There is so much to do during our day as busy moms. We need to take care of our family, the house, and hopefully ourselves as well.
What does your daily to-do list look like? Are you able to get it all done? Are you stressed when you are not able to fit it all in? Here are some thoughts to manage life as a busy momma.
My View
My hubby and I are both list makers. He has lists for his lists. Literally. The difference between him and I is that if I have things left on my to do list, it is a weight on my shoulders. A burden that I will carry until I either get it done, or decide that it should never have been put on the list in the first place.
For the first time in my life (ok, that’s an exaggeration, maybe just the first time in a while) I have not been able to do all that I want to do. My hubby tells me it is alright, he is impressed that I get as much done as I do. But this doesn’t help. I WANT to do it all!!
I want to homeschool, go to the gym, craft, make great dinners, bake my own bread, spend quality time with each of my children, snuggle on the couch with my hubby, write compelling blog posts, the list goes on and on and….
As I have been coming to terms with the reality that I just can’t do it all, I remembered hearing an analogy of how to prioritize your life. Maybe you have heard this before. It starts with a big jar or bowl. If you fill it with little pebbles first, and then put big rocks in last, it won’t all fit. But, if you put the big rocks in first, and then fill it with the little pebbles, it will actually all fit in the jar!
What To Do About It
Mountains.
These are the things that are non-negotiable. The true needs. The things that are required for existence. People over use the word “need.” I need to do this… I need to do that… No, no you don’t.
- Feed and clothe my family (That is it, that’s all I really “need” to do. And maybe wipe them down every now and then.)
Boulders.
These are the really important things, but not a need. If it came down to it, I could stop or pause if I needed to.
- Homeschool
- Laundry (As in wash and dry. Putting them away is not as important. Life will not end with wrinkled clothes.)
- Children’s extracurricular activities (Sports, arts, clubs, etc.)
Cobbles.
These are the things I know will help my attitude or my children’s attitude and in turn help me to be a better wife and mother. These are really the same level of importance as Boulders, but more self-focused.
- Spend time in silence before the kids are up
- Snuggle with my kiddos
- Snuggle with my hubby
- Exercise
Stones.
These are the things I want to do. More than likely, I will only have time for one of these.
- Blog
- Craft
- Rest
Pebbles.
These are things I should do, but don’t necessarily want or have to do.
- Clean (Nobody cares if my bookshelf is dusty or there are spots on the floor, but I personally would like to have it done.)
- Laundry (As in fold them and put them away.)
Sand.
These are things I need to let go of and accept that this is not necessary in my current season of life.
- Baking bread (But it’s sooo yummy!!)
- Working in the yard (Trimming bushes and pulling weeds will have to wait.)
I know myself well enough to know that if I am overwhelmed, I shut down. So I made a list of a few things that can be done in about 5 minutes. These are “pebbles,” the little things that I fit in throughout the day.
- Unload the dishwasher
- Put a load in the washer
- Put a load in the dryer
- Dust a room
- Throw away trash in the car
- Hang up clothes in bedroom
Final Thought
I’m sure I have missed about a dozen things that belong on these lists. And most likely your list will not look just like mine. We all have different priorities of things that will keep us productive and calm. The important thing is to be intentional with your time. Know when to leave items off your to-do list. Go snuggle those babies!
xoxo
