This is certainly not a new topic for Works for Me Wednesday -- Motivated Moms works for me. But, my story is perhaps a little different than some of what I have read before (even when I wrote about Motivated Moms previously).
In case you are unfamiliar with Motivated Moms, you can click the banner above to visit the site (and here is a sample page). It is a FlyLady-type of system, except you print out your task lists and don't have an inbox full of reminders to put your shoes on. (Because, know what? I don't always wear my shoes around the house. In fact, it's not uncommon to find me barefoot, though I will often wear Crocs now that my bad knee has gotten worse.)
Anyway -- do you know why I like Motivated Moms? Because I'm not really all that motivated to keep up the house.
Sure, sometimes I'll get a bee in my bonnet about it, and I'll do a ton of cleaning. But, sometimes I just don't. Motivated Moms allows me to sometimes just let it go. I know that doesn't sound good, so let me explain why it's a good thing.
When I tried to sign up for FlyLady, I would get to the unmotivated phase, and I'd get tired of the emails. So, then I would cancel the emails and that was that. But, with Motivated Moms, I buy the $8 planner at the beginning of the year. And, when I go a couple of weeks without doing it, I don't feel horrible. It's a whole new sheet of paper in the planner, and I just start up again.
So, while it might be nice if I was guilted into cleaning more, I am more apt to just shut down about it. So, I need something that lets me take time off, but then I can literally start back with a clean slate page!
Because I like Motivated Moms so much, I want to share it with someone who hasn't tried it, or maybe who is already a Motivated Moms user. Either way -- a 2009 copy (of your choice, since there are different types) could be yours!
There are two ways to enter the giveaway (you can do both or just one):
1. Leave a comment with a quick household mangement tip -- could be cleaning, baking, laundry...whatever!
2. Subscribe to Many Little Blessings (via email or RSS Reader of some sort, such as Google Reader). There will be a secret code for this giveaway at the bottom of the feed. Just email me at manylittleblessings {at} gmail {dot} com with the secret code in the subject line. I won't read the emails, so make sure to put the code in the subject line.
I will do a random drawing on Tuesday, January 12th at 12:01 pm EST. Good luck!
To read about lots of tips and ideas from other bloggers, be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.
To read about lots of tips and ideas from other bloggers, be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.
33 comments:
That sounds like a great planner/system - count me in on the giveaway! My tip is finding a general purpose cleaner that you love enough to make cleaning bearable. I love Mrs Meyers Clean Day Basil Spray. The smell just makes me happy. Take care!
It does sound like a great system - maybe just what I need, since my thoughts on FlyLady are similar to yours! My tip - I "deep clean" one room a month. That way, it's not overwhelming and each room is cleaned well at least once a year ;)
I'm going to check out the website. My tip is to use the appliances that make your life easier. Make dinner in the crockpot, bake fresh bread for breakfast overnight, etc. Let them do the work for you. :)
And I'm a subscriber. Thanks again!!!!
I LOVE Motivated Moms! I can't resist entering this contest since my last planner from them just ran out. ;) So thanks for the opportunity!
Household tips:
Well, my first one that is the biggest lifesaver you already do, but that is menu planning. That molds so much for our family routine.
My other tip would be to periodically remove your lint filter from the dryer and actually vacuum beneath it to remove the excess. Also, if you use dryer sheets, once a month or so wash the lint filter w/ warm soapy water. The dryer sheets can create a film on the vent.
Here's my tip...I try to have the kitchen table cleared off before I go to bed. Makes getting breakfast out and on the table that much easier in the morning when everyone is running around like crazy to get ready to go. Easy? Yes. Something you've probably thought of? Yes. But it works for me!
I'm a Flylady flop too...all those emails!!!
