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Without a doubt one of the most difficult issues encountered by parents with children is balance. This article discusses four areas to focus on to help keep your sanity.

Get organized: The more time pressures you have the more important it is that you are well organized. Despite what is sometimes said, there is no one way for every parent to stay organized; however, there are some golden rules:

• Don’t do it if it does not need to be done: This may mean that your standards for what clean means might change with your new found priorities.
• Use a List: Keep an up-to-date list of what needs to be done next on hand at all times. There are many times to get things done, which do not become that apparent unless you are this organized.
• Prioritize: Make sure that you do things in the order of “most important” to “least important.” Remember, even thought you are doing it all you can’t do it all perfectly –there is only so much time in the day.

Get help: If you are a working parent, Any help that get from family, friends or other mom’s will make your life quite a bit easier.

• Get clear on what you need. Figure out your top 3-5 difficulties and develop plans to lessen their challenges.
• Ask: Tell your friends and family what you need.
• Be Creative: If you are not fortunate enough to have this level of support or even if you are, hang a flyer at your local community center or put a posting up on reputable internet sites and try to connect to other women who are also in your situation so that you can help each other.

Take Care of yourself: You are now the central role model in your child’s life. How you care for yourself does not just have an impact on how much energy you have to raise your child it also sends a message to your child about how your child should treat him or herself. Make sure that you incorporate time to take care of yourself into your plans.

• Eat right: Make eating healthy food simple and always available.
• Balance rest and activity: Get adequate sleep and make sure you exercise.
• Social time: Make time to spend with family and friends who are above waist high.
• Alone time:  It is also important to schedule breaks –time just to yourself.

Seek Council: It is not always possible to see what you should do, whether your life is in balance, or whether you made the best choices in the last round parenting challenges. Having alternative viewpoints and support can make the process a lot easier. It might be helpful to say: I wish I had someone who could help me…? And, then find someone who can stand in that role.

• Friendly support: Put together a group of 3-5 adults who can act as a council for you. This might be a seasoned parent with similar views or a friend at the same stage of parenting.
• Professional support: Sometimes it even makes sense to bring in professional help. You may enlist a therapist or a coach who works with working parents.

If you are interested in learning more about me or my work, please visit my website www.largervisions.com. The website includes a comprehensive account of my background, and introduction to my work, articles, and archived newsletters. It offers an opportunity to sign up for a free introductory session and more information.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/balancing-your-life-as-a-working-parent-1012209.html

The other day I had the pleasure of riding on public transportation.  There were many individuals aboard this automobile.  In particular there was a coffee-skinned middle-aged lady fiddling with something in her hands.  As I looked closer she was taping together a torn bill.  The process took a few minutes, but after a few minutes the lady was successful.  After the passenger finished repairing the torn bill, the roll of tape was completely used up.  So this passenger opened the window, and threw the roll of tape out of it.  After this passenger threw the roll of tape out the window, the roll of tape did not hit the ground as she expected, but instead hit a car.

In life, how many times do we have bad days where from out of nowhere, somebody else’s trash ruins our perfectly good day?  In life this may be your partner, spouse, friend, family member, or even a stranger.  Here are three tips you can use to not let someone else’s ‘trash’ ruin your day.

#1- Don’t stop the car to analyze the trash. If you are having a good day, don’t let something small stop you dead in your tracks.  Keep using the momentum you have built up to keep having a pleasant day.

#2-Beware of open windows. When talking with others, be mindful of what windows of opportunity you give others to ‘rain on your parade.’  If a person seems to be in a not so positive mood, you can be caring without allowing yourself to turn into their personal trash bin.

#3-Learn to laugh about life’s ambiguity. If something strange happens, especially if no one is hurt, learn to laugh at life.  It is scientifically proven that laughter has positive benefits for our body and mind.  Don’t allow a sweet orange to become a sour lemon.

I never saw the reaction of the car that had a roll of tape bounced off of it.  Then again, I never stopped to look.

