Works for me: My timer!
For those of you familiar with FlyLady, you're probably also familiar with the timer.
In my opinion, this is one piece of equipment which has been about the best investment I have ever made. You might wonder how such a little inexpensive electronic device could be so beneficial. Well, let me tell you, I use my timer for almost everything. Maybe I could even be considered a timer "freak" by how addicted I am to the use of it. But you know what? It keeps me on track and being an easily distracted person, that is huge.
I use my timer to help keep me on task - setting it in 10-15 minute increments while working on cleaning or other projects and then actually sticking to the task until it beeps. I've found that it is amazing what you can get done in a 10-15 minute period if you really set your mind to it.
And Kathrynne already is catching wind of this, too. I'll tell her that we are going to work on laundry, or ironing or cleaning, etc. until the timer beeps. If she asks for something during that time period (unless it is an emergency, of course!), I tell her to patiently wait until the timer beeps off. This allows me to stick with a task and allows her to know that she only has to wait a short period until I can get her the drink of water or toy or whatever it was she was asking for.
Now that I've been having a number of complete wipe-out days where my energy level is next to nill, my timer has become even more invaluable. On these days, we often throw any routine out the window and we use the timer to help get something done. I'll rest on the couch for 15 minutes and then get up and work on something for 15 minutes and back and forth. If I'm really bad off, I'll rest for 15 minutes and then get up for 5. At any rate, though it might be a slow pace, something is getting done, I'm slowly making a dent in the laundry and cleaning and so forth, and the timer is facilitating that. Getting something done - no matter how small - is better than getting nothing done.
So yes, you might think I'm a bit timer crazed, but hey, it works for me!
Timer shown is from FlyLady's shop.
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:32 AM
18 Comments:
So true. Timers are great. We use them here all the time--for me and the boys.
Great idea, Crystal, to use in helping train your daughter!!! I have a timer, too, but hadn't thought of using it to help teach my daughter patience!!!! :) Thank you for the idea!!
His,
Mrs. U (who also LOVES FlyLady!!!)
What a great idea. I gotta try it. I hope you're feeling better. I was concerned when I saw your hemoglobin count. That's really low-take care of yourself. I'll pray for you.
Hi Crystal,
I use my timer often too! It really seems to make a project go faster.
Last night I even tried to give it to my husband because he wanted to know how much time he had left to mow the lawn before needing to come in for supper:)
Trixie
Hi Crystal,
I don't use a timer, but I do make a mini-schedule for myself, something like: "right, it's 9:30 now; I'll be working on folding, ironing and putting away the laundry until 10:30". But then I constantly check the time! :) Having a timer would eliminate that.
I use a timer too for similar reasons with my health challenges.
It is very helpful as it makes me careful not to overdo, and to give myself permission that it's "enough" time to work on an area - everything does not have to be completed in one day (which is usually not possible with chronic health stuff anyway). It's a different way that I have had to change my thinking to in order to accomodate to what my body needs.
I also do the same as you do - using it for rest times, it allows me to care for myself as I believe God would want me to & not to push myself to being bedridden unnecessarily. Without using a timer, one of the things I deal with is forgetfulness and I tend to spend too much time on things/or not enough time resting and I was quickly get worn out. Usually, later in the day I don't use the timer so much, when I feel I have done what I can for the day (some days are more/less than others).
A timer can be a very helpful tool!
Hope you start to feeling better soon. Lyn :)
I also use timers with our children. I usually set the timer in the kitchen to go off in 10 or 15 minutes and then we make it a game to see how much progress they can make in cleaning their rooms in that time. It makes their work fun, AND they are usually amazed at how much they can get done!
Hi Crystal,
Hope your feeling better. 3 quick things ( this isn't to post, just easier than going to my new email, its not as easy as my old one, hope thats OK.) 1) I forgot to ment
ion
I "hide" alot of protein for the boys, oatmeal, pancakes etc, get a scoop of protein powder.
2) One thing to beware of is iron stores. I didn't learn about it until 2 years ago, but after my anemia came up, they ran a seperate test and I no stored iron. Apparently, this can mess with your thyroid as well as numerous other things. I can't remember what its actually called now, but I know its not commenly tested for and quite important. As low as yours is now, I would think even when it comes up you would want some follow up on the stores.
