It is that time again. . .back to the balancing act. The start of school is just around the corner and I am preparing myself to start juggling homework, lunches, and after school activities.
We have backpacks filled with new school supplies, new first day of school outfits hanging in the closet, we have signed up for fall soccer, dance, and gymnastics. I am starting to panic as I think about the busy schedules, all the homework that I will need to help with, and the stacks of papers that will come home.
Here are a few of my ideas of how to manage and balance the busy routines of everyday life as a mother.
1. Simplify
For years I have had a sign hanging above my kitchen sink. It simply says, “SIMPLIFY.” I need that reminder in every aspect of life!
When it comes to extracurricular activities, I need to remember that we are only capable of juggling a certain number of balls. If I try to add too many events to the schedule, we inevitably drop a few balls. We try to be selective about activities that we sign our kids up for. Even with limited activities for each child, it adds up to two soccer teams on two different nights of the week, dance, gymnastics, preschool, scouts and church activities. With so many amazing possibilities around us, it is easy to over schedule.
In our house we also try to simplify by following the motto “less is more.” I believe there is more to life than stuff! Less clothes and less toys = less clutter and less stress. I want to spend time really living life and enjoying my family. When I simplify the amount of things we own, I feel like I have more time to enjoy moments with our family.
2. Enlist Help
I can’t possibly do everything myself. I want my kids to leave home knowing how to cook, clean, manage a home, and manage their time, I know I may be a spoiler sometimes by getting my kids funny boxers, toys, and other things but for me, it is really important they learn to have responsibilities as well. I think back-to-school time is a great time to evaluate chores and how we can work together as a family. By doing chores, the children are daily learning the lessons that will help them later.
I have found that it is easiest to get them to help when they know exactly what is expected and we are consistent with our expectations. I have posted on their bathroom mirrors and in the kitchen a simple list of what we expect them to do each day like in my list I have that I need to call Kitchen Remodels Mission Viejo for a kitchen inspection. I start with a list of things that need to be done each morning, including a simple chore that helps our family get a jump-start on the day, and then I assign additional chores based on age and ability.
Some of our chores include: help to make school lunches, set the table for breakfast, empty trash cans in bathrooms and office into large kitchen trash, unload dishwasher, and unload silverware. The kids also help set the table and pick up just before we eat dinner. Their simple chores make such a difference and help me keep life in balance.
* For great ideas on chore charts, routines, etc., check out our Work and Money Program.
3. Run Ahead, Not Behind
Planning for dinner is one of the biggest ways that I try to run ahead. I plan my menus and then each morning after breakfast, I look at my plan and see what I can do ahead. Just before dinner is crazy at our house! If I can thaw meat or chop vegetables earlier in the day, it makes preparing dinner later a lot easier!
I try to do a little laundry each day so that we don’t have disastrous mornings where no one can find clean underwear or shorts! During the school year, I also try to have a consistent shopping day so that we don’t run out of bread and milk. I have noticed that when I run ahead not behind, we are all better able to handle homework, and I can focus on my children’s needs, not just emergency situations.
4. Take Time for Yourself
The fourth and most important thing that I do is take time each morning for myself. It really does help me to be a better wife and a nicer mom. I like to take time to read, meditate, plan, and focus on priorities: it is a great way to fill my mind with inspiration that will help me throughout the day. My personal time in the morning is not long, but it is a quiet time when I can think.
QUESTION: What is one area of your life that you can simplify so that you can focus your attention on your children when they are home from school?
CHALLENGE: Take time to evaluate what you can do to prepare for a positive school year.
Image provided by Tasha Bradshaw.
Originally published September 11, 2013.
Candi says
I’ve thought of the run-ahead-not behind principal a million times over the last few days!!! Thank you!!
danielle says
Thank you! I tend to get a little zealous and over ambitious when seasons change, and I needed to read this as we are gearing up to start school again. I love the idea to run ahead, and I also am going to do better to get some routines for chores set up…thank you!
Jennifer says
While reading this article I was feeling everything you wrote rang true to me. Then I read that you have 7 kids! I also have 7 children with my oldest being 12 and youngest 2 months ?. We are so much alike we just need to meet ?!
Tasha Bradshaw says
Jennifer, Thanks for your comment! I love to find other moms who know the balancing act that comes from raising many children and balancing the different ages!
Jennifer says
I was just reading your blog (because I’m a stoker ?) and saw that you just had your 8th baby and this article is 2 years old. Congrats! We are still not sure how many more we will be having. I will be following your blog.
Jennifer says
*stalker ?
Tasha Bradshaw says
Jennifer,
I would love to connect with you and discuss the joys of many children! If you get a chance email me at [email protected]
Jennifer says
For sure!
Melanie says
This is a great article! It reminds me of life before stage 4 cancer hit.
I was on the second floor without being able to leave the bed, while the oldest 3 took shifts (AM, afternoon, and evening.) The shifts were watching and feeding the youngest 3, M-F, while my husband was at work. They did this all summer long, and my only way to reach them was by my phone which rang to the 1st floor.
Was the training I’d done worth it? None of the oldest 3 were teenagers yet.
This is probably one of the most important kinds of emergency training one can prepare for within one’s family.
Keep up the great work with training your kids to cook, rotate, clean, weed, fold, sweep, mop (I like how Pippi Longstocking does cleaning day-if you’ve seen the older movie)! These become life-lines!
They (your family) WILL need emotional support too though. There is a book called I Don’t Have to Make it All Better by Gary and Joy Lundberg. It’s worth reading, it’s one of the most spiritually edifying books I’ve ever read!
I still have stage 4 cancer. It’s been over 8 years now. (Most families don’t have this kind of short-term illness going on this long. At some point, hired help does become necessary in getting some of the weekly chores done. The kids are still do chores everyday and they’re taking care of each other really well. 🙂
Tasha says
Melanie,
I can’t imagine living with stage 4 cancer for 8 years. It sounds like your kids have really stepped up to help. We will send prayers your way.
Tasha
Melanie says
Oops, the book is actually called I Don’t Have to Make Everything All Better by Gary and Joy Lundberg. Didn’t check it before posting!
Melanie says
By the way, the posting time has it written as 2:55 AM-ish. I’m writing from the other side (the Western side) of the Pacific aka Eastern Hemisphere, so it’s not nearly as late where I am.
Melanie 🙂