Few things worry mom as much as manners and kids. You worry if they’ve got them, and you hope that if they do they got the good ones!
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Isn’t it amazing how simply believing something can bring proportionate results? I’m always amazed by this. It gives me reason to pause and contemplate the many influences around me which affect my thoughts and beliefs. What a wonderful and real power lies within each of us when we recognize it. A small adjustment at the hinge can bring about mighty changes on the swing of a gate. And so it is with our lives, the slightest adjustments can bring about vast results.
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Last week at book club, everyone brought some books to exchange. As a lover of American history, I picked up one by David McCullough on John Adams. I’m starting to really think that there is a law bone in my body because I am absolutely eating this book up.

I have often told my husband that if I could have a wish, it would be to travel through time and see places and events in their “prime.” I can’t explain it, I’m simply fascinated by things of the past. I am astounded by people of the past and I love learning about them. This book gives such incredible description and insight into the people and circumstances of the time that I hate having to put it down.
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Today, Kelly shared how her daughter is a human compass. I’m amazed by kids - ALL the time. I’ve blogged on a number of occasions how they are often the greatest teacher when I am a willing student.
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A few weeks ago I wrote my lamentations on the education system. Today I had parent teacher conferences and I have to take a moment to add this to those thoughts.
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So, just because it’s only been hours since I posted the importance of basic routines with my ADD daughter….this morning ours would get messed up! LOL
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I can’t believe a whole week has gone by, but it was a week ago today that I posted my last Simple Balance tip!

Today’s tip is kind of a double whammy for information. It’s about the importance and value of routines and my recent re-education of the concept.
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A quick view in the hindsight mirror, tells me this truth is something you’d think I’d have mastered by now. Without even thinking about it I can come up with an immediate list of things on my “I’ll never…” page (bear in mind these are all relatively new and/or recent!):

• …own a minivan
• …become addicted to soda
• …buy into ADD/ADHD
• …complain about being a parent
• …spend more time on my computer than on my house
• …be “too tired”
• …let the TV or video game babysit my child
• …take my daughter to another audition
• …cut my own hair

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Here’s something that’s been bothering me for a long time: What has been and is happening with education in our great nation?

Several years ago, when I did some student teaching I was amazed at how much had changed since I was in the classroom (and that wasn’t that long ago at the time.) Now that I’m the parent of an elementary aged child and preschooler I’m even more involved and more opinionated with all the changes. It’s not all good or all bad, but it sure is different and there are big strikes on both sides for me.
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Okay, you can finish that title as the mood/situation fits. As for me, I’m having a mommy Calgon moment. For anyone old enough, Calgon became famous for it’s marketing tag “Take me away!” many years ago. Fitting that their website bears this title.
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