momAgenda_blog http://www.momagenda.com/blog/ en Copyright 2009 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:25 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.23-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Vacation--Too Much of a Good Thing? momAgenda Our family just returned from a 10-day vacation at a beautiful beach in Long Island. It is one of my favorite places in the world; when I sit on that beach I literally feel my worries melting away, as a blanket of calm comes over me. But I have a confession to make: I could not wait to come home.
I am admittedly confused by my apparent inability to truly relax and enjoy some down time. During normal day-to-day life, my to-do list stretches for miles, and I need to carefully schedule each day in order to meet all my responsibilities. I frequently become frustrated and complain to my husband and girlfriends about the crazy pace of life. As a mother of 4 and a business owner, the sheer weight of my commitments can sometimes feel overwhelming.
So a vacation should be a welcome respite, right? Sure, for a little while. But getting out of our daily routines is not all it's cracked up to be. After all, we create our routines because they help make our lives easier. Without our daily routines, I become completely inefficient. My kids barely got a decent meal the whole week, the house was messy, and I ended up at the grocery store EVERY DAY because I could not get my act together to plan in advance. I actually suffered the indignity of being told by my 9-year-old that it's really best to buy food for the whole week when you go to the store, not just for one day.
It is really embarrassing to admit I am so dependent on my daily scheduling and meal planning to make things run smoothly. Especially since I like to think of myself as a mellow, freewheeling, go-with-the-flow type of mom. The fact is that structure is not just good for the kids; it is good for moms too.
Do you keep routines in place when you go on vacation?

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/07/vacation--too_much_of_a_good_t.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/07/vacation--too_much_of_a_good_t.html Dear momAgenda Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:25 -0500 We Announce Our Winner! momAgenda Thanks to everyone who participated in the top 3 favorite things giveaway! From reading your responses, I learned the following 3 things:
1. You LOVE coffee
2. You love your gadgets: laptop, camera, iphone, ipod, itouch
3. if I do say so myself, you love your momAgenda:)
Our winner, chose completely at random, is: Cheryl Nunes Vance!!!
Cheryl, congratulations, I will reach out to you to arrange all the details. Or you can email me at nina@momagenda.com.
Thanks again everyone, and check back for our next contest soon!

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/07/we_announce_our_winner_2.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/07/we_announce_our_winner_2.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:36:00 -0500 Tell Me Your Top 3 Things (and be entered to win!) momAgenda Ladies, in honor of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, we are sponsoring yet another great contest!
Please tell me what are the 3 things in your house that you absolutely can't live without. We will then choose (at random) 1 winner who will receive a momAgenda day planner of her choice from the momAgenda store.
Oh, and I already know that you can't live without your kids/hubby or life partner/parent(s), and also your dog/cat/fish/hamster, so they don't count for the purposes of this contest.
Just to get things started, I can't live without: my blackberry (aka my mobile office), my big comfy bed (heaven on earth), and my momAgenda (I know that sounds self-serving but it is really true!!).
Hopefully, this contest will give all of you some great ideas on must-have items that women across the country consider indispensable.
So let's hear from you! And, good luck!

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/07/tell_me_your_top_3_things_and.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/07/tell_me_your_top_3_things_and.html Dear momAgenda Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:57:57 -0500 Tip: Create A Meal Routine momAgenda This tip is especially helpful for parents of younger kids. When my kids were preschool age there was a lot of complaining about the dinner menu; this is possibly because I have 4 kids, and it's hard to get 4 kids to agree on anything! My solution was to start planning dinner in advance and posting it on a small chalkboard in our kitchen. We actually set up a weekly dinner routine: spaghetti and meatballs on Mondays, roast chicken on Tuesdays, etc. This really helped reduce the complaining in our house, because the kids knew what was coming each night.
As my kids have gotten older they have started requesting more variety in their dinners, but when they were little, this tip was a lifesaver.

