We've already covered the fact that I am a parent of special needs kids. They have a wonderful school, amazing behavioral program, in home help etc etc.
I've learned LOADS from these lovely people who have come in and worked with my kids. It has been mentioned that I am amazing in how I handle them (Not bragging, because I have my fair share of days, just wait ^_~) Our team lead is next going to teach me how to run their speech programs and then I'm as trained as any of our team. I will still NEED them as they are invaluable to our lives, believe me. I am ONE person and I would never be able to do it all!
Today, something happened that I am still not sure if I'm angry, ashamed... I'm a total frappe of emotions about it.
As any other Wednesday, I got my 4 older kids onto their buses and off to school, did breakfast... which btw, my husband is questioning mine and my 3 year olds humanity because of our refusal of bacon this morning... Then we took off for playgroup!
It was like any other day, it was even better, because a friend I hadn't seen in some time was there, another who had been spotty in the last few weeks due to circumstance, and all our kiddos... as well as a half dozen from a special day class... spent the morning playing! Sometimes happily, sometimes not so happily... They're toddlers, what do you expect?
As the end drew near it was time for clean up and this is where my story 'starts'
One little girl had been emotional today, and got stuck on having to put a certain set of toys away. All her friends pitched in to help, but she didn't want help. The playgroup leader tried to direct the activity to include everyone but the inevitable meltdown occurred. I was sitting near her father and he was watching the whole time. He mentioned watching to let her work it out, but it didn't quite go to plan. After a couple minutes the playgroup leader, obviously frustrated, asked for help. Then another mother berated in our direction for us laughing at her.
I don't remember laughing. I know I wouldn't take any amount of enjoyment in her misery. I don't think her father was laughing. I tend to not be phased as much by these meltdowns, my kids have a dozen every day. I wait it out. I use the ABA techniques I have picked up over the last couple years of studying how professionals work with my kids. But laughing? I don't honestly remember now. It's all rather frustrating.
After being yelled at/towards... was she even yelling at me? I DID have a small anxiety attack. I was shaking... or was I angry? I can't remember now.
Was I out of line for not stepping in and offering my help? I forget not everyone has as much training as I have been able to pick up. Should I be angry at the other mother? I can understand a screaming and melting down little girl is a lot more traumatic for other people who don't face it as often as I do. I didn't even think that he was having trouble with the situation. I remember mentioning, with a smile on my face, to the other playgroup leader that he was going to have to go back to square one to sort it out... but now I don't know. Was she stressed out about it?
I have obsessed over every detail of this that I can remember. It wasn't that significant to me as it was happening, but now it is, and it bothers me that it wasn't important enough at the moment that I could recall what actually happened.
It is hard to be a bystander.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Act of Juggling.
I'm in a sort of limbo, currently. I'm torn between feeling I am doing well and excelling, to feeling like I am stumbling and failing. So far, my Scentsy starter party is at near $200 for sales. I have about 4 days to make another $300. That's not a lot in orders, but it is tough to convince people to buy. -I- think it's awesome and worth it, but not everyone in the world shares my outlook, does they, Precious?
On the Avon front, I am creeping up on $300, which is my credit limit for my orders. They will extend more credit but that's dependent on a deposit etc. Fortunately about 1/3rd of my orders have been made online so that gives me a little more leeway. I WANT to hit $300 for in person orders. That will put me at near $1,000 in sales for the last 2 weeks. Boy, that's a high number to be raking in ontop of all my other duties.
Sales strategy is, Tomorrow, Farmers Market. Hit up a few neighbors along the way, as well as some others I talked to before, that showed some interest. If I can land just a couple more scentsy sales, I could make up the difference if I need to. After the Farmers Market, hit the bank to start my new account for my business sales. Try to interest a few of the bankers in my wares as I go. You have a goodly amount of time while sitting there to draw people in. Worst case scenario, they don't bite.
