Family & Motherhood Archives • Page 2 of 30 • Messy Motherhood

August 16, 2017 by Amanda 21 Comments

15 Best Motivational Songs To Get Stuff Done!

I used to have music on in my house all day long. Then I realized that a lot of noise is a huge anger trigger for me. So, now I keep it off most days.

But there are times when I need some great tunes to get me going. Especially when I have a ton to do.

Have you ever stopped after a busy day and noticed the laundry piled up on the floor, the dishes in the sink, the toys strewn all over the house, and thought to yourself….

“It’s time to Rally!”

“Let’s get stuff done!”

“Crap, how am I ever going to get this house clean?!”

Either way, we need motivation. We need songs that will get us moving!

I asked for some great songs to get me motivated on my Facebook page. Oh man, did you guys come through.

Post by Dirt and Boogers.

I took all of your suggestions and added few more of mine and now I have an AMAZING playlist that I use anytime I need to get stuff done.

It’s quite the hodge podge of songs. I don’t know many lists have both “Light Em Up” from Fall Out Boy and “Happy Together” from the Turtles, but that’s what makes it fun. I hope that even if you don’t like ALL the songs, that you find a few that will get you motivated!

Here they are, in not particular order…The 15 Best Motivational Songs Get Stuff Done!

1. Roar – Katy Perry

2. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

3. Brave – Sarah Barellies

4. Happy – Pharell

5. Best Day of My Life – American Authors

6. Let it Go – Idina Menzel

7. Pencil Full of Lead – Paolo Nutini

8. Cups “When I’m Gone” – Anna Kendrick

9. I Lived – One Republic

10. Light ‘Em Up – Fall Out Boy

11. Tightrope – Janelle Monae

12. Dark Horse – Katy Perry

13. Groove is In the Heart – Deee-Lite

14. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves

15. Happy Together – The Turtles

Feeling motivated now? I know I am!

Tell me, what songs should be added? I know there are a bunch others out there that would be a great addition to this list. I’m always looking for more great songs to get me going!

Now GO! Do good things!

March 24, 2017 by Amanda 13 Comments

4 Books That Will Enhance A Mother’s Life

I love to read.

I’m not reading as much in my post-kids life as I did before I had children. I mean, it’s hard to read when there are loud kids around who like to use me as a jungle gym.

A Mom’s life doesn’t leave a lot of space for quiet reading time. Shoot, I usually fall asleep before I finish the first page in a book.

But I do love a good book.

I typically go for novels with a great story that sucks me in and lets me escape for a while.

However, I do enjoy books that help me become a better me. I’m always looking to improve, especially after I had kids, and there are some great books out there that have impacted my life in huge ways.

These books make me feel lighter, more motivated, and I feel like I can actually rock this motherhood thing.

I don’t always get time to curl up on the couch with a good book, but I do have an Audible subscription and a set of headphones. These days I “read” while cooking dinner, running errands, and marking off all the things on my to do list.

I love improving myself while also getting stuff done!

Don’t have an Audible subscription? You can Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks. How awesome is that?

Now, onto the books…

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience

Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner

You might be wondering how on earth I have time to read while staying at home with two kids. Well, it’s because I use my Fringe Hours.

I love how Jessica Turner has proven that Moms really can get some time to do things that they love.

This isn’t a book about how to do more with our time, but empowering us to do more for ourselves, because the more fulfilled we are, the better parents we can be.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene’ Brown

I fell in love with Brene’ Brown’s message when I watched her first TED Talk about Vulnerability. This woman is smart. I loved her book, Daring Greatly, so when I saw this one, I knew it was something I needed to read.

I believe with every fiber of my being, that there is no such this as perfection, especially when it comes to parenting.

This book helps us embrace our imperfections, let go of unrealistic expectations, and enjoy our authentic self.

It’s an AMAZING book!

Hands Free Life by Rachel Macy Stafford

This book landed in my hands at the perfect time in my life. I needed to read its words right then.

I have been struggling with life in general. I’ve been too plugged in, too busy to really enjoy the blessings in my life. This book helped me let go and just enjoy, while setting boundaries appropriate boundaries for myself and others.

“With a Hands Free Life perspective, you will have the power to look back and see you didn’t just manage life, you actually lived it – and lived it well” – Don’t we all want that?

Clutterfree with Kids by Joshua Becker

I am a fan of a minimalistic lifestyle, and this book helped me get there.

Yes, it’s a book about dealing with clutter, but there’s so much more to it. There are great stories, life lessons, and light-bulb moments within these pages.

