GET READY FIRST THING
When I was growing up, my mother always woke up, exercised, showered, got fully dressed and made up before the rest of the house even stretched in their beds. The house was tidy and her bed perfectly made.
As a kid, I didn’t understand why she wasn’t hanging out in her pj’s too.
Now I see that exercising, getting ready, and making your bed makes the first snippet of the morning just for you. You’ve already succeeded!
– Exercise creates endorphins.
– Clearing clutter calms chaos.
– Getting dressed and reasonably put together makes you feel great.
When my girls were newborns it really helped me enjoy that first season of motherhood.
Even fresh from the hospital, I showered, got ready, made my bed, and kept my home tidy. It wasn’t hard.
And it was wonderful to be in a pleasant environment when you’re at home so much.
And to look good!
And to feel a little more in control when things can be unpredictable.
It’s also so nice to be ready for anything! Someone pops by, great. Decide to run out for a breakfast date? You’re good to go.
Navigating nap schedules can take some choreography 😅 so that’s 20 more minutes in your favor to do something better.
Finally, believe it or not, but working out actually gives you so much energy for the day.
I feel incredibly tired when I haven’t exercised. I know my clients feel the same too.
READ
Add even more points to feeling great for the day by reading an actual book or magazine for just ten minutes instead of looking at your phone. I like to read about self-improvement in business, parenting, nutrition, relationships, etc. We are all navigating challenges and opportunities to grow and I like to turn to those wiser than me to help me succeed.
My absolute favorite books on parenting are Bringing up Bebe (especially in pregnancy), Natural Hospital Birth (pregnancy), The Happiest Baby on the Block (newborn time), There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather and French Kids Eat Everything (I read these when Annecy was around 2 and thought they were both fabulous whether you’re a parent or not).
ASK FOR HELP
It takes a village they say, except personally, we don’t have one. When you’re pregnant everyone says they’re going to come help and want to watch the baby. But then no one does. 🙂
Don’t get me wrong, we were treated to beautiful meals and wonderful visitors when the girls were first born – such a wonderful part of the newborn stage – but then life carries on…
We don’t have family around, and only one friend has ever specifically offered to take the girls. And not just to ‘babysit’, but because she genuinely wanted to spend time with them and know them on a personal level (and also give my husband and I some time together). 🤍
All I wish for is for others to love and know my girls. They are amazing.
Anyway, we working mothers and fathers need help!
And because I personally love hanging out with my family, I’m all for paying someone to come tidy up the house and run errands so that I get to enjoy them and take some stress off my plate. It is way less expensive than you think.
I recommend looking for a mother’s helper/house assistant/housekeeper to help fold and put away laundry, unload the dishes, and keep things organized.
No working parent has time to handle all of this on your own.
It’s the perfect job for a high school or college student and even just 3 hours a week makes a massive difference.
In fact, I was a mother’s helper when I was a kid and I absolutely loved it.
TUNE OUT THE NEGATIVE
There is a trend in parenting that refers to loving long walks though Target to escape your kids and relying heavily on wine and coffee to survive the day.
When I hear that kind of chatter I wonder how happy the person was before they had children.
Listen, parenting absolutely isn’t easy but it’s also wonderful. Children are awesome.
It’s so important to surround yourself with positive influences who love their lives and honor their families.
I hope this helps! It certainly helps me.