Wednesday is a play group. Maybe I can get some sales, maybe I can get some recruits. Both are good. I can't recruit for Scentsy until I actually sign on, but hey, I can start putting out some feelers. Maybe book a party or two. If nothing else, the kids get to play and I get to socialize. Not bad, right?
Thursday and Friday I have yet to plan. I'll come up with something, but I have to hit the sales hard and fast. I REFUSE to fail. I feel that, THAT, is stronger than a determination to succeed. It's always served me well before. I am SO excited to be doing this. I have a strong drive to succeed and I feel that it's changing me as a person, for the better.
Long term, I'm looking for places I could set up a sales booth for the Christmas season. There must be something somewhere nearby I can manage to get into. Another plan is to find some local area non-profit that needs some fund raising. I supply all the necessary tools and they do the run around. I get new clients out of it, as well as maybe about 5% of the sales left over after I cover my own overhead. A friend of mine that owns her own preschool asked me to donate some products for her fundraiser, so I'm good to go for that.
On top of being of mixed emotions on my professional front, I'm feeling rather down on my mothering atm. My children are picky and refuse to eat. They make such lovely lovely messes that I couldn't keep up with before starting my self employment, so keeping up now, is a tad bit trickier. I do find that when I leave the house I feel more refreshed and able to come back to the housework.... But there just aren't enough hours in the day!
Sierra and Theresa are doing well in our attempts to civilize them. Could be better, but every inch is ground gained. Danielle was sick tonight That may throw a wrench into the gears of my plans for tomorrow, but hopefully she'll be better in the morning *crosses fingers. Natalie is still awake, but... maybe with a bottle in a minute she'll go to sleep.... again, wish me luck. Rhianna did a number on my room before bed, but... blaaaaah
After all this typing I have suddenly remembered why I am still up at this miserable hour. My sheets have been in the wash. With any luck they are dry now and you shall all be spared any further torture from my ramblings.
On the Avon front, I am creeping up on $300, which is my credit limit for my orders. They will extend more credit but that's dependent on a deposit etc. Fortunately about 1/3rd of my orders have been made online so that gives me a little more leeway. I WANT to hit $300 for in person orders. That will put me at near $1,000 in sales for the last 2 weeks. Boy, that's a high number to be raking in ontop of all my other duties.
Sales strategy is, Tomorrow, Farmers Market. Hit up a few neighbors along the way, as well as some others I talked to before, that showed some interest. If I can land just a couple more scentsy sales, I could make up the difference if I need to. After the Farmers Market, hit the bank to start my new account for my business sales. Try to interest a few of the bankers in my wares as I go. You have a goodly amount of time while sitting there to draw people in. Worst case scenario, they don't bite.
Wednesday is a play group. Maybe I can get some sales, maybe I can get some recruits. Both are good. I can't recruit for Scentsy until I actually sign on, but hey, I can start putting out some feelers. Maybe book a party or two. If nothing else, the kids get to play and I get to socialize. Not bad, right?
Thursday and Friday I have yet to plan. I'll come up with something, but I have to hit the sales hard and fast. I REFUSE to fail. I feel that, THAT, is stronger than a determination to succeed. It's always served me well before. I am SO excited to be doing this. I have a strong drive to succeed and I feel that it's changing me as a person, for the better.
Long term, I'm looking for places I could set up a sales booth for the Christmas season. There must be something somewhere nearby I can manage to get into. Another plan is to find some local area non-profit that needs some fund raising. I supply all the necessary tools and they do the run around. I get new clients out of it, as well as maybe about 5% of the sales left over after I cover my own overhead. A friend of mine that owns her own preschool asked me to donate some products for her fundraiser, so I'm good to go for that.
On top of being of mixed emotions on my professional front, I'm feeling rather down on my mothering atm. My children are picky and refuse to eat. They make such lovely lovely messes that I couldn't keep up with before starting my self employment, so keeping up now, is a tad bit trickier. I do find that when I leave the house I feel more refreshed and able to come back to the housework.... But there just aren't enough hours in the day!