It’s not just a book to help you deal with the stuff, it’s a book that can transform your house and life, and it teaches us to fill our souls instead of our homes.

So GOOD!

Ready to start improving your life? Order the hard copy of these books, download them to your phone or tablet, or add them to your audible store and get started!

I promise each one of these books will give you the tools you need to start living a happier more fulfilling life, today!

February 15, 2017 by Amanda 6 Comments

Science Says Doing This One Thing Can Make You Happier

Standing at the bottom of our staircase, I see three different pairs of kid socks strewn across the steps covering lost LEGO pieces and small minifigs.

I ask myself silently, “Why can’t they ever clean up after themselves?”

The dryer beeps. Yet another load of clean laundry waits for me to fold it.

Sigh, “I need to get that folded so the boys have clothes for tomorrow or we’ll be scrambling in the morning, again.”

My phone dings. It’s an email from a student who needs my help with something. “That’s important, I have to get to my computer soon.”

But, it’s dinner time. If I wait too long to make it, we all end up hangry (angry because we’re hungry) so that must come first.

Ugh! There’s so much to do!! [Read more…]

February 8, 2017 by Amanda 8 Comments

How to Parent Well When You Worry Too Much

It’s midnight. You’re still awake because your mind is racing with worry.

What if Sam doesn’t make the baseball team?

When will Sophie stop wetting the bed? Maybe something’s wrong.

Is Mike mad at me? He’s been quiet lately.

Am I becoming an angry mom?

It’s not much better during the day. Your worries consume you:

You pick out your kids’ clothes so they look nice and won’t be teased.
You check homework and grades online to make sure your kids are on track for college.
You avoid play dates that involve certain playground equipment because it’s too dangerous.

Being cautious is a good thing; caring about your kids is what parents do. The problem comes when the worry begins to negatively affect your parenting. Your marriage. Your friendships.

When worry becomes too much.

If you feel overwhelmed by worries, it may feel like there is no way out.

But there is…

Control Only What You Can Control:

Anxiety often convinces us that we have more power over our circumstances than we really do.

Unfortunately, there are very few things that we can actually control: our own actions, reactions, and choices. For example, we can decide what we serve for dinner, but we can’t force anyone else to eat it.

Tip: Take a piece of paper and make a line down the middle. On one side write the things that you can truly control in your life. On the other side, write the things that you cannot control. At first, this may make you feel more anxious! That’s ok. Next time you feel an anxious thought creep up, imagine which side of the line it is on. If you can do something about it, great! If not, it’s best to let it go.

Learn to Calm Your Thoughts:

Feeling in control of out-of-control thoughts is a skill that takes time and practice.

Don’t feel bad if your worried thoughts continue to fill your mind. Pushing them aside will get easier with time.

Continue working on finding new strategies to combat anxiety until you find a few that work.

Tip: Make a list of things that you can do to calm yourself in an anxious moment. It is easier to think of things when you are calm, and then refer to the list later. Many people use mantras (“I am calm” or “I am peaceful”), prayer, journaling, art, Try music, getting outside or calling a friend.

Read here about how our thoughts control our emotions and actions.

Rate Your Fear:

Worries are often exaggerated and misrepresented in our minds.

It’s helpful to put our fears into perspective.

How much of a problem is it, on a scale of 1 (no big deal) to 10 (call 911!!)? Where would other people place it on the scale? Do I have any facts to back up my worry? Who else is worried about this?

Tip: Find a worry that is bothering you right now and pick a number from the scale (1 – 10). Then, think about your worry again from someone else’s perspective. Is the number different? What would help you move your worry down the scale?

Speak It Out Loud:

Fears love hiding away in the dark corners of our mind. Take away their power by saying your fear or worry out loud!

Sometimes, hearing it makes us realize how unrealistic it really is: “I’m worried that if I don’t remind you to wash your hands, you’ll get sick, then I’ll have to miss work to stay home with you, and I’m really busy at work right now…”

Tip: Not every fear is appropriate for children to hear. We don’t want to burden our kids with adult problems or thoughts. It’s ok to say something general: “Mommy’s worries are really big right now. I’m going to take a few deep breaths to calm down.”

Give Your Kids A Job:

If a lot of your worries focus on your children’s ability to complete a task or follow direction, it’s time to do some teaching and shift the responsibility to your kids.

Instead of worrying about how they will do, equip them to do it well! This might mean creating a visual chart so your son remembers everything for school or practicing what to do if they are bullied.

