Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner Review: Manage Your Time This School year!

Can you say that you’re an organized person? I’d love to be able to sit here and tell you that I am. Guess what, it wouldn’t be the truth though. I run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off most days. I have this to do, that to do, post this, schedule that, and it’s hectic!

I can solemnly promise that I have good intentions, that I MEAN to be organized, that I try. If you seen my desk and workspace you’d laugh or run away one. I have a ton of books, binders, paper, and review items just randomly placed. I tend to get it all cleaned up, reviewed, the giveaways posted.. but more just keeps piling up.

With everything I have to do, it’s just SO hard on me to remember EVERYTHING. Taking care of 2 kids, cleaning and taking care of the house, cooking, and laundry. Writing and Promoting 2 separate blogs and a home business, Social Media, and maintaining my blog traffic. Chaos? Of course!


My son was diagnosed with ADHD just this past year. I could already see it coming before it did. He was having continuing trouble concentrating, listening, and paying attention. It was seriously declining how much he was learning because he couldn’t stay focused.

The 2013 School year is already upon us, how this happened I’m not sure. Time sure has flown by this summer. Within 2 weeks my son is going to be a first grader, and then a week later my daughter will start preschool.

I needed to find a way to successfully organize my schedule and theirs. If I’m not organized, how can I teach my children to be organized? This Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner is perfect for any student or mom who desperately needs to organize school work, work, or just life in general.

Leslie Josel launched Order Out of Chaos® in 2004 after her son was diagnosed with ADHD, Executive Dysfunction and other learning differences. Originally focusing her practice on working with the chronically disorganized (ADHD, students with learning challenges, hoarding behaviors); she expanded her business in 2008 to include relocation and downsizing services. Read more about Leslie here.
She was an organizer WAY before it was a career for her. Do it’s only right to say that she knows how to plan, manage, and organize. She does in fact, know her stuff. As soon as I opened the package with the Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner, I automatically knew that this was the BEST planner I’d ever seen.

I haven’t had the chance to fill it all out yet, because the school year isn’t here yet. It’s hard to miss due dates, speeches, tests, or quizzes when they are written out in plain view for the student to see. I am using my planner for my life, blogs, and kids.

The tabs you see on the left that I have written on (Kids, Stylish Southern Mama, Home) that is shown no matter what page you’re on. I love that. I can use this all year without having to change anything. I can write down if the kids have a class party, need something for school, what they are learning that week, or whatever!
I can also keep up with my 2 blogs. I’ve left a tab blank below each of them in case it runs over.. I do have a long to-do list for both my blogs.. and this is the best way! I’ve also put the first tab at the top for MY personal use and what I received in the mail that day (for blog purposes). That way if I have a doctor appointment (which I do on Monday), I won’t miss it!
I love that there is also an afterschool part! School work/ Regular work doesn’t end at 3. There’s homework, extra activities after school, and such. I have to admit that I CLEARLY fell in love with this planner.
Of course, I’ve had MILLIONS of different planners, agendas, and blank notebooks I turned into planners trying to make it easier to personalize to me. It was truly hard though. If you want to create a schedule with a regular planner you have to take the time and go through EACH day and write the same thing a million times.
That’s the reason this is so brilliant. I can see the “tabs” no matter what week it is. I didn’t have to waste time and go through each day/week/month and write home, school, this blog, home, that blog. It is all drawn out for me!
Not only that, but regular planners do NOT have much space AT all to write ANYTHING. It isn’t broken down like this one is. They are usually broken down by morning, afternoon, and night. If something isn’t written out CLEARLY for me, it’s easy for me to skip past it and forget!

You can see a video that Leslie put together, highlighting all the features of the Academic Planner.

