The life of a busy mom can get pretty hectic. Between work, taking care of the children, spouse and home there is usually little to no time left to care for yourself. With a toddler and a baby on the way, I’m always looking for ways to simplify my daily life. Here are some tips I have learned along my journey of being a busy mom that I wish I had known the first time around.
- Write down your to do list
Because “mommy brain” is real, it’s so necessary to write down the things on your to do list. I find it helpful to write them down in my calendar and notes on my phone. Set reminders for more important items to make sure you don’t forget anything. Another helpful tool to use is a dry erase board. That way you have a visual to rely on and keep you on track every day. It’s also a great way to get the whole family involved and relieve you of the responsibility of remembering everything on your own.
- Meal prep easy lunches and dinners
Meal prepping can save you time and money. Look for recipes that your family will love and are easy to prepare. Some of my favorites are spaghetti bolognese, rice and chicken bowls, turkey burgers and meatloaf with roasted veggies. Meal prepping is especially helpful to do right before giving birth. Make sure your freezer is fully stocked with meals because the last thing you’ll want to do is cook after having a baby.
- Ask for help!
As moms, we sometimes think we can do it all, most likely because we can. But there’s nothing wrong with asking others for help from time to time. Everyone eventually needs a break from their daily routine in order to rest and recharge. If you’re a new or expecting mom, ask your family or friends to help out when the baby comes. Assign certain tasks to certain people so each person can contribute in a different way. For example, one person can drop off food, another can help babysit older children and others can help with cleaning and laundry. It literally takes a village to raise a child so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Declutter your home
From time to time it’s necessary to declutter your home in order to stay organized and simplify your life. After all, the less things we have the easier it is to stay organized. Try practicing minimalism as much as you can. This can be difficult to do, especially when you have children but anything is possible. Every month set aside a few hours to clean out a closet, dresser or cabinet. Remove anything that you no longer use and sell it or give it away.
- Set a routine
Routines make life so much easier! They help with time management and kids also respond better when they grow accustomed to a daily routine. Making small adjustments like prepping breakfast/lunches, laying out clothes and packing book bags the night before can save so much time and energy in the morning!
The fewer tasks you have to do, the smoother your day will go. Bedtime routines are also great to implement from the time your children are babies. As they grow, they will learn to follow the routine themselves and this will also help them sleep better and wake up more refreshed.
Another plus to setting routines is you’ll have extra time for self care. Some of my favorite things to do include putting on a face mask while deep conditioning my hair and giving myself a mani/pedi. I usually like to do this on Sunday mornings while drinking my cup of tea and checking emails. Self care is just as important as any task on your calendar so don’t forget to schedule some time for yourself!
xoxo
Elena Lopez @curlsnpearlsss