My best household management tip is STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER. Kidding (kind of) but that's my biggest problem anyway. :)
I would love to win the planner! Thanks for this giveaway. My tip is to sort laundry as it goes into the laundry room. I have the room for 3 round laundry baskets on the floor (at the corner) of my laundry room (but don't have the extra $ to buy one of those 3-in-1 laundry sorting baskets). The #1 basket is for jeans, #2 is for whites, and #3 is for everything else (which I may or may not sort further). All of the kids (and dh) are trained to sort their clothes, even the 2 year old! I have the word description, the numbers (1, 2, 3), and the appropriate # of "balls" (for the 2 y.o. to count) drawn in Sharpie on the basket rim. No excuses of "I didn't know..." :)
I don't do well with the FlyLady either - despite repeated tries. I will check this out. My tip was going to be the same as Amy's so I am digging a bit deeper. My kids like to leave their toys scattered all around the house. Now, before I allow them to do something they want to do (watch TV, play tag, etc.) they have to pick up their toys. That way, toys are kept at a minimum and when they are running around there is no danger of tripping. Oh, and one more toy rule - no toys in the kitchen. It drives me bonkers when I am trying to cook!
I'll have to try this out. I too, have tried flylady, but man is that a lot of emails! :) Thank you.
I clicked through from rocks in my dryer, and I am so happy I did!! I love to see all the Flylady "dropouts"! I had such a hard time sticking to it, but haven't cancelled the emails because I want to get back in it! I am definately checking this out!
My tip is Borax. I love it! I throw a handful in with my laundry and it takes everything out, and I use it on my naughty pets' stains. Sprinkle some on top, let it dry, vacuum it up and voila!
I agree with you about FlyLady. I got overrun with emails and just quit. Thanks for the giveaway!
sylviarj@yahoo.com
You cracked me up about the "put on your shoes email!" I hate wearing shoes and that used to drive me crazy! :)
I'll check out this planner!
Wow - thank you for sharing this. I'd never heard of Motivated Moms, but I have tried FlyLady, and like you, it's been a flop for me. She really helped me to rethink housework and to break free from some old thought patterns, but her system doesn't work for me as far as maintaining everything.
My tip is nothing new to FlyLady subscribers, but it really is the one thing that I use most often.
Whenever I'm not motivated to do something, I set my timer for 15 minutes. I LOVE knowing that I can stop after it goes off, and I also enjoy the challenge of getting as much done as I can during that 15 minutes. Most of the time, if I'm not finished with the task at hand after 15 minutes, I am at least motivated enough to take a few extra minutes to finish.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I'm in love with those Clorox wipes. You can swipe these things around in the bathroom, kitchen....wherever there's a sticky mess. It smells and looks like you've done some deep cleaning.
Also....I wash a load of clothes as I go to bed and fold a load . Switching them out in the am.
Someone once told me awhile ago, when something is out of place, pick it up when you see it and go put it away right then. That's a good motivation factor for me. Why make yourself do twice the work, just get it done and out of the way. And who likes seeing stuff sitting around forever that are out of place, drives you crazy!
I have made a habit of unloading the dishwasher while I'm fixing lunch. I try to run the dishwasher at night after supper, but if I forget, I can run it in the morning. Having the dishwasher empty after lunch makes it more likely that the dirty dishes will be put in it after lunch and supper.
Ok, the more I hear about Motivated Moms the more I think I need to buy it. I don't know if I can even come up with a household tip though... Ok, how about this - if you've left the kids' stained clothing soaking too long because you kept forgetting to get to doing the laundry and things start to smell musty, soak them in a white vinegar and water mix for a few hours before washing them to get the smell out! :-)
I'm another who's been with FlyLady and she has helped me, but I find it difficult to do the zone cleaning "by the book". I think a list like this would really help me; it appeals to me that I could just do the things on the list and be done for the day.
I found you through Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.
THANKS
Hi Angie,
I like the planner, too. I am not sure, if I can win the planner, but I would enjoy the planner. I would translate it to our language with pleasure. We do not have such planners in Slovakia. If you do not mind, please send me the old one 2008 or older one. Thanks.
