A+ Procrastinator

 

I'll admit, I do my best work under pressure. I am more creative, work harder, faster, and all around better when I procrastinate. The planner in me HATES it. The planner that has lists of activities to do each season, the planner that makes weekly meal plans and lesson plans for daycare and homeschool, the planner that has timers set on the calendar so nothing is missed. That part of me despises the procrastinator part of me. Admittedly, the creative side of me is the procrastinator, which means that part of me is much more prominent than my planner side. 

As an adult, I know how to deal with the procrastinator part of me. I manage it well (while still driving others insane, I'm sure). However, as a kid it was frustrating. Not one person in my life, teacher, counselor, adult, gave me tips (or better yet, taught me) how to deal with being a procrastinator. As I've grown older, I recognize things that work for me. Not necessarily to keep me from procrastinating, but that have helped me live with it in a more organized fashion.

• Make lists. To Do Lists are your friend. I make To Do Lists in separate areas of my life: daycare, homeschool, projects, home improvement projects, vacations, etc. 
• Break the Lists down. I have monthly overviews of what needs done that month, followed by breaking it down into weeks, and finally broken down into days.
• Put dates of when things will be done (NOT when they're due). If I pay attention to the due date rather than the done date, I'll just put it off more and more. I've taught myself to not pay attention to the due date, but to the date I'll work on things. For example, I am working on an event for a nonprofit I'm on the Board of Directors of. On my weekly To Do List, I specifically listed my work on this project on the days I was to work on it. I try really hard (and somewhat succeed) not to overschedule myself with work stuff because then I'm apt to put things off.
• Figure out if you do better doing hard or easy tasks first and when. I know I work better late morning, late evening, and at night. I also know I work best when I'm able to do a lot at once, with music or the TV on. Weird, I know. An example: I worked on the project mentioned above Sunday afternoon with I watched Mad Men, while I was also doing laundry. I prioritize many tasks by what I can do and walk away from (such as laundry, dishwasher, etc.) and larger tasks I can do during that time too. 
• What type of environment do you work best in? When I'm trying to memorize things, I need to read something over and over again. When I'm writing or working, I need background noise. I remember as a kid, silence while studying was prioritized because that's what was taught in school. As an adult, I realize that's bullshit. I do not learn well in that environment. I need the stimulation of background noise.
• Set goals. This sounds silly, but set goals and rewards for yourself. 

I'm forever grateful to my children's teachers, who recognize how they learn, how they work best, and have given them the tools they need to get things done (and for teaching me how they do this as well, because without them, homeschooling would not be possible!). I often read memes or jokes about procrastinating. I mean, I have lots of fun and hilarious stories about procrastinating. I know to keep coffee stocked when I have a project due soon, but I'm also acutely aware that I could have been given tools at a much younger age that could have helped me immensely. I am now a strong advocate for all procrastinators and helping them as much as I can...while still being an A+ procrastinator.

Homeschool Picture Day

 

We got creative with homeschool picture day. For her birthday, my mother requested new school pictures of the minis. I usually would whip out my folder with their newest pictures in them, but we obviously didn't have that this year. I could have called in a photographer or made arrangements, but we were working with a small time frame. So, we did the next best thing. We took the kids hiking, brought them home, stuck them back into their pajamas because that's their clothing of choice these days, had my husband hold a sheet behind each child, and I snapped away.

Just as with everything else in the last year, this was a little different, gave us a lot of laughs, and provided decent enough pictures for our homeschool picture day. We got more outtakes than anything, which isn't a surprise! Even the dog got in on the picture taking.

Max, 12 1/2 years old, can't stop giving me attitude.

Me: "Elizabeth, let me see your eyes a little bit more." Below is what I got.

Zeus, 9 months old.

Harrison, 10 1/2 years old, can't stop laughing during picture taking.

Elizabeth, 8 1/2 years old, forgets how to smile during photo shoots.

** Teacher Mom did NOT get her picture taken this round due to windblown hair from hiking. We'll attempt that another day.

Mom Fashions

Mom life isn't exactly fashionable. In a world where spit up is a perfume, anything white is guaranteed to have smudges the moment you put it on, necklaces are teething toys, sports bras hold up the mom boobs, and anything other than yoga pants is considered dressing up.

