I utter the words “5 more minutes” about 50 times a day. “Mommy
just needs to finish this really quick” … hours later I’m still sitting at my
computer attempting to finish that week’s course load. Being a ‘stay at home
home’ as well as a full time student and also making a few extra dollars
working from home one day a week comes with a lot of stress and challenges, but
the biggest of them all is ensuring you are giving your kids enough attention.
It is very tough to put aside the dishes in the sink, but
try to save them for a little later if your child wants to do something with
you. When I look back at my childhood my favorite memories include the special
one on one time spent with each of my parents. The times my dad took us
finishing or we stayed up late playing one more game of rummy resonate with me.
Traditions like spending an entire day making dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies
with my mom are ones that I have now started to do with my kids, and they love
it!
With that being said, I have a few tips to help the mom who
is struggling to do it all.
Don’t Over plan
Try not to set yourself up for failure or disappointment.
Being a parent there is no way the whole house is going to get cleaned all in
one day, or for that matter stay clean for longer than 20 mins. We all know the
second we decide to mop the floor the kids are going to spill something on it.
Plan a few things and if you happen to get more done that day then call it a
success.
Do set a Schedule
Trying to allocate an hour each day for specific tasks is
helpful. For me, I try to get up an hour before the kids so that I can answer
e-mails or study without being interrupted. I also try to set up an hour when
the baby is sleeping that I have just one-on-one time with my three-year-old so
that she feels special.
Put your Kids to work
I try to make menial tasks fun for my 3-year-old so I can
kill two birds with one stone. She loves to help make dinner so if I am peeling
potatoes she gets to pick them out and help wash them. Sometimes dinner takes a
little longer but it gets done and its less time the little one spends on her
own watching TV.
Time Just for The Kids
We do a movie night every Friday or Saturday which includes
games and popcorn and our three-year-old loves it. It gives us a little time to
relax but it’s also special time I get to cuddle her while the hubby holds the
baby.
It takes an Army
DON’T feel bad for asking for help, we all need it and your
family loves spending time with their grandkids/niece and nephews. My mother
takes my daughter once a week and it’s a miracle how much I can get done in
that time period. I am even happier because she is getting out of the house and
spending time with family.
The laundry can wait, our kids will be teenagers and want
nothing to do with us in no time.
Jadyn and I playing with Polly's I had as a little girl
Check out this article for other helpful tips:
Hi Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say I love your blog and I think a lot of us can relate to what you are saying! It is true, we all try to set unrealistic expectations everyday and put ourselves down when we are unable to accomplish them. Personally, going to the gym is my time to unwind and recoup when I am not busy battling day-to-day tasks. I wake up an hour earlier than normal to make sure I can fit it in, just how you wake up an hour before the kids. This helps set me up for the day and clears my head. Like you mentioned, make a schedule but do NOT overplan. I tend to create unrealistic expectations for myself throughout the day, things I wish to accomplish after work, during work, on lunch... so on. Doing so can cause a lot of stress. I think we all need to take some time to enjoy the simple things in our lives. For you, ensuring your kids are not deglected is very important, as it should be. Everything else that is going on will always be there, so spend the extra time on those who matter. It's the memories and relationships that will really matter in the end!
Love your words! Very inspiring!
Thanks for sharing!
Kristin Simmers
Thank you so much! It really is the memories and relationships that matter, couldn't have said it better!
DeleteTaylor,
ReplyDeleteThis goes back way too many years for me, but I remember when my son was a toddler, that I spent an enormous amount of time with him out of the house - so mom could take a break. We had a routine after work and on the weekends, ice skating, zoo, walking the dog, roller blades, sledding, museums (The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village is a savior) - we were out and about. I think my favorites were go kart racing, batting cages and golf range.
It's important for a parent to spend some one on one time with their children.
Thanks for sharing!
-Jeff
You sound like a great Dad Jeff!
DeleteI love these!
ReplyDelete