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/tip_create_a_meal_routine.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/tip_create_a_meal_routine.html Dear momAgenda Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:43:06 -0500 Help, I Have Lost My Routine! momAgenda Today was effectively the first day of summer in my house, as school is now over for all 4 children. Oh, how I was looking forward to this day: the children would be blessedly free from responsibility, able to run outside and play with the wind blowing through their carefree hair...
I don't think so. Today was one of the hardest days for me as a working mom. The kids' activities at our community pool, which I thought I planned so carefully, are totally interfering with my schedule. Not to mention, the next moment I will have free time is approximately 3 weeks from now, when Jamie starts camp, since I neglected to realize I am going to need to be with him every second until camp starts! I tried getting Andrew, who at 13 is perfect age to be a Mother's Helper, to be my little helper, but he was too busy flirting with girls at the pool to pay attention to his little brother.
So here I am, a working mom who is unable to get any work done, actually missing the old school routine, and it is all my own fault. And yes, all you smart people, I did use my momAgenda for planning. All the kids' activities are written semi-legibly in the corresponding boxes.
I think I subconsciously signed myself up to spend more time out of the office this summer. Time to embrace it and enjoy.
Although, I just heard a rumor that our pool has free wi-fi service...

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/help_i_have_lost_my_routine.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/help_i_have_lost_my_routine.html Dear momAgenda Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:49:28 -0500 Please Take Our Survey! momAgenda We want to learn more about our valuable customers! We've created a short online survey that we'd like you to fill out. You can access the survey using this link.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to complete this survey! We always love hearing from our customers and are eager to see your responses.

PS:
Once you complete the survey, click "Done," and you will receive a coupon code for 15% off your next purchase at www.momagenda.com. The coupon will remain valid through the month of June. We think that this will be a good time of year to use this coupon as our August 2009-December 2010 line is now available.

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/please_take_our_survey.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/please_take_our_survey.html Dear momAgenda Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:44:35 -0500 No We are Not Crazy, It Really Is Time to Start Thinking About Back to School momAgenda Well, sort of.
We've just posted our newest Printable, the momAgenda Back to School Checklist. I know it seems a little early for this sort of thing, but in our humble opinion it is never too early to start thinking about and planning for such an overwhelming time of year.
We created this Printable for purely selfish reasons. Maureen, my business partner, and I collectively have 7 kids aged 6-13, so we have many times experienced firsthand the craziness that is the back to school season. I personally do not want to once again get stuck during the chaotic last week of August, scrambling for the required pediatrician appointment and bemoaning the fact that my kids have no clothes that fit them.
Our new Printable is not just a checklist, it is also a timeline, so you'll have guidance not just on what to do but on when to do it. For example, I recommend making pediatrician appointments now, especially for those kids who have a required physical exam due by the first day of school.
Check out our Back to School Checklist here here. Please let me know what you think!


]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/no_we_are_not_crazy_it_really.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/no_we_are_not_crazy_it_really.html Dear momAgenda Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:25:31 -0500 Today's Tip momAgenda This tip is one of my favorites. With 4 kids, the morning mad rush out the door for school is really one of the banes of my existence; I am always looking for ways to streamline the process. If only I could wake up earlier, and arrange for immediate intravenous caffeine delivery, it might help! But I digress... anyway, this tip makes getting out the door in the morning so much easier, so try it this summer and see if it works for you.
I keep large baskets, one for each child, near our garage door. If you have a mudroom, that is the ideal place for your baskets. My kids know that this basket is where they are to leave all their "stuff." Shoes, sneakers, cleats, soccer balls, library books, backpacks, lunchboxes, hats, gloves, anything at all. This is a great way to keep all the kids' stuff organized and contained. It is also an opportunity to teach the kids about being organized: there is a designated place where their stuff goes, and they are responsible for that.
For some reason, all the stuff bothers me less when it is contained in a pretty basket! More importantly, this is a great way to stay organized. Rather than searching the house for your preschoolers' sneakers or lunchbox or soccer ball (or all of the above), just check the basket.
Do you have any suggestions for improving upon this tip? Please post!

