Have you ever feel that you are operating on an OVERDRIVE mode most of the time? It seems that the constant juggling of many roles on a tight rope lead to sheer exhaustion and impending burnout or depression.
So I have came out with my own eclectic style to regain my sanity. In fact, this is my highly effective WAYS to balance my fluctuating mental health and recuperate from my fatigue.
1. Just do it NOW ; stop procrastinating
2.Divide and conquer; Break into smaller chunks and multi tasked
3. Conquer the biggest and most troublesome issue first. Esp for chores.
4. Dun be too hard on yourself; love myself more and stop accusing thyself!
5. Outsource domestic help!
6. Read uplifting and inspiring books
7. Go out and have my Latte!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Books that truly inspired me
My TOP TEN BOOK LIST
Books that deeply touched my heart recently.
1. Real moms Exploding the Myths of Motherhood by Elisa Morgan and Carol kuykendall. (I was able to relate well to those myths and was deeply encouraged by genuine views from REAL mummys!)
Like what the amazon reader said," If you're like me ~~ a mom of toddlers ~~ there are some days when you think you're going insane ~~ this book IS for you. This book is explosive in a positive way ~~ it is uplifting, encouraging and enlightening." A must read for mums who want to practical advice, spiritual guidance based on the Biblical scriptures in a light hearted way!
2. The Power of Positive Wife by Karol Ladd (wow, tips to turn a bittered wife to a more understanding and loving, most importantly less historian! I believe this particular book had given me valuable tips to improve my marriage and how REAL and common some experiences we face as WIVES!)
Amazon reader's feedback "This is an extremely valuable book for wives in many stages and many areas of success and difficulties in marriage."
3. For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn (Simply love this book as it provides POWERFUL INSIGHTS and thought provoking questions! A TEXTBOOK that I read over and over again! An Awesome book to reveal men's secretSSS! Don't be mad if your hubby turn to see a beautiful shapely woman, it is a natural response for them! )
This is a short summary about this TRUE findings about what MEN really think that were pretty shocking and accurate though u can't take these findings too literally. This is written by a newspaper columnist, a Harvard graduate with a Christian perspective, this fairly intelligent guide is based on systematic surveys and is explained with the clarity of social science. With no ground-breaking insights to report, it's all the more impressive that Shaunti Feldhahn manages to read the book with such verve and attentiveness to the material. With charm and sincerity, she offers a message that can't be repeated often enough-that sharing feelings and giving appreciation are necessary practices for a satisfying relationship with any man.
4. Blink the power of Thinking without Thinkingby Malcolm Gladwell (how biases influence us subtly and how automatic our thinking can be!)
From an amazon review: By Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA)
This review is from: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (Hardcover)
This is one of the most fascinating books I have read in some time. The book centers on the concept of how fast we really do make judgments, called "thin slicing", and how deeper analysis can sometimes provide less information than more. It is all about cognitive speed.
5. Mummy's locked in the bathroom by Karl Ladd (how true this is!So I am not the ONLY one! )
6. A Life Well Spentby Russ Crosson (Dramatically change my mindset, and priorities in Life and affirmed my decision to be a SAHM. A book that I strongly encourage my hubby to read and even highlightened tons of valuable insights for his easy reading.) This is written by a financial planner on financial stewardship that impart of eternity.
"A much deeper book than you might think - very good read, November 29, 2006 By Dan Panetti "Worldview Director" (Plano, TX USA) " Crosson also drives home the point that time, not money, is our most precious commodity - and something that cannot be purchased in any greater quantities than what others have regardless of our income or financial status - we all have 24 hours in a day to use how we choose - and if we are not deliberately carving our time for our posterity, training our children will be done in bits and pieces with a hit or miss strategy that is unreliable and detrimental to our children."
7. A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (wow, how lost I have been......)
Like what Mark A. Wuebben reviewed in the amazon review "Other than the Bible, this is the most important book you will ever read. If your heart is beating, whether you are a believer or not, the questions and issues raised in this important work will strike a cord or at the minimum induce serious introspection about the big questions in life. "
8. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson ( This is my WOW book! A must read for mummys, a "truly-inspiring textbook" that I re-read many times to truly imbibe her advice and be encouraged!! )
What I found from the Amazon review abt this book: 5 of 6 people found the following review helpful!
