I am the mother of 3 children 4 to 16 years old, run my own business and my husband works away on a 10/4 roster. I have become a master blender; that means knowing what activities I can ‘blend’ to make sure that everyone’s needs and wants are met. I have also become very aware of what situations and tasks could not be blended as they needed my full attention. I then created a very flexible routine around this. It seems to work most of the time, and as my children grow I change where required to fit with their needs and values at the current age stage.
Below are some blending activities, as well as what I have found are full focus times. I will also attempt to age group, as there are different needs at different ages.

Activities for 5’s & under-
• Baking and cooking together. They love standing on a chair, watching, stirring and touching. Give them their own bowl and let them go for it. They may make a bit of mess, however you have got your kitchen tasks done and had a chat along the way.
• Walking (either pram-ing it or on their little bikes). Great way to get out, get exercise and talk about bugs, butterflies, birds and trees.
• Get together with friends at the park. Big people and little people combination time!
• Reading a book. Don’t forget all important tickle time and share laughing.
• From about 3 let them help you clean. Give them their own cloth and/or bucket of plain water and guide them through the task.
• Sing and dance together.

Activities for primary school ages-
• Baking and cooking again. Both my older children can bake and make a couple of main meals. Very helpful on make your own dinner night!
• Get out and kick a ball or play catch. Great for developing their skills and revisiting yours, and lots of laughing.
• When at sporting practice, catch up with new and old friends, take a book you have been meaning to read or listen to your iPod. Remember to be watching them too! Read more ...

Perfectionism is the enemy of task completion. Many perfectionists are surrounded by organizing projects they have yet to start, but will not start them until they can do them perfectly.

In today's fast-paced world, there is no time to strive for perfection.

Listen and learn how to recognize if you are a perfectionist and how to conquer it.

Do your remember what happened when our prior President over a decade ago said, “Everyone deserves affordable housing?”

Well organized crime rings, and scrupulous greedy criminals answered the President’s call to help.  Like a tidal wave mortgage fraud-crossed America. Where were the warning sirens to warn Americans that it was coming? No town was left untouched, and every family was affected. 1 out of 4 American families lost their homes. The criminals who committed mortgage fraud felt no emotions, and they had no problem sleeping at night. They did not care whether someone had a roof over their head, or slept homelessly in some cold alley. Whether they were actual present here in America, or used pawns to commit the fraud living abroad, these criminals caused huge economic devastation. Now affordable housing is no more, and the criminals simply wait for the next “big thing” everyone needs.

Have we learned our lesson in 2010?

Well now our current President says, “Everyone deserves affordable health care? Sound familiar? Well the organized crime rings are here to answer the President’s call again to give every American afforded health care. Just over the last 6 months, there have been more fraudulent health care scams for “cheap medical insurance” than ever before. Again honest American’s are the ones who suffer. Read more ...

In the podcast, home office organizing, which I recorded today, Laura and I talked you through the important parts of home office organizing. I promised you, our listeners, more detail here than we were able to supply in our audio show. Here are some additional helps for success as you begin your home office organizing project:

First: Divide the office space into 3 areas to ensure that it is productive.

• Home office area #1 - This is the immediate work area. It contains essential items arranged for easy retrieval. A calendar, telephone, pens, notepads, computer & printer are common home office items that are best kept no more than a few feet away from the desk chair. 
• Home office area #2 - Items that get only occasional use could be placed several steps away from the main work area. If space allows, put these items on shelves and in filing cabinets around the exterior areas of the room.
• Home office area #3 -The 3rd area is for nonessential items. This area stores items used less often such as additional office supplies or old tax records. 

Second: An efficiently organized home office should be zoned into ACTIVITY areas. Position your office equipment by frequency of use.  The key is that logic plays into the home office organizing plan.  Most offices include the following: Read more ...

What is a Family Management Center? Why do I need one? What is required to get started? What are the benefits of a Household Hub?