In this article, we will talk about Productivity Tips for Busy Moms. Productivity and motherhood can seem like oxymorons at times. Children take up vast amounts of time, and sometimes it seems that they spend most of that time in chaos.
However, as moms, we can attempt to be more productive in the chaos that is childhood. There are a few tips for improving productivity, and we know that in a perfect world, they all work in harmony, but this is not a perfect world. Some days, some of them will not work at all. Here are five tips for being more productive.
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms :
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms number one: Get a Planner
I am not suggesting that you get a Happy Planner, Erin Condren, or Stephen Covey, planner. You can get our FREE PLANNER or use Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook.
However, I do suggest writing down or uploading your schedule or plans. For distant plans, one of the best pieces of advice I have gotten is to use an erasable marker or sticky note.
That way, if the dates change, you can change it without white-out. I have several planners, but they serve their purposes for me. You should come up with a system that works for you. If you are a visual person, several planner companies make productivity stickers you can use for appointments, goals, meal planning, and other school assignments.
I do not suggest using multiple planners if you have not used them much in the past, but if you have been using one for work (for working moms), I might suggest a separate one for home.
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms number Two: Plan Meals
There’s that plan word again. However, this is one of the best time savers for my house. On Saturday night or Sunday after worship services, we discuss the weekly meals.
This discussion is where my family planner comes in handy. We know if there is a day when we will be out later and may need to grab food from a restaurant.
However, we also try to plan which restaurant ahead of time so that we do not ask “what do you want” at 7 P.M. when we are tired and hungry. Sometimes our meal plans change, but by planning our meals, we also know what we will need from the grocery store.
On rare weeks we have little to do, I will sometimes throw together some freezer meals for the slow cooker. Then we can dump and go in the morning on busy days.
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms number Three: Set Goals
Let each person in the family set goals. Parents, kids, and babies can all have goals. While your baby’s goal may be set and facilitated by you, it will give you something to work on consistently.
Your baby’s goal might be as simple as throw the ball more. You will play with the baby with the ball more to help the gross motor skills. That’s fine. Your teenager, on the other hand, may set a goal to read two chapters ahead in the book for English class.
Your goal may be to put dishes away within one hour of the dishwasher finishing. Goals do not have to be earth-shattering. They only need to be things you want to work on improving. If you have a goal, you will be more likely to try to achieve it.
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms number Four : Get Help
I do not mean to hire a maid, but you can if you want. I mean, teach the kids responsibility. Make them do the dishes, take out the trash, and mow the lawn.
Children used to have to do these things, and many parents have gotten away from it, especially since children are often busier than they used to be. Teach your children that extracurriculars are fun and look good on a college application, but that your home and family are your first priorities.
Work together. Let them see you cleaning while they load and unload the dishwasher. Start a load of laundry before dinner and let them put them in the dryer after.
They will see that they are part of the team at home, and you will have less to occupy your time. This will free you up to take care of adult things like budgeting.
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms number Five: Relax
Relaxation can help you to be more productive, believe it or not. When you feel rested and less frazzled, you will be more productive and feel like doing more.
Make sure that your relaxation includes self-care like a pedicure, bubble bath, or meditation. Pedicures can be you painting your nails on your bed while watching your favorite guilty pleasure television show.
Your relaxation time does not have to be some major production. It can also include a movie night on the couch with the kids and a bowl of popcorn. Time to unwind is vital for all members of the family.
Bottom Line
While there are hundreds of things you could probably do to increase productivity, these tasks will help you in many aspects of life. Goals, for instance, can be set daily, weekly, monthly, or annually. You may choose to set goals for each. Long-term and short-term goal setting can keep adults and children focused.
Relaxation is also an essential task for everyone. We often think that children have few stressors, but the pressure to do well in school and sports can be very heavy for children.They need to have time to be kids and run through sprinklers and climb the jungle-gym.
Parents need time alone on date nights, and they need time with their kids. Sometimes these things must be scheduled, and planners can help them do this without missing essential activities.
None of these tips are designed to make you feel overwhelmed. Recruiting teen help is going to be met with a sigh and possibly stomping, but you will be secure in knowing that your children can care for themselves once they leave home. Let that roll right off your back.
Let the meal planning be a group effort. You may even choose to let it be a rotational thing. Let each person choose dinner one night. They also get to help cook that night. You will supervise and monitor the youngest children. Do not let life get in the way of happiness. Your parenting time will survive if you have some entirely unproductive days. It will be okay.
Read more :
The Challenges Of Being A Stay At Home Mom And How To Make The Best Of Them