Wondering what Mommy Homework is??? Each week you will have an “assignment” here to share in our comments here on this site. You will love this-both sharing AND enjoying answers by others. Some of them, I compile into an ebook (contributors can resell as a product of their own–be sure to submit your email and full name when you register so I can credit you appropriately!).
The result is AWESOME!
We get to know each other…we are encouraged in our journey…and we glean super ideas from other great moms!
Ready for this week’s MH? This is a good one!
Our topic this week is “Energy Drainers”
Your Assignment This Week…
Ever battle with your energy? This surprised me sooo much about myself. Well, until I realized the little (and big) things that drained me of my energy. Then, I was set free to make the most of my time and energy.
So, this week, let’s “chat” mom-to-mom about those energy drainers that are zapping you. Share either your top five or top ten energy drainers and share what you are doing to stop that drain on your energy.
This one should be very, very good! Can’t wait! 
Have fun! I can’t wait! DIG IN!
Love ya!
Cindy
PS! Please remember to use your real name if you want credit for your Mommy Homework Credit. 
PPS! You CAN just share and not participate in Mommy Homework, BUT I would LOVE for you to get some goodies along the way!
PPSS! Want to check your credit? Here is the newest update: http://www.talk-a-latte.com/ebooks/MommyHomeworkCredits.pdf
PPPSS! If you are new, all you do to share your MH is first register (see the link on the bottom of the page–scroll all the way to the very bottom), then log in with your name and password that you select. Share away!
PPPSSS! Want to redeem your credit? Read our instructions here: http://www.cindysdesktop.com/?cat=81 (Remember–Mommy Homework Credit must be used at full retail. UHSE is $99.95 at full retail, but on sale at this link if you want to buy it now!)
Deadline–Friday at midnight CST.
Wow, i’m first! Cool 🙂
OK, so my top 5, since i AM first and am not able to thus be inspired by all of you, but here’s my take on it.
1. The computer! Perhaps this might more accurately be described as a TIME sucker, but i think it also meets the definition of an energy sucker. There is SO much great stuff available on the internet, and even in one’s own computer files, after building up a stash of ebooks, workbooks, etc. online that you’ve purchased. Of course most of these are GREAT things… it floors me how much i benefit from the computer, and access to all the internet has to offer, but it DOES come at a cost- time and energy. I am currently on bedrest so i’m in this surreal, hyper-computered time in life, but i’m definately seeing how other things in my life are neglected due to computer use.
2. I think the next biggest energy zapper for me is having to repeat myself and speak LOUDLY to get the children’s attention and obedience. I am a pretty softspoken person normally and it drains me BIG time to have to constantly repeat myself and YELL to get little ones to HEAR me. It is definately time to work on these issues in my children with character training, etc. Also i have found i’ve inched away from my regular quiet time, and that is also hurting the situation.
3. repetitive housework- Now, there’s not a whole lot that can be done about this, except delegating to older children, which is AWESOME, and i definately do. There’s just something about doing a chore for the thousandth time that just grates on you and makes you feel much older and more tired than you are.
4. excessive driving- Now, take this in stride because i am a person who HATES driving, so maybe i’m just taking it hard, but something about being in the van with the glare, and straining my eyes to see clearly and make thousands of split second decisions just makes me TIRED! I have found its fruitful to be homebodies and teach our children how to be content at home and how to entertain themselves without a lot of outside stimuli.
5. Overthinking things. I am one of those people that just tend to WAY overthink everything!! What color of a clothing item to buy, what meal to order at a restaurant. I’m not sure if its a lack of confidence, or a perfectionistic streak, or maybe just an innate personality trait, but it is a very draining thing. I make an effort to TRY to not overthink everything. It doesn’t always come easily, but its well worth the effort!
Rebecca Kvenvolden
1. Lack of sleep.
Due to a 21 month old who still does not like to sleep. I’m going on 2 years of sleep deprivation. She is a gift from Heaven to our lives – but I am in desperate need of some sleep.
*** I’m a stay at home mom so some days I forgo the rush to get “chores” done when my 2 girls are sleeping, and take a nap instead. Having my morning devotions every morning really aids in both my energy and sleep quality.
2. Sitting too much.
Rather than conserving energy, it sucks the life right out of me. If I am moving more – accomplishing more – my energy lasts much longer through the day.
*** I am learning to live on a schedule. I’m a free-spirited kind of gal who doesn’t pay attention to the clock. Having a schedule eliminates the likelihood of sitting too long for any length of time.
3. Forgetting my vitamins.
It may not seem like much, but when I forget to start my morning with my vitamins, I’m dragging all day long.
*** I am setting them out where I can see them when I first walk into my kitchen every morning to try to remember them.
4. NOT having my devotions / prayer time first thing in the morning.
Even when I “find” time at the end of the day to spend time with the Lord, my day is so MUCH better (including my attitude, my energy, my perspective) when I start the day with the Lord. Some mornings (see #1) I am not able to have quiet time, but am praying for it more.
*** It is becoming so crucial for me to have this time – I am getting up very early to do so. I’m enjoying my Bible reading so much – it’s been a long time since I’ve read through Genesis and I’m doing that this month.
