right frame of mind to change your way of thinking about using some of your saved time as 'me time' and not seeing this wrongly as a selfish thing to do. This is a must if you are serious about your long-term happiness.
We are all Busy, so...
Even if you are the busiest person on earth, I know you can find a spare 10 minutes here and there. That's all you need to start with. Even if it's a short break to have a bath without interruption, or going out to have a coffee with a friend - (without the kids) - now and again. It is important to try hard to schedule this sort of thing into your timetable, by improving your time management even if you think you are too busy to manage it. Doing 'like' jobs and chores are a great way to start doing this.
Things have changed
Many of us have been brought up to think that once you settle down and have children, that you should put your own needs last and that anything like 'me time' is sacrilegious! You will be happy to know that this is not true and in fact is counter-productive to you and your family's happiness. If you do, you will end up resenting your family for the gradual loss of 'yourself' and as a result, you will not be as good a partner or mother. So with this knowledge in mind, firstly give yourself permission to do what you want to do sometimes, not always what everyone else wants to do. They will survive and even better - will also be happier for it, learning important life skills about time managements and the importance of constantly factoring self improvement! during their lifetime.
Time flies
Don't make the mistake of leaving it too late to regularly find 'me time' for yourself, falsely thinking - "It's just for a few years while the kids are young", because before you know, it will feel normal not, not just to yourself, but to your partner and children, and it will therefore be that much harder to make the necessary changes down the track. this is a lose/lose situation where no one's development is furthered.
Stop making excuses!
For those of you who have lost someone close unexpectedly, the harsh reality is that we do not know when our number is up - it could be tomorrow, so don't put it off for one day longer. It's often just a matter of stopping thinking about doing it and doing it when you think about it. No more..'I'll do it later.' That is really bad time management...So make an effort to catch yourself and see how much more you get done.
Be a good role model
In amongst all of this, it is a good opportunity to teach our children that you do not exist just to serve/take care of them, and that your needs are important too. Teach them that being a 'family' is all about 'teamwork’ and truly happy families (yes they do exist!) function with this philosophy. This doesn't have to be an unrealistic pipe dream. Self development isn't a 'new age' fanciful term, but a real need, that when fulfilled creates well balanced human beings able to engage with others on a small and big scale in a much more effortless way.
Slowly but surely
Once you gradually factor yourself into your family's routine and the rest of the family get used to it, you will then have the necessary head space and extra energy to make this a long term lifestyle change. Say it over and over if you need to every day, "I deserve and will make more me-time."
Lastly
Accept that no-one else is going to do it for you so take charge of your own life using efficient time management practices (found all over this website) and then do it. Good luck!
http://www.organizeyourlife.com.au/organizeyourselfnowmetime
atteries make this simple but hightech Label Maker super-convenient. The instructions are clear and easy to understand - in fact you can use this great time-saving household and office-neatening device without even having to look at the instructions, it's that user-friendly! Your pantry, study, office will never be the same again. No more messy handwritten labels. Everything will forever more be neat, uniform, streamlined, professional, all with this great easy to use idiot-proof device!" Claire McFee 
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