Special Features

A customizable index page at the front of the planner enables students to record their class subjects (7 subject boxes) only once. Eliminates forgetfulness and frustration.
Weekly planner pages line up on a subject-by-subject basis, creating an easy method for students to record and review their weekly schedules.
Days of the week are listed horizontally across the planner, allowing students to quickly see assignments and due dates and creating continuity that is critical to developing time management skills.
Includes space to enter after-school activities and weekend commitments, allowing students to PLAN their weekly workload.
The unique grid system quickly reveals both scheduled and available blocks of time, facilitating weekly time management and planning strategies.
Larger size pages (7” x 11” interior pages) allow for more room to write assignments and appointments.
NEW FEATURE! Handy vinyl back pocket holds notes, slips and other necessary papers.
NEW FEATURE! Three-hole punching allows for easy placement in binders.
NEW FEATURE! Durable laminated covers and sturdy spiral binding stands up to students’ school bags and lockers.
Based on a school calendar (August to July).
OPTIONAL FEATURE: Add an Academic Planner PageMarkerto help your student quickly find his or her place.

Get yourself organized!

Order Out of Chaos Academic Planner is only $19!
I swear this could be worth WAY more, it relieves SO much stress, worry, and time spent procrastinating!
Connect with Leslie online:
Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube


-Jessica Renee

Book Review: The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years by Rallie McAllister & Jennifer Bright Reich

 

Toddlers are like pint-sized teenagers. They don't call them the "terrible twos" and say "three is the new terrible twos" for nothing. Toddlers are challenging in many ways. They're learning and growing at an incredible rate, and at the same time, they're pushing and stretching against boundaries, in every direction.

The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years is filled with more than 900 tips that 62 doctors who are also mothers use during their own children's toddler years. Some of these Mommy MD Guides are currently raising toddlers. Other Mommy MD Guides have children who are all grown up with toddlers of their own, They're Grammy MD Guides! Combined, these physicians have centuries of experience as doctors, and they have 142 children and 10 grandchildren.

The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years offers trusted, reliable advice on all aspects of the toddler years. You'll read how Mommy MD Guides faced the challenges of picky eating, potty training, tantrums, and night terrors. You'll also learn how Mommy MD Guides celebrated birthdays and holidays with their toddlers and enjoyed playdates, shopping trips, and vacations. These Mommy MD Guides generously shared the wisdom and tips that they learned to make their own children's toddler years more enjoyable.

This book is divided into seven parts, each focusing on a different facet of parenting toddlers: growth and development, food and nutrition, health and safety, bathing and grooming, emotional health and discipline, learning and fun, and sleep. Each chapter opens with a special section featuring information about a toddler's development, tips on taking better care of you, and a justification of celebration. The book also features the following three types of sidebars.

*When to call your Doctor sidebars offer critical information about when to seek medical help.

*Mommy MD Guides-Recommended Product sidebars feature products that Mommy MD Guides found invaluable during their own children's toddler years, including cost and availability information.

*MomMy Time sidebar suggest ways for mom to relax, de-stress, and enjoy their children's toddler years.

The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years is the third book in the Mommy MD Guides series. Welcome to the Mommy MD Guides!

 

MY REVIEW

Toddlers are absolutely amazing people. They are sprouting roots right before our eyes. They are gaining their own personalities and learning new things, the Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years is an amazing book to help your little one on their journey to becoming independent people who learn to do new things on their own (with Mommy's help of course!).

The first thing on the Mommy MD Guide list is growing. Just as we did with our newborns who turned into rapidly growing babies, we monitor their growth. This chapter tells how much your toddler should be growing in pounds, head circumference, and even noting how the baby face disappears (aww!).

You must know that during these years they begin to mimic and watch everything mommy (and daddy) says and does. You are their main stream for information and learning. So get down on the floor and play with them before they grow out of that Mommy play with me stage!

This book is filled with tons of beautifully gifted information that only other mothers (and it helps that they are doctors as well) would know! This book shows that no two people (including toddlers) are the same. Whether it be on a learning rate, growth rate, or eating rate.. Just make sure that they are developing at their own levels.

This book has the information parts that continue with the personal parts. It's really like a few friends writing you emails (or letters) with updated information on their toddlers. It really helps that it is written in such a "journal-type" format. It really is interesting to read.

It isn't just some "OTHER" parenting book that you may or may not read, that will sit at your bedside or on your bookshelf collecting dust. This is a break-open WANT to read. It's like reading a parenting magazine! Insightful, fun, and personal!

