I’ve gotta say that July was pretty good to me. Talking about depression, even if it was just on this blog, did wonders for me. Other than being sick I have felt great over the past couple of weeks. This could also be due to the fact that I am taking control of my life and living intentionally instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances.
So, here’s what went down in July:
Parenting
- Finish reading Charlotte’s Web to the Girls {We ended up getting around 50 used books for $10 at a yard sale so we have been enjoying those instead of reading Charlotte’s web. We did plenty of reading.}
Spend one day just with KailynSpend one day just with AvaTake the girls to church
Writing/Blogging
Finish E BookComplete all Writing Assignments as I get themApply to 10 Writing Jobs per weekContinue with weekly posting schedule- Make $500 extra income {Made $437.71. I fell short by $62.29}
Personal
- Go to Church every Sunday {Made it 3 out of 4 Sundays}
Wake up at 7 am every weekday morningBalance check book dailyBring lunch to work daily
So, I am feeling pretty darn good about July. There were only a couple of goals that I didn’t accomplish and I even came pretty close to reaching them!
August Goals
I am going to continue on with the theme of well rounded goals. If I work as hard as I did in July I’m hoping to knock each and every one of these goals out of the ball park!
Parenting
- Teach the girls one Bible lesson per week (I just started this using free home school curriculum’s online.)
- Read another parenting book. Suggestions?
Also, on the parenting front Jason and I decided we would spend one day alone with each of the girls every other month. The girls absolutely loved it. I think it did wonders for our relationship. It tremendously helped with bonding and respect.
Since I come and get one of the girls on his weekends we decided every other month would do. This way he would still get to spend whole weekends with them as well.
Blogging/Writing
- Find 4 new consistent writing jobs
- Make $800 in extra income
My confidence is starting to boost when it comes to finding writing clients. I have been getting good feedback and more responses to my query letters, which has left me feeling good! I have already locked down $360 worth of writing work for August so I really wanted to challenge myself with the $800 goal.
Personal
- Go to Church every Sunday
- Wake up at 6:30 am on weekdays
- Make and stick to a very tight weekly budget
I successfully woke up at 7 a.m. or early almost every single weekday in July. It was so nice to not have to rush out the door and there were many days when I woke up early enough to get some blog work done.
I did pretty good with Church last month. I did miss one Sunday, the second week of the month. If I can successfully make it every Sunday this month I’ll consider this a successful habit and remove it from my goal list.
Lastly, I want to be able to start working toward my financial goals again. If I can increase my income to $800 extra and keep my expenses low I’ll be able to do this! {Excited!} So, I am going to make a budget for each one of my paychecks and stick with it!
*New Email Updates* You may have noticed the new weekly email updates in the sidebar. I decided to add the newsletter for those of you who don’t like to be bombarded with new post updates in your inbox every other day. If you sign up for the newsletter you can expect to get one email per week from me, highlighting all of the posts from the week, plus whatever else is on my mind 🙂 And you will receive a free copy of The Single Moms Guide to Starting a Side Business!
What are your goals for August? Does anyone have any good parenting books they would recommend?
I have always wondered about doing writing for others. Does it pay well and where do you go to find the work?
It can pay very well, it depends on who you are writing for. You can make anywhere from $15 – $200 per post. You can find jobs on job boards or just email websites or blogs that already have writers and ask if they need help.
Wow looks like you had a great July! I don’t have as many solid goals as you do, but for August I just want to get everything done in our rental in the basement so that we have a smooth transition to our new renter in a little over a week. We have painting to do, tile to lay, and most importantly a new drain install in our bathroom that we want done before our renter moves in since our bathroom is above hers and it’s a big inconvenience to have a plumber in the renter’s bathroom.
That sounds like quite a bit to do. I would love to have a rental one day. Good luck with getting the house renter ready!
Alexa, you’re doing wonderfully!!! One of my very favorite parenting books, which had a profound impact on the way I parent, is Ron Luce’s “Re Create”. Get it, I beg of you!!! It’s available on Amazon, and probably other places if you google it. Great job on your July income too: I know you can make your August goal. 🙂
Thank you for the suggestion. I am definitely going to check out that book. I have been having trouble finding good suggestions on parenting books!
My parenting goal- as always- is to be more patient with my kids. This is difficult because they make me crazy. I love ’em, though!
Mine can make me crazy at times to though. I find the calmer I remain the better everything goes. When I lose it and scream at them they don’t do a thing I say however when I am calm and talk to them and explain why they can’t do certain things they actually listen!
Parenting and family goals are my favorite. So close to hitting those numbers for income and I need to pick up the church goals as well. We missed two Sundays because of guests in town but we shouldn’t use excuses. How are your ebook sales coming along?
I am just getting back into the groove of going to Church after years of not going. I feel so much better about myself when I do go. I like my kids going regularly as well.
Pretty good goals accomplished Alexa and I am happy that you could grab those 50 books for just $10. Good deal. All the best for your August goals
Thanks, Rita
Parenting book suggestion: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen by Faber & Mazlish. The entire book is a bit overwhelming to put into practice, but it has many great tips that can increase respectful communication between parents and kids.
That sounds like a great one. I am going to add that one to my list as well. Communication is the biggest issue between parents and kids. I am excited to read it!
