Time management
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Time management
| Fri, 01-14-2005 - 9:32am |
Ok I have serious time management issues. Some of it is that I am so low on energy all the time. I have already
| Fri, 01-14-2005 - 9:32am |
Ok I have serious time management issues. Some of it is that I am so low on energy all the time. I have already
Amanda
Sarah,
What kind of things are you trying to get down that aren't getting done? Maybe you just have too many things on your list. I consider myself a pretty laid back and stress free SAHM. It helps that my kids are a little older now and things weren't always so easy. But I found that when things were the most hectic was when I had too many things on my plate.
Obviously things like cleaning the house and cooking meals are important. I usually spend a few hours once a week cleaning the whole house (naptimes are great for that or when daddy is around to entertain the baby). Then we tidy up each night before bed so the house stays somewhat clean. As far as cooking and groceries, if I plan ahead this goes alot smoother too. I'll put together a grocery list and list of meals to make about once a week. I try to make them simple and not stress too much about it. We'll throw in a leftover night or sandwich night just to make things a little easier.
I remember when both my kids were young and I felt like the house was never clean and I was never accomplishing anything...I used to put things on my list that I'd already done just so I could cross something off : )
As far as no energy, you said you went to the doctor already. Did he check your thyroid? I went almost a year feeling very lifeless and they never checked this. Once I was on meds, I was like a new person. Another thing that makes me low energy is when we don't get out of the house. If I didn't have anything scheduled, it was harder to get motivated. So try to schedule something every morning...a playgroup, a walk (around the mall if it's cold out), meet a friend for coffee, get some groceries...anything to get you moving. I find once I do this, it's easier to get other things done.
I've rambled...but I guess what I'm trying to to say is you need to figure out what things are most important for you to get done and make sure you leave some free time to enjoy being a SAHM.
Hope this helps!
Wendy
Wendy & Amanda both had some really good ideas, and Traci swears by Flylady. I know the times I've been consistant in following the Flylady routine, that it's really helped me. I have the same problems with being tired, even when I'm NOT pregnant. I agree with getting your thyroid checked... I need to get mine checked after this kid comes.
In the meantime, check out Flylady.com or .net or whatever it is, put on some peppy music and have a cup of coffee :o)
Desiree is right! lol
I do swear by flylady.
I am not trying to brag, I swear but here are some of the things I do in a day.
Exercise
Homeschool (we do a style that has me teaching like a classroom)
Cook
Clean
Care for my 19 month old nephew, three year old, seven year old. Two dogs and a cat.
Walk the dogs
and so on...
I manage my time thanks to a free program that I follow at http://www.flylady.net
They tell you how to manage your home so completely that I swear sometimes it feels like I do not even clean my house. Total I clean about 35 minutes a day. I have my home so well organized now that I have time for all the other stuff I do. I really reccomend trying flylady. The website is a lot to read through the first time, so I would give yourself a few days just to read through and understand everything before you try.
p.s. I forgot to say that they also make house cleaning fun!
HTH
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Oh I loved the days she would sit in her saucer. Well she is 2 now. And she will sit still for Sesame Street, Dora and JoJo's Circus and so thru out the day if we are home I will get little breaks. But she is 2 now and at the age where I have to be everywhere with her. Even if I am just sitting next to her. If I try to leave the room to do something forget it. Our dinning, living and kitchen are all in the same area where she can see me, but she still will not let me go to far.
So we spend all day playing. And she is napping less and less so I am burnt out by the time she goes to bed.
Sarah
Yes they have checked my thyroid more than once. I am on meds for anxiety and do much better except for 2 weeks before AF.
I do get laundry and shopping done. The house never seems clean. I do clean good once a week when dh is around to help watch her. Most nights we pick up before bed unless it is very late.
We live where it is warm so we get out for some amount of time everyday. So maybe I am getting things done and I just don't feel productive or I either see other moms that seem so put together. Plus dh says he gets sick of the house being a mess all the time. Well we have a toddler
Sarah
Okay, it's me again. I just want to say I remember very clearly those days that you feel like you're accomplishing nothing (and it does get better : ). I'm sure you're doing far more than you realize. If you actually made a list of everything you did all day, I'm sure it would be very long. They may not be all the things you were planning to do, but oh well. I'm sure you're daughter is fed and clean and the house is livable so that's really what's important.
Try to stop comparing yourself to other moms. You don't know what their lives are like...maybe they have a nanny or a cleaning person or they're actually really frazzled on the inside and are looking at you wondering how you can look so put together.
Maybe instead of always trying to entertain your daughter, try to get her involved in something she can play on her own. At 2 she should be able to keep herself occupied for longer periods of time. If she wants to be near you, have her do things with you. When I would clean, I used to give my kids a spray bottle with water or a feather duster and have them "help" me. Or when I was working in the office, I'd pull another chair up to the desk and give them some "work" to do to. Stuff like that. I used to feel like a really bad mother that I didn't sit down and play with my kids all the time (like my mom friends did : ) But in the long run I've taught them some great skills. They can play so well on their own, they don't even need me around (except to break up a fight now and then : )
And don't be afraid to have another child. My kids are the best of friends and I can't even count the number of times I've said how happy I am that they have each other.
Oh, and if dh complains about the house being messy, tell him he's welcome to tidy up any time he'd like!
Good luck Sarah...hope things get better soon!
Wendy
I can relate!!!
Our house looks like a volcano hit every room. I don't like it one bit! My Dh, unlike yours, could care less, which frankly, doesn't help, because he doesn't help clean up!!
I can also relate to comparing myself to other sahms! There are only a couple of people's houses that look worse than mine. The folk I know--their houses range from compulsively neat to very organized and then there is me :-).
Okay, that doesn't help you solve your challenges ...
Here's my 02 cents ... a) it will get easier to get things done as your daughter gets older, b) I agree with the poster who suggested getting your daughter to do things with you (give her a mini broom, play vacuum, old check register, scraps of paper and pencil for those times you are engaged in those activities ... c) sometimes having a little friend over to play frees you up to make calls or fold laundry or do something else while keeping an eye on them while they entertain each other.
Finally, don't trade videos for time with your child; it's better you play with her and read to her as you are doing. The American Academy of Peds recommends no tv before the age of two and then I think the consensus is expose kids to as little as possible. As much as an hour a day can have a cognitive impact. That being said, my girls (2 and 4) watch about a 1/2 hour of Dora or Blue or Little Bear most afternoons. I would prefer they not and make an effort to keep them happy and busy rather than in front of the tv, but sometimes it really can provide a necessary breather for everyone.
Good luck and be kind to yourself!
Meg