Emergencies. We never know when they'll happen. That's why they are emergent, of course.
I've been grateful for our systems on many occassions. Probably MOST grateful when emergencies strike. We run drills. I wrote about this subject a little while ago. We haven't had all that many lately, but I am gearing up to run some more.
I have done a couple since the incident in THIS post in which I share about why we run drills. Once, our phone didn't work and I was worried that I had forgotten to pay the bill. The time of day was rough... if I was too late, I would interrupt my husband at the very busy time of day at his job. So, it was imperative that I get out fast. So, I told the children they had less than 10 minutes to get ready to go and get in the van. They tried to ask me questions and I just told them we had to leave and to get on it. (If there was an ACTUAL emergency, I wouldn't have time to chat with them about why and how and all that, so it's important to keep the practices very close to the real thing.)
Because we have systems in place, the children were out and buckled in within seven minutes. Yes, I am a little proud of that. :)
We've had a few family meetings about what we need to do so that we can get out quick. The meeting has also included conversation about what we each need to carry out to the van and HOW to accomplish what needs to be done so that we could depart in under 15 minutes and have lots of the important stuff with us. We even have a list on the back of a door AND on the inside of a high cabinet (for me) that guests and visitors are NOT likely to see that describes for each of us what our responsibilities are. This is a huge blessing. When they start asking me what they should do, all I have to do is remind them of the list and they can figure it out for themselves!
If we faced a real emergency departure situation, I would have enough to deal with just trying to make sure I got everyone and everything out that I need to. Answering questions would be way too stressful!
Do you have systems in place that will help you in case of an emergency departure situation? I'd love to hear how they've worked for you!
LINKED
Showing posts with label tricky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tricky. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Tricky Tueaday #14
Today is a continuation of my series on SYSTEMS and rules that help me as a Mama.
Shopping is a chore, but if we have systems in place, it doesn't have to be as bad as it otherwise might be. My children love to go shopping. I'm not entirely sure why, but it usually is a pretty good experience... and they get to leave the house.
Unloading the groceries could be as much or more of a hassle if we try to do it without systems in place. I totally remember those days!!!
For me, unloading the children is the same process at home as anywhere else (with a little more easy-going mama at home since I'm not worried about them running into the parking lot and getting run over). They know that they are expected to hang out near whereever I put the groceries into the van. Before I started selling Lilla Rose at the Farmer's Market, that place was pretty much always the very BACK of the van. But now that's pretty full of my set-up for the market, so I usually load the groceries into the passenger seat area of the van now.
As a result of this change, the children unload themselves from the van and hang out around the front of the van until I have baby in the sling and am ready to distribute stuff for them to take in the house. I make sure to give the little guy (2 years old) the lightest groceries. Sometimes I have to take stuff out of a bag for him to carry. I can NOT leave him out of this process or there will be greater difficulties in the short and long-terms.
The girls carry the bulk of the groceries and I follow up with whatever is left after they run and make a few trips to unload. It works very nicely. Once inside, I coordinate the unpacking of bags. Usually with the two youngest trying to help and being reminded that they need to get out of the kitchen. The older two girls are very helpful. Often my second daughter is assigned to read to the younger two with my oldest daughter helping to load things in to the refrigerator or putting other things away in cabinets.
Now, all of this series (concerning the systems I use for shopping trips) doesn't mean that we have NO problems ever. We do. The children don't keep their hands to themselvses perfectly. They don't do what they are told the first time. We have lots of problems. But the problems we face are not, thankfully, temper-tantrum-type problems (unless it's mine when they ask for something I had on my list!!! haha). Praise the Lord!
Are you excited to see what comes next week? I sure hope you are!!
Shopping is a chore, but if we have systems in place, it doesn't have to be as bad as it otherwise might be. My children love to go shopping. I'm not entirely sure why, but it usually is a pretty good experience... and they get to leave the house.
Unloading the groceries could be as much or more of a hassle if we try to do it without systems in place. I totally remember those days!!!
For me, unloading the children is the same process at home as anywhere else (with a little more easy-going mama at home since I'm not worried about them running into the parking lot and getting run over). They know that they are expected to hang out near whereever I put the groceries into the van. Before I started selling Lilla Rose at the Farmer's Market, that place was pretty much always the very BACK of the van. But now that's pretty full of my set-up for the market, so I usually load the groceries into the passenger seat area of the van now.