So, what's "in" for moms right now? Take a look:

The perfectly put together look. Dress, jewelry, high heels. What you don't see: it took nearly three hours to achieve this look thans to kids demanding oatmeal mid-shower, snot winding up on my first outfit requiring a last minute change, my necklace getting tangled in my hair as I ran after a child. Oh, and speaking of the hair. It needs cut and colored badly....but who has time for that???

The ready for a workout or a nap at anytime. Also known as The Daily. It's the go-to outfit of choice as it provides comfort, flexibility and can be acceptably worn to the grocery store when shit hits the fan about forgetting bananas. Yoga pants, sweat shirt, t-shirt, or tank tops, running shoes. All essentials for my day to day.

The "spa day." Really it was an activity to keep the kids busy and quiet. Now I have beautifully painted....feet and I'm ready for flip flop weather (and gaping eyes at the store).

The jammies look. More than likely lacking in sleep, sanity, and caffeine, pj's are sometimes the way to go.

The keep the kids happy outfit. "Your shirt looks like a cape!" This outfit comes in handy when I want to be "cool mom" because I look like a superhero. All moms have super powers so this is by far the most "mom outfit" to wear.

The can't quite finish the look. Those times when I've managed to get myself half ready, the kids ready, but part of me is still a mess. Glasses and wet hair are acceptable, right???

* All good photos were taken by Lauren Campbell Photography. No, that is not how I look in my pajamas and I rarely wear make up in my day to day life, but when a photographer offers to take the pics, you do it!

7 Tips for Family Photos You'll LOVE!

Pin this for later!  7 tips for great family photos & how to prepare your kids for photos from www.thekidsperts.com!

Hey guys!  I’m here today to share my experiences as a professional photographer to help you make the most of your next family photo session!

1.       Research!  Look around at a variety of photographers to see their style.  Are you looking for a classic portrait or carefree style or more of a lifestyle photographer?  Choose a photographer who you can imagine their work on the walls of your home.  When setting up your appointment, tell the photographers which of their photos match the style you’re looking for.  Don’t just send them your Pinterest board – not every photographer shoots every style!  Also consider what poses/groupings you’ll want.  Whole family, just the kids, just mom and dad, the 2 year old’s birthday photos and communicate that to your photographer.  Some include multiple groupings in their session while others may have pricing structure based on groupings.  Think about what size and type of prints you're wanting for your home and office.  If you're going to want a large family photo for over the fireplace, let your photographer know what direction (landscape or portrait) so they can make sure to provide you with what you need.

2.       Plan!  What time of day are your kids the happiest?  Most families find that just after naptime is perfect for photos.  Get a snack in them, and they are good to go!  

3.       Coordinate – but don’t match!  I’m still a sucker for old school photos with everyone in jeans and a black or white top.  But some of the best family photos have everyone in similar colors, like this gorgeous family below.  Think spring colors or shades of blue for ideas.  Tight checks or busy patterns don’t always photograph well, so aim for solids or larger patterns, if possible.

4.       Prepare!  Start talking about family photos early!  Tell your kids how much fun they’ll have and how they’ll be on their best behavior.  Get the kids to practice their smiles, keeping notes on which silly words or phrases make them laugh. 

5.       Pack!  Many families wait until they arrive to dress the kids, reducing the risk of a spill or stain between home and the session.  We all know those mysterious stains happen, so might as well plan in advance!  Many parents find bringing an outfit change as a backup is the safe choice.  Consider packing some baby wipes and a few dry snacks (nothing that stains) for a quick clean up or to keep everyone happy.  I'm a fan of bringing Tic-Tacs to bribe older kids during the shoot.  They are small, quickly consumed and can usually be hidden during photos. 

6.       Bribe! I know, it’s not an ideal parenting tactic, but the ends justify the means!  Maybe it means a trip to the park right after!  Maybe a new coloring book or small prize! 

7.       Negotiate!  I always try to be flexible during a photo shoot and often joke it isn’t the time for parenting.  I know a shoot can be stressful, but try to avoid threatening timeout or any other punishment; we want the kids to be happy and cooperative.    The 2 year old wants to sit here instead of there for the photo?  Sure!  The 3 year old needs a break?  Let’s take a picture of mom and dad, having the kids make faces at them!  

In addition to occasionally writing here at The Kidsperts, Lauren owns the creatively named Lauren Campbell Photography and would love to bribe and negotiate with your children to make sure you have awesome family photos!