Good Old Days and The Little things

I surveyed my Facebook friends recently asking them What are old little things they miss or no longer see today? It could be a romantic gesture, or just memories of what they miss.

Some quickly commented with response such as  love notes, Picnics,  outdoor movies, quality time away from phone, pen pals, riding bike with friends, sipping in quarter juices, payphone, writing/ sending letters, poetry, calling people at home, these are some of many Responses.

As I read all these comments I kept reminiscing  about the good old days.

I  shared that I miss visiting people at home and having face to face conversations.
I recall visiting family and friends without giving them a notice in advance, and being welcomed in.  I remember setting dates to actually hangout in  peoples home to past time, dance or even sit to converse about what's occurring in life.

I remember calling people to simply ask how was their day which led to hours long conversations.

Don't misinterpret me, I'm  happy for technology such as phone and internet its convenient to all. It kept us connected in the sense that we're in touch, but we aren't as united as we were, once upon a time.
Why did we stop doing things we like?

People  no longer write letters, they E-mail where's the excitement in E-mails? Some people don't even E-mail they send long text. LoL
People no longer meet up to just hang out in in front of buildings, at the mall or ride bikes, nowadays  hanging out  means to actually do something for example go rock climbing or wine while paint.

I also have no issues with emailing and doing different type of activities, but I can't stop wondering 

why people no longer interact they day we once did?

Hmm, I would like to hear people opinions. Why the change? Do we change?  Or Why do we let the world change?

I would love to bring back pen pals, or how about payphones, as one Facebook friend suggested. I miss the payphones, especially when my cellphone is not charged.

What would you bring back or redo?

Happy Reading
VQ

Get Things Done!

I recently was introduced to a YouTube video by Mel Ribbons which inspired me to stop procrastinating and to start getting things done.
It doesn't matter what the case can be, stressed, depressed, money issue or even a broken relationship, if you want to better any aspect in your life just simply get it done.

Mel Ribbons shares her story and method of how she overcame hard times. I was so surprise how accurate she her information was about the human brain and interactions within oneself.
She created a five second rule in which I will be trying out, as well as some other suggestion from here video. I was so amazed I check out a few of her videos.
I am blogging about her not to promote her, but because I believe that she can be  helpful. I want to spread the word and what better way then to blog. :)
She also have a book, I believe it called 5 Second Rule, but I can be wrong I haven't had a change to look into the book.
But I do know about her You Tube videos check her out!!

Happy Viewing !!
VQ

A Mommy and Her Me Time

Most mothers, especially mothers with multiple kids are always busy, full of responsibility and are stressed barely make time for themselves. Well, women this has to change! 

We deserve some me time!

For mothers who are not familiar with the term "me time" 
Me time for a mother means when she is free from her the children and is selfish for a period of time. Some time is for a few hours, a day or maybe a weekend. "Me Time" is all yourself and your needs.
Some mothers on her free time still care for the household, for example catching up with chores. This is not me time!
Me time is when the mother is completely selfish.

She pampers herself, hang out with friend, do all she wants that she can't when the kids are around.
She can take this time and be alone, have some quite time, binge any show she desires to watch.

or maybe go on a romantic date.

When I have me time it depends on what mood I am.
Sometimes I am in the mood to get dolled up and have a girls night. Just me getting pretty reminding myself I deserve to be pampered. Just me hanging out , having dinner, drinks and listening to music forgetting for a night of all responsibilities. Just being me and enjoy the world.
Then there's other time that I just want to stay home take long baths, slow music, sip on some wine and just relax... lay in bed to catch up on well needed rest...do puzzles or catch up on shows I missed.
These are my "me time". 

I very much enjoy having me time. I believe mothers should make time for themselves. It can help release a lot of stress.  It has helped me keep sane, I'm pretty sure it will help others.

I wonder if there's other mothers out there  who have me time??

Hmm, I guess fathers can have me time too. Especially single fathers. It is not easy being a parent, but we all cope in different ways.

Me time is definitely a must!
Hope mothers out there reading my blog can make time. Give me tips, what are your me time like?

Happy Reading

VQ

Daily Routine of a Single Parent.

First let me begin by  expressing that this post and all post are my point of you. There is no correct way of parenting, therefore I am not always right and I am still learning as a parent.

I also want to point out that I  wrote "single parent" in the title because its goes for both mothers and father. There are terrific single fathers out in the world that deserve to be acknowledged and applauded.

