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If so, then the message below if for you!
Since the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED newsmail began in January of 2006, it has grown in length and popularity, now reaching multiple states in the US as well as several European countries. As SPM strives to offer a fresh look with each issue, Siesta Magazine has moved all contents to this blogspot site, which was created back in the spring of 2009. For those subscribing to Siesta Magazine through standard e-mails, reminder e-mails for the Siesta Magazine link discontinued in 2010. All subscribers who wish to continue reading each issue may keep this website address in their favourites and refer to it on the first of each month.
www.siestamagazine.blogspot.com
SIESTA MAGAZINE
Thank you for understanding about STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED simplifying! It just proves that SPM practices what it preaches!
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~COVER ART~
"Spring Berry Cobbler" -DeNitto ©1988
(Make sure to see photo of the month at the end of this issue!!)
NEW INFORMATION ABOUT FOLLOWING STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED on FACEBOOK and TWITTER !!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
+ BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
+ THE BOOK CORNER
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
+ MOM TIME
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
+ VIDEO OF THE MONTH *NEW!!
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+ BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
- ATTENTION MOMMIES!! If you are a future or new mother, please visit the official STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED *booth* at the MOMMYBITES SUMMIT on MAY 2, 2012 at The New Yorker Hotel from 6:00pm - 9:30pm! Complete details can be found in the link below!
- FOLLOW SIESTA MAGAZINE ON PINTEREST!
- What's coming up in future issues?
~ Empty Nest Syndrome
~ Wardrobe Organizing
~ Back-to-School / Education
~ What Would STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED Do?
*Tips and Routines SPM Practices Regularly...
~ Kitchen Organizing 101
~ Organizing for Safety Around the House
~ Simple Pleasures - Organizing for the Five Senses
- 2012 marks thirteen years for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's Professional Organizer, Madeleine DeNitto in the organizing industry!
- In May, 2011, the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED website was redesigned and updated!! Check out the fresh design at www.stressedpressedmessed.com.
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
{ Pictured: Ulysses resting from his little kitty journey. DeNitto © 2006 }
A siesta /siːˈɛstə/, original Spanish pronunciation [ˈsjesta] is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some hot countries. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").
At SPM the true definition is taken a bit further. If a nap is not possible, but there is enough time allowed for any other type of break, it is strongly encouraged to take advantage of that precious moment. As long as the mind and body can rest for a short period as often as possible during the work week, it can only enhance the quality of living.
Each month, learn more facts about SIESTAS and how you may benefit from taking them into your daily routine.
Below are SIESTA TIPS/FACTS:
As a mother raising two children only 14 months apart in age, it was crucial that I keep a daily routine, at least on weekdays, for a 2:00pm nap, whether it be just for them or for the three of us. It would depend on whether or not I was sleepy or just needed utter peace, if even for a short period of time. My daughter, the oldest, was hardly a napper, while her younger brother was an over napper. While I would be walking on eggshells to not make a single noise that might disturb my daughter, (who might not even have fallen asleep to begin with,) to purposely make household noises to wake up my son, who would have slept into the evening, with the potential of not waking up until the next morning.
As our napping routine was clearly out of balance with one alert child and one seemingly sedated child, it was always important that I was in tune to their special needs, which were quite evident in that one required little sleep, while the other was quite pleased to enjoy hours upon hours of slumber. The motherly instinct in me was to acknowledge those days when extra sleep was needed for my son and allow him that option, while explaining to his older sister that she had to honor his rest and keep quiet while entertaining herself. She soon came to understand that he would wake up to return as her playmate... eventually.
With this routine training, both of my kids seemed happy, healthy and well rested. They were in tune with their own time clocks and became aware of their body signals. There were even days when they simply put themselves down for naps! Part of napping, for them, was actually the *fun* of it. They did not sleep in their beds for these naps, rather, they used small floor "mattresses" with the thickness of a baby crib mattress, using separate sheets, pillows and blankets. It felt more like a temporary event for them in that they didn't feel as if they might miss something fun or important going on with me, their toys, their friends or snacks--- the usual things tots tend to focus on. They were able to bring anything they wanted to their napping mats, be it books, stuffed animals, dinosaurs or other harmless toys. I would often close their bedroom doors and stand frozen in the hallway listening to them talking or singing as they adjusted to get comfortable. They would pull up their blankets, push them down, kick them off... whatever it took to train themselves to find that "moment" in which they might give in to drifting off.
