Busy Mom's Survival Guide: Five Simple Time-Maximizing Tips
If you're among the 72 percent of moms who work full-time - I probably don't need to tell you our workday is similar to the marathon.
On work and school days, a recent survey showed we log about 13 hours of work time daily between our (paying) job and being a mom (our non-paying job.)
It's easy to feel overwhelmed at times with so many different tasks competing for our time and attention. Here are five simple ways to make the most of your time each day.
1. Don't Skip Breakfast.
Mornings are the busiest time for moms. That's when we're trying to get everyone out the door for school and work. Although you know skipping breakfast is not the best idea, some chaotic mornings its hard not not to consider it.
A quick and easy alternative to skipping breakfast? Stock the cabinet with nutritious options like
Carnation Breakfast Essentials.
Each serving of the mix-it-yourself packet or ready-to-drink bottles contain twice the protein of an egg and twice the calcium of yogurt. And it packs a whopping 21 essential vitamins and minerals into every serving.
It's budget friendly, too; each serving averages about $.76 when you mix it yourself with milk.
2. Reduce Stress by Making Technology Your Friend.
Today's technology can both help you organize your day and relax from it.
Whether you're running errands or watching soccer practice, an Android smartphone is a dream for moms who, by their very job description, are multi-taskers. Wait time can become productive time - if you have the right tools to help you keep it all together.
The new
LG Optimus M from MetroPCS
Android smartphone (about $229), is a budget-friendly, do-it-all organizer that puts all the tools a mom needs each day at her fingertips.
With more than 100,000 apps, you've got information galore at your fingertips, whether your crisis du jour is researching the theory of relativity for your child's homework assignment or just finding the best online coupons for your run to the grocery store.
3. Get the Kids Involved in Homework.
Get the kids involved in homework - and I'm not talking about the kind they bring home from school, either.
I've checked the dictionary, and it seems that the words "mom" and "maid" really aren't synonymous, after all. Kids' concepts of the words notwithstanding.
Much like caring for our kids overlaps with our job obligations, so too does the requisite cleaning and organizing our homes require each week over lap with our larger goals as a parent.
In short: Even if it is easier to clean up ourselves, it's in a parent's job description to adequately prepare our children for life in the real world - like when they'll have to clean toilets and change sheets themselves.
By delegating
age-appropriate chores to kids each week,
you'll eventually lessen your load each week and teach them the skills they'll need to live on their own someday.
4. Conquering Clutter, Cleaning and Chaos.
The three dreaded Cs - clutter, cleaning and chaos - aren't nearly as daunting as they might seem when it comes to daily family life.
Start by adding
a few simple clutter-busting strategies
to your daily routine. (Yes, the kids should help - but mom is the one charged with creating a system that works).
Cleaning with kids
is a lot easier than it may seem on first glace - trust me, kids (well, at least mine and those of most of my friends) really do enjoy the pride that comes with a job well done.
And as every parent knows who's had a finger-painting proudly presented to them, kids crave our approval. This is a great place to take advantage of that.
And the chao factor?
We're the mom, and we're in charge. 'Nuff said.
5. Organize Errands to Save Time and Money.
Taking the time to review your commitments in the week ahead can help save both time and money.
A quick review of the everyone's scheduled practices, rehearsals, and doctor's appointments can help you organize the shopping in the week ahead. And by combining errands that are nearby another obligation, you save yourself an extra trip (time) and use less gas (money).