As a result of this change, the children unload themselves from the van and hang out around the front of the van until I have baby in the sling and am ready to distribute stuff for them to take in the house. I make sure to give the little guy (2 years old) the lightest groceries. Sometimes I have to take stuff out of a bag for him to carry. I can NOT leave him out of this process or there will be greater difficulties in the short and long-terms.
The girls carry the bulk of the groceries and I follow up with whatever is left after they run and make a few trips to unload. It works very nicely. Once inside, I coordinate the unpacking of bags. Usually with the two youngest trying to help and being reminded that they need to get out of the kitchen. The older two girls are very helpful. Often my second daughter is assigned to read to the younger two with my oldest daughter helping to load things in to the refrigerator or putting other things away in cabinets.
Now, all of this series (concerning the systems I use for shopping trips) doesn't mean that we have NO problems ever. We do. The children don't keep their hands to themselvses perfectly. They don't do what they are told the first time. We have lots of problems. But the problems we face are not, thankfully, temper-tantrum-type problems (unless it's mine when they ask for something I had on my list!!! haha). Praise the Lord!
Are you excited to see what comes next week? I sure hope you are!!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Tricky Tuesday #13
How DO I save money and aggravation while shopping without using any coupons?
Well, I'll tell ya!
It's called the: Ask-for-it-and-I-don't-buy-it rule. And it works WONDERFULLY!
When I first instituted this rule, I wasn't so sure it would help very much. Children test. It's just the way it is. I figured I was in for a lifetime of having to say no a million times every time we went shopping.
One day, though, I decided to try this rule. I don't know if I read it somewhere or if it just suddenly popped into my head. I've had both experiences with various parenting successes... I just don't keep track of which is which very well. Anyway... I told the children, "If you ask me to buy anything from now on, I will not buy it. The only way you can tell me what you want and STILL maybe get it is if I ask YOU what you want." As I mentioned, I didn't know how well it would go. My children test and test again (even when they REALLY know the rules).
Well, they definitely tested. I had my list all written up. And they know, if it's on the list, I'm definitely getting it unless I absolutely cannot find it. I was standing in front of the frozen pizza place and one of my girls asked if we could please buy pizza. I was SO upset!!!! I basically had a temper tantrum right there and said something like, "What!!?? Why in the WORLD would you ask for pizza after I JUST told you, reminded you, and told you again about the new rule!!!?? Do you see this (made sure to show list to each child)? Do you know that it says PIZZA!?? And now... and now I can't get pizza, which we were going to have for DINNER tonight, because YOU had to go and ASK for it! GAH!!!! What am I going to do for dinner now? I'm so frustrated. Why in the world would you ask when you know the RULE??!!!" The girls spent the time I was fussing in frustration looking at and slightly elbowing each other. When I was finished, they appologized. I said, "Thank you. Still doesn't help me with dinner!"
Well, since that experience, my children have only RARELY asked me to buy anything in the grocery store. I invited a child to tell me what they wanted on their birthday. Reminding all, the whole while, that this is different because I asked. They get it. They really do.
I am so grateful for this rule in place. I can usually go shopping with all of my children (5) with far less frustration than I felt with 2 or 3 before I put the rule in place. Praise the Lord for His perfect provision in EVERY way!
If you are interested in more ways I keep order and peace among my children when we are out and about, click on over HERE to read about systems!
Next week I'll continue to share more about shopping.
Well, I'll tell ya!
It's called the: Ask-for-it-and-I-don't-buy-it rule. And it works WONDERFULLY!
When I first instituted this rule, I wasn't so sure it would help very much. Children test. It's just the way it is. I figured I was in for a lifetime of having to say no a million times every time we went shopping.
One day, though, I decided to try this rule. I don't know if I read it somewhere or if it just suddenly popped into my head. I've had both experiences with various parenting successes... I just don't keep track of which is which very well. Anyway... I told the children, "If you ask me to buy anything from now on, I will not buy it. The only way you can tell me what you want and STILL maybe get it is if I ask YOU what you want." As I mentioned, I didn't know how well it would go. My children test and test again (even when they REALLY know the rules).
Well, they definitely tested. I had my list all written up. And they know, if it's on the list, I'm definitely getting it unless I absolutely cannot find it. I was standing in front of the frozen pizza place and one of my girls asked if we could please buy pizza. I was SO upset!!!! I basically had a temper tantrum right there and said something like, "What!!?? Why in the WORLD would you ask for pizza after I JUST told you, reminded you, and told you again about the new rule!!!?? Do you see this (made sure to show list to each child)? Do you know that it says PIZZA!?? And now... and now I can't get pizza, which we were going to have for DINNER tonight, because YOU had to go and ASK for it! GAH!!!! What am I going to do for dinner now? I'm so frustrated. Why in the world would you ask when you know the RULE??!!!" The girls spent the time I was fussing in frustration looking at and slightly elbowing each other. When I was finished, they appologized. I said, "Thank you. Still doesn't help me with dinner!"