It looks like you had a great July Alexa! Spending quality time with the kids is so vital and something that I am guilty of not doing all too often. I find that I need to be purposeful with it, otherwise it just doesn’t happen.
I do so much better spending time with my kids and teaching them important lessons when I schedule it in or make it one of my goals. I have been doing really well by scheduling my days out. It helps me to do the things I need to do.
Those are really great goals for the month, it’s great to see that spending time with your kids are on the top of your list of goals. Good Luck with your goals!
Thanks, Monica
Great goals you have achieved. I am looking to locked down my first freelance gig in august as well.
The first one is the hardest after you get that one down the rest will come much easier!
Glad you had a good month of july in terms of goal achievements. Also it is impressive to see your August goals especially teaching bible lessons to girls and going to church. All the best for August
Thanks, Rita!
That sounds like a great July! I’ve just started dabbling in freelance writing and have really enjoyed it. I’ve only found a couple short term projects so I’m hoping to lock down some longer term things. It’s a great source of side income!
It’s definitely a great source of side income and it has the potential for full time income. Good luck to you! Hopefully we will both find some new work.
I’m impressed with your ability to meet your goals, as varied as they are. Way to go, and I hope you hit them again in August!
Thank you!
Good luck with your August goals! I’m sure you will do great 🙂
Thanks, Michelle!
Congrats on meeting so many of your goals! I am in no position to offer parenting book recommendations but my wife and I used to watch Supernanny and thought Jo Frost was great with the kids and I’d probably check out her book and methods in the future. And I’m definitely signing up right now for the newsletter!
Haha I used to watch Super Nanny a lot and try some of her tactics on my kid – especially when it came down to them sleeping in their own room. They are finally sleeping by themselves though! Thanks for signing up for the newsletter!
You are going to rock those goals!
Thanks, Keren!
Those all sound like great goals. Sounds like you’re making a lot of progress with your side income. A newsletter is definitely one of the things on my to-do list. It seems like a great way to get people coming back to your site.
Yeah I have been thinking about doing a newsletter for awhile but was nervous about the technicalities. I tried mailchimp and didn’t like it all. I am using Aweber now and it seems to be super simple.
Great goals! I’m making a mental checklist of the ones I’d like to steal when I have children of my own. 🙂 Reading is always a fantastic goal to have with children.
My girls love to read – I am very grateful for that!
Reading your post I can see you are getting stronger. Keep it up! Nothing but up from here.
Thanks so much, Britnee!
I am glad you are doing better with your depression. i find talking about it on my blog has helped me a lot too. I have found nothing but support online which is why I love blogging so much
Me too! It’s amazing how people you’ve never met in person can make you feel good about yourself. I love the online community.
I love the idea of spending a solo day with each girl. Since I have an only child, it isn’t a big deal, but I would have loved that growing up. I think the older child always thinks the younger one gets away with everything and the younger one thinks the older one gets the better stuff! Having an individual day would certainly help with that.
Oh yeah there may be a little truth to that as well. Sometimes I do feel like I let my younger one get away with a little more and my older one asks for more stuff and seems like she gets more stuff. I need to work on that.
Anything by Sally Clarkson! Her books are sooo encouraging, and she stays away from formulas. Been raising 4 boys alone for 9 years. Your blog is great!
Thank you, Lydia. And thanks for the suggestion I will definitely check her out.
I love that reading to your girls is a goal! It’s so important to do that with your kids growing up. Good luck with the freelance work–you’re off to a great start.
Thanks, Tara!
You rocked July and I have no doubt you’ll dominate August!!!
As for kids and communicating, while I am not a biological parent, I was, and still am, a father figure to an 11 year old boy who is now 25. What I found worked for me was to give him plenty of space and independence while keeping an eye out for him on the side. That being said, he also knew that I was always there for him and loved him unconditionally, so that if he made mistakes or did something stupid, I was there to both help him and teach him. He has grown up to be a responsible and mature young man, who still does stupid things at times, but now he has the tools to work things out for himself 🙂
All the best Alexa and take care.
Lyle
I think that is excellent advice Lyle and giving my girls more independence is something I have been working on. I am naturally over paranoid so I find myself constantly telling them “don’t do that” or “be careful” I have loosened up a bit over the past couple months and have started to let them do things themselves even if it is going to create a big mess. (Like painting their nails by themselves or pouring their own glass of milk)
You rocked July! I love the whole giving each kid one-on-one time. It’s something we’ve gotta start doing around here.
Thank you! My girls loved it and so did I. I think we really bonded even more in our girls days.
I don’t think I would be able to achieve anything with kids around, so I am in awe. I love the idea of spending a day with each, a friend of mine took just his son to a small trip and will take the daughter soon, I was the older one so always annoyed that we would have to take my little sister all the time, and adapt to her pace, that is a great plan you have. Good luck with your goals!
Hi! I just started reading your blog within the last week or so. I’m in awe of what you’re doing and will definitely be following you! Way to make your dream happen! I’m going to take lessons. 🙂
That is awesome how you have a monthly goal of extra money that you would like to bring in. I need to do something like this. I substitute teach, so my income can vary.
I need to make sure that I am striving to make money. You will have to stop over and check out my goals on my blog.