Sierra and Theresa are doing well in our attempts to civilize them. Could be better, but every inch is ground gained. Danielle was sick tonight That may throw a wrench into the gears of my plans for tomorrow, but hopefully she'll be better in the morning *crosses fingers. Natalie is still awake, but... maybe with a bottle in a minute she'll go to sleep.... again, wish me luck. Rhianna did a number on my room before bed, but... blaaaaah
After all this typing I have suddenly remembered why I am still up at this miserable hour. My sheets have been in the wash. With any luck they are dry now and you shall all be spared any further torture from my ramblings.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Some days
Some days are just a little harder than others. Today was one of those days.
For some reason, I've been a little on edge the last few days anyways, but today was a bit worse. It would have been rough even if everything had been simple and smooth running. But, it really wasn't so... yeah!
The usual suspects were up to their usual trick. Sierra and Theresa not eating due to autism induced pickyness. Pancake mix thrown about in the baby's room. Vegetable oil being poured into cereal bowls, and, had I not been quick, elsewhere as well. Children refusing to stay dressed, the bathroom being forgotten in favor of other places. Tantrums. Messes. The ever present need and asking for things that children can't seem to get away from. Very little cleaning was accomplished.
The evening was about the same to start. Sierra filled the waffle iron with something that took all the seasoning out of it. The waffles stuck to it, the eggs and bacon burned, children underfoot, more spills, Danielle fussing because she'd skinned her elbow and that she'd gotten less cheetos than everyone else, burning myself... finally, after the last straw broke the camels back... I turned off everything in the kitchen and shut myself in my room for 5 minutes. I played a few rounds of my facebook games then felt a bit better so with a renewed spirit attempted to reenter the kitchen and try again at dinner.
My bathroom sink was ripped off the wall and laying on the floor with both hot and cold at full tilt.
At this point, I can be quite certain some of you are amused. I would be amused had it not been me. That mix of half amusement and half shock, but then you laugh and it gets funnier.
I could not think of a way to clean up the gallons and gallons of water that had poured into the bathroom, kitchen, and down the stairs. I was forced to resort to the carpet cleaner. Which set off Theresa because she can't stand the noise.
There really were gallons and gallons of water on the floor. I lost count of how many times I had to empty the bucket. But in the end, it was put back to order.
I fell asleep for about an hour across the foot of my bed while 4 of my 5 children drifted off to sleep at the head of the bed. They are all now safely tucked into their beds, compliments of my husband... for which I am quite grateful
Now I can not recall what the point of this post was.
Ah well. Hope someone got some enjoyment out of it.
For some reason, I've been a little on edge the last few days anyways, but today was a bit worse. It would have been rough even if everything had been simple and smooth running. But, it really wasn't so... yeah!
The usual suspects were up to their usual trick. Sierra and Theresa not eating due to autism induced pickyness. Pancake mix thrown about in the baby's room. Vegetable oil being poured into cereal bowls, and, had I not been quick, elsewhere as well. Children refusing to stay dressed, the bathroom being forgotten in favor of other places. Tantrums. Messes. The ever present need and asking for things that children can't seem to get away from. Very little cleaning was accomplished.
The evening was about the same to start. Sierra filled the waffle iron with something that took all the seasoning out of it. The waffles stuck to it, the eggs and bacon burned, children underfoot, more spills, Danielle fussing because she'd skinned her elbow and that she'd gotten less cheetos than everyone else, burning myself... finally, after the last straw broke the camels back... I turned off everything in the kitchen and shut myself in my room for 5 minutes. I played a few rounds of my facebook games then felt a bit better so with a renewed spirit attempted to reenter the kitchen and try again at dinner.
My bathroom sink was ripped off the wall and laying on the floor with both hot and cold at full tilt.
At this point, I can be quite certain some of you are amused. I would be amused had it not been me. That mix of half amusement and half shock, but then you laugh and it gets funnier.
