Stacey Lloyd - Executive Editor of PreschoolRock.com

Stacey Lloyd, The Professional
Hello, my name is Stacey Lloyd. I am the President and CEO of SchoolRock, Inc. and Executive Editor of PreschoolRock.com. Although my background focuses mainly on medical and pharmaceutical writing, my passion lies with writing for parents and teachers. For more information about my background, clients and services, please visit StaceyLloyd.com.

Stacey Lloyd, The Mother
After raising my daughter, Shawna (below, left), to the age of fourteen, I had my son, Jake. Believe me, I was terrified at the thought of starting all over again. But then I realized that I was much wiser, having learned from my many, many mistakes. I vowed that this time around I would not make the same mistakes again.

During my daughter's younger years, I was a bit of a neat-freak. Everything had to be in its place. I kept a very clean house and stressed myself nearly to the breaking point desperately trying to keep a clean and organized home. What did I get out of it? A stressful life, complete with a stressed out husband and daughter. The energy I should have been using to give my daughter a fun childhood, I used on struggling to maintain a clean home.

I have since changed my list of priorities - cleaning is at the very bottom. My house is messy, unorganized, and at times, I am embarrassed by the mess. Don't get me wrong, my house isn't a filthy pigsty, but by most "mom" standards, it's not "clean". However, I always think of this ... Ten or twenty years from now, will I look back and say, "Boy, I sure wish I had kept a cleaner house!"? No! Of course not!

I can't get those years back or change them in any way. I can only make my son's childhood much better. Since my son was born, my house has been dirty, but you know what? We've had a blast! Jake has enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, just being a kid. You've got to have the mindset that your house is going to be dirty and things are going to get ruined. But those things can be replaced - unlike your child's childhood.

My husband, Erik, is a little less tolerant of the mess than I (he does most of the cleaning). But as you can see, he doesn't pass up any opportunity to have fun with his favorite son in the whole world!

Why am I telling you this? Because on PreschoolRock.com you will find many activities that are messy - some that will probably have you gasping at the thought of allowing your child to do in your home. Are you one of those parents? Well, if you are, I hope to change your way of thinking. PreschoolerRock.com is about having fun and enjoying your time with your child. And there's nothing more fun than gettin' messy!

For more information about my background, clients and services, please visit StaceyLloyd.com.