SailingToSuccess

My friend Alice Seba wrote a great book on getting kids started in their own internet business. If you're like me, you see the value of a home based business and it would be GREAT to get kids going on their own business early on ... certainly better than working at the local McDonalds!!! :-)

To get your copy, just fill in your info below. Don't worry, I won't harrass you... the free pdf ebook will land in your inbox once you hit the button!
THANKS and let me know what you think!
Annette

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Work at Home Moms Housecleaning Tips - By: Carrie Lauth

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I loved this article by Carrie. Her tips are great with a humorous and fun zip. Love it!
Enjoy!
Annette
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As a work from home Mom of 3 kids who are with me ALL day, people often wonder how I'm able to do it all. So I decided to share some of my "Work from home Moms house cleaning tips" with you.

Be reasonable and lower your expectations when it comes to housework.

Remember...you ARE a working Mom. You get to do that work from home, but you're also doing it with small kids underfoot. You deserve a pat on the back, not a guilt trip.

Decide what's important to you and your family and focus on those tasks.

For instance...in my house, the kitchen always gets cleaned quickly after it's dirtied. My "ick factor" is a grimy sink. Plus, we're in that room more than any other. Bathrooms and kitchens are more important than other rooms because of the hygiene factor. A little dust or kid toys underfoot? Ah, who cares? Plus, as my sister, a mom of 4 always says, stepping on Legos is free acupressure.

My husband on the other hand, is into floors. The whole house could be a pig sty, but if the floors are clean, the house is clean to him. So I make it a point to vacuum before he gets home.

What makes your house clean? Make sure those tasks are done, which for most people means having a simple routine that you do without thinking. As for the rest...

Delegate, outsource, or procrastinate.

Decide what you can delegate to hubby, your kids or to a teenager eager to earn a few dollars. I think the best way you can spend $20 on your home based business is to pay a mommy's helper to come over for several hours and clean or play with your kids while you do business. Make sure you have a long to do list at the ready so you don't squander your time checking email or reading blogs. (Who, me?)

Your kids can be paid surprisingly small amounts of money to do cleaning that is above and beyond their regular chores. Don't feel guilty about doing this. I know one 6 year old who is one Jabba the Hutt Lego set richer because of all the dimes and quarters he earned vacuuming. Ahem.

Procrastinate the tasks that take the same amount of time to do whether they're done daily or weekly. Dishes, for one, take longer to do the longer they sit. Vacuuming and dusting take the same amount of time whether they're done daily or weekly.

And outsourcing...as soon as you can afford to, pay someone to do things around the house while you focus on more important tasks. And if you can't do that, invite someone over for a playdate. It's amazing how much energy you can drum up when company's coming, and how fast you can clean too!

Teach your children to clean up after themselves.

This isn't being a strict parent. It's doing your future daughters-in-law a favor. Even a 2 year old child can be gently trained to put dirty clothes in the hamper. It helps when you keep one in their room. Make it into a routine, make up a song about it, do what you need to do.

A child as young as 3 can be taught to pick up toys (sometimes they need a little supervision to keep on track), bring dirty dishes to the sink, wipe up spills, etc.

A 5 or 6 year old can be taught how to dust, clean glass surfaces, sweep under the table, and even vacuum.

Use the if/then technique.
"Oh you want some yogurt? When you pick up those books you may have some."

And as for hubby? Well, my personal standard is...if it doesn't make it to the hamper, it doesn't get washed. Your mileage may vary.

Use shortcuts.

If it's a nice day, have the kids eat lunch or snacks outside. No table, chairs, and floor to clean.

Reserve cleaning bathrooms for when your toddler is in the tub. You have to be in there anyway. Be sure to use a totally non toxic cleaner.

The best time to clean your shower or tub is right after you've used it...the hot steamy water loosens all the grime.

Open your mail over the trash can. Immediately dump all junk.

