Seriously, if I only knew how productive I could have been before having a toddler. I thought I was busy with a baby and I even thought I was busy before I had a child. How naive I was, truly silly.
We just moved, with a toddler. Two weeks after the move we tore down two walls, with a toddler. I’m pretty sure we’re going crazy, with a toddler.
How to Get Things Done with a Toddler
There are a few things I’ve learned since our little man became more mobile, into everything, way too smart, and somehow insanely sneaky….
- Be prepared
- Use time wisely
- Cut yourself some slack
- When all else fails, go to the zoo or Chic-fil-A.
Being Prepared…
It’s way easier said than done and I fail at this a lot (see reference to cutting yourself some slack).
Ways I Try to Plan and Prepare
- My planner. I’ve tried to keep up with things on my phone, but I’m a paper and pen type of gal. I used the Simplified Planner by Emily Ley. It’s simple, it’s pretty, and there’s plenty of space for just what I need.
- Meal Planner. I use a May Designs notebook especially designed for meal planning and grocery shopping. Since I’ve started using this template it’s been life changing.
- Laundry Ever Morning. Dishes Every Night. Since we moved this hasn’t been happening exactly as I hope but we will get back into the routine.
- Prepared Snacks. Our toddler loves to eat. He now knows that the bottom drawer of the fridge is dedicated to him. If he wants a snack he runs to the fridge and mumbles something about the handles. Once the door is open, he opens the drawer and grabs a snack. This makes the process easy and quick. No fussing child and parents trying to figure out the problem.
- Busy Games. Let’s be honest, as moms we have things to get done. I don’t want to use the tv all the time so having simple little games (mostly found through Pinterest searches) give me 5-10 minutes to finish my hair or prepare dinner.
Using My Time Wisely
- Busy Games. These 5-10 minutes or sometimes longer that simple things like a paper towel roll and the pouch lids give me are tremendous helps. In five minutes, I can finish up something that really needs to be done.
- Nap time. That 1-2 hour period of our afternoon is crucial. This is when mom gets office work done. I sometimes shower and fold laundry also. Then when I see or hear movements on the monitor I quickly wrap up what I’ve got left.
- Getting Up Earlier. I’ve started waking up a little earlier to allow myself some time for a short workout, shower, and some quiet time.
Cutting Yourself Some Slack
- Done is better than perfect
- “Grace Not Perfection” – Emily Ley
- Seriously, you don’t have to be perfect. The Pinterest Mom….if you’re not her, then don’t try to be her.
- You are the ONLY mom for your child(ren).
When All else fails….
- Grab your purse and leave the house.
- Go to the park, the zoo, or CFA.