Some days as a mother of two toddlers, I feel like I’m operating in a permanent state of chaos. Unfortunately, I can’t say that the kids are the only contributors to the chaos. Working outside of the home and commuting daily presents itself with no shortage of challenges. I actually feel wiser the older I get (good thing because I have a birthday this week!!). I want to share a few tips I’ve learned that help me kick the chaos:
Have a Nightly Bedtime Routine & Stick to It!
I’m a stickler for routine, and so are my kids. I don’t get bent out of shape if bedtime isn’t exactly the same every night, but we have a goal that we shoot for. I do bath, my husband brushes their teeth, and we swap off story time and prayer time.
Find what works for you and keep your kids on a schedule. Kids tend to act out when they are over tired.
Start the bedtime routine before they actually get sleepy to minimize the meltdowns.
Set Aside Time For Your Family
When things get too crazy at my house, I want to retreat somewhere alone.
While having alone time does wonders for the mind and spirit, it doesn’t solve the problem of chaos.
Sometimes we get so stuck in our routines that we don’t take the time to enjoy life together as a family. We take our families for granted and go through the motions. Spending time together helps you appreciate what each member of the family has to offer-even the little ones.
On the weekends, go the park and run around. Have movie nights. Take a walk around the neighborhood.
Plan Age Appropriate Structured Activities for Your Kids
The dollar bins at Target have great finds. Instead of them running around the house yelling and fighting, have them practice reading, writing or artistic abilities. It will buy you a few moments of quiet time!
One of my favorite activities for my children is painting and coloring with Crayola’s color wonder art supplies.
Both of my children can make a mess, and none of it will ruin their clothes or my house. The color stays on the paper provided. The color wonder line is every mom’s dream!
Plan Ahead
Simple things like packing your lunch and picking out your clothes the night before can save as much as 15 minutes in the morning.
If you have young children, pack their diaper bags and book bags the night before as well. Can I tell you that I once forgot my child’s book bag at home? I have no idea how I forgot the whole bookbag. That was pretty embarrassing. Thankfully she was only in Pre-K.
I have also forgotten my lunch on more occasions than I’d like to remember.
On the evenings where I’ve prepacked my lunch and had all of our supplies sitting by the door, I felt less rushed in the morning and my day seemed to go smoother.
Make a Family Budget
One of the most common things that couples argue about is finances. If you get on the same page about how you want to spend and save money, it will alleviate a lot of stress. If you struggle with finances, there are several online resources that can help, like
If you get on the same page about how you want to spend and save money, it will alleviate a lot of stress. If you struggle with finances, there are several online resources that can help, like
If you struggle with finances, there are several online resources that can help, like Mint.com.
Eat Dinner Together
Take this opportunity to talk about your day. Both my husband and I work outside of the home and sometimes we feel like we are strangers passing in the night during the week.
We work together to get the kids in bed so that we can have a few moments of peace before bedtime. Dinner is the one time that we can engage with each other before the night-time routines begin.
Put Your Phone Down
Our society is always connected with someone or something in the digital world.
Believe me when I say I’m not being self-righteous. I’m guilty of it too!
Take some time and appreciate those around you. Give them your undivided attention and put your phone/device down!
Take Some Time to Rest
I have the tendency of working myself to death, then getting angry with my husband for resting.
It’s okay if my home isn’t completely spotless every day. I repeat, it’s okay if my home isn’t completely spotless everyday.
If I’m run down, I can’t be the best mom/wife/sister/daughter/employee that I can be.
Exercise
I’m not talking about hours at the gym, after all, that’s unrealistic for most moms. If all you can do is 30 minutes a day, try to squeeze in some form of physical activity. Your body will thank you! I try to wake up an hour earlier and fit in some Zumba. If I decide to sleep in and miss a morning workout, I find that I sleep better after exerting myself in an evening workout.
There are even times that I slack on my workouts during the week. At that point, I try to squeeze in some physical activity on the weekend by taking my girls to the park.
Chasing them around gives me plenty of exercise!
What helps you kick the chaos in your home? Comment below and tell me all about it! Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog before you go.
Save
These are great tips and such adorable pictures <3
Thank you Hailey! I really enjoyed your page so this means a lot coming from you.
What an excellent list of tips. I can see how implementing some of these would mean such smoother days…I especially like points about eating together, worrying less and praying more (such a struggle!!) :), and finding structured activities for the children! Thanks for posting!!:)
Loved reading this! Excellent advice! And what a beautiful family you have 🙂
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed, stop by again soon!
Loved all of your tips! I definitely have a bed time routine, it just keeps me more sane lol. You have a beautiful family!
Thank you Ros! It keeps me sane too!
I couldn’t agree more!! With 445 am wakes ups to get 2 of 3 to swim practice on time I have to live by number 5! Fantastic tips!
Wow, sounds like you could share some tips as well! Glad you enjoyed 😉
Glad I came here. Looks like you made the list for someone like me. Thank you so much.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Life with kids, especially little ones makes you feel like things get out of control quickly. These things help me.
I love all of the these tips. Especially the worry less pray more… Something that is so hard to actually put into practice. Thank you for these reminders!
It is tough! I’m practicing daily.
Thankfully, we do most of these! Preparing the night before for the next morning has taken off soooo much pressure during our morning routine! 🙂
Now that I have a school aged child, I realize the importance of this!
Wonderful tips! I completely agree with the spending time together, when my kids are really acting up and I stop what I’m doing to play or sit with them for even five minutes, the change in their behavior is incredible. Also love the tip about putting the phone down! Everywhere I go people are on their phones when they’re surrounded by people, it is a pet peeves of mine, but with kids at home I feel it can cause a lot of meltdowns since they’re striving for your attention too.
Yes, I’m guilty of being on my phone alot too. Sometimes I’ll just put it in another room.