The nightly routines were not the same, as "going-to-bed" felt quite different for all of us. It was a bit more work, being that dinner and baths were included before a bedtime story. It was also darker, of course. The point was for them to feel comfortable with both daily napping and nightly sleeping and be able to appreciate and honor both as something that was needed, healthy and fun.
Another thing that I noticed as a mother ensuring that my kids had nap routines is that they were more adjusted to other daily routines, their minds processed information and time more easily and they were sick less often. These were my personal observations about my own children and not observations that I would necessarily be able to make about other children. Every child has unique needs and all parents find what those needs are an try various methods for their children to sleep, eat, play and socialze, etc. As parents, we tend to find out what works through trial and error and learn well from those errors.
On another note about napping... here is a minor tip with a major impact!! As a young mother living in a popular neighborhood with fantastic neighbors and friends popping over from time to time, most of the other mothers had almost the exact napping time as we did, which was convenient to all of us. Unfortunately, our mailman did not follow our lead and would make such a fuss at our door to "give notice" of mail being delivered to our wall box. He would use our door knocker and bang loudly on our door, which sounded like gunshots from within the house. More than once, this even woke up that sedated son of mine with such a terror that I would have to console him during such moments... that is once my own pounding heart calmed down. SOLUTION??? I placed a "DO-NOT-DISTURB" sign on our doorknob and taped down our knocker for him to take the hint. I must say, the door sign, in particular came in most handy!! It was a direct hint to anyone approaching our home during those toddler years, proving that such signs are not just for hotel room doors! Ha!!
TODDLER NAP MATS
TODDLER NAPPING GUIDE ___________________________________________________________
+ THE BOOK CORNER
This section offers ideas for books related to various subjects including organizing, designing, lifestyle improvements, humour, business, psychology and green living. During the year, the occasional novel or biography may also slip into an issue.
: BOOK RECOMMENDATION FOR SPRING 2012 :
TITLE: Gardening With Children
AUTHOR: Beth Richardson
COPYRIGHT DATE: 1998
ISBN: 978-1561581924
Though published in 1998, there are still a lot of cute ideas in this book for gardening with your kids! I especially liked the "themed" gardens, such as "pizza garden" and "pasta garden" in chapter seven.
GARDENING WITH CHILDREN
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+ PICK OF THE MONTH
If you have wee ones who seem eager to learn about water this summer, check out the great tiny tot swimming pools from the One Step Ahead Spring 2012 catalog!
These two gentle pools seem like a great way to gradually introduce tiny toddlers into the wide world of water with comfort and safety. The Li'l Squirt pool is wide and flat with tiny water spouts to cause giggles for sure while the Soft Seat pool offer extra sitting comfort from bellow, as well as above with its shading canopy to keep the harsh sun away from baby's skin! Also, the Soft Seat pool can be converted into a ball pit, by ordering the balls separately.
Li'l SQUIRT BABY POOL
SOFT SEAT BABY POOL
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+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
KID HEALTHY MEALS
If you want a nice recipe for your child's lunch with the nutrition facts included, this site can help a lot in creating healthy and fun meals for young children.
KIDS HEALTH
The top recipe picks from STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED are listed with the links below.
PIZZADILLAS
CRUNCHY WRAP
TOTS
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+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
It's time to Greenganize!!! (an official SPM term!)
With April's official Earth Day winding down, it should actually be strongly encouraged for children to believe that every day should be honored as an Earth Day. With that in mind, parents can easily become good role models for their children by demonstrating the necessity to recycle as well as to repurpose certain items creatively for the sake of the planet. After all, the children are always next in line to inherit what the elders have left behind, so leaving behind the good is what everyone wants.
Here are two fun recycling craft projects using beverage containers. The first one using a simply milk carton that could be painted with flowers and leaves to attract birds, while the second one could be used either for Barbie dolls or scuba action figures for fun in the tub!
MILK CARTON BIRD FEEDERS
BATH TOYS
Now is the time to embrace the green.......
In future issues, Siesta Magazine will offer more tips or product guidelines with the latest information on how to adopt routines of green living!
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+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
KIDS... FROM PLACE TO PLACE...
The importance of scheduling in advance in order to best know
the whereabouts of your children if not always in your
view...