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/todays_tip.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/todays_tip.html Dear momAgenda Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:52:34 -0500 Ditching Carefree Ways for Something Even Better momAgenda A group of girlfriends and I are currently doing weight watchers together. During our latest weigh-in meeting, someone commented that losing weight is a lot of work. You need to prepare grocery lists; plan meals; cook in advance; exercise; not to mention think before every bite you place in your mouth and then write down exactly what you ate. It is very different from the old, carefree way of just eating without thinking; but if you want to be healthy, you need to put in the effort.
I recently realized that being an organized mom has many parallels with the process of shifting to a healthy eating plan. It is hard work. You have to write things down before you forget. You have to spend time and energy planning your week in advance. I have been known to spend 10 minutes staring at a spread in my momAgenda, just trying to figure out how I am going to make it all work. It takes way more effort than simply being a mom without thinking.
As much as I would love to think of myself as a freewheeling, carefree mom, the fact is that is not the case. I work really hard at the planning and organizing that goes into being a good mom. A recent article mentioned that Michelle Obama sometimes pencils "play" into her day planner; I love that she has the forethought to plan her day right down to play time with her girls! Because so often, if it isn't planned, it doesn't get done.
The discipline of planning and organizing (for me at least) is learned, not natural, but so worth it. I am not going back to the days of missed play dates and doctors appointments, because I know the hard work I put into being a more organized mom, actually makes me a better mom.

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/ditching_carefree_ways_for_som.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/ditching_carefree_ways_for_som.html Dear momAgenda Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:28:56 -0500 New Summer Printables from DreamBox Learning Amanda It's finally summertime! But with the warmer weather comes a tidal wave of activities: barbecues, graduation parties, weddings, etc. And school letting out throws our whole schedule off balance.

This summer, we are offering new summertime printables to help keep your kids active and learning, while keeping you organized and sane.

DreamBox Learning, makers of a really cool (and really fun) educational math game, created two new summertime printables for momAgenda. These new printables help you organize a Summer Reading List that encourages math learning and a Super Fun Day at the Beach. Check them out on our Downloads page.

To celebrate summer, our friends at DreamBox are offering momAgenda customers $10 off a subscription to their adorable math game! Take advantage of this exclusive savings available to momAgenda friends.

The game is fun for kindergartners to second graders... and it is also educational, what a bonus! It will keep your kids busy and learning over the summer so you can attempt to squeeze in some much-needed relaxation time.


]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/new_summer_printables_from_our.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/new_summer_printables_from_our.html Dear momAgenda Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:57:28 -0500 Summer Reading Ideas momAgenda The end of the school year means the beginning of many things: long days at the beach, picnics and barbecues with family and friends, hours of unstructured, outdoor play time for the kids... and summer reading. If you are anything like me, summer reading is not something you plan for and schedule throughout the summer, but rather it is something you scramble to have your kids complete the last week of August. I know that this is really shortchanging my kids, so I have a few ideas that I am going to incorporate this summer to try to keep on track with summer reading.
- Assemble books in advance: We will go to the library or bookstore early in the summer and get at least 4 books from the summer reading lists for each of the kids. Hopefully this will be a fun activity that will help jumpstart our efforts.
- 1 book per week challenge: I plan to offer my kids a small (e.g. a candy bar) reward for reading 1 book in 1 week. If they read 1 book EVERY week for the entire summer, they will receive a larger reward... maybe a toy or game of their choice, or a dinner out with me and Larry.
- Keep reading on the schedule: We will designate at least 30 minutes per day for reading, just as we do throughout the school year. I like this to be the 30 minutes before bed, because it helps the kids wind down after a long day... and it does not interfere with play time!
- Keep the kids accountable: Creating a chart with each of the kids names, and check marks for every book read, keeps the kids accountable. And, it might help encourage more reading by injecting a healthy dose of competition.
What do you do to encourage our kids to read over the summer?


