How To Successfully Be A Busy Mom

A few of the ways that I am successful at having a busy, happy family:

It's easy to be busy.
Each of us are.
So the question is...how do we be busy, and still be successful at what we are busy with?

Successfully being busy is about time management and being effective and more efficient.

There is a lot of time on some days, and certainly not enough on others. One key is to still be efficient on the days when you have lots of time, when it's easier to sit back and do nothing. Certainly, allow yourself those days, but don't make them the majority.

I was told, when I first started having children (by a psychiatrist friend), that EACH child needed 20 min. of my time EACH day. Some days that's easier to do, but if you make the time for that 20 min, the rest of the day will run a lot smoother. What I do, is sit with each of my girls when they come home from school and go through their backpack. That takes about 10 min. We will read their library and baggy books (which counts toward the 20 min reading a day) and then go through their papers. It benefits both of us, since I get to see and pay attention to what they are doing at school, and they get to show and tell me about their day. Then we can snuggle, read more books, play a game, talk, etc. It's an amazing time, that really fulfills their need to be loved and appreciated.

Find something you enjoy doing, and make time for that every day. It doesn't matter if it's sitting in a bath by yourself, blogging, exercising, painting...whatever it is, find time for that every day. When you make time for yourself, you will feel much more on top of things and ready to tackle everything else.

Turn off the TV! I have a good friend who took this challenge a few years ago, turned off the TV for a month, and wrote a book! What could you do with all that time????

As much as I hate TO DO lists, they may be helpful for you. I keep a mental list of what I need to do that day, and focus on what needs to be done. If it doesn't get done today, it goes on the list for tomorrow. If it doesn't get done for a week...it's okay! I feel more successful when I have small accomplishments every day, and it boosts me for the next. My mom was always really good at cleaning during down time. I clean and do laundry when I'm on the phone. How can you be more efficient?

Make time for your husband. When he gets home, spend time with him. Talk to him. Lovingly acknowledging his presence in the home will make the mood of the house, and his esteem soar! We were advised when we got married, to have 20 min of touch, talk time every day. This could just be sitting on the couch holding hands. You could do your 20 min right away, or when the kids go to sleep. But make time for your marriage. There must be something magical about 20 min!

Don't be so busy with so many things. There are lots of good things to be busy with. But if you, your children, or your husband are not getting love and attention every day, you aren't succeeding. Perhaps you may need to cut some things out, so you can focus on your family more.

Your family needs you. You need you. If you are overwhelmed, start saying NO a little more :)

These are a few of my thoughts. If you have some, make a comment and let us know how you do it all too! Also, let us know what you need help with, or have questions about!

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