Does it feel like there are not enough hours in your day? Are you worried you’re not getting enough “me time” or working efficiently? If you’ve got a to-do list that never seems to get any shorter, you need to look for ways to manage your time. Nobody ever said being a parent was easy, but you should be able to manage everything without feeling constantly worn out. That doesn’t mean you have to strive to be the next super mom. However, it does mean you might need to make a few changes to your daily routine and the way you do things in general. It is possible to be the mom you’d hoped you’d beand here are some tips to help you do it.
Introduce a To-Do List
Rather than racing around like a headless chicken and getting nothing done, organize your day with a to-do list. Before you settle down for a good night’s sleepspend some time thinking about the things you have to achieve the next day. Spread the tasks you need to do out during the day,and it makes your day more enjoyable. One option is totry tocram all your important chores into the morningso that you’ve got some time for yourself before picking the kids up from school.
Save Time and Money When Shopping
Do you do any of your shopping online? Have you thought about the time and money you could save with a clothing subscription? Rather than spending hours at the mall, your daughters can choose their fashionable items online and enjoy opening their own personalized package when it arrives in the mail. Shopping online also allows you to take advantage of special offers and discounts, not normally available in a bricks and mortar store.
Introduce a Cleaning Schedule
When it comes to cleaning, it tends to be the same tasks that get done, while others are forgotten until it comes to spring cleaning day. Does it feel like you spend most of your day cleaning and at the end of the day it looks no different fromwhen you began? You might want to try introducing a 30-day cleaning schedule. You’ll do a little bit of cleaning every day,and by the end of the month, your home will be spotless. Keep to the schedule every month,and you’ll only be spending a few minutes every day cleaning. This will leave lots more time in the day for more important things.
Take a Break
How much time do you take for yourself every day? Are you constantly worried about the rest of the family and forget about yourself? You’re not alone, as it’s a very common complaint and is often the reason why moms are so tired and stressed out all the time. When you’re writing up your to-do list for the next day, schedule in some rest time. It might just be a few minutes here and there,but it’s important to take them.
Take Care of Yourself
If you’re not taking good care of yourself, you’ll struggle to be productive. There are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself in tip-top condition. Getting enough sleep is important, and while it might be difficult,you should at least try. Eating healthily and exercising are also going to make a difference in your energy levels and mood. As well as your physical health remember to take care of your mental health too. Take some time to meditate, read a book or do something else that you enjoy, every day.
Plan Your Meals and Prep Early
What time of the day do you start thinking about dinner? Quite possibly not until you’re bringing the kids home from school. Have you considered making a meal plan for the whole week and getting the choice of meals out of the way in one fail swoop? Planning your family meals for the week also helps you ensure you’re delivering a balanced diet for everyone and means you can be better organized when it comes to your weekly food shop. If you also start prep for your meals early in the day, it means you can enjoy a much smoother evening. You’re not scrabbling around trying to wash vegetables, make dressings, cut up fruit, and tackle lots of other prep jobs that can be done well in advance.
Don’t be Afraid to Accept Help
For the busy mom, it can be very hard to let go and allow someone else to do something for you. You feel the need to be in charge at all times and don’t know when to delegate your duties. You’ve got a huge network to draw on so allow them to help you out when you need it. You’re not super mom,and you don’t actually have to be. Just because you’ve delegated, doesn’t mean you’re no good at what you do. On the contrary, it shows you know how to maximize the potential of your network.
Limit Internet Time
Google and social media channels have a lot to answer for when it comes to wasting time. Surfing the web can be a huge time waster, not just for you but your kids as well. A quick five-minute break to check your Facebook feed can turn into an hour or longer as you get lost in chatting or posting comments. Limit your screen time and when the limit is reached unplug all the devices. It might be a hard one to introduce for your kids, but they’ll thank you in the long run.
You might not think it now but make use of some of the suggestions above,and you’ll realize it is possible to get things done and have moments of freedom in between. Impose a few simple rules for yourself and your family and your days will be more organized and productive. You’ll also have more time to spend enjoying each other’s company and having fun.