Spring Project Management

You have probably already started mentally making notes about some of the projects that require warmer weather. Whether we wait until spring because of the necessity of working outside to get things done or because we lack the stamina to complete tasks in the winter, spring projects have long been a tradition. It could be as small as changing out lightbulbs or batteries to as big a project as finishing a basement. Making home improvements, no matter the size, helps to restore both our spirits and our homes. Projects can be a way for a family to spend quality time together on a Saturday morning. They also have the potential to improve the value of your home.

Begin to move your projects from your mind to paper. Not only does this help you remember what needs to be done, but it is also one more step in holding yourself accountable. Print out ListPlanIt.com's Seasonal Project List for Spring and hang it on your refrigerator or tack it up on the family bulletin board. As you think of things that would be good to work on, be sure to list them. Include supplies you might need and the steps to accomplish them. Visit listplanit.com for the lists you need to manage your home thoughtfully www.listplanit.com.

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Get Real—Set Reasonable Expectations

The holiday season may be portrayed as trouble free and festive. But family problems may escalate when the season arrives. The reality of the holidays, much like life, is that real people and families are not perfect. If you can change your expectations—don't expect holidays to be like the movies!—you may have a more enjoyable experience.

Tips for setting reasonable expectations:

* Do your best to stick to your regular family routine. Changing your schedule to fit in holiday activities and traveling can be tough on you and your kids, so try to keep things as normal as possible. Try to keep bedtimes and mealtimes the same even when you're away from home.
* Talk with your family about schedules. Take time to explain each day's activities to your children and let them know what you expect from them. Together, choose activities that you really want to do. You can't do everything, so you might let your children pick their favorite things for your family to do. Do the things that you all will enjoy the most, and then say "no" to extra activities.
* Talk with family members about your expectations for their behavior at the holidays. We can't tell our children to behave if a family member models drinking too much, swearing and bringing their old baggage to the table.
* Talk with your family about finances. Even young children can learn how to budget for gifts. Urge them to get creative and make presents for family members instead of buying them. Receiving a thoughtful gift from a child can be a memorable holiday moment. Many families concentrate on special things they can make or do for each other.

Maintain Your Health:

* Eat in moderation - Eat small meals several times throughout the day.
* If a meal is particularly delicious - take half of it off your plate and save it for later.
* Drink water - stay hydrated.
* Drink in moderation or replace alcohol with lemon water, fresh tea or sparkling organic lemonade.
* Get your sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to stress.
* Exercise - Use 10 minute movement morsels if you cannot get outside to ride your bike or go for a walk.

Take Time To Relax and Play with Your Family:

Plan quiet time or at least downtime from activities. Take a few moments to read a book, take a bubble bath, or sit down and listen to your favorite songs. You also may want to:

* Play a board game with your family.
* Go for a walk with your family to see holiday displays in your neighborhood.
* Join your kids for fun family exercise. If you choose something outdoors, the fresh air and exercise can lift your spirits.
* Settle down for storytime with your family. Pull out holiday stories that you loved as a child and read them aloud together.

Volunteer at a Local Charity:

Carving out a few hours to volunteer at a charity might seem impossible but giving your time and energy may help you find the spirit of the season. Stuck for ideas? You and your family might help wrap gifts for needy children, deliver meals to families in need, or visit residents in a local nursing home.

Just Do Your Best:

As you enjoy the holiday season, do your best to limit stress. Don't expect everything to go as planned. Your child may get sick on the holiday, the oven might break as you are cooking a special dinner, or a storm may prevent relatives from visiting. When these things happen, let the family help decide on a new plan. For example, if the electricity goes out, grab your flashlights and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Use cookie cutters to cut them into fun shapes!

Don't let unexpected events ruin the holidays for you. Be adaptable and flexible. You can help yourself and your children relax and enjoy the holidays for what they truly are: a time of joy, celebration, and peace with friends and family.

Get organized on www.listplanit.com
Ready Meryl Starr's Personal Organization

Spring Cleaning & Organization

Making your house a home includes creating an environment in which you thrive. Use a bit of The Family Coach Environmental Engineering in order to make your house a home.

Look at your decor, is it drab and in need of a "Lift-Me-Up"?

Change the seating arrangement in your great room, move plants from one room to the next, take a few pictures off the walls and change them out with ones you have in your garage. Throw away your dust collecting knick-knacks and clean the visual palate in your home. Buy some flowers and place them on your kitchen counter and in each bathroom. Fresh flowers say "Welcome."

Don't wait, dive in today!

If you spend just 15-30 minutes a day for one week re-engineering your home, by next weekend, you're home will have had an "environment-lift" and you and your family will feel more energy for the Summer ahead.

Use These Family Coach Solutions to bring the environmental energy back into your home.

MAKE A PLAN:

 Make a list of areas you want to work on in priority order
 Start with the areas that bother you the most
 Write down exactly what you'd like to be better about the specific room
 List major areas of change for each room
 Draw out placement of large items
 Do a quick survey of storage items that you may wish to bring into your environment
 Write down which room yu'll work on which day
 Take note of every 15 minute block you work to re-engineer your home (you'll be amazed at what you can do!)
 Finish one project before starting another

MOTIVATE YOURSELF:

 Get help: Friend, Family, Neighbors, your kids
 Make it a family game or activity, assign one room to each kid, play "Trading Spaces"
 Designate family relationship rewards - When we finish a room we will go for a bike ride, or paint a picture or have a BAR-B-Q

MAKE A HOME FOR SMALL ITEMS:

 Make a home for every little thing in your house
 Start small- a cabinet, a drawer, a shelf
 Use a label machine on everything
 Separate items
• Give away/ donate / Sell in a yard sale
• Can help with storage around the house
• No use/ trash
• Recycle
• Doesn’t be long here
• Repair
 Don’t put it down, Put it away!
 Keep no more than one junk drawer

ENGINEER VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY:

 Use a rod, hanger or hook
 Use existing shelves
 Use a bookcase
 Create a files
• Personal papers
• Financial
• Home warranties
• Bank statements
• Tax papers
• School papers
• Divide content by person and year
 Divide household categories
 Store items hidden on highest pot shelves
 Store items under the bed

HARD TO THROW IT AWAY? ASK YOURSELF:

 When did I use this last?
 When will I use it again?
 Do I really need more then one of certain items?
 Do I know someone who will get better use out of it?
 Does it work? Is it worth repairing?
 Does it fit RIGHT NOW?
 If I am going to keep, does it belong where I found it?
 How hard would it be to replace it in the future if needed it?

GREEN ORGANIZING ON A BUDGET:

 Use baby food jars for nuts, screws, paper clips, loose change, etc.
 Use film canisters for pins, buttons, tacks, etc.
 Use old Tupper Wear
 Use extra silverware trays
 Use hooks
 Use tape
 Use old shoe boxes
 Use clean pasta sauce jars
 Use hat boxes
 Use jewelry boxes
 Line bathroom drawers with hand towels for easy clean-up

Print this out, send it to a friend, add more tips in the comment section of The Family Coach Blog, 'cause we're all in this together.