I must tell you I have a slight addiction to labeling. I love a fresh crisp label to top off an organizing project. I even have my light switches labeled because I get confused which switch is for what light and something outside will end up being left on because of my switch flipping.

My husband laughs and thinks I am quite the joke sometimes. However, I kind of like the fact that I always know where everything belongs. I know if my kids lose something it can easily be returned, and I know if someone visits my house they will know where things are. To me labeling is kind of comforting, not crazy at all!

I got a big laugh recently when my husband came to me and asked if I could order the plain Sticky Labels with our last name on them. Turns out he wants to label his coffee mug and cup at work and maybe a few other things as well. See, Mabel’s Labels can be for adults too, but I did make sure he didn’t want a choo-choo train on them first!

Is there anything unusual you use your labels for around the house? Do you get other people hooked on labels as well?

My kids don’t go to private school, but they were part of a pilot project that introduced school uniforms into the regular school system. I soon realized that uniforms are a hot debate topic for parents, teachers and administrators.

So what do I think? In short, it is one of those little things that has helped me maintain a bit of sanity while raising my half dozen kids. The benefits are many for this mama of six. These are the reasons it works for me:

1) All the kids are dressed the same. I like that school does not become a fashion show and that clothes don’t define the child. I’m a big fan of level playing fields for kiddos, and I think this can help in those leveling efforts. Some parents will argue that kids should be able to express their creativity with their clothes. I feel comfortable with my kids expressing their creativity through other avenues – maybe their academic subjects and artistic interests. I’ll be dealing with tattooed goth teenagers soon enough – I don’t mind delaying that self-expression for a few more years. Oh, and when all kids are wearing the same colours, it makes for happy times in laundry land.

2) What a pleasure it is to wake up in the morning and not be required to think or discuss what is going to be worn that day. Mornings are busy enough around my hectic house and having to debate with pre-tween girls about outfits at 7:00am would bring a bad start to most days. I like to avoid morning conflict so I can focus on my task at hand – getting people out the door!

3) Many parents would argue that uniforms are expensive. While I agree I made a fairly decent original investment, I did some calculations and in the long run I can say with great confidence that I have saved a lot of money. My fifth kid is going off to JK this year in a golf shirt that has been worn by four older siblings. For smaller families who don’t reap the benefits of my spectacular hand-me-down situation, most schools have a ‘gently-worn’ used clothing sale.

Here are the biggies going off to school this year in their R.J. McCarthy school uniforms. Don’t they look dashing? What do you think about uniforms – love ‘em or hate ‘em?

I’m not always miss organized, one of the things I like least is unpacking a suitcase when I get home from vacation. I don’t know what it is about a suitcase but it seems to linger around until I finally get around to doing something about it.

This weekend I took a quick road trip with my mom and daughter to visit family. I love taking little trips but truly dislike the unpacking. Recently I started trying something different instead of using a traditional suitcase…. reusable grocery bags! I pack a grocery bag for each child with their clothes for the weekend. This is a super easy and lightweight way to travel and the best thing is, when the bag is empty I throw all of the dirty clothes into the same bag and throw it all into the wash when we get home!

Nikki A.

Denise B.

Jenny

Thank you to all our awesome fans that submitted a photo for Mabel’s Labels and Ziploc® brand giveaway. It is wonderful to see photos from across the county of you and Mabel’s Labels Ziploc® brand Sandwich 100 bags.

Congratulations to our three lucky winners Nikki A, Denise B and Jenny. Each winner will receive a Colorful Essentials Combo from Mabel’s Labels. Please email fan@mabel.ca to claim your Combo!

We have posted all the pictures that were submitted to our Facebook Fan Album “Mabel’s Labels & Ziploc® brand!” so be sure to become a fan today! Don’t forget that when you buy Ziploc® brand Sandwich 100 Bags you will get $5.00 off Mabel’s Labels! For more information on our $5 off coupon visit www.ziploc.mabel.ca

Full Rules and Regulations Here.

I find myself repeating the same requests over and over to my son. Sometimes it feels like I’m talking to a wall. What can I do to improve the listening around here?

It can be frustrating when it seems like your child hasn’t heard anything you’ve said. Yet you know his ears work because all you have to do is call out “Who wants ice cream?” and all eyes are on you! Here are a couple of suggestions, as well as a few of the reasons behind selective listening.

Only ask once: This can be the toughest thing for mama to master because you find yourself absent-mindedly repeating the same question, and only when you’re 20 minutes late for work do you realize you’ve turned into a broken record of “Put your shoes on!” Commit 1 or 2 of your less hectic days to catching yourself on the first request and enforcing the follow-through.

Return the favour: Do your kids have to repeat themselves when they ask you for something? I know in my house sometimes it’s after the fifth “Mommy may I have a drink?” that I realize I’ve been zoned out cooking dinner/on a phone call/changing the baby and I haven’t even answered him. Hard as it can be in busy (and sometimes noisy!) households, try and model the same attentive listening that you are expecting of him.

Nanny Carrie’s Tip: Your child’s personality may affect how well they listen.

-Active/inattentive kids may thrive on multitasking, so the ol’ “Please look at me when I’m talking to you” might not work. Sometimes busy brains can handle lots of external stimulus so he may pay attention better if he can be doing something else at the same time.
-Shy/anxious kids on the other hand, may need a little focus. If your child is easily overwhelmed, then keeping eyes on Mom might help to shut out some of the stressors that can steal his focus.

Do you have challenges with having to repeat yourself? Is one age group more challenging than another? How do you manage selective listening in your house?