As mothers, we are pulled in many different directions and everyone is lobbying for some of your precious time. How do we cut through the clutter and get down to what is really important and what we really should focus our time and energy on?
I have chatted with many of my girl friends who are mothers themselves and have discovered that most of us are faced with the same challenges. How do I juggle so many hats and still find time for myself and my family? They say a happy wife equals a happy life … so it is important to keep mom happy. She is the life stream of the family and the one that everyone relies on for so much.
Some tips for better organizing: Let’s start with your home … cut down on the clutter, pick up some storage bins to keep similar things together and neat and let everyone play a part in this. Use lists for everything so that you don’t forget anytime which could mean multiple trips to the grocery store and just extra back and forth. Make a list for the whole family with who will do what and a timeline too for chores and for more long term projects.
Other things that could help, too, is to find a couple or two that also have kids and set-up some fun play dates for the kids and take turns watching the kids while the other couple spends a night out on the town, goes to visit friends or plans a simple night at home with your honey – cook together and put in a funny movie. Take turns with the moms in the neighborhood watching each other’s kids so the other moms can clean the house, cook dinner and etc….
Budget Tips: I tend to clip coupons from the Sunday paper and go to e-Bay to purchase coupons for the items I need or like (i.e. stuff that I can stock pile, coupons for the movies, coupons for a favorite store and etc…). I stock pile items that are staples – I purchase a year’s supply and take advantage of the 10-20 coupons that I purchased from e-Bay only do this if you have the storage. The savings are incredible and it helps you stay on budget for the year. Also use restaurant.com and groupon.com for dining and entertainment coupons. Citipass and the entertainment book are great sources of coupons as well.
Make “me time”: We all need and deserve a break away from everything so schedule some time for yourself whether it is lunch with the girls or a pedicure. Find what you like to do and then figure out how often you need a break and put together some plans around those needs and get your husband, family, and friends to pitch in to help put your plans into action. You don’t have to do everything on the list above but find out what is important to you and work on it as a family. Finding balance in your life is really important so I hope you make this a priority in 2011 and that you find my suggestions helpful!
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