Well, since that experience, my children have only RARELY asked me to buy anything in the grocery store. I invited a child to tell me what they wanted on their birthday. Reminding all, the whole while, that this is different because I asked. They get it. They really do.
I am so grateful for this rule in place. I can usually go shopping with all of my children (5) with far less frustration than I felt with 2 or 3 before I put the rule in place. Praise the Lord for His perfect provision in EVERY way!
If you are interested in more ways I keep order and peace among my children when we are out and about, click on over HERE to read about systems!
Next week I'll continue to share more about shopping.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Tricky Tuesday #12
Do you think you'll try the system for "loading up" any time soon? I have to let you know it's not perfect the first time... or three. As with any training, it does take consistency and time. Practice. And the first few times it is important and necessary for you to be present and give directions and correction. To be honest, you'll have to do this repeatedly forever, just less and less over time... that's life with children, right?
Once we arrive at our destination, we unload in a very specific order. The girls in the back row exit first, often while I'm unbuckling the baby. They stand near whichever tire I direct them to stand next to (no leaning on the van!). My oldest daughter often/usually climbs over and unbuckles the little guy. She usually exits before him. He almost always finds something to fiddle with and take a bit longer than he needs to get out. A guy thing? I don't know.
When out of the van, they know they are supposed to stand in order... either birth order or reverse birth order. Either is acceptable.
Once I've taken baby out of her car seat and put her in the sling, I hold the youngest's hand and the girls line up in reverse birth order behind him. We walk to the store this way. I do check my girls in line frequently for two reasons. First, to make sure they are still there! And, of course, to make sure they are walking in a straight line. Unfortunately, lines are very much part of our society, so as a homeschool family, I take such opportunities to teach them how to walk in a line.
I put the youngest in the seat of the shopping cart. If the store has a bench right at the front, he climbs onto it and I lift him from there. If not, I just lift him up from the ground. He's a pretty solid guy, so I like when there is a bench at the front of the store! My third daughter likes to ride on the opposite end of the card (standing on the undercarriage and holding on to the basket), but I don't often let her as it usually causes problems. So, most often, the girls line up in reverse birth order behind me and that's how we walk. It works. We get plenty of comments about "Mama Duck and her ducklings" and most of the time I don't mind at all. The comments that bug me are usually, "Man you've got YOUR hands full!" Sometimes it's said very kindly and I don't mind those. But there is a tone of voice that is problematic and I definitely don't prefer those comments (same words, just different delivery).
Next week: how I save money and aggravation while shopping without using any coupons!
Once we arrive at our destination, we unload in a very specific order. The girls in the back row exit first, often while I'm unbuckling the baby. They stand near whichever tire I direct them to stand next to (no leaning on the van!). My oldest daughter often/usually climbs over and unbuckles the little guy. She usually exits before him. He almost always finds something to fiddle with and take a bit longer than he needs to get out. A guy thing? I don't know.
When out of the van, they know they are supposed to stand in order... either birth order or reverse birth order. Either is acceptable.
Once I've taken baby out of her car seat and put her in the sling, I hold the youngest's hand and the girls line up in reverse birth order behind him. We walk to the store this way. I do check my girls in line frequently for two reasons. First, to make sure they are still there! And, of course, to make sure they are walking in a straight line. Unfortunately, lines are very much part of our society, so as a homeschool family, I take such opportunities to teach them how to walk in a line.
I put the youngest in the seat of the shopping cart. If the store has a bench right at the front, he climbs onto it and I lift him from there. If not, I just lift him up from the ground. He's a pretty solid guy, so I like when there is a bench at the front of the store! My third daughter likes to ride on the opposite end of the card (standing on the undercarriage and holding on to the basket), but I don't often let her as it usually causes problems. So, most often, the girls line up in reverse birth order behind me and that's how we walk. It works. We get plenty of comments about "Mama Duck and her ducklings" and most of the time I don't mind at all. The comments that bug me are usually, "Man you've got YOUR hands full!" Sometimes it's said very kindly and I don't mind those. But there is a tone of voice that is problematic and I definitely don't prefer those comments (same words, just different delivery).
