Being a stay-at-home mom is a different type of ball game. It is not easy in any way, shape, or form. However, it is rewarding to spend time with your children.
I have been a full-time stay-at-home mommy for approximately 8 years now. During this time I had to learn how to organize my days to actually complete tasks. There are days when you feel like the mom of the world, just for completing dinner. Then there are days when you want to just hit the reset button.
I’ve managed to make life easier as a stay-at-home mom in my home. I wrote this blog to share my tips with you all. All of these tips may not work verbatim according to the rhythm of your household. Feel free to tweak them to fit and work best for you.
1. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
I listed this as number one because to me it is the most significant. I find it so stress-free when you have a plan. Before you lay to go to sleep write out your to-do list for the next day. Now, do not stop there, try to make a plan for the week. For instance, jot down what day you will make your phone calls, go grocery shopping, take kids to the park, or even just watch a movie.
Also, I do not know about you but trying to determine what to cook for dinner every day was quite frustrating for me. Trying to juggle the day with 3 little ones and think of dinner ideas so the husband is not eating the same every day was a task. I had to put a stop to this. I started planning what I would cook for the next day the night before. The great thing about this is that you can food prep; take the meat out of the freezer to defrost overnight. By doing this, you have just cut cooking dinner time in half!
Plan Plan Plan it is the key!
2. GET YOUR BOOST
We are humans, not robots! This body can not plug into the wall and charge up. Sleep is a great recharge, but what if sleep was interrupted by a crying baby? What if sleep was not long enough for the body to get its’ complete boost? Well, this is when you help your body! Get your boost!
When you wake up, whether it be coffee, energy drink, or tea; put it in your system! There are so many options out there. Healthy foods to uplift your energy or a quick workout can do the job. Working out or going for a brisk walk not only increases your energy levels but may also help you retain it throughout the day to avoid becoming tired easily. I prefer a nice hot cup of tea & working out to give me the right kick I need!
3. CLEAN
I know this is easier said than done. Trust me I know that no matter how much you clean, there is always a toddler ready to make a mess again. But if you are like me, the smell of clean gives me the motivation to accomplish another task. I love it when my home is sparkling clean, so I try my best to make it my duty to clean before I go to bed. This way when I wake up, I am starting my day on a nice clean canvas. Who wants to wake up on a new day to see a mess from the day before? My idea is to leave yesterday in the past!
4. TO-DO LIST
I know I touched on this in number one but I want to give a little more insight. When you are writing your to-do list do not make it too long. You do not want to overload yourself, make it doable. It will feel so good to be able to check everything off for the day. Be nice to yourself.
Use your phone to type out your list in the notes. Using your phone allows your list to always be nearby to check off. Also, if you need to make phone calls, start with the easy calls first. Start with the ones that have business hours closing earlier than the others. If you are on hold forever put that phone on loudspeaker & walk away to get other things done on your list!
Organize your to-do list into a nice schedule. What time is breakfast, lunch, & dinner? What time will you work out and for how long? Make sure to add a nap time for the child(ren). And let me just say, nap time is not easy when you are first introducing this to your kids. Be consistent with the nap time so your child(ren) can adjust over time. Set a time for everything and try to stick to this schedule.
5. BREAK TIME
This one is pretty much self-explanatory. Every job gives their employees breaks. We, mothers, are engaged the entire day. So seize your rest, Mom, you’ve surely earned it! Put on your favorite show and enjoy it! But do not get carried away, be responsible and time yourself just as you would on a corporate job. Take a quick breather and then get back to work mama. You can do it! I’m rooting for you!
YOU GOT THIS!
You’ve read this far because we can both agree that we need a vacation! Just like me, I used to think how, how to get everything done with so little time in the day. My main problem was making my to-do list extremely long. I’ve shortened my list and live by these tips & I am pleased!
Be diligent and purposeful in why you do what you do. Do not procrastinate, get up mama! Be the super mom your child(ren) believes you are!
I invite you to follow me on Instagram for more fun stories, tips, and just everyday life that we can all relate to @abigailzrobinson
http://www.instagram.com/abigailzrobinson/
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