Time

How do you manage your time?

Some days I feel super productive but recently I feel the opposite. And how do you prioritize??

Raising the children is my #1 job, but sometimes the dishes need to be done and the laundry needs to be folded, or at least washed! Sometimes I need a break. Sometimes I feel guilty taking my kids to the park because it isn't "productive" but really spending time with them and letting them play and enjoy the fresh air is one of the best things I could be doing. But it means letting other things go....

Why is my house never as clean as I'd like it to be - and why can't I motivate myself to clean the windowsills that desperately need it??!

I feel like I used to be awesome at time management and now I am failing.

I think one of the big things is dropping the "do it all" mentality that is so pervasive in our society. So what are the important things. When Elaine is painting a picture, do I do the dishes or do I sit down at the table and talk with her? It probably depends in part on the day, but I've just been struggling with time lately. My days seem full but at the end of the day I've wondered what I have done. There is no good checklist for motherhood - so how can I feel satisfied and fulfilled with where I am, knowing that 10 years from now I may have more time for my personal "to dos" and less time painting and blowing bubbles?? It's tricky.

-Christine

Veggies

Any ideas about how to get toddlers to eat more veggies?  Drew was loving canned pumpkin, but with the pumpkin shortage, that's a no go now.

I admit that I'm not a veggie addict, but I've been working really hard to change to set a better example for Drew.  However, I can't expect him to eat a raw cucumber or a piece of celery, and cooked stuff doesn't seem to interest him. 

Any ideas?  I'm concerned I'm teaching him bad eating habits.

But he did eat grilled polenta tonight.  That's gotta count for something.