And here's one word of caution. Don't fall into the trap of running around like a crazy women during naptime or after bed doing all the cleaning. You need this time to pamper yourself a bit (if you're fortunate enough to have kids who still take naps!) and have some quiet time alone or with hubby.

Being a work from home Mom is full of challenges, but with some creativity and flexibility, you can have a thriving business and a tidy home.

How to have a (reasonably!) clean and tidy abode while working from home.

Carrie Lauth is a work at home Mom of 4 who enjoys helping other Moms learn how to build their businesses online. For your free help, go to http://www.business-moms-expo.com and sign up for the "No Fluff" newsletter.

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Holiday Timetable - Get a Jump Start on Holiday Planning Author: Duane & Marilyn Moll

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I thought this was a great timetable by Marilyn although we're already past some of her checkpoints. Use it as a guideline for your own planning starting now!

Enjoy!
Annette
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For many of us, planning Christmas festivities such as shopping, cooking, baking, gift making, and hospitality can automatically cause a great degree of anxiety. We, at The Urban Homemaker, don't advocate complicated or expensive holiday celebrations, and wish to encourage your family to focus on the true meaning of the holiday season. To do so while making preparations for the upcoming holidays, this twelve-week simplified timetable could be used as a checklist and is designed to be flexible in order to assist you.

Remember, the timetable is merely a suggestion; rearrange, add, or delete activites from the schedule to meet the needs of your family.

Week #1 - List Week Oct 3-9
Make your lists of gift recipients, Christmas cards, menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, goodies to share or to give, favorite meals to prepare ahead, decorations needed, and gifts to make.

Week #2 - Browse Week Oct 10-16
Develop and record ideas for gifts and decorations. Ask yourself the following questions:
* What would our ideal Christmas be like?
* What activities are particularly important to our family at Christmas?
* How much emphasis do our Christmas activities place on the spiritual side of Christmas?

Week #3 - Supplies Week Oct 17-23
After inventorying supplies on hand, purchase non-perishables needed for holiday baking, supplies needed for gift making, film, batteries, gift wrapping, and Christmas cards as needed.

Week #4 - Baking Week Oct 24- 30
Set aside the time needed to complete holiday goodie making. Make lists of toys, books, and clothes that children would enjoy and keep the list handy for telling family members who ask what they would like.

Week #5 - Gift Making Week Oct 31 - Nov 6
Focus your energies on completing gifts to be made, setting aside gifts that aren't coming together, and writing a Christmas letter. Find family photos suitable for inclusion with Christmas cards.

Week #6 - Shopping Week Nov 7-13
Decorate your home for Thanksgiving and focus on gift buying for prepared list. Wrap and label packages as you go. Set aside needed shipping boxes.

Week #7 - Shopping Week #2 Nov 14-20
Complete as much shopping as possible. Take advantage of many items that are on sale before Thanksgiving! Check Thanksgiving menus and grocery lists: purchase any additional, needed supplies.

Week #8 - Thanksgiving Week Nov 21-27
Use this week to prepare Thanksgiving dishes, pies, homemade rolls: enjoy the holiday with your family.

Week #9 - Mailing Week Nov 28-Dec 4
Complete package wrapping for gifts to be shipped. Complete addressing and mailing of Christmas correspondence.

Week #10 - Meal Making and Decorating Week Dec 5-11
Prepare some favorite meals and other baked goods for the hectic days ahead. Decorate. Involve children in memory making!

Week #11 - Final Shopping/Wrapping Week Dec 12-18
Complete last minute details and enjoy holiday parties, concerts, and family activities.

Week #12 - Dec19-25 Celebrate!
Enjoy the Holidays with Family and Friends! Take time to drive the neighborhoods to enjoy holiday lighting displays. Enjoy family traditions and special meals. Enjoy, and please let us know how it works out. We would love to have your feedback!

Reprint Permission Granted with the following information:

Copyright The Urban Homemaker 2004, "old fashioned skills for contemporary people".

Free 64-page catalogs are available by request at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/catalog