Tip: Make a list of the things you worry about for your children. Then, write any skills they need to learn or practice. Find an age appropriate way to start to teach your child the skills. This will help you both feel more confident!

Get Professional Help:

Sometimes, worries are just too big to handle on our own. If you are concerned about the way that worry is impacting your children, your marriage or your job, it’s time to get outside support.

There is no shame in seeking help from a mental health professional. It does not mean that you are a horrible person or have some terrible character flaw.

Rather, it means you care enough about yourself and your family to get the support you need to be the parent and person you want to be!

Tip: It’s ok to ask a lot of questions before you start seeing a therapist. You want to make sure it is someone you feel comfortable talking to and that they are qualified to help. However, make sure the search for a “perfect” therapist doesn’t keep you from getting the help you need!

Next time you’re laying awake at night or feel like the worries are snowballing in your mind, pick one of these tips to try. You may find that one works better than another or that you need a combination of them all!

Sometimes it’s hard to remember these tips when you really need them. So I’ve put them all together in one place. Just click here to download your copy of “How to Parent When You Worry Too Much.”

Nicole Schwarz is a mom to 3 little girls, a Licensed Therapist, and Parent Coach. Check out her blog, Imperfect Families for more positive parenting tips and learn more about how Parent Coaching can help you find solutions to your parenting challenges.

December 1, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

The Spatula That Changed Christmas

“Hey honey, what do you want for Christmas this year?”

I look up from my book and stare at him. “Um…I’m not sure. Just no more kitchen utensils. My stocking is always packed with spatulas and whisks, I’m overloaded.”

“Oh, well I’m not sure what to get you then.”

When Christmas rolled around, and I pulled another spatula out of my stocking I knew it was time to give my family a little more direction.

My husband looked at me and said, “I know, I know, but I didn’t know what you wanted.”

I wasn’t disappointed, but I could tell that he wanted to do more for me. He just wasn’t sure what I wanted.

So, I decided it was time to keep a list.

Every time I saw something I wanted, I opened up the Amazon App on my phone and immediately saved it to my Amazon Wishlist. I scanned barcode after barcode. Those little magnets for my bullet journal? Click. Scan. Save. Oh, look at those sunglasses! Click. Scan. Save. I forgot about that book I’ve always wanted to read. Click. Scan. Save.

From January until now, I’ve been quietly saving all the things, both big and small to my wishlist. Now that it’s Christmas again, I have a long list of things I’d be happy to have under the tree.

No more spatulas in my stocking! Bwahahaha!

Being a Mom means we easily spend money on our kids, but we often forget about ourselves.

I know you have a list of things that your kids want under the tree, but do you know what you want this year?

If your family struggles with knowing what to buy for you, it’s time to make a list.

Use the Amazon app like I do and save all the things. But if you need a little direction, I can help.

I’ve created a list that’s packed full of 100 gifts for every Mom, no matter what your hobby is.

Take these ideas and make your own Amazon Wishlist to share with family. Trust me, they’ll thank you for it.

No more Christmas day disappointments! Now, your family will know exactly what you want under your tree!

Ready? Let’s get started!

1. KitchenAid Stand Mixer <—I hesitated buying mine, but it was hands down the best purchase for my kitchen. I use this sucker every time I bake.

2. Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin <– This guy can help you roll out your dough to be the perfect consistency. This is FIRST on my list this year.

3. Chevron Ombre Chef Apron <– Every baker needs an apron, and this one is just too cute to pass up!

4. Silicone Tornado Whisk <– I adore this wisk. Not only is it pretty, but it whips up things faster than any metal wisk I’ve ever owned.

5. The Flavor Bible <– Get to playing around with spices!

6. Stainless Stee Decorating Tip Set <– Because you can never have enough!

7. Onion Goggles <– Just trust me on these…

8. Silicone Baking Mat Set <–Quit buying rolls and rolls of parchment paper and use these instead.

9. Joseph Joseph Index Chopping Board Set <– Perfect to keep your raw meat cutting board separate from your fresh veggie one. And they’re pretty!

10. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime <– We all need new recipes and her’s are the BEST!

1. Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats for Snow and Ice <–A must have if you live in a place with snow and ice. I LOVE mine here in Alaska!

2. Compact Folding Binocular <–Perfect for wilderness viewing or bird watching.

3. The North Face Women’s Boundary Triclimate Jacket <— 3 jackets in one! Perfect for any weather.

4. Isotoner Women’s Smartouch Matrix Touch Screen Glove <—Warm and she doesn’t have to take off her gloves to use her phone. Perfect!