]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/summer_reading_ideas.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/06/summer_reading_ideas.html Dear momAgenda Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:10:46 -0500 Congrats to Our Winner! momAgenda The winner of our "Go-To Meals" contest is Becky G., for her "International Chicken" recipe. This recipe looks so easy and versatile, I can't wait to try it at home. Since Becky wrote in on our Facebook page, I will paste the recipe in here.
By the way--if you have not already checked out our Facebook page, please do so--there are lots more contest entry recipes there and they ALL look amazing!
Thanks to everyone for participating, and check back soon for our next contest!

Here is the post on "International Chicken:"

Put 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in roasting pan or baking dish. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Pour one can diced tomatoes (I like Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted) over chicken, then sprinkle your favorite herb, or combination of herbs, over the tomatoes (we like tarragon, or oregano with basil). Bake at 375 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.

This is our "Go to" dinner because there are endless variations - depending on what you have on hand. Sometimes we also throw in chopped spinach, onions, garlic or peppers, sometimes we top with shredded parmesan or Feta during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Can easily be doubled... definitely a kid-pleaser! Plus it's healthy (shh!, don't tell the kids!)

*We call it international chicken because we can call it Greek or Italian or French or Mexican, depending on the herbs and cheese we use!!

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/congrats_to_our_winner_2.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/congrats_to_our_winner_2.html Dear momAgenda Thu, 28 May 2009 11:59:29 -0500 Go-To Quick & Easy Dinners: Enter & Win! momAgenda Every mom I know has a couple of go-to dinners; the kind you don't have written down because it is so easy you can actually remember it in your head. Usually these meals are comprised of 5 or less ingredients, and can be made with staples that you normally keep in the fridge. These meals are critical to have in your recipe arsenal for those crazy nights when there is barely time to breathe, much less prepare a healthy meal.
I am interested in learning about YOUR go-to dinners. Send one in and you will be entered to win a new, 2009-2010 momAgenda or myAgenda Desktop day planner (you get to choose)!
Here is one of my favorite go-to dinners, try it, it is easy and delicious (my husband loves when I make it; I feel like I am taking a shortcut because it is so easy!).
Here it is:
Chop 4 links of chicken sausage (I like Al Fresco brand) into bite size pieces. Place into a roasting pan with 2 sliced red peppers and 1 sliced onion. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Bake in a 375 oven for 45 minutes. Done!

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/go-to_quick_easy_dinners_enter.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/go-to_quick_easy_dinners_enter.html Dear momAgenda Fri, 22 May 2009 14:09:55 -0500 Smell Away the Stress momAgenda The end-of-year craziness has descended upon my household. We are in the thick of it; school recitals, end-of-year parties, yearbooks, class picnics, you name it. With 4 kids in school, it seems like a never-ending parade of events. Which reminds me, there is also going to be a parade.
My new strategy for dealing with the current chaos, which I admit I am borrowing from my friend Maureen who shared it with me, is to create a very soothing atmosphere in my home. I have my favorite scented candle in the family room, and I have been lighting it as soon as I come into the house after school/work. As the scent starts to infuse the kitchen/family room area, it reminds me to breathe deeply and live in the moment. For the next few weeks, my home is going to be my sanctuary, the place where I can relax and breathe and let stress go.
If I could only get the kids to stop fighting...

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/smell_away_the_stress.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/smell_away_the_stress.html Dear momAgenda Wed, 20 May 2009 14:12:02 -0500 New Printables, Check Them Out! momAgenda At long last we have posted three new printables! These three were actually created especially for us by our good friends at Buttoned Up®. The women at that company are amazing organization gurus who create fabulous products. We could all benefit from their know-how!
Anyway, the new printables they created for us are for Monthly Spending, Spring Cleaning, and Birthday Party Planning. Check them out on our Downloads page, and enjoy!

]]> ...Visit the site to post comments! http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/new_printables_check_them_out.html http://www.momagenda.com/blog/2009/05/new_printables_check_them_out.html Dear momAgenda Tue, 12 May 2009 09:53:47 -0500