It’s funny how things pop up at just the right time…
A few weeks ago I felt like I was drowning in all the things I had to do and I just didn’t know how to get out of the busy cycle I was in. I asked you all for your ideas and suggestions and got some fabulous information, and I also got an email from Melitsa from Raising Playful Tots asking me if I would like to have a look at her Simple Parenting and Play Planner (Affiliate Link).
To be honest, initially I wasn’t sure if the planner was for me. Three out of my four kids are at school now, so my days are not all about play any more, and I wasn’t sure I had time to work through a system and follow guidelines, I was already busy enough! But something made me say yes, despite of my negative thoughts, and I am glad I did!
The planner is not just for parents with preschool aged kids, it is not a wordy ‘lesson’ with lots of workbook type pages to slog through, and it is not time consuming to use.
The Simple Parenting and Play Planner is is full of information, ideas and inspiration. It is all the lists and routines and calendars you wish you had time to create for your family, already done and waiting for you to add your own information, ideas and dreams.
The ebook format is easy to read through and even easier to print the pages that you need right now to get on top of the things you have to do, and then go back and print the pages you’d love to work on to plan the things you want to do when you have more time.
It’s not only helped me feel a little more on top of my crazy schedule, but it’s also helped me plan for some of the things I wish we could do but never get around to. Things like individual time for our kids, and even a little time for me and my goals!
I’ve got some more great tips and ideas to share with you on ways to ‘beat busy’ coming up, but right now I have a copy of The Simple Parenting and Play Planner to give away!
Win a Simple Parenting and Play Planner.
This competition is now closed. Congratulations to Jeniece!
If you didn’t win a copy of the play planner on my blog or one of the other blog tour partners then you can buy a copy of the downloadable print-and-write Simple Parenting and Play Planner for $15 USD here (affiliate link)
If you’d like to win a copy of The Simple Parenting and Play Planner simple leave a comment and answer the question – What do you wish you could do more of with your family? The most interesting or fun answer will win. Pop over to the Raising Playful Tots facebook page and say hello too.
Terms and Conditions.
Entry is open to everyone.
You must provide a valid email address and entries are limited to one per household/IP address.
Entries open Friday April 4th at 8:00pm and close Monday April 14 2014 at midday AEsT.
One winner will be contacted by email and announced on this post within 7 days of the competition ending.
The winner must contact me within 3 days or the prize will be re-drawn.
The winner agrees to have their contact details passed on to Melitsa from Raising Playful Tots who will organise to email the pdf document to the winner.
For more chances to with the Simple Parenting and Play Planner check out the other bloggers who are joining the blog tour and enter their giveaways too!
Monday 31 March – My Healthy Beginning
Tuesday 1 April – The Mom Writes
Wednesday 2 April – RainyDay Mum
Thursday 3 April – Megan Flatt
Friday 4 April – Picklebums – that’s me!
Saturday 5th April – Bliss Beyond Naptime
Monday 7 April – A Free Spirit Life
Tuesday 8 April – Simple Kids
Wednesday 9 April – Mama Scouts
Thursday 10 April – Plannerisms
Friday 11 April – Raising Playful Tots
And if you can’t wait to find out if you’ve won, you can buy a copy of the downloadable print-and-write Simple Parenting and Play Planner for $15 USD here (affiliate link)
{Disclosure: I was given a copy of the planner in return for my honest feedback. I was not compensated for this post in any other way and the opinions expressed are my own. I liked the planner so much that I became an affiliate, so if you buy a copy of the planner via the affiliate links in this post I will receive a commission on those sales.}
I wish I could have more quality family time, with a husband who works non-standard hours and so many errands to run when he is home I feel like we don’t get that time to enjoy the fun family times like picnics and trips to the beach – I really need a way to plan for the fun in life.
I wish I could remember to do all the ideas I plan and dream up! This planner looks so colourful and fun – I know it would help me keep focused. :)
My husband and I have so many great ideas for spending more time together as a family and it’s usually centres around wild and wonderful experiences for our little 2 year old. She is growing up so quickly that our busy family life can feel like those great ideas hard to make time for. Planning and prioritising is certainly the key and this planner looks like it would be helpful by writing it down on paper and making it happen. :)
I wish my family could get to the beach together more often – when we are on holidays we have lots of relaxing walks at the beach but once we get back to school and work it doesn’t happen nearly enough!
I wish I could spend more time outside playing with my family. Hopefully with spring coming it will easier!!
I would love to have the time to carry out all the amazing crafty ideas i find, with my 4 and 2 year old. And also to create some time to have some quality family time. Not very interesting but could be really fun!!
I feel like I see so many wonderful ideas, but I lack organization. After work I usually end up asking my daughter something along the lines of “do want to color or have a dance party or go stomp in mud puddles?” I’d love to have a better handle on project ideas and play rotation.
I wish my family and I could go on more picnics at the park or at Brookfield Zoo!- Michelle (kindergarten teacher, Chicago)
I wish that I could spend more one on one time with each of my 3 children during the week concentrating on each of their interests and also be more organised to have more quality time as a whole family in the weekends.
I wish I could explore more with my family.
Exploring together is great fun and creates awesome memories.
From exploring local mangroves at low tide, to day trips to national parks, our awesome country has so much to offer for every age and ability.
Just need more time! More time to talk one on one with Master 6 and help with his school work. More time to take a dance class with Ms 3. More time to get outside and get active as a family!
I wish I could just sit and play babribies more- dress up and get dirty in the back yard. Not be running around cooking and cleaning
Quite simply ,Fun. I just want to have more fun with my family.
Oh boy! This looks amazing!! Love love love it! :)
I’d love to do more things outside… gardening, play, flying our kite, walking to the park, bushwalking to our waterfall.. We try to do these things as often as possible but sometimes they slip aside, especially as the weather cools down! :)
My older two (7& 4) are now at the age where they can go into the backyard a play independently after school but I usually stay in to cook etc. I would love to get out more with them. Even though they can play together the always ask me to join in but I rarely feel like I have the time and when i do go out the 2 year old comes out too and i need to spend more time with her. They won’t ask forever!
I have five children, so life is very busy……I would like to plan more day trips and exploring outings, to pick seasonal fruit/vegies, go to a river, explore a country town we have never been to, go to the beach, botanical gardens…..with all of us together as a family.
I wish I could find more outdoor experiences that we can do in our back yard that don’t take long… it’s usually so hot and so sunny, we need quick play ideas before moving back into the shade on the back porch.
I wish I had more time for really messy play. The clean-up seems to take forever and it often over-shadows the play experience.
I wish I could spend more time enjoying nature with my family, bushwalking, camping, BBQ on the beach or just lying down in the grass and talking to each other while breathing fresh air.
The book looks great! I wish I had more time with the dad in the house too, only weekends is not enough for my three kids because there is always something to do around the house or some shopping to be done. We could do more picnics and adventures in the woods that our kids love!