I want to acknowledge that for most people being a parent is a choice, therefore we should conquer our parenting responsibilities with pride, even if  we are at our worse moments.

Being a parent is not a easy task. There is the cleaning, the feeding, the teaching, the discipling, the worrying, they are expensive and much more. Some say being a parent is a like having a full job, I have to agree but I believe it's the best job I ever have.  When co-parenting and living in the same household all these task may seem simple, since both parents are in constant communication and helping each other. On the other hand a single parent household, I want to be clear here because I am co-parenting but the children father does not leave with us, he has them every other weekend. He is a great father, we communication to a certain extent, but I consider myself  single parent since the children live with me.
So, in a single parent household all these task may be more complex. It take more effort and time.
All parents have their own method of parenting, they have their proper routine. I am going to describe my daily routine beginning at bed time.

On a weekdays Sunday night thru Friday basis. I always ask the kids to take the clothes out the night before so just in case we are running late it's already on step to getting ready.  I try to get the kids to bed by 8:30 - 9PM. I say try because by the time they actually fall asleep its around 10:30PM.
At this time is when I like to clean, pick up and get the house ready for the next day. But while I get things together and the kids should be sleeping there is the "I'm thirsty", or "I have to go to bathroom" interruptions, therefore bedtime gets delay.
On a good night sleep, I like to wake up around 6 to 6:30AM. I try to wake the kids up by 6:30AM  so that we have enough time to get ready. If they are hungry I will prepare a quick breakfast but they  usually eat in school.
I then drive them to each of their schools, and continue to work.
after the eight hour shift, I pick them up from their after school program. A few years back we would go home and get ready to go to football practice, for about two hours before going home to relax. They are not currently in any sport so now we go straight home unless I have to run some errands. While I begin dinner the kids would continue the homework that wasn't completed at the after school program.
Then we eat I check the homework, quiz them if they have any up coming tests, communicate and watch a bit of television if there is time, than proceed to getting ready for the next day.

Doesn't seem like a lot right? ;D  oohh it is!

On the weekends it gets better, and easier. I mean there is a lot more attention given to the children since they're not in school, but its more relaxing. There isn't a time frame set to get things done.
In the weekend the day begins whenever we wake up. (unless its daddy's weekend, I like to drop them off early so that they can spent time with their father and siblings. plus I get me time :))
So like I mention, the weekend begins when we wake up. Sometime the kids let me sleep in  a bit while the sneak to the living room to watch TV. ;D.
Most time our weekend is for laundry. I like to do most of the chores like cleaning on Friday nights, so that we can actually enjoy the weekend. But most likely weekend is laundry day. I let the kids choose the day either Saturday or Sunday. I like to make them feel that they can have options. Also with the food, I like to ask what they want to eat. Weekends we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometime they help with the cooking, My kids can make some delicious Crepe!!!  I also like to make the weekend family days. We have activities, or movie night. We like to binge shows, it the best ! or play video game until we can complete the game. :) Yea I can be a big kid with them but these are the happy memories they will cherish.

Then Sunday night back to the same routine.

It is important that even if we have a routine, there is patience shared  and love spread. Sometime, and I know this for a fact, since I do it, we forget that the children are only kids and we expect them to get things done the first time. As they get older they will get things done, but we have to remember that they are still kids and we are the adults. We have to be there to remind them and support them in every aspect of life. If they are wrong we teach, and if they are right, we must praise them so they can continue to do good.
In this generation I see children acting like adults and its sad. I am guilty of this. My child sometime acts older then his age, and I have to remind my self he is a child he will make mistake. I shouldn't be giving my children more responsibilities that they shouldn't handle. I am still growing as a parent and am willing to learn. But at the same time I feel that they need to learn at some point so the earlier I speak and teach them the more they will learn and understand.

I am one of the lucky single parents, I have the kids father around to co-parent with me. We sometime don't see eye to eye but when it comes to the kids we try to be consistent.Some say I am parenting all alone but I have to disagree sometimes,  I have to give my kids father some credit. :) I know single mothers and fathers that have to do it all on their own and it gets exhausting y'all!
I am exhausted, imaging completely solo! But I wouldn't change it for the world, my children are the reason why I breathe. I am so thankful to have them.

What  can I do to better my parenting??

What are your routine??

Lets parenting together!

Hope to hear from you. Happy reading
VQ