Tag: overwhelmed

Homeschooling Through The Unexpected

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

**This post does contain some affiliate links which could possibly earn me a small commission if a purchase was made through them. These links help to support our blog and our family.

We’ve all been there… or some of us have. I was once a very efficient, organized, multitasking homeschooling Momma. I still am for the most part but I have learned that you also need a lot of flexibility and patience.

There will be times when your plans go perfectly and everything seems to be so easy. But then there will be times when your homeschool is complete CHAOS! This can happen in the blink of an eye and without warning. Continue reading “Homeschooling Through The Unexpected” →

13 Fun First Day Back To HomeSchool Ideas

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

**This post does contain some affiliate links which could possibly earn me a small commission if a purchase was made through them. These links help to support our blog and our family.

I can remember how excited I always was on my first day back to school. I loved school as a kid and I was always so eager to learn. My best memories were of the teachers who let us play games or gave us special treats on that first day. Maybe they were just trying to bribe us but it was something I remember.

As a homeschooling Momma I can find ways to bring that excitement into our homeschool. I try to keep things fun and interesting and sometimes do something a little crazy. Check out my new Pinterest board, Homeschool: First Day Activities. Continue reading “13 Fun First Day Back To HomeSchool Ideas” →

Simplify Your Life: Step 3 Learn To Say ‘NO’ Without Feeling Guilty

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

**This post may contain affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

This post is part of a multi-section post in honor of National Simplify Your Life week which is the first week of August. The original post wasn’t as short and simple as I had wanted it to be so I decided to break it down into a few shorter posts.

3. Learn to say ‘NO’ without feeling guilty

I am so guilty of this! Right now I am sitting here with two laptops open, a huge TO-Do list, and a pile of notes that I’m taking care of. Not to mention that I have five kids running around who also need my attention, laundry to finish, and there will be lunch and dinner to make at some point. Many of these items on my To-Do list are not personal items for myself but things I’ve told others I’d help them with.

Why do I let myself do that? I am just a genuinely helpful person and I don’t seem to be able to say ‘NO’ when others ask for my help. This is something I really need to work on if I am ever going to have any time for myself and my family.

So many times we let ourselves get overwhelmed by making too many commitments. Sometimes we really just need to relax and enjoy life. It’s hard, I know, to say ‘NO’ but we really need to learn to do it more. Once we learn how to say ‘NO’ to the things that aren’t that important we will have more time to say ‘YES” to those things that are important. Check out this book, ‘How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty: And Say Yes to More Time, and What Matters Most to You‘, for tips.

While you are practicing saying ‘NO’ start saying ‘NO’ to multitasking too.

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed? Check out 3 Strategies to Stop Feeling So Overwhelmed (FREE Webinar).

Stop Multitasking?

Wait, what? Yes, I know that might seem impossible. I am always multitasking as are most Mommas. The problem is that many times we start things and don’t finish them.

I have so many half finished projects laying around the house. Granted quite a few of them don’t belong to me but they are the result of multitasking.

When we are focusing on so many things we aren’t as focused on the task on hand. We need to focus on the stuff that really matters and work on it until completed before moving on to the next task. You will find that life is much simpler when we stop sweating the small stuff.

Check out these books here and here to find out how to get more done.

Be sure to check out the other post in this series for more simple ways to simplify your life.

 

Click here to go to Step 4.

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Have You Bought Your School Supplies Yet?

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog4 Comments

**This post does contain some affiliate links which could possibly earn me a small commission if a purchase was made through them. These links help to support our blog and our family.

We’ve bought the majority of our school supplies for the upcoming year. I know from experience that this is something best done sooner rather than waiting to the last minute.

Not sure what to buy? Check out my post here with our Free Printable Back to school list. I’ll try to start planning for our next year’s school choices about midyear. This gives me plenty of time to research and make lists for supplies that we’ll need.

Not homeschooling? Check with your child’s school and/or teacher for supply list. Many times the local Walmart will have a handy checklist available when you walk in. Continue reading “Have You Bought Your School Supplies Yet?” →

Surrender Those Burdens

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

Hey there Momma (or maybe Daddy)! I see you… you right there who is so tired you can barely keep your eyes open. The Momma who was up all night with a sick baby or maybe your the one who had a couple of sick babies.

Maybe the Momma who is working two or three jobs to make ends meet. The money doesn’t seem to stretch quite far enough and then the babysitter wants a raise or is thinking about moving away.

The Momma worried about whether or not the car will start in the morning. Not to mention the sound it just started making.

The Momma who has been saving here and there to buy a new outfit because all of her good clothes now have holes in them. But then little Jimmy’s jacket is a tad too small or Haley has suddenly grown an inch since school started and her shoes are too tight.

The Momma whose plate is so full she needs help to carry it. Then when she feels she is just about to snap from all the pressure something else happens. It feels like fate is not on your side at all.

Maybe you are the Momma who feels like she just isn’t enough. You feel like you just can’t seem to get anything right lately. Nothing seems to be going your way. No matter how much you do there always seems to be more that needs done at the end of the day.

You’re tired, more than tired, you’re exhausted. You feel like you could sleep a week or two and still not be caught up on your rest. There is no amount of caffeine that can revive you at this moment.

You feel overwhelmed because even though you are tired you can’t seem to get any rest. Even when you manage to get in bed or lay down for a nap there is no peaceful slumber to come. It seems the minute your head hits the pillow the kids start to cry or whine, the phone rings, or someone comes to the door. Then once your eyes close it seems like only a minute before the alarm is going off at the crack of dawn and it’s time to start again.

There are so many worries and so many people depending on you. There are bills to be paid, meals to fix, clothes to wash, and a house to clean. There just seems to be so much to do. Most days you fly through it with little thought. You do what needs done and don’t think twice.

But today is different. You are just so tired that you feel like you can’t. You can’t find the energy to write those checks or even log in to the bill pay site. Thinking about what needs cooked makes you want to order pizza but you don’t feel like getting dressed to go pick it up.

Not to mention that other 100 things on your To Do list. Then you have that project due at school or work. Which reminds you that the kids didn’t finish their homework yet either. Sigh… for a fleeting moment the idea of running away seems like a perfectly sensible thing to do.

But Momma those things can wait just a bit. Right now I just want you to STOP everything and take a deep breath. Clear your mind and think of something peaceful.

These crazy moments won’t last forever. I promise. They will pass and you will get through this. You are not alone and there is always someone there for you.

In your craziest most overwhelming moments God is there. He is ready and waiting to listen to you. He wants to share your burdens and take away those worries. He will listen without judgement and if you let Him, He will guide you to where you need to be.

He will bring the peace in the storm. He will make those impossible mountains of tasks seem like small hills. You can do anything when He is by your side. All you need to do is just ask.

God loves you!

Ask Him for strength, healing, peace, calm, guidance, and wisdom.

Trust in Him that He is using this moment to mold you and shape you into the person He needs you to be.

Surrender those burdens over to Him. Give Him all of your worries and cares.

He is waiting Momma. He is there to comfort you just as you comfort your children and those around you. He is there to give you the rest you so desperately need.

All you need to do is to go to Him, right now. Let it all go. Open your heart out to Him. He will listen and He will help you.

Remember too that tomorrow is a new day. A fresh start to everything. Don’t stress over what you can’t do or change and just concentrate on what you can do or change. One foot in front of the other. Don’t be afraid to stop and talk to God as often as you need to. He will help you through you today, tomorrow, and everyday to come.

God Bless!