I love that they included the "walking, running, and gross motor skills". This is what tricks normal parents into freaking out (or boasting) about their kids developments. No worries about when they can walk, run, or start to talk.. As long as they are maintaining some sort of increase in development. Don't stress to let them "LEARN".

One doctor mom points out that you shouldn't freak out if your child falls from a height of less than 4 feet. All kids are naturally curious and falling is a part of learning something new.

I am totally SMITTEN with all the Mommy MD Guide books, they are beautifully written and I could never seem to put them down. This is a FUN parenting book that teaches how to help your child along the way as they turn into running, talking, tornadoes of a toddler.

This book breaks down many things that we really want to know as parents who have toddlers about to start real food;- trying new foods, first aid & choking, food allergies, helping picky eater, and more!

Weaning from the bottle/breast and introducing a sippy cup. I love that they tell you that you shouldn't stick to one type of sippy cup (or bottle for that matter) because it's trial and error finding one that they like (and you're likely to go through a TON before the toddler years are up).

They tackle the everlasting questions of choosing a pediatrician, what things to bring and games to play if there is a waiting time at the doctor, and writing lists to bring with you to ask your pediatrician.

Toddler proofing your house may seem more scary than it actually is.. Here they have a list as to what to put up or take down so your toddler stays safe.

Everything about this book intrigues me. Both as a parent and a mom.. I know that I wished I had this when my son was a toddler, but at least I had it while my daughter was!!

BUY IT!

$13.10 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25.

The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years (Mommy MD Guides)

Connect with Mommy MD Guides on their website

 

Jessica Renee

Thursday Blog Hops

I can’t believe this week has flown by so fast. It isn’t because I have been having the time of my life it’s because it’s all a blur.

Insomnia- & it’s not from me. My daughter will go to sleep and then wake up @ random times and not go back to sleep for awhile. I am SO tired through the day. My work is falling behind. I PLAN to get stuff done, but where I am SO tired, my mind is constantly wandering..

it is stacking up on me, so therefore I feel so nervous. I hate to be late on deadlines..

But tonight I am determined to get some of this stuff underworks.
I have some pretty awesome products to share…
so stay tuned in.
I have got to get THIS little daughter of mine back on her regular schedule, and if I can’t, I think I may need to take her to the doctor..

This whole entire week I haven’t been able to take any pictures of products because I look absolutely horrible. I can’t find the urge to put on makeup and straighten my hair..

But sorry to be so bleak. I usually don’t post negativity, but here lately I have wanted to make my blog more personal. More me. Instead of posting about sunshine and love, I think maybe it would be better to just post whatever comes to mind….

So therefore instead of THINKING the negativity, I will get it off my shoulders.

So maybe I’ll be more productive..

Thanks for listening to this midnight RANT,,
I ♥ all you bloggy friends, that understand that PARENTING isn’t easy.


No matter how much you wish you had a wand..

or fairy godmother..


It just isn’t happening anytime soon

So cheers to all the mothers who try their hardest, no matter how hard parenting may be..

♥ Jessica
Leave a comment, and I’ll follow back..


 Two Question Friday..
Here are Self Sagacity's Thursday Two Questions #65:
1) Have you experience this type of behavior from a man or woman? 
2) Do you think they can be helped or it's just the way they are?


1) Yes, I have experienced this. When I was in high school, I had a friend who tried this on me. She ALWAYS wanted me to do what she was doing, try what she was eating..etc. I didn't join in, because half the crap she was eating made me want to puke. Chips and mustard? No thanks..
                                         2)I think it's just the way she was, because she did it to other people also. I think people either follow to be nice, or to try and gain a friend. But I have always tried to be outspoken about my feelings, so i told her she was crazy. 


My questions:
1) What is your favorite part of Christmas? Whether it be hanging with your family, eating that awesome dinner, or seeing the faces of the people you love when they receive their gifts?
2) Name the ONE thing you want most in the world for Christmas. No matter how much it costs, no matter what size, shape, or matter. This is your guilt free xmas list.