Great insight on the true role of a mother, April 10, 2007
By Kim Mac "kim" (Texas) - See all my reviews
"Reading this book inspires me to try harder to be a better mother and to give my kids the best of me in the few short years that I have to mold their hearts. In this generation where so many mothers would much rather work than stay home and sacrifice their time and energy for the sake of their children, Sally Clarkson inspires those of us who have chosen full-time motherhood to hold up our heads and realize that we have chosen the most demanding and rewarding job on this earth. Sally reminds us that being a parent is a challenging job and full of opportunities for us to grow as well as our children. Through her personal tales of motherhood, she inspires us to look for the little opportunities to encourage our children and be an example for them. We do not all find ourselves with the same opportunities, but we can use our own environment and circumstances to create a home for our families that will nurture them and help them grow into responsible, caring and thoughtful Christians."
9. Children Learn what they Live by Dorothy Law Nolte (A easy to read book. Be careful what u say and do, mummys! They are watching us intently much more than we know!) From a BUSY mum who commented "you're busy and don't have a lot of time to read it, it's perfect for you. It is also a book that you can keep in your library as your kids grow older and then pass it onto them when they start!"
10. The World is Flat by Thomas L Friedman. (an eye opener! Shocking to hear how reading Xrays can be outsourced in India) Review
"Captivating . . . an enthralling read. To his great credit, Friedman embraces much of his flat world's complexity, and his reporting brings to vibrant life some beguiling characters and trends. . . . [The World is Flat] is also more lively, provocative, and sophisticated than the overwhelming bulk of foreign policy commentary these days. We've no real idea how the twenty-first century's history will unfold, but this terrifically stimulating book will certainly inspire readers to start thinking it all through."--Warren Bass, The Washington Post
Books that deeply touched my heart recently.
1. Real moms Exploding the Myths of Motherhood by Elisa Morgan and Carol kuykendall. (I was able to relate well to those myths and was deeply encouraged by genuine views from REAL mummys!)
Like what the amazon reader said," If you're like me ~~ a mom of toddlers ~~ there are some days when you think you're going insane ~~ this book IS for you. This book is explosive in a positive way ~~ it is uplifting, encouraging and enlightening." A must read for mums who want to practical advice, spiritual guidance based on the Biblical scriptures in a light hearted way!
2. The Power of Positive Wife by Karol Ladd (wow, tips to turn a bittered wife to a more understanding and loving, most importantly less historian! I believe this particular book had given me valuable tips to improve my marriage and how REAL and common some experiences we face as WIVES!)
Amazon reader's feedback "This is an extremely valuable book for wives in many stages and many areas of success and difficulties in marriage."
3. For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn (Simply love this book as it provides POWERFUL INSIGHTS and thought provoking questions! A TEXTBOOK that I read over and over again! An Awesome book to reveal men's secretSSS! Don't be mad if your hubby turn to see a beautiful shapely woman, it is a natural response for them! )
This is a short summary about this TRUE findings about what MEN really think that were pretty shocking and accurate though u can't take these findings too literally. This is written by a newspaper columnist, a Harvard graduate with a Christian perspective, this fairly intelligent guide is based on systematic surveys and is explained with the clarity of social science. With no ground-breaking insights to report, it's all the more impressive that Shaunti Feldhahn manages to read the book with such verve and attentiveness to the material. With charm and sincerity, she offers a message that can't be repeated often enough-that sharing feelings and giving appreciation are necessary practices for a satisfying relationship with any man.
4. Blink the power of Thinking without Thinkingby Malcolm Gladwell (how biases influence us subtly and how automatic our thinking can be!)
From an amazon review: By Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA)
This review is from: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (Hardcover)
This is one of the most fascinating books I have read in some time. The book centers on the concept of how fast we really do make judgments, called "thin slicing", and how deeper analysis can sometimes provide less information than more. It is all about cognitive speed.
5. Mummy's locked in the bathroom by Karl Ladd (how true this is!So I am not the ONLY one! )
6. A Life Well Spentby Russ Crosson (Dramatically change my mindset, and priorities in Life and affirmed my decision to be a SAHM. A book that I strongly encourage my hubby to read and even highlightened tons of valuable insights for his easy reading.) This is written by a financial planner on financial stewardship that impart of eternity.