As children only grow and become more and more busy, the key to family members remaining safe and sane is to maintain a constant updating system. In keeping up with the schedules of family members, a centrally located calendar and information station is very helpful for everyone to check daily. This can be the perfect place for messages and reminders for other family members to find. This center can become a well-tended communication headquarters for families, in addition to or instead of the use of a phone calls or texts or e-mails. Not only will the calendar be updated regularly by each family member, but school info sheets, frequently used documents, directions/maps, various memos, event reminders and party invitations can be easily accessed in this special spot. In addition, a directory of restaurant menus and frequently contacted services can be kept at hand, as well as emergency information, such as a medical directory.
*For a great example of a medical directory, check out the Siesta Magazine August 2009 issue here:
SIESTA MAGAZINE - AUGUST 2009 ISSUE: MEDICAL DIRECTORY
+ MOM TIME
FORWARD: A note from SPM MOM...
During the early 1990's, as a mother raising two children through their first years, I now learn of many new products that are thrilling to me, even with my empty nest. I often find myself wishing that some of them were available as long ago as 24 years! Below are neat links and ideas to products or educational items currently on today's market for parents to explore for their children-- babies through college and beyond!
*MOM* ... *TIME* ... Two utterly important words that everyone needs to understand and honor. If a mother does not have enough quality time to enjoy herself in peace and personal growth and discovery, it's possible for such an important figure to feel like a hollow shell, simply going through the motions of daily routines. With this in mind, it is never too early for a new mother to set goals... with appropriate guidelines for family members to understand... and practice. As you may have already read in the "Speaking of Siestas" section above, setting up napping routines is very important with young children, not only to give them adequate rest, but to also allow a mother the option of simple peace, time to handle tasks uninterrupted or time to join in on resting. This is one of what can be many guidelines for family members to acknowledge. A healthy and well rested mother is usually a happy mother. A mother who has personal interests, hobbies and/or career outside of the home in addition to raising children can be a mother who ends up more in tune with her family.
Knowing that there is a balance between hyperfocusing on children, spouse and SELF is quite rewarding and healthy. This means that having ample time to oneself, as a mother, is rather essential. This includes developing systems of keeping well organized, both with time and with possessions well maintained and easily accessible. The more organized a mother can be, the more time may be found for moments of quality time to use for the important things in life. An organized mother has more time to spend enjoying her children, her spouse, her work... herSELF.
- The Cost of Being Disorganized Can be Equal to Draining the Life and Time out of a Mother...
If a mother finds herself caught in a cycle of never knowing where her keys are, her calendar, her child's medical records... or her spouse complains that there is no more tea or toilet paper... or her children complain that they have no more soap or clean towels, these may be signs of needing to take a major break from such frustrating moments to tend to the house and develop systems and to designate spaces for important items. If there are filing systems for important documents to be stored, it eliminates the wasted time and frustration in searching for such things, enabling a mother to read her child a story. If supplies are well stocked and laundry is a regular task, family members won't have to complain and a mother can attend a movie with her spouse. If keys, wallets and phones are always kept in one logical place, a mother can grab and go on a moment's notice to pick up a sick child from school, meet a friend for coffee, or attend an yoga or drawing class. A mother can be ready for the expected... and unexpected... when well organized.
- Yes, Organizing an Entire House is Time Consuming... BUT....
Organizing an entire house can be time consuming when attempted at once, but certainly not impossible. With the goal of creating precious *time*, such an organizing project of this size is more than worth the effort, as it gives a mother a most priceless reward--- herSELF. A mother can remain a person with private needs in addition to be a doting wife and mother by having a well organized home, family and life. With time, a mother can be herself and enjoy her family and those pesky home tasks become less of a burden. As children grow older and are able to handle small tasks, a mother can find even more time to enjoy those important and priceless moments.
- Keep the SELF...
The point is to not lose the SELF. Even if it can only a be a once-a-week personal activity, a mother should engage in personal time. This could be as simple as staying at home in the garden, joining a book club, taking a swim at the gym, attending a gardening class or having a lunch with a different friend each week. Over time, these moments of person time can increase. Whenever and however the time may be spent, it can be very uplifting and rewarding.
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful
than the risk it took to blossom. --Anais Nin
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+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
This is the same itty bitty boy from the cover!! Kids grow up and do things like finishing college, joining the Peace Corps and live in foreign countries like Nicaragua and Peru! That was what this kid did. He will soon return home to NYC and prepare for the LSAT. But, even in his now mid-20's, he is still asking for advice from Mommy and suggesting I cook his favorite meal soon. Once a Mommy, always a Mommy...
-Hodges ©2012
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+ VIDEO OF THE MONTH *NEW!!
CHALKHILLS AND CHILDREN by XTC
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