It's been a long time since I have blogged anything. If I'm honest, I started this particular blog in June - just about the time in which everything in life went completely haywire and crazy!
Between the kids out of school, my "regular job" gearing up for the new school year, and multiple trips to Michigan, I lost track of my business, and myself.
I think as a mom it's very easy to lose control of things. Often, we put things that are "ours" on the back burner. I know that I do!
However, it's important to find balance in all things. If there are things or activities taking up you and your family's time that aren't important, get rid of them!
In general, I'm pretty well organized - particularly during the school year and schedules are a little tighter. Now that the school year is starting again, I've been thinking about how nice it will be to get back to that routine. However, even the most put together mamas get lost in the chaos. So in my own recollecting of thoughts and gearing up for school, I've been thinking about what helps my family really work and stay on course. Here's my tried and true methods of organization - because, let's face it - I love lists, and need this all in one place for when my household falls completely apart again.
1. Schedule - but not too much. So many times I read "you have to plan and schedule." While it's true that planning is important, too much can be a bad thing as well. Have a family calendar with appointments, activities, and the basics of where people need to be when. This doesn't have to be a strict "Dinner's at 6 or you're a failure" schedule. The truth is, as long as you get out of the house looking decent (for me that means gym clothes and my hair brushed) and your kids aren't in tears as you're leaving the house you've won. Leave wiggle room and buffers in the schedule for unforeseen life incidents.
2. Make time for family. One thing that we do, no matter what, is that we all sit down and have dinner as a family. Yes this means sometimes it's pizza or Chinese that we've ordered, but we sit at the table as a family together. We are able to reconnect - even if it's a short amount of time. I will admit that now that my eldest is a tween and my partner is still in grad school, there are nights when there's only two or three of us there, but it's still important.
3. Take time for YOU. I think this is one of the biggest ones for moms. It is STILL my biggest struggle. It's so easy to forget to spend anytime on ourselves when we always put others first. In a way, there's a social stigmata that if you're doing anything for yourself or (Gasp) BY yourself that you are a selfish woman not worthy of your family. I'm here to tell you that this is simply NOT TRUE. If you don't take care of you, who will? Sometimes this means getting up an hour early to hit the gym or do some meditation or praying, sometimes it means staying up a little later. Either way, make sure that everyday you are fulfilling your commitment to your health and wellness.
4. Do work at home and home at work. I know, this one is against everything you've ever read. However, this is my list of things that work for me. I work from home. I run my creative business as well as work as a contract employee full time. Because of this, and because my children are still young, I don't have the option to "leave work at work." For me, there isn't even the option of a set 9-5 schedule. I try to get the bulk of work done while my kids are at school or after they go to bed, but that's not always feasible, especially when I go on field trips, there's a late night project that comes in, or I'm running behind on orders.
5. Share the load. I'm very exceptionally lucky that I have a partner that does about 80% of the housework on top of his other stuff. However, my kids help a lot too, and have since they were really little. This not only helps with the mundane tasks, but teaches them good skills. Plus, there really isn't anything much cuter than a three year old vacuuming.
While these few tricks work for me, I'm always looking for more ways to stay on target. What tricks work for you?
Between the kids out of school, my "regular job" gearing up for the new school year, and multiple trips to Michigan, I lost track of my business, and myself.
I think as a mom it's very easy to lose control of things. Often, we put things that are "ours" on the back burner. I know that I do!
However, it's important to find balance in all things. If there are things or activities taking up you and your family's time that aren't important, get rid of them!
In general, I'm pretty well organized - particularly during the school year and schedules are a little tighter. Now that the school year is starting again, I've been thinking about how nice it will be to get back to that routine. However, even the most put together mamas get lost in the chaos. So in my own recollecting of thoughts and gearing up for school, I've been thinking about what helps my family really work and stay on course. Here's my tried and true methods of organization - because, let's face it - I love lists, and need this all in one place for when my household falls completely apart again.
1. Schedule - but not too much. So many times I read "you have to plan and schedule." While it's true that planning is important, too much can be a bad thing as well. Have a family calendar with appointments, activities, and the basics of where people need to be when. This doesn't have to be a strict "Dinner's at 6 or you're a failure" schedule. The truth is, as long as you get out of the house looking decent (for me that means gym clothes and my hair brushed) and your kids aren't in tears as you're leaving the house you've won. Leave wiggle room and buffers in the schedule for unforeseen life incidents.
2. Make time for family. One thing that we do, no matter what, is that we all sit down and have dinner as a family. Yes this means sometimes it's pizza or Chinese that we've ordered, but we sit at the table as a family together. We are able to reconnect - even if it's a short amount of time. I will admit that now that my eldest is a tween and my partner is still in grad school, there are nights when there's only two or three of us there, but it's still important.
3. Take time for YOU. I think this is one of the biggest ones for moms. It is STILL my biggest struggle. It's so easy to forget to spend anytime on ourselves when we always put others first. In a way, there's a social stigmata that if you're doing anything for yourself or (Gasp) BY yourself that you are a selfish woman not worthy of your family. I'm here to tell you that this is simply NOT TRUE. If you don't take care of you, who will? Sometimes this means getting up an hour early to hit the gym or do some meditation or praying, sometimes it means staying up a little later. Either way, make sure that everyday you are fulfilling your commitment to your health and wellness.
4. Do work at home and home at work. I know, this one is against everything you've ever read. However, this is my list of things that work for me. I work from home. I run my creative business as well as work as a contract employee full time. Because of this, and because my children are still young, I don't have the option to "leave work at work." For me, there isn't even the option of a set 9-5 schedule. I try to get the bulk of work done while my kids are at school or after they go to bed, but that's not always feasible, especially when I go on field trips, there's a late night project that comes in, or I'm running behind on orders.
5. Share the load. I'm very exceptionally lucky that I have a partner that does about 80% of the housework on top of his other stuff. However, my kids help a lot too, and have since they were really little. This not only helps with the mundane tasks, but teaches them good skills. Plus, there really isn't anything much cuter than a three year old vacuuming.
While these few tricks work for me, I'm always looking for more ways to stay on target. What tricks work for you?