I like the tips in these comments, the best is Jenn, I was truly laughing.
I do not own this vaccum cleaner, but it seems very helpful to me. I told my husband to present me with this fantastic thing. Have a look at iRobot http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5b11o_the-official-irobot-roomba-560-demo_lifestyle
Bye
I so desperately need a planner. And I need to get motivated, too.
Tip?? Hmmm... well, when I am cleaning a room I tend to make piles for the things that don't go in that room, and then I can distribute them to the correct place when the rest of the cleaning is done in the first room. So, for instance, when I clean the living room I'll put mail for the office onto a table I'm done cleaning, glasses on the cleaned coffee table fore the kitchen, toys for the girls room on a chair, clothes and whatnot on the couch to go to my room. Then when I'm done cleaning the living room I'll take all the piles to the correct room and start cleaning the room that I took the last pile into...
That probably doesn't make any sense... Told you I need that planner!
Another flylady drop out here! I think about her everydday, though, when I get dressed without shoes. Still gives me a tinge of guilt...
My tip is to call a friend while unloading the dishwasher. This is my least favorite task around, but it give me an excuse to call a friend and it's done before I know it. You just need to be skilled to not drop the phone in the dishwasher while completing the task! :)
Found this site and enjoying it... the Motivated Moms system sounds like it might be a good fit (another Flylady dropout here).
My tip would help Mommy Bird while she's emptying the dishwasher... buy a cheap headset to plug in your phone and free up your hands. It's wonderful to be cleaning the kitchen while talking at the same time, and not get a crick in your neck while trying to hold the phone. Or if someone calls while you're trying to fix supper, well, just keep working! It comes in really handy sometimes!
My tip is to do some serious decluttering. It makes everything so much easier when you are not dealing with so much STUFF. Why do you need 10 different knives if you have a food processor...for that matter why do you need a food processor if you have 10 different knives! ;-) You get the idea. Keep what you need, and pass on the rest.
Thanks for the opportunity for a planner!
This sounds great! My tip... don't do it unless it needs to be done. Why spend 15 minutes wiping down 10 cabinet doors when only one is dirty? Thanks!
i can't resist entering this giveaway, i love the Motivated Moms planners :)
my tip: i always try to have all of the kitchen countertops cleared off and wiped down before heading for bed. it makes me feel so great to wander out in search of coffee in the morning and see a clean kitchen!
Turning off the computer is probably my best household tip. ;)
Hey I'm new to the blog! Love it!
My tip is to keep a box by the door for mail. That way it doesn't get lost on a table or counter somewhere else in the house.
A tip that whats for me is to get the front rooms (living room, great room, hall bathroom and kitchen) at least straightened in the morning. I shoot for 10 am. Then I don't feel bed if someone comes over (these are the rooms they see) and I have a clean front of the house to greet me when I come home from places.
I really need help getting motivated, I seem to just pile more on my plate so I don't have time to clean and then I delegate to my teenagers. Then I feel guilty. What a cycle.
My tip is to post my menu on the fridge, then my clan can help get dinner started before I get home it they are hungry enough.
Robin
tastefullyyoursrobin@gmail.com
I've looked at the Motivated Moms system and I love it! I would love to have one. ;)
Putting your silverware in the dishwasher caddy according to piece (knives with the knives, spoons with the spoons)makes putting it away a faster task. And wasn't that easy?
Wow - I thought I had seen every planner -- love this one. I , too, have tried Fly Lady and while I like the concept, the emails were too much. Count me on on the giveaway. Praying that one day I will be organized so I can live life on purpose. Thanks for the opportunity. My tip is to create an errand basket that you bring into your car each day with your daily errands (returns, etc..). Then bring back to your mudroom and empty out and/or regroup for the next day.
I've been debating getting a motivated moms planner this year, to win one would be perfect. My tip is menu planning - for the past 6 months I have been planning our menus for one month at a time -this has worked great for our family!
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