5. Stress.
My #1 energy zapper. Brought on my any or all of the previous 4 – as well as my extended family, illness in my own or extended family, finances, etc… I struggle so much with this – it’s my greatest affliction. It wears me down in no time at all, and surprises me sometimes with its swift attacks.
*** God is giving me an understanding of how & when stress affects me – helping me recognize it – and helping me find ways to deal with it head on. It is a new thing for me – but being in the Word is a good place to start. This is something I am learning about, so I am not on automatic pilot with a response yet… I want to learn though.
6. “Evil Musings”
I read this recently as an explanation for those negative thought cycles that one gets into. Imagining conversations, imagining situations, etc., which then lead to behaviors or attitudes that are not godly – not edifying – not pleasing to God or my family. This is a MAJOR foothold in my life and probably drops me right into stress… Another area I am really looking at with God. It’s a terrible habit. I realize that I’m once again spiraling into negative thoughts about something that “might” happen – stewing, festering, not keeping my thoughts on things above. I’m still praying for the answer to this one.
O.K. am I the first one in here this week. Hmmm. Energy Drainers:
The Phone. Why did they ever create those things?
Clutter – That’s a biggie for me. I have a 980 sq foot apt. it is 2 bedrooms and one bath. I have bookcases everywhere. The dining area has 4, the Living room 4, Hall1, DN room 2, Master 1. Not to mention that there are 3 large desks. 4 computers. 2 filing cabinets, etc. O.K. I have a lot of stuff. (Did I mention the books still in boxes and I have lived here for 15 years? Should probably just get rid of those, haven’t even looked at them in a while.)
I personally started the De-clutter thing the other night. Now this will take me 1-2 months. I go through everything one time and then when all of that is gone, I take a week off and then really go through it. Amazing what I get rid of. I have 2 boxes of homeschool notebooking pages, units, textbooks etc. Know anyone in Tampa or the surrounding area that needs them? Come pick it up and it’s yours.
Energy drainer number 3 for me: Time. I don’t have enough of it. I am a list person. I actually use mine too. However with everything that I need to do each day, I don’t have enough time to finish the house work and clean up of each day. Which leads to clutter, which is number 2.
O.K. two of mine are connected. May need to analyze that. Didn’t realize that till I wrote it out. (Thank you Cindy!! 😀 may get a handle on both now.)
Number 4 – my DH work schedule. Which as of May 21 wont be a problem as he was just informed that his company has lost their contracts in this area and he is out of a job.
Which just created number 5 STRESS!! This couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I run a Homeschool Consulting business and Tutoring service. Well all of my students are going out of the country or state for the next 2.5 months. No income, well I have 2 scheduled for summer sessions starting in July that’s $75 a week. Thank you for that God. It’s needed. However I am having to believe that God has something better for my DH and will provide either consults or students.
So there’s my Energy Drainers what’s yours?
Lisa Robinson
Tampa,Fl.
lisa@lisascornerstone.com
Oh, this is something I REALLY struggle with, my energy levels.
1. – Messy house – if there is clutter on the floor it just kills my motivation, I can’t THINK straight, so I’m retraining my family to do several mini-pick-ups each day
2 – Not drinking enough water – pretty self-explanatory, I need to drink more!
3 – Not exercising – This is a toughy for me, but I know I need to get at it!
4 – Insomnia – I think there is actually something funny bio-chemically here, so I’ve just purchased some melatonin to help on those nights I just lie in bed thinking for HOURS!
5 – Well, another physical one, but I don’t think I’ve been getting enough iodine in my diet. We’ve been using natural, earth salt that’s non-iodized for years, and now my hair is falling out 🙁 – a symptom along with low energy of lack of iodine/hypothyroidism. What to see if you are getting enough iodine? Do an iodine patch, using drug store topical iodine, rub some on your arm about 2″ square, if it disappears within 24 hours chances are you need more (mine goes in about 6 hours, oops!) So I’m on a search for iodine supplementation now.
Energy drainers
#1 – underactive thyroid!!!!! bad – very bad
#2 – not getting enough excersize
#3 – not getting enough time alone with God
#4 – too much time on the computer
#5 – not eating regular meals
I HAVE battled with my energy before! Here are a few of my biggest energy drains and what I am trying to do to try to improve in that area-
1. Chronic headaches and pain- I am trying to figure out if they may be caused by a food allergy and learning to do trigger point massage daily to loosen up my tight muscles. But some days it just gets too much and I just need to take a nap!
2. Messes- In addition to just always trying to put away or throw away the clutter I am trying to tackle small disaster areas each day. Maybe I’ll clean out the junk drawer one day or organize clothes that no longer fit the kids, etc.
3. Trying to do everything- Because I am the mom, sometimes I feel like I have to do it all! My husband is always great about offering help, but I don’t always take it because I feel like I need to do it because that is my role. Really, sometimes I just need to ask for help.
4. Taking care of my little ones- Because my kids are still young (3 preschoolers) I feel like I need to do so many things for them I just get physically and emotionally exhausted and often resentful. I am praying for God to give me the strength to do the job the He has called me to and have faith that I can do it well.