I could not think of a way to clean up the gallons and gallons of water that had poured into the bathroom, kitchen, and down the stairs. I was forced to resort to the carpet cleaner. Which set off Theresa because she can't stand the noise.
There really were gallons and gallons of water on the floor. I lost count of how many times I had to empty the bucket. But in the end, it was put back to order.
I fell asleep for about an hour across the foot of my bed while 4 of my 5 children drifted off to sleep at the head of the bed. They are all now safely tucked into their beds, compliments of my husband... for which I am quite grateful
Now I can not recall what the point of this post was.
Ah well. Hope someone got some enjoyment out of it.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Goodness but how I have been busy! It never rains but it pours as they always say. I've got some fun stuff for everyone who reads (or doesn't, as the case may be) that I think everyone should check out!
I've just recently started selling Avon. It's slow going but it could be worse for sure! Want to check it out? Here's a link! http://ecornwell.avonrepresentative.com/
I've started listing stuff on Listia, and I'm trying to accumulate a few christmas gifts here and there for my little ones from there. Christmas shopping on pocket change! I should make a blog after the holidays to share a tally of how I've done :) Check out Listia @ http://www.listia.com/?r=749396
Swagbucks is another I am checking out. I've just started but I've heard good things about it from people. Not sure if it's worth the effort and time for the output but hey, I can update more later! http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Julica
I've just recently started selling Avon. It's slow going but it could be worse for sure! Want to check it out? Here's a link! http://ecornwell.avonrepresentative.com/
I've started listing stuff on Listia, and I'm trying to accumulate a few christmas gifts here and there for my little ones from there. Christmas shopping on pocket change! I should make a blog after the holidays to share a tally of how I've done :) Check out Listia @ http://www.listia.com/?r=749396
Swagbucks is another I am checking out. I've just started but I've heard good things about it from people. Not sure if it's worth the effort and time for the output but hey, I can update more later! http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Julica
I'm also planning a Scentsy party! I won a scentsy warmer, plug-in sized, and 4 bars... actually 2 warmers but I sent the other one off to a good friend as she had been obsessed with winning it and I wanted her to have it. I ADORE my scentsy warmer. If you're reading this and are interested in ordering, let me know! I'll have an online link to my party up on here soon :) I will also be collecting the Autism speaks warmer for running the party and if I make enough on the whole thing, I get to become a full time seller with my kit paid for. The kits are pretty cool. wooo, can you tell I'm obsessed with the way I am rambling on?
Danielle started school this week and the younger two will be starting monday. It will be nice to have that routine back! I can finally clean my carpets and everything else, for that matter WITHOUT my noisy little fury tornadoes running through! A good friend has given me a portable dishwasher. omg. I will be saved for sure! Not only will it save me time in washing dishes, but I can get the dishwasher soap tab things instead of having my autistic monkeys dumping botlled dish soap into the carpet. If any of my (nonexistant) readers have autistic children with similar issues; you might want to consider it because the cost of soap will be dramatically cut by this. Maybe enough to even pay for the dishwasher.
Oh man, it's late, I am tired, and... I have to be up in the morning. Less than 6 hours. Why do I always do this to myself?
Goodnight world!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Money making for the stay at home mom.
Being a stay at home mom, and as I have mentioned before, I have a need to bring in an income of my own. With 5 children, 2 being special needs, it is rather out of the question for me to get a 9-5... or really any other job.
I've spent a lot of time looking for ways to make money. I've poured over free sample sites trying to get a few things here and there that can help cut costs. Every little bit helps, right? I've tried multiple survey sites but they always have a minimum of $20 to cash out, and it seems I am never qualified for their surveys. So on and on I search. My idea of an in home costuming business hasn't gone far. I've had a few commissions but nothing much.
So I started looking into in home sales and distributions, such as Scentsy, Avon, Discovery Toys, Mark, and It Works. Now I must say, It Works looks like something pretty awesome. A lot of people are skeptical though, and there isn't a lot to their catalog. I was fairly certain I wanted to try selling Scentsy, but their $100 starter package kind of defeats my purpose. If I had the money to get it started, I likely wouldn't be trying so hard to do so.