"A much deeper book than you might think - very good read, November 29, 2006 By Dan Panetti "Worldview Director" (Plano, TX USA) " Crosson also drives home the point that time, not money, is our most precious commodity - and something that cannot be purchased in any greater quantities than what others have regardless of our income or financial status - we all have 24 hours in a day to use how we choose - and if we are not deliberately carving our time for our posterity, training our children will be done in bits and pieces with a hit or miss strategy that is unreliable and detrimental to our children."
7. A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (wow, how lost I have been......)
Like what Mark A. Wuebben reviewed in the amazon review "Other than the Bible, this is the most important book you will ever read. If your heart is beating, whether you are a believer or not, the questions and issues raised in this important work will strike a cord or at the minimum induce serious introspection about the big questions in life. "
8. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson ( This is my WOW book! A must read for mummys, a "truly-inspiring textbook" that I re-read many times to truly imbibe her advice and be encouraged!! )
What I found from the Amazon review abt this book: 5 of 6 people found the following review helpful!
Great insight on the true role of a mother, April 10, 2007
By Kim Mac "kim" (Texas) - See all my reviews
"Reading this book inspires me to try harder to be a better mother and to give my kids the best of me in the few short years that I have to mold their hearts. In this generation where so many mothers would much rather work than stay home and sacrifice their time and energy for the sake of their children, Sally Clarkson inspires those of us who have chosen full-time motherhood to hold up our heads and realize that we have chosen the most demanding and rewarding job on this earth. Sally reminds us that being a parent is a challenging job and full of opportunities for us to grow as well as our children. Through her personal tales of motherhood, she inspires us to look for the little opportunities to encourage our children and be an example for them. We do not all find ourselves with the same opportunities, but we can use our own environment and circumstances to create a home for our families that will nurture them and help them grow into responsible, caring and thoughtful Christians."
9. Children Learn what they Live by Dorothy Law Nolte (A easy to read book. Be careful what u say and do, mummys! They are watching us intently much more than we know!) From a BUSY mum who commented "you're busy and don't have a lot of time to read it, it's perfect for you. It is also a book that you can keep in your library as your kids grow older and then pass it onto them when they start!"
10. The World is Flat by Thomas L Friedman. (an eye opener! Shocking to hear how reading Xrays can be outsourced in India) Review
"Captivating . . . an enthralling read. To his great credit, Friedman embraces much of his flat world's complexity, and his reporting brings to vibrant life some beguiling characters and trends. . . . [The World is Flat] is also more lively, provocative, and sophisticated than the overwhelming bulk of foreign policy commentary these days. We've no real idea how the twenty-first century's history will unfold, but this terrifically stimulating book will certainly inspire readers to start thinking it all through."--Warren Bass, The Washington Post
Christmas gifts for my children
I'm thinking abt getting this for eldest princess, This product is apparently very popular in States for preschoolers and I'm sure my girl will love it as she has been eyeing on our laptops all the time
Then, I just ordered this for my baby princess. Yes, I seem to favor LEAPFROG products as they are more educational and at the same time engaging!
Then, I just ordered this for my baby princess. Yes, I seem to favor LEAPFROG products as they are more educational and at the same time engaging!
outsourcing? Part-time SAHM
Thank goodness that I learnt something about outsourcing! So domestic work can be ingeniously outsourced too! Initially it was all about outsourcing the clothes to be ironed!! Hee hee no more sweating over a wrinkled working shirt or pants.
Then I finally succumbed to the idea of outsourcing a part-time domestic helper when my second one comes along. Oh she is God-sent and suddenly my burdens are lifted almost instantly. So I guess I'm considered a part-time SAHM as I have extra help and I dun feel as guilty when things aren't as clean because it wasn't done by me. My new role is just to delegate and oversee the big picture. I spend my "Quality" time with my children as I dun yell at them when they interrupted my supposed chores and NOW I'm definitely a happier mum!
Then I finally succumbed to the idea of outsourcing a part-time domestic helper when my second one comes along. Oh she is God-sent and suddenly my burdens are lifted almost instantly. So I guess I'm considered a part-time SAHM as I have extra help and I dun feel as guilty when things aren't as clean because it wasn't done by me. My new role is just to delegate and oversee the big picture. I spend my "Quality" time with my children as I dun yell at them when they interrupted my supposed chores and NOW I'm definitely a happier mum!