5. KEEN Women’s Targhee II Waterproof Hiking Boot <– I love these shoes! They are comfy and warm.

6. Mosquito Repellent Bracelet <— I love this, so much better than smelling like bugspray!

7. TETON Sports Oasis 1100 Hydration Backpack <–A pack and water bottle in one!

8. Oil Free Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Duo Pack <–A great Stocking Stuffer for any outdoorsy person.

9. Bogs Women’s Classic High Handle Waterproof Winter & Rain Boot <– The perfect boot for any weather. I wear mine every single day.

10. Aluminum Locking Clip Carabiner <–Great Stocking Stuffer and they have so many uses!

1. Nordstrom Gift Card <– Because they have FREE personal stylists… Nuff said!

2. de Prettilicious Pro Makeup Blender Sponge <– Washable and reusable. Plus they smooth out your makeup nicely.

3. Stella and Dot Studs <– Cute reversible earrings. Great for ANY occasion.

4. Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Dark Spot Correcting <– I love photo finish and the dark spot correcting makes this product amazing!

5. Chanel Chance Eau De Parfum Spray <– My current favorite scent

6. Opi San Francisco Collection for Women Set <– I adore these shades!

7. Hairtie Bracelet <– LOOK AT THIS! A bracelet for your hairtie! No more indents on your arm and it looks cute! Whoever came up with this is BRILLIANT!

8. Stitch Fix Gift Card <– I’ve had 11 fixes…I might be addicted.

9. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm <– I’m a lip balm fan and love how these add a bit of color too.

10. Stella and Dot Always Bracelet <– Another pretty little something for your wrist.

1. All the Light We Cannot See <– If she’s a bookworm, than she’s probably already read this, but it can’t hurt to put a best seller in her stocking

2. Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light <–So she doesn’t wake up her hubby when she HAS to finish her book before she falls asleep.

3. Pure Organic Cotton Throw <– A perfect blanket to cuddle up with a good book.

4. Loose Leaf Tea Infuser Cup <– I love this pretty tea cup, perfect for being curled up on the couch with a good book.

5. Amazon.com Gift Card with Greeting Card <— Hello?! Amazon e-books!!

6. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4<– My favorite way to read books. I just download the Kindle and Nook apps, so I can always get the books I want. Plus, it’s small and fits perfectly in my hand for reading digital books.

7. Audible Gold <– I love audiobooks. Easy to listen to when carting the kids around, cooking dinner, or folding laundry.

8. Kate Aspen “Happy and Wise” Brushed-Metal Owl Bookmark <— An owl bookmark…just because I love owls and every bookworm needs a new bookmark

9. Noise-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones <– For those audiobooks!

10. Barnes and Noble Gift Card <—Hello!? Barnes and Nobel e-books!!

1. Trunk Organizer <– Great for sports equipment, carrying groceries into the house, and all that other stuff that we need in our cars.

2. Fossil Women’s Quartz Rose Gold Watch <– Busy Moms always need to know what time it is…and this is adorable!

3. KIND Healthy Grains Granola Bars <– To keep the blood sugar high when she’s on the go. They’re tasty too.

4. Portable Charger <–This sucker can charge phones multiple times, and fast, before it needs a recharge. I use mine all the time!

5. Tervis<– Keep hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold. Perfect for the car and sporting events.

6. Front Seat Car Organizer <– I like how small this is, and it’s wide enough to fit electronics.

7. Erin Condren Life Planner <– This planner keeps any Mama organized and together.

8. Magic Bullet NutriBullet Pro <– I use mine every day to get in my daily fruits and veggies. Just because we’re busy doesn’t mean we have to be unhealthy!

9. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right <– I just bought this book and it’s perfect. My Type A, checklist loving personality can’t get enough of it!

10. iOttie Easy One Touch 2 Car Mount Holder <– Perfect to hold our phones, so we don’t have to!

1. Fitbit Charge HR <– I wear this every single day. It helps me keep track of steps and because it monitors my heart rate, I know how much energy I’ve burned throughout the day.