Next week: how I save money and aggravation while shopping without using any coupons!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Tricky Tuesday #11
Systems. Order. Organization. Things in their place. This sort of thing was way beyond my ken not so long ago. Things being in their place is still a bit out there, but we're working on it! Thankfully, I have progressed! Praise the Lord for always providing me the information I needed when I needed it.
So now I'm sharing what I've been given.
Do you feel completely frustrated and near to tears just at the thought of getting out of the house to go shopping? Well, if you have two or three babies (3 or under), all I can say is: this too shall pass. Seriously, you can implement some of my suggestions, but when your oldest child is 3 years old, things are bit more hectic than when they are bit older and more able.
My life is more difficult and fuller and better and harder all at once, now that I have 5 children. My oldest is 9 years old and amazing. The next is 7 and also amazing (in different ways, sometimes, but still amazing). I used to hear mothers of many say, "I couldn't have this many children without this many children." I get it now.
Because we have systems in place for most events, activities, situations, life is a lot easier even though it's still more difficult in some ways. Yes, I do know that sounds contradictory, but it's absolutely true.
To depart, I give assignments. They are usually pretty much the same. Oldst daughter helps with youngest child (finding shoes, getting any final articles of clothing put on... sometimes that doesn't work, so I do it at the last minute before we head out). The two middle daughters are pretty independent, so they get themselves together and head out as soon as my oldest daughter is ready.
At the van: My oldest daughter knows how to unlock the door they need to enter. The children enter in a certain order. First the youngest enters first. His seat is in the first bench farthest from the one sliding door. Next my oldest daughter climbs in and helps youngest buckle in his seat. Next my second daughter gets in her seat and puts on her buckle. Finally, my third daughter gets in and buckles herself up, unless it's dark in which case my second daughter might need to help her. It used to be second daughter's job to help third daughter get buckled. Finally, oldest climbs over the first bench into the row on which she sits. How does this work? Everyone has assigned seats. YEAY! No arguements over who sits where. I put the baby in her seat as I compliment or correct based on how they did or did not accomplish the load up procedure. It actually works.
Having this system in place (loading up), I don't spend nearly as much time as I onc did. So, even though I'm not technically saving money, I am saving time... and time is really important to making money, right!??
Next week I'll share with you how it works when getting out of the van and going into stores.
Tricky Tuesday used to be all about saving money. It is now becoming more about dealing with things that might be tricky to deal with. In many instances, those things that are tricky to deal with may save you money if dealt with in a new way. We can hope!
So now I'm sharing what I've been given.
Do you feel completely frustrated and near to tears just at the thought of getting out of the house to go shopping? Well, if you have two or three babies (3 or under), all I can say is: this too shall pass. Seriously, you can implement some of my suggestions, but when your oldest child is 3 years old, things are bit more hectic than when they are bit older and more able.
My life is more difficult and fuller and better and harder all at once, now that I have 5 children. My oldest is 9 years old and amazing. The next is 7 and also amazing (in different ways, sometimes, but still amazing). I used to hear mothers of many say, "I couldn't have this many children without this many children." I get it now.
Because we have systems in place for most events, activities, situations, life is a lot easier even though it's still more difficult in some ways. Yes, I do know that sounds contradictory, but it's absolutely true.
To depart, I give assignments. They are usually pretty much the same. Oldst daughter helps with youngest child (finding shoes, getting any final articles of clothing put on... sometimes that doesn't work, so I do it at the last minute before we head out). The two middle daughters are pretty independent, so they get themselves together and head out as soon as my oldest daughter is ready.
At the van: My oldest daughter knows how to unlock the door they need to enter. The children enter in a certain order. First the youngest enters first. His seat is in the first bench farthest from the one sliding door. Next my oldest daughter climbs in and helps youngest buckle in his seat. Next my second daughter gets in her seat and puts on her buckle. Finally, my third daughter gets in and buckles herself up, unless it's dark in which case my second daughter might need to help her. It used to be second daughter's job to help third daughter get buckled. Finally, oldest climbs over the first bench into the row on which she sits. How does this work? Everyone has assigned seats. YEAY! No arguements over who sits where. I put the baby in her seat as I compliment or correct based on how they did or did not accomplish the load up procedure. It actually works.
Having this system in place (loading up), I don't spend nearly as much time as I onc did. So, even though I'm not technically saving money, I am saving time... and time is really important to making money, right!??
Next week I'll share with you how it works when getting out of the van and going into stores.
Tricky Tuesday used to be all about saving money. It is now becoming more about dealing with things that might be tricky to deal with. In many instances, those things that are tricky to deal with may save you money if dealt with in a new way. We can hope!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
statcounter