A friend let me in on a secret. Right now Avon has a no fee start up. I must say, I am pretty excited, and jumped at the chance. I'm really curious as to where it's going to go. I've also come upon a great deal where a current rep for Scentsy will send me what I need to run a party and see what I can do with it. If I sell more than $500 in merchandise, she'll pay for my start up kit. Pretty nifty, eh? I'm really curious where that will go as well. I'll keep everyone updated as I go :)
All that said, I am still open to money making ideas in home. Who has some?
I've spent a lot of time looking for ways to make money. I've poured over free sample sites trying to get a few things here and there that can help cut costs. Every little bit helps, right? I've tried multiple survey sites but they always have a minimum of $20 to cash out, and it seems I am never qualified for their surveys. So on and on I search. My idea of an in home costuming business hasn't gone far. I've had a few commissions but nothing much.
So I started looking into in home sales and distributions, such as Scentsy, Avon, Discovery Toys, Mark, and It Works. Now I must say, It Works looks like something pretty awesome. A lot of people are skeptical though, and there isn't a lot to their catalog. I was fairly certain I wanted to try selling Scentsy, but their $100 starter package kind of defeats my purpose. If I had the money to get it started, I likely wouldn't be trying so hard to do so.
A friend let me in on a secret. Right now Avon has a no fee start up. I must say, I am pretty excited, and jumped at the chance. I'm really curious as to where it's going to go. I've also come upon a great deal where a current rep for Scentsy will send me what I need to run a party and see what I can do with it. If I sell more than $500 in merchandise, she'll pay for my start up kit. Pretty nifty, eh? I'm really curious where that will go as well. I'll keep everyone updated as I go :)
All that said, I am still open to money making ideas in home. Who has some?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Truth Behind Supermom; An Introduction
I have been asked repeatedly what my blog is. People seem surprised I don't have one. I'm a stay at home mom of 5 kids, 2 of which have Autism. It seems the greater majority of parents of autistic children have a blog as an outlet.
I've had a passion for writing for some time. Since I was a child I have wanted to be an author and gain an income through the written word. Friends and family who I have jotted down bits of this and that for, have been pushing me, go go go! But I start to send out query letters, start to make submissions here and there, try to start writing and... just run out of gas.
One of my favorite bloggers, TheThriftyMama, on FB in her latest blog (http://www.thethriftymama.com/2011/07/lose-job.html) Seemed to be a nudge in this direction. She supports her whole family using her blog. Why can't I?
A site for families with Autism was looking for people to interview (http://funandfunction.com/blog/index.php) I sent them an e-mail and one of the interview questions is "What is your blog"
I've recently joined a site called Crowdtap (http://crowdtap.com). One of their contests at the moment is who can share the most interesting blog post about them, and their experience with the site. Well here goes; You made me start a blog.
You all have. Ask and ye shall receive, I suppose.
I just hope you don't regret it.
We love comments! :)
I've had a passion for writing for some time. Since I was a child I have wanted to be an author and gain an income through the written word. Friends and family who I have jotted down bits of this and that for, have been pushing me, go go go! But I start to send out query letters, start to make submissions here and there, try to start writing and... just run out of gas.
One of my favorite bloggers, TheThriftyMama, on FB in her latest blog (http://www.thethriftymama.com/2011/07/lose-job.html) Seemed to be a nudge in this direction. She supports her whole family using her blog. Why can't I?
A site for families with Autism was looking for people to interview (http://funandfunction.com/blog/index.php) I sent them an e-mail and one of the interview questions is "What is your blog"
I've recently joined a site called Crowdtap (http://crowdtap.com). One of their contests at the moment is who can share the most interesting blog post about them, and their experience with the site. Well here goes; You made me start a blog.
You all have. Ask and ye shall receive, I suppose.
I just hope you don't regret it.
We love comments! :)
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