SPRING CLEANING, NO MORE CLUTTER!

Spring is coming and I can't wait to do some spring cleaning. Getting rid of the clutter makes the air feel lighter. Finally, I can breathe! Clutter around my house makes my mind feel cluttered. I am a visual person and I just hate a lot of stuff everywhere. My children also have old toys that is just taking up space and causing clutter. My son has a huge toy box with toys from his childhood. Wish me luck as I try to pry those old toys away from him. I am spring cleaning my entire house, Hopefully it goes well. Out with the old and in with the new. I believe in getting rid of useless stuff, so that I can make room for new stuff. I like a minimalist lifestyle, it's quality that matters to me not quantity. I like the air to be light and space to move around. This is my ideal way of living. Happy spring cleaning to everyone, please share your spring cleaning journey in the comments.

NO MORE CLUTTER!!!! 

HOW HAS MOTHERHOOD HELPED YOU GROW AS A INDIVIDUAL?

Motherhood has test me and stretched me at every level. From the pregnancy phase to the child birth, and then to the actual raising of my children. Motherhood and parenthood has taught me perseverance and it has also taught me patience. I am sure that you wonderful parents can relate to the patience part. These precious little ones can sure test my patience at times, but the difficult times have taught me to be compassionate and understaning. I love these little humans of mine, so whether things are going go or not so good, there is no walking away. I have to dig down deep and exercise perseverance through it all. I have also stepped outside of my comfort zone because I am a mother. I have to advocate for my children in every way, so I had to use strength muscles that I never knew I had. Motherhood has stretched me in many ways and my life is the better because of it. How has motherhood/parenthood helped you grow as a individual?

MOMS WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE?

This is an easy answer for me, I absolutely hate washing dishes. If I never see another dish, I would be happy! I have been washing dishes all of my life.Being the oldest of four girls growing up, I was always resposibile for washing the dishes. There was always a mountain of dishes in the sink,and it did not matter who used the dishes, I was ultimately responsible for washing them. I also had to make sure that the house was clean. As I transitioned into being married and becoming a house wife there is no surprise here, I am also responsible for the dishes. It seems like I can't escape washing the dishes, I currently do not have a dish washer so you already know how that goes. Even when I had a dish washer, I would end up washing everything by hand because it still wasn't clean enough. My daughter wash the dishes on the weekends, so that gives me a little break. Although, sometimes I end up helping her. The second chore that is an annoyance to me is Laundry, although I must say that my husband has been assisting me with the laundry since quarantine. Before quarantine, I wash and fold clothes at least 3 times a week to keep up with the school uniforms. Now during quaratine, my husband wash the clothes once a week on the weekends,and I fold the clothes. I wash the bathroon rugs, blankets and kitchen towels. We choose to work together on that, because my entire life was becoming about laundry. I am happy to have some help on that. So there you have it! My top two dreaded chores. LOL! Do you have a chore that you hate? Please feel free to share your opinions.

BLAME IT ON MY MOMMY BRAIN

Mommy Brain!

 Mommy brain happens to me a lot. I know that there are many moms that can relate to this. I sometimes forget where I put something or I may put something in the incorrect place. For example, just a few days ago I put the butter in the cupboard and the hot sauce in the fridge. Has this ever happened to you? 

IT HAPPENS!!

Moms are multitasking all the time, our brains are always moving from task to task. Moms are far from perfect, we have a lot going on. I put the butter in the cupboard and the hot sauce in the fridge, but no harm done. Moms sometime forget things because we are tending to the most important tasks at hand. Our children are the most important and they get most of our attention. 

Mommy brain is what it is. There is really no deep explanation for it, other than the fact that moms have a lot of important things going on. While caring for our children is the most important job that we have, it is also good to exercise self-care. Everyone needs to rest and recharge every once in a while. Mom's let me know if you have ever experienced "mommy brain". Do you think that mommy brain is a real thing? Join the conversation and let me know. 

How To Talk To Teens About Sex?!

  I actually was not dreading talking to my children about sex. I have always purposed in my heart to be open and honest with them, because I want them to get accurate information. Although, I now that that the school will cover some of the information, I have always felt like ultimately it's my responsibility to educate my children on the subject the school will just supplement that. I would not depend solely on the school to handle sex education. 

My husband and I decided to talk about sex separately with our children. He talked to my son and I talked with my daughter. It just seem to be easier to do that, so that they can have privacy and feel comfortable to ask questions. There will be a time soon that we will talk to them together and give a more in depth education about sex and how to protect themselves. 

I remember growing up, talking about sex in my household was not appropriate and it was taboo. I learned everything about sex from school or talking to friends. I vowed to myself that I would create a safe environment for my children, to learn and ask as many questions as they wanted. I want my children to feel safe coming to me to talk about whatever.  I want them to know that mom and dad will always be there for them without judgement. That's my take on the subject. Please feel free to comment and join the conversation. 

At What Age Should Children Start Doing Chores?

 I know that every parent will have a different answer and that's alright. 

We all have different parenting styles and so there is no cookie cutter way of doing things. 

Here is what I did with my children:

At three years old is when I taught my children to clean up their toys. Maybe this wasn't actual chores, but this was the beginning of them learning that importance of cleaning up after themselves. They weren't consistent in doing this, neither did I enforce the routine of them picking up after themselves. Maybe, I should have enforced it more, but I admit I drop the ball on that. My children also shared a bedroom for little over 10 years. you know the hardships with that, no one wants to own up to making the mess. Also, I found it less of a hassle to do things myself, even if I was putting too much on my own plate. 

After the first 11 years, It was time for them to help out by doing some chores. By this time they also had their own bedrooms and so it was time to clean their rooms and make their own bed. They were 11 and 12 years old, when they really started to do chores. They even help us paint the house and put the dishes in the dish washer. 

My children are now, 15 and 17 years old, their they have even more chores now. During the school week, they help with feed the dog dinner and my son is responsible for taking out the trash and the recycling. On the weekends, My daughter does the dishes, vacuum the rugs and brush the dog. My son  takes out the trash, picks up the dog poop in the yard and bathe the dog. My son also helps his dad with raking leaves and shoveling snow. We all pitch in with the yard work.

I might have started late with giving my children chores but I think they are getting the hang of it. They may not do things perfectly, but the they are learning to do things in their own way. On top of this, they also know how to use the stove and make themselves something to eat. Every little bit counts, they are learning and growing. 

To Spank Or Not To Spank My Children

 This maybe a touchy subject for some. This discussion is not meant to make anyone feel uncomfortable or judged. We all parent differently and that is alright. the following article is just my personal opinion. 

This is an interesting topic. My opinion is based on my own childhood upbringing, if you do things differently that is totally fine.

I am have decided not to spank my children, I suppose that I have always wanted to parent the opposite way of how I was raised. In some ways I have learned from my childhood, in knowing what I do and don't want. Spanking was a no go for me even before I gave birth to my children. I knew right away that I would not be taking that route with my children. 

I use the time out method with my children and I also take away their devices as a punishment. Is this a full proof method? No! However, I know my children and what will get the point across. To each their own, this parenting thing is hard, we are all just trying to give our best. May we be strong and victorious in the pursuit of parenthood.