Stay Home Mum
Stay at home mum doesn't really sound very professional huh...it actually sounds pretty lazy and laid back. A mum that stays at home doing nothing significant???? A Tai Tai?? So what other terms can we address ourselves??? Full time mummy, homemaker, Minister of home affairs, CEO of XX family....... be it any term, it is a full time job just like any other jobs taken outside the home. However, this job is often looked down and shy away. MAYBE it is simply too mundane, and insignificant. A job that has no appraisals except from your hubby who is stingy with praises and exhausted to think about your career advancement! Lol
Do u remember washing endless loads of clothes, and dirty plates and cultery, bottles, feeding a handful mouths with different appeitite, buying fresh food, mopping dirty floors, wiping yellow mucous from sick children, running errands...somehow it seems endless. No one appreciate your effort for straightening the home diligently, and as if it was all done by a fairy God mother with a magic wand. AND when u miss one of the chore due to dire exhaustion or impending viral attack, the undone chore seems so glaring!! Somehow we aren't exempted from these MUSTDO chores!
Do u remember washing endless loads of clothes, and dirty plates and cultery, bottles, feeding a handful mouths with different appeitite, buying fresh food, mopping dirty floors, wiping yellow mucous from sick children, running errands...somehow it seems endless. No one appreciate your effort for straightening the home diligently, and as if it was all done by a fairy God mother with a magic wand. AND when u miss one of the chore due to dire exhaustion or impending viral attack, the undone chore seems so glaring!! Somehow we aren't exempted from these MUSTDO chores!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Motherhood
Sometime I wonder Am I cut out for this job. Mothering doesn't come so natural to me and it takes tremendous effort for me to enjoy mummyhood! Yet the truth is I wouldn't trade it for even a million bucks!!! Motherhood has helped me to see the REAL me which is pretty shocking. Never ever thought that I'm so impatient, so fierce, so quick tempered, so unorganized, so explosive yet so creative, so flexible, and so selfless.
My job as a STAYHOMEMUM is arduous for me to imbibe even though this is my fifth year. This job is a 24/7/365 work, NO PAY, NO LEAVE AND NO benefits or year end bonus! Most importantly, it is a job that is NOT very recognised, undervalued, unpaid and lonely! The truth is U hardly have a sensible adult talk except to your equally exhausted hubby who dreads to talk or even listen to u at the end of the day! And the worst thing is my talk over the phone usually gets interrupted all the time and I resorted to bending rules like giving sweets, chocolates and extended TV time just to continue a long hungered meaningful and adult conversation!
I have dreams and goals that are yet to achieve and who knows when I can. Yes it is a CHOICE. And I have chosen this path to be a SAHM. But I know this phase is a relative SHORT time for me to be committed to my children.
I remember vividly that I was praying earnestly at the corner of my daughter's bedside when she was hospitalised for projectile vomiting. We were told that she might need surgery to correct her intestines when she was barely 1 month! Thank God that she finally did not have to go through that and somehow we were told just to bring her HOME. So the story is....I blessed with two beautiful healthy children who will only be so tiny and needy for such a short time. I know I can give my BEST shot for them and try my BEST to give them my TIME NOW.
My job as a STAYHOMEMUM is arduous for me to imbibe even though this is my fifth year. This job is a 24/7/365 work, NO PAY, NO LEAVE AND NO benefits or year end bonus! Most importantly, it is a job that is NOT very recognised, undervalued, unpaid and lonely! The truth is U hardly have a sensible adult talk except to your equally exhausted hubby who dreads to talk or even listen to u at the end of the day! And the worst thing is my talk over the phone usually gets interrupted all the time and I resorted to bending rules like giving sweets, chocolates and extended TV time just to continue a long hungered meaningful and adult conversation!
I have dreams and goals that are yet to achieve and who knows when I can. Yes it is a CHOICE. And I have chosen this path to be a SAHM. But I know this phase is a relative SHORT time for me to be committed to my children.
I remember vividly that I was praying earnestly at the corner of my daughter's bedside when she was hospitalised for projectile vomiting. We were told that she might need surgery to correct her intestines when she was barely 1 month! Thank God that she finally did not have to go through that and somehow we were told just to bring her HOME. So the story is....I blessed with two beautiful healthy children who will only be so tiny and needy for such a short time. I know I can give my BEST shot for them and try my BEST to give them my TIME NOW.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
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