2. Daily Greatness Training Journal <– Keep track of those workout goals!

3. Bluetooth Wireless Headphones <– For your tunes!

4. Chevron Gym Bag <– I adore this bag. Holds so much, and it’s cute!

5. Womens Silicone Wedding Ring <– Rings you can lift in and swim in.

6. Tree of Life Tri-Blend Hoodie <– I love this comfy hoodie for my yoga stretches.

7. NatureBox Classic <– Super yummy and healthy snacks.

8. FlipBelt – The World’s Best Fitness and Running Belt <– Seriously, this thing rocks! It holds everything you need while running, it’s not bulky, and it doesn’t slip around your waist.

9. The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess <– To help you tone

10. YogaAddict Yoga Mat Bag <– Love that it has pockets so you don’t have to carry in a separate bag.

1. Mom’s Going to Snap Shirt <— Hello, cuteness!

2. Kelly Moore 2 Sues Camera Bag <– A stylish bag that holds all your gear! It’s perfect!

3. Chevron Grey Scarf Camera Strap <– Not your normal camera strap.

4. Camera Lens Travel Novelty Coffee Cup <– For those cold photo shoots

5. Wireless Remote Control <– I love my remote! It’s the only way I get into pics with my kids these days.

6. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens <– My favorite lens, perfect for capturing crisp images with a pretty blurry background.

7. Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera <– In my opinion, the best DSLR out there right now.

8. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 <– To beautifully edit all those pics you take.

9. Momtographie Photo Class <– I love this class by Beryl! She can teach anyone how to capture beautiful pics.

10. AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod <– Every photographer needs a tripod. Perfect for family pics!

1. WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer <— Great for any woodworking projects!

2. Black & Decker BDSL10 36-Inch Gecko Grip Level with Accu Mark <– I LOVE this thing, it makes hanging picture a breeze. I make far less holes in the wall since I started using this guy.

3. Brother Sewing Machine <– Every crafter needs a sewing machine!

4. BYKES Magnetic Wristband with Embedded Super Strong Magnets <– Stop holding nails and screws between your lips when you need both hands. Just stick them to your wrist. No more dropped and lost screws!

5. Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears <– A good pair of fabric scissors can go a long way.

6. Black & Decker JS660 Jig Saw <–

7. FatMax Tape Measure <– I loose tape measures all the time, you seriously can never have too many!

8. Spray Paint <– Perfect stocking stuffer!

9. Safety Girl Navigator Safety Glasses <– Another thing all crafters need and they fit perfect in a stocking.

10. Premium Can Tool Aerosol Spray <– Snap this onto your spray paint can and spray away! No more sore, paint covered fingers. This is seriously the BEST!

11. Silhouette CAME<– I use my Silhouette pretty much every time I craft. I adore it!

1. Prodyne Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher <– An easy way to kick up plain old water.

2. Slate Cheese Board <– A perfect cheeseboard to label all those appetizers.

3. Kate Spade Raise a Glass Tidbit Plates <— Love these cute plates! Great for any occasion.

4. 3 Tier Rectangular Serving Platter <– Can you ever have too many serving platters? I like the simplicity of this one.

5. Amazon Echo <– This is my all time favorite thing right now. The Echo is great for entertaining because she keeps track of shopping lists and can even play music throughout the party.

6. Linen Napkins <– I think these are adorable and versatile

7. Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump <– Never let wine go to waste!

8. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 <– I use mine every day for my recipes I keep on Big Oven, and ones from Pinterest I’d like to try. Perfect for to do lists, shopping lists (from your Echo), and recipe planning.

9. Multi-Angle Portable Stand for Tablets <–What my tablet sits on so I can actually read it while cooking. It’s heavy and won’t fall over.

1. Good Mom Mug <– My favorite mug at the moment.

2. Philosophy Amazing Grace Whipped Body Crème <– Smells and feels wonderful!

3. Yankee Candle Vanilla Cupcake <– Talk about smelling good!

4. Essential Oils Bath Bomb Weekend Pack <– Bath bombs in the tub are fantastic. These smell great and leave skin so smooth.

5. Netflix Subscription <– Because every mom needs to binge watch Orange Is The New Black.

6. Muk Luks Women’s Sofia Casual Slippers Boots <– These suckers are cute, comfy, and warm! I wear mine every day up her in Alaska.

7. Del Rossa Women’s Two Piece Button Up Fleece Pajama Set <– Help her relax with soft pajamas.

8. THE BEST Dead Sea Mud Mask <–Because it really is THE BEST.

9. Fresh Roasted Coffee for 6 Months <– What Mom wouldn’t want a coffee subscription!?

10. A Babysitter <– She does so much for the kids, pay to give her a break. She’ll thank you for it…and might cry in the process.

And there you have it! Instant wishlist!

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