Sunday, May 16, 2010

Strategy

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I am coming to realize that in this world of parenting and well, even just living in general, so much of your success really depends quite a bit on strategy. Now, I have to say that this kills me a little to say this because I do believe wholeheartedly in spontaneity and fully embrace misguided adventures... but... in the end, my successes are most evident through strategic planning. Sad but true.

Case in point. If you were anywhere within hearing distance to the Medallion Target or Gtarget as we lovingly refer to it... you definitely heard the results of non-planning. Poor Kelly. Probably never a good idea to hear your child screaming through the van door and it still hurt your ears?

Strategy. I still have so much to learn. How lucky am I that I have some true miracle planners for friends?! I love having friends that are smarter than me in ways of life because then I can steal their ideas without having to think too hard. Yes. I am that lazy.

For instance, hair-wash night. Molly LOATHES hair-wash night. DREADS hair-wash night. Starts asking about hair-wash night at breakfast. It is rather sad town and it only escalates throughout the day. Always a battle. Can I please tell you how lucky I am that my husband bathes our children EVERY night? But it is still loud throughout the house and perhaps down the street. No escaping hair-wash night.

Until... wait, what is this Molly? A smile?


My brilliant friend, Tiffany, introduced me to the world of Popsicle bath time. For our house, this only happens on hair-wash nights. Now, molly (and Gabriel) can eat their Popsicles during scrub time. I mean it's not like they're going to get that dirty... GENIUS. And it all goes back to strategy.

So, as of tomorrow morning we will be two weeks away from moving. Wow. That happened fast. I am really making a point right now to focus only on the things that I can control. For those of you that don't know this about me, this is a big struggle for me. When I am tired or stressed I often focus on the details that I can't alter... it consumes me. So instead, I am going to create strategy. Moving strategy. Starting today...

See this...

I packed up one WHOLE closet tonight. I know this might seem trivial but oh no, this is HUGE. This week we will be focusing on minor home improvements, sorting and packing all the closets and drawers. The following week we will be able to focus on packing the bigger things. Not having to live around boxes for the next two weeks? I'll take it... I can just stack them in my packed closets!

And since we technically could still have house showings, etc... everyone wins.

Keep you posted!

5 comments:

Janet said...

Brilliant! Fortunately my kids love bath time, but popsicles are something to consider for the future. I love learning things from other mommies too. However, you are a smart and wonderful mom that has great ideas too! We can all learn from each other!

Joanie D. said...

Julie, I know I say this everytime, but your kids are PRECIOUS!! I'm sad that we didn't hang out while we all lived in the Dallas area. Good luck with everything!

Katy Ricken said...

Bathtime is the best time for popsicles!! That's where Meg eats most of hers...you don't have to worry about stained clothes or sticky fingers...they're already in the bathtub to wash up! Love it!!

Rosana Beharry said...

Hey Julie, Your family is beautiful. If I can have your e mail, I have a quick question for you about child life!

Mary Anne said...

What a good idea with the popsicles! Good luck with all that packing - I do not envy you at all!