Being Omma

I know I haven't blogged for a long time and I'm sorry that this post isn't "frugal" related, but I needed a spot to put down some thoughts.

I recently started a part time job. The ironic thing is that even though I love being Omma (toughest job I'll ever love) I somehow feel like "oh good, now I'm "doing" something." As if being Omma wasn't enough. Mostly this part time job gives me a break, and yes I do feel guilty about that. We're supposed to be perfect all the time right? Have all the right answers, patience beyond measure, reveling in the messes our littles make, etc. But I'm human and I sometimes am sleep deprived, impatient, and cringe at the thought of glitter going everywhere.

And I get jealous. Jealous over the children and Omma's that can do things like go to Sunday School without their child organizing the push pins in the pin-up board and then fall apart when someone tries to stop them, because they just can't listen to the lesson with other distractions present. Because they notice every.thing. Jealous that a child half the age of mine can do things like put on a shirt, catch a ball, or say "I love you" instead of "Happy Birthday" to show their affection.

And then I have to realize that perhaps I need to cut myself some slack and accept the fact that life looks different for us. That when I do get something fun organized like a craft, it might have to stop before we finish because it's caused a sensory overload. That my day might only consist of managing meltdowns instead of doing dishes, supper, bills, or playing with my other children. (And that I might need a loving break every now and then because I'm exhausted and emotionally tapped out.) That we have been uniquely blessed with the challenge of helping a uniquely made child reach their full potential. And that other things that I used to think were important or a measure of an Omma aren't realistic.

I'm not complaining about my children. I love them to pieces. But sometimes life as Omma is just tough.

Gifts now and Gifts Later

For each child for birthday and Christmas we give them some small toys and clothes to open AND put some money into their college fund. Compound interest over 15+ years adds up (hopefully more than college tuition inflation!). So they get some gifts to open now and some fund for the gift of college later!

Stretch the Clothing Life

This tip I think really only works for the last child in the family because otherwise you can pack them away for the next child. You can make clothes last longer by making some "alterations" to them.

If your child's feet are too big for the footie jammies, cut the fabric feet off. The rest of the jammies still fit and they can wear socks in stead.

If their pants waist still fits by summer but the legs are too short, cut and hem for shorts.

Guest Post

"Work Smarter, Not Harder" and would look like this.

Wages used to the best of our ability.
Own outright as much as we can.
Rely on God
Keep finances and financial goals in perspective.
Save what we can honestly set aside each pay.
Measure of our earnings for others.
Advice from the Bible, books, websites, trusted people.
Remember past dollar mistakes and learn from them.
Tithe always.
Extra money save half and/or put extra on a bill.
Record what you spend.
Never give up. You may have to regroup, but NEVER give up.
Organization saves $$$ and time.
Thankful for my job and God's provision
Happy with what we have.
Ask before we buy - something else to use? Do we really need?
Realistic goals, set 'em!
Discover what motivates you to save.
Energize and stay focused with short term goals.
Reap the benefits of finances in order.

By Sheryl from Columbus, OH

Eat out your Pantry!

I had recently been told that the average American household could live off it's stored food for seven years! Well, I don't think a person could do that in our household but it does raise a good point: We should eat out our pantries!

Or at least eat them down every once in while.  Or at least eat the food before it goes bad. You know, that one can of whatever that never makes it to the front or the one box of something that is left on the self unused.

I like to do this periodically throughout the year. I dispise having to throw away food and yet I don't like to be without some food stored up either. So quarterly (or when the grocerry budget seems tighter than usual) we eat our freezer and pantry stores down.

The added benefit is that we usually rediscover a favorite, or this Omma learns to cook something new and we have a new favorite, or this Omma just has to get plain old creative with what she has on hand.

Frugal Omma Shout Out!

I am addicted to Homestead Survival. They are on Facebook: Homestead-Survival and blogger: http://homesteadsurvival.blogspot.com/

There is quite a bit of random stuff in there, but if you garden or are a do it yourself kind of person, you need to check it out!

Friendly Reminder

Just a little public service post here.

There were times in my life where things have been tough. There were times in my childhood where things were extremely tough where money was concerned. In fact, it wasn't until years later when I was helping my mom with some financials that I was shocked by just how bad things were.  (And my parents never ever asked for government assistance!)  You see, my parents didn't go around advertising their problems. They didn't argue about money in front of us kids. (And were horrified when others would do so.)  Sure we could tell that our parents were stressed at times and knew that were weren't getting the latest and greatest things, but we were never "in the loop."  In fact, we often felt so very blessed by what we did have because that was the focus we had. We regularly gave to others who had (or we perceived to have) less than us.  Which is really, in my humble opinion, how it should be. Children internalize things and feel responsible when they are not. Take divorces for instance, most often the child feels that they have somehow caused this.  When a child hears about how much their clothes cost, their schooling costs, etc. they feel guilty. They feel like they should do something. That they need to help their parents. And really, unless we are talking about a high school or college aged child working a part time job to help with their own hobbies and college funding, it's not the child's job!

So my point is, please please please remember not to argue about money (or anything really) in front of your children.  Even if you think they are not paying attention, they are. And they are learning more than you may realize.