Guest Author - Cheryl Lewis

With the Holidays quickly approaching many of us may find some added stress. Whether you're a parent or an Early Childhood Education teacher the Holidays simply are more stressful. We're thinking about the costs of those big dinners and the presents and the traveling. We're thinking about actually doing the shopping and cooking, the shopping and the wrapping, the planning and traveling. Then again maybe your stressed out because your family is coming to your house for Holiday visits. It doesn't matter what the reason is, the Holidays are simply more stressful and exhausting.

I'm convinced that one of the ways to beat that stress is to get organized and to plan carefully but be willing to alter those plans and roll with the flow. Making a plan and getting organized will ease your stress level. You have to remember though, that sometimes children don't always follow your plan and that's why you need to be able to roll with the flow. Taking a deep breath and understanding that even though you had planned to go to this certain store at such and such time may not be the best idea if you have a sleepy two year old. Be willing to reschedule and make sure that when you're scheduling you leave blocks of time for the roll with flow issues.

Use the resources that you have. If you have family or friends who can help, be willing to ask. Even our spouses cannot read our minds and it's unreasonable to expect them to do so, that's why you need to ask.

If you don't have a planner, get one. I don't know how I managed without my planner. I read a book called
Confessions of an Organized Homemaker and decided to follow this author's plan for a my own customized planner. I've since gone to a smaller version that has all of my essential information to keep track of everything.

You can also use the wonderful printable planner pages at Organized Home.com. This site has a wonderful sister site called Holiday Organizer.com. This is a wonderful site for gift ideas and planning. They also have great printable planner pages as well.

Setting your priorities will help you know what's the most important areas that need to be organized first. A child's Doctor appointment is more important than sorting and putting away summer clothes. It's a matter of priorities.

The most important thing that you can remember above all else is to enjoy your time with your children. Make sure that you schedule down time for both you and time with your kids. I try to take a hot bath with a great book and some of my handmade bubble bath or bath salt. If I can't get in the tub, I take a time out. I turn off the computer and read a book or watch a great relaxing movie. Something just for me. If I can't keep myself charged I'm not doing the right thing by my children, and they come first. Sounds ironic, I know, but by taking care of myself both body and mind, I'm taking care of my children.