5. Staying on top of everything that needs to be done in a day- Sometimes its little thing after little thing that just becomes exhausting. I am trying to keep a weekly schedule with meals, preschool activities I plan to do with the kids, outside activities, grocery lists, cleaning projects and other things I need to remember. It has helped me to be a little more organized and not to have to constantly remember in my head what all needs to be done during a day or week.
And finally- Celestial Seasonings makes a tea called Tension Tamer Tea and maybe it helps, or maybe it doesn’t and it’s just all in my head because of the name of it, but I always feel better after I make myself a cup! 🙂
Energy drainers
1. Negative people – you know those people who are constantly talking about how bad everything is – I now know exactly what time to turn the local news on for the weather which avoids all the yucky stuff at the beginning of the news casts! I also tend to avoid my extended family and take them in SMALL doses because of all the negativity (esp my sister and my mom) they are mostly all unsaved so that is also par to fthe problem!
2. Being completely unorganized – I do not mean clutter I can handle that (just look at my house!) but unorganization. I have to have my recipes organized, my knitting/crochet patterns organized, our home-school books and supplies organized, etc.
3. Not having a hobby that I can look forward to doing (right now I have many but there was time that I had NONE and I was tired and drained all the time) I knit, crochet, read FUN books, spin yarn, etc. Even gardening (although tiring) it is good for your soul as my grandpa used to say!
4. Eating unhealthfully or skipping meals – for awhile I lived on chocolate milk and candy bars (ok this was in high school but it affected me badly) once I started eating real food I felt better and my energy levels went up too. I have also stopped skipping meals and have lost weight because of it!
5. Watching too much tv – I have found that my energy really goes bye-bye when I sit down to watch tv with nothing else to do in my hands. Now if I watch tv I am knitting, crocheting or spinning (wool not on a bike)
Mary Damask
Oh, wow, what a topic this time. It seems that I keep so busy that I’m drained most of the time. But here are some of my drainers:
1. Running back and forth 4 times a week to therapy for our handicapped son.
2. Trying to homeschool my children with everything else going on.
3. Being the director of the only state wide Christian organization in MO.
4. Trying to help our 20 yr old son get ready to move out into the big world.
5. House cleaning.
6. Trying to loose weight.
Thanks to Cindy, I am trying to pull back more on things that don’t matter so I can be with my family more. It seems that everything we do takes lots of time and MUST be done but the most important thing that I try to remember is that my family is the only thing that I can take with me to Heaven. I’ve still got a long ways to go but I am working on this area of my life.
Orilla Crider
My biggest energy drainer is (you guessed it) not spending time alone with the Lord.
My own attitude probably comes next when I have a negative attitude that really slows me down.
Disorganisation and lack of planning are a big one too.
When I put off doing things they are on my mind and clog up my brain this also makes me tired.
I am blessed to know the things that recharge my batteries, like snuggling up with my honey, reading with my boys, sewing, having tea, Christian fellowship and the greatest thing to give me a boost is worshiping the Lord (because that is the thing I was created to do).
Of course not all the energy stealers are easy to spot – there are many things which appear to be good in themselves, but if they are not in God’s plan for you they will sap your strength!
The Lord will always equip you for the things He has called you to do….so maybe if you are running on low you are taking on things that He has not chosen for you at this time!
When you feel like that climb on to his lap and tell Him about it – you might just be very surprised to hear which things He never wanted you to do in the first place.
Love and Blessings
Angela Marchington
Energy Drainers for me are picking up after the children, worrying or spending time thinking of things I need to do, performing household tasks over and over again, being unorganized, and being overhelmed with too many things “on my plate!” How to deal with all this…….assign specific chores and make sure these are performed!…give my worries to the Lord and write down my to-do lists or thoughts!….departmentalize my household tasks and take it day by day…organize as best I can…and with too many things going on sometimes, as I have had to do just this week and that is stop! yes, I have been out of the house (running errand, lessons, groceries, etc.) one trip this week that is pretty good for me when usually I have some appt. every day! But I needed rest, and I knew I had to take some time! Thank you Cindy, You urge us to face things in our life and remind us to deal with problems and praise the Lord for his goodness!
Tina K
Yes, I battle with energy frequently. I think my biggest drainers are:
-lack of sleep
-not getting enough quiet time (or not getting my quiet time early in the morning)
-poor diet (especially when I’m in a hurry)
-perfectionism
-lack of excercise
Some things that have really helped my energy level:
-Playing praise music throughout the day.
-Take walks with the children
-Taking my Supermom vitamins. I’m not one to advertise a specific product, but these have helped me a lot with my enerrgy level.
-Having backup menu plans and having the pantry stocked in case I don’t have the time or energy to go th store.
-Listening to daily audio Bible as I do menial tasks recharges my spiritual battery and keeps my mind focused on the things of the Lord.
-Set the timer. Its easier to energize yourself for a “15 minute” period. Then afterwards, I often find I have energy to continue on.
-Drink extra water.
Julia Reffner