3) Do you have any old archives on potty training? I have successsfully trained 4, but my 5th may get married before he trains! He tells me no, he's the baby. Were at least doing better with potty, but he refuses to poopy in the toilet or even the potty chair. (Sorry for being so graphic, but I'm frustrated. The last 2 I skipped the potty chair and trained right to the toilet, I loved it.) Weve tried rewards, dicipline, cleaning up his own messes, etc. and he has made up his mind he's not going to.
Timer - oh how I love thee, let me count the ways!!! It works for me too and my kitchen sink is nice and shiny too :)
I am probably more of a shiny sink freak than a timer freak but it's close enough to be a tie!!!
Have a great day!!!
Oh I totally hear you on the timer thing! I just bought the time tracker timer which is a visual timer for my kids. It has red, yellow, and green lights on it and it takes set time and breaks it down into 80/10/10 for the kids and when it goes to the red they know they are almost done. The sad thing is I also am addicted to using this timer lol. It sure helps get the kids going though! Hooray for timers!
Jenna
Laurie F - Thanks for the protein powder suggestion. What kind do you use?
And I went ahead and posted your question/comment since I thought maybe some others here could help on the potty training question. I'm no expert and Kathrynne is still not completely potty-trained. She has the occasional accident and we still use diapers at naps and bedtime or when we're going to be out for a long time. So ladies, feel free to share any and all potty-training suggestions.
Laurie F,
I have only potty trained one, my other is still too little, but I was reading in a book the other day about parenting and they mentioned potty training a stubborn child. First I'll give credit to the authors. The book is called "To Train Up a Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl. Copyright 1994. I don't agree with everything in the book (such as potty training at 3 weeks), but this part seems like it might work for your little one. Pg. 74-75 "First I pointed out that the boy's mother, busy with all her other children, would pick up this big kid several times a day, talk sweetly to him, lay him on a bed, take off the dirty diaper.... Dumping in his pants had become an opportunity to get his mother's undivided attention. Now, understand that there is no guilt or blame in this matter, especially on the child's part... Next, I suggested to the father that he explain to the boy that,""Now that he was a man, he would no longer be washed in the house. He was too big and too stinky to be cleaned with baby-wipes. From now on, he would be washed outside with a garden hose""... The next time the boy loaded down his diaper, the father took him out merrily, and I might say carelessly, washed him off." A week later it was reported that the son was potty trained only after one or two hosing down incidents.
Don't know for sure if this will work, but apparently it worked for this family.
Addy
I have found timers very helpful, but have broken so many of them that have not bought one in awhile. I actually miss it. Then my daughter won this huge timer (cannot remember the name of it), but I have yet to figure out how to work it!
I liked using them to let the children know when it is time to move onto the next thing during our morning schedule.
Perhaps it is time to get my husband to teach me how to work this new timer.....hmmm
Blessings,
Theresa
Oh forgot to say that I like the magnetic timers, so they often got bumped or dropped and that is how they broke. This new timer is like a stop light and stands alone so it is stable.
I would be interested in timer recommendations.
Thanks,
Theresa
Hi Crystal,
That's such a great idea! I like to set myself a detailed plan for the day, but a timer would be a great help. Blessings to you.
In His care, Emily
What a great idea! I have an "old fashioned" wind up timer that I have used with my son, and he loves it. Being 2, he is starting to understand the concept of time. I often use it when it's time to pick up the living room before my husband gets home from work. My son loves running around, cleaning everything so it's nice for when Daddy arrives. It's a good motivator and gives him a sense of accomplishment with a job well done. I also use a timer for myself...sometimes I just use the timer on the microwave and set it in 15 minute increments. It's so easy to get absorbed in a project and not realize how long you've been working on it! It's also good for low energy days. :-)
I love my timers too! I use them to time laundry when i am gardening, to tiem the kids computer use and even for timeouts!
LOVE, LOVE, Love timers!
As a teacher, I use a timer ALL the time, and it would be a great tool for use as a homeschooling mom. If there are students who are working just a bit too slowly and not focused enough, I'll give a reward like a sticker or a trip to the treasure chest if they can get a certain amount of work done in a certain amount of time. They are great for time outs and needed breaks for kids too.
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