Track Your Yells and Work on Stopping {The Orange Rhino}

Ever since I joined in the challenge back in January, I have been working on becoming yell free. It's hard. It is very hard. I am still working on it and I still slip up. More often then I would like to admit...

Like yesterday and today. I had quite a few slip ups. Why? 

• I wasn't feeling good and just wanted to sleep
  
  
• The computer wasn't working and I had things I *needed* to get done (not really, it could have waited)
  
  
• Truth?     I just didn't want to be bothered
  

Sad? Yeah, but that is life sometimes. Day in and day out we are a parent. Just doing things we want to do is no longer an option. It makes it harder when all you hear is the same question over and over and over again when you are just trying to think!

I CanNot handle all that Noise!!!

Well, they are just trying to get your attention. They are just responding the way you are showing them to respond...

Hard, I know... Especially when you just want to do things you enjoy, just for you. When you haven't had the opportunity to do those things in several weeks.

The Orange Rhino is such a helpful tool to make those times between yells easier. Like taking the time out to track the yells (head here and scroll to 4)... Honestly, I might not have noticed those three things bulleted above if it weren't for the tracking sheet.

I did so much behavior tracking for the purpose of modification while I was working in special education. Who would have thought to do that for myself? It's amazing what you can find out about yourself. And learning to handle the yells; hold them in, redirect them into a pillow (my personal fave), is something that is going to help them later. I know I don't want my kid to be the kid that yells at there sibling or at their friend on the playground.

I watched a kid throw shoes at my son while on the playground at the park. I have no idea what went on and I know my son is not innocent by any means. I am glad it wasn't my son that through those shoes, I just hope that he doesn't turn into one that will...

I am working on not yelling.

Check out her site. Follow along, take the challenge, and give it a try if you feel you yell too much. You might be surprised what you find out. 

Why I Love to Sew: Thankful for the Ladies of the Tucson Modern Quilt Guild

There is something about the sound of the running sewing machine that sends my mind into a trance and all that exists is the machine, my hands and the fabric. It's an escape, an alternate reality of threads. When I return to the real world I hold in my hands something tangible, something that can be used and is loved.

I enjoy the sounds, smell and feel of the fabric. 

It's an escape.

The craft room is my 'mommy time' room. Most of the time Nikolai listens to me and does not enter when I am in there. But really, it is an activity necessary to complete during nap time. 

Nikolai's nap times are becoming fewer and farther between, if at all. This means that sewing time is less and less frequent as well. 

Yesterday, I was lucky. I got to head to a local quilt shop with a couple members of the Tucson Modern Quilt Guild and just sew. Socialize and sew. No kids. I managed to finish the border on Nikolai's dinosaur quilt and cut and start the piecing on the chess quilt! I got so much done, it was wonderful!

Not to mention, when I was on my drive home, I felt relaxed! I felt it in my shoulders! And, I wasn't just making something. I was taking a much needed, kid free, mommy break. I was gone for nearly (drive time included) 5 hours! That is so long with no kids! Thank you Tucson Modern Quilt Guild! And the hubby for watching the kids!

It is amazing how much more I can appreciate my own kids when given the time away...

I needed that...

There is something, a feeling that comes, from taking something plain (beautiful, but plain) and turning it into something completely different. Like sheets of fabric, cutting them up, and making an incredible blanket, or clothes. Function and beauty together. I feel proud of myself. 

It doesn't require that much thought, it comes easily, almost naturally.

I still have a lot to learn and that makes it even more fun! 

I think moms, or at least those parents who stay at home, need something for them. It is so easy to loose yourself in the midst of kids, diapers, cartoons, children's games, toys, potty time, etc. The list goes on and on. We adults need something to remind us that we are adults, that we are our own person. I sew.

If you don't sew, I hope that you have that niche or special something that sets you apart from your kids. 

Don't forget to find the time to be you! 

A Little Bit of Reality... Needing Some Quality 'Me' Time... {The Orange Rhino: 30 Challenge to Stop Yelling}

I love my kids so much! But, these last few days have been so hard! I'm a yell-er. I didn't used to be until after I had started working. I thought it would go away once I stopped working... it didn't... I don't like it... I hate it...

Nikolai is taking every toy away from Samara when she starts playing...

Samara has not been napping well. That makes for one cranky and tired baby...

Nikolai refuses to nap and has been giving me attitude/back talking...

The only ounce of me (by myself, alone) time I have is in the evening, after everyone has gone to bed when it is late. Or a rush to the grocery store because we need something. Then, I'm in a rush to try and make the most out of my me time that it becomes more stressful than relaxing...

I have gone a week without showering! Yuck! At least I have clean clothes...

My phone has not been working (not charging and wont turn on) so I haven't even really been able to have a good conversation with a friend in almost a week. I miss a good convo with a friend...

Mostly, I usually only get out of the house is to run errands (grocery shopping)...

If you haven't noticed, I am feeling the need for some 'me' time, time with friends, or just peace without children. I feel like I am on the verge of a break down. Unfortunately, it is real and hiding it is not healthy. So I am trying to get it out and just not sit down and cry...

Today (Day 17) of the Orange Rhino, 30 day challenge to not yell at your kids, is to make goals to take care of yourself...

My Daily goals:

- eat breakfast (you think it would be easy... but I need to remember coffee is not breakfast)

- read a book or a chapter, or even half a chapter, just to read some for me

- go to bed earlier than 2am 

Short term goal:

- get a haircut (I want it short, it would be a bit of a drastic change though) *feedback?

Long term goal:

- take photography classes and/or clothing pattern drafting classes (a maybe because of expense)

-or-

- get together with a friend for coffee or lunch or something (no kids) at least quarterly

What are your goals for yourself? How do you make sure that you take care of you? How do you get some quality 'me' time in?