Please feel free to use this article.  FHL Wellness simply ask that you include a link back to our website, www.fhandlove.org.cn/home.html . Thank you.

Gerald Anthony is a PhD Candidate in Counseling and current President of The Faith Hope and Love Foundation. He enjoys languages, culture, and helping others.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/unwanted-trash-1008639.html

Over the past 30 years or so, there has been an increase in the number of hours Americans work in a week. The cost of living and a more competitive work environment have made the 40-hour work week a rarity. Instead, many of us spend 50, 60 or even 70 hours per week at our jobs, and then try to fit family, relationships, errands, and sleep into whatever time is left over. Not surprisingly, there has also been an increase in the number of Americans suffering from stress-related health problems. Finding the right balance between your career and your personal life can help relieve your stress and renew your outlook on life.

Prioritize

The first step in balancing your life is to figure out what really matters to you. Think about the people in your life and all of the things that you do, and ask yourself this question: “If I could put all my energy into accomplishing just one thing, what would it be?” Think about what makes you happy, as well as what you truly value in your life. Write this down, and think about the second most important thing in your life. Make this number two, and keep going until you have 5 things on your list. Your list may look something like this:

1) Children

2) Spouse

3) Career

4) Spirituality

5) Hobbies

Now list anything else that you do that is not in your top 5, and think about what you can eliminate from your life. Cutting unnecessary activities out of your day will help you stay focused on what is really important to you. Do you belong to clubs or committees that are no longer enjoyable or fulfilling? Decide which ones you will eliminate, and resign from them. Be polite, but firm. For example you might say “I am no longer able to continue as president of the hiking club.” You can offer a reason if you like, such as “I am focusing on my personal (or family) life right now.” But don’t feel obligated to give anyone a reason for wanting more time to spend on the things you value.

Learn to Say No

Frustration and anger are signs that we are doing too much. Guilt often causes us to take on more than we can comfortably do, and when asked to add another activity to an already full schedule, we may feel guilty if we say no, but angry with ourselves if we say yes. However, if you make a decision based on your values, it will feel right. When asked to take on yet another obligation, offer an apology, but no excuse, for example you might say “I’m sorry, my calendar is full right now and I can’t take on any new projects.” Or simply, “I’d love to, but it’s impossible.” Again, you are not obligated to give anyone a reason. Make it a point never to add anything to your calendar without subtracting something else.

Think about how you can cut out some of the time you spend on errands. Can you organize a carpool to reduce the time you spend driving your children to their activities? Arranging to have your paycheck deposited directly into your bank account, and paying your bills online can also save time. If you find yourself waiting in the doctor or dentist office, use the time to catch up on your reading, or plan meals and make a grocery list. Consider all the small ways you may be able to simplify your life, the extra minutes add up!

Make Time for Family and Friends

Whether it is a planned outing or spur-of-the-moment fun, make sure that you stay in the moment. When you are playing with your children, just play! Don’t think about the phone calls you need to return or the emails you need to answer, or the chores that you could be doing. Catch up with a friend you’ve lost touch with and make a date for lunch or an activity you both enjoy. Don’t just make time for friends and loved ones, but make the most of the time you spend with them.

Make Time for You

If you take care of yourself first, you will be happier, healthier, and have more energy for the things you enjoy doing. You may have to plan time for fun and relaxation until you get into the habit of taking time for yourself. Use your free time to take a nap, read a book, take a walk, listen to music, work on a hobby, give yourself a pedicure, or just sit and daydream. Work on giving yourself permission to stop what you are doing and take a break when you feel like it.

You do not have to settle for feeling frustrated, angry and exhausted because you are overworked and overcommitted. When you are at work, you have no problem focusing on the tasks you need to accomplish. Bringing that same focus to your personal life will not only help to reduce your stress, but will allow you to spend more time with your loved ones and appreciate each precious moment.

Louann Vertrees is a freelance proofreader , copy editor, and copy re-writer. She has also worked as a counselor and teacher. Visit her website at http://azproofreader.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/stress-management-articles/is-your-life-out-of-balance-1002044.html