Contents Foreword by Tina Farewell.............................................. xiii Acknowledgments...........................................................xvii 1. An Invitation to Flourish......................................... 1 My Story Grow, Know, and Go Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Flourish! About This Book Adjust These Strategies to Fit Your Life Apply What You Learn Take Action! 2. Change Your Mind to Change Your Time.............. 13 Stop Struggling with Juggling Balance Is Not a Myth Evaluate the Circumstances of Your Life Find Peace in the Space Between the Ideal and Reality

Think in Terms of Life Management, Not Time Management Take Action! 3. The FREEDOM Toolbox...................................... 24 Focus Reflect Educate Eliminate Discipline Organize Multitask Use Your Tools Wisely Take Action! 4. Where Did My Time Go?..................................... 40 Keep a Time Log Assess Your Time Log Use an Ongoing Time Log Calculate the Opportunity Cost of Each Choice Establish a Schedule or Routine Use Small Blocks of Time Wisely Take Advantage of Unexpected Opportunities Do What You Can Take Action! 5. Aim High: Setting Goals....................................... 54 Set Goals in Three Major Categories Make Your Goals Specific and Measurable Think Big Write Down Your Goals Share Your Goals Take Action!

6. What Do I Do Next?: Seven Essential Planning Tools................................................................. 62 1. Big Dream 2. Yearly Goals 3. Monthly Calendar 4. Weekly Plan 5. Daily Tasks 6. Running To-Do List 7. Stop-Doing List Where to Keep Your Planning Tools Where Do You Start? Take Action! 7. We Interrupt This Program.................................... 89 The Perception of Moms at Home Phone Calls and Texting E-mail and Social Media Balance Accessibility and Boundaries Establish Boundaries of Time Establish Boundaries of Space Is It Really an Emergency? Remember That God Is in Control Take Action! 8. It’s Time for an Attitude Adjustment................... 104 Let Go of Guilt Bid Farewell to Fear Put Away Perfectionism Wave Goodbye to Whining Reject Resentment Set Aside Self-Righteousness Say No to Negativity Take Action!

9. Oxygen Masks and Monkey Bread Days.............. 116 Put On Your Oxygen Mask Nourish Your Spiritual Life You Can’t Trade In Your Burned-Out Body for a Newer Model Put the Right Fuel in Your Engine Stay Hydrated Exercise Don’t Sacrifice Sleep Build a Support Network Have Fun! Take Action! 10. Training Your Children....................................... 131 Teach Your Children Responsibility Teach Your Children Independence Teach Your Children Initiative Teach Your Children Service Take Action! 11. Making Memories............................................... 145 Build Family Traditions Spend One-on-One Time with Each Child Explore the World Enjoy the Journey as Well as the Destination Preserve Family Memories for the Future Take Action! 12. Managing Your Home......................................... 158 Housekeeping with a Grateful Heart Make Peace with Your Own Homemaking Style A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place.



Organize Your Papers “Edit” Your Stuff Meals Take Action!

13. All of Life Is Learning......................................... 171 Why Should You Homeschool? How Should You Homeschool? When Should You Homeschool? Where Should You Homeschool? Get Real with Realistic Expectations A Day in Our Life Nurture a Love of Reading Teach Children of Different Ages Together Encourage Independent Learning Delegate Technological Tutors Systematize for Success More Than Academics Take Action! 14. Solo Act: Flourishing as a Single Mom................ 202 Rest in God’s Faithfulness You’re Still a Family Foster a Strong Sense of Family Identity and Unity Don’t Be a Lone Ranger Make Homeschooling Work Balance Work and Family Take Care of Yourself How You Can Help a Single-Parent Family Be Sensitive to Their Concerns and Needs Offer Encouragement, Prayer, and Counsel Offer Material Help

Offer Your Time Take the Initiative Take Action! 15. Home Business.................................................... 225 Why Have a Home Business? Options for Home Business Which Business Is Right for You? Getting Started The Learning Curve What Can You Outsource? Generating Income Tracking Your Time Selling Pricing Marketing Working with Customers and Clients Mastermind Team Record Keeping and Finances Include Your Children in Your Business Take Action! 16. Moving Ahead.................................................... 253 How Do You Know When It’s Not Working? What Do You Do When It’s Not Working? Be Decisive Don’t Wait for the Most Favorable Conditions Take Action! Appendix A: Recommended Resources..........................260 Appendix B: Planning Forms .........................................267 Notes...............................................................................283 Contact Mary Jo..............................................................288