have you ever thought that there is no time in the day to get through the chores . has the day been stressful? have you spent all day with your crying toddler ?
have you spent part of the day on the phone waiting in a queue just to
get through to a company enquiry?
if you have answered yes to any of these then you need to reassess your situation
basically like anything in life you need a structural plan. like everything in life it needs to be flexable. why? because things wont always go as planned. but if you have allowed for this things will flow easier.
now all this might seem time consuming . you might think that the results are not forthcoming. but like a lot of things in life you need to take small steps. there will be times that you take one small step forward and a few big steps back. dont despair. this happens to everyone in life sometime and in various situations.
the important and crucial point though is your attitude and the way you handle all this thats important. have you looked at someone thinking why are they able to take things in their stride? why do they make it all look so easy? if you have a positive mind it shows on your face. your body language says it all the way you stand everything . this is also reflected if you have a negative mind except in this case its not what you say or do but what you dont say and do
even babies pick up on the tension and facial expression and body language.
i have written another advice on how important it is to make a list. even basic things like making a bed . if you dont achieve something on that list today add it on again for tomorrow. you will be amazed at how much you have actually achieved . without a list you feel less contentment and dwell more on things that werent achieved. i wont go too much into that (you can read my advice from previous)
what are some of things that can make your day easier? invest in a cordless phone . (you will be surprised at all the things you can get done whilst on hold .it enables you the freedom of walking around for starters so you can even check up on baby if they are sleeping you can check on your cooking even start up the washing machine the list is endless)if you dont already have one. too expensive ? you cant afford it.put money aside just for that but dont touch it. make a couple of sacrifices for a little and when you have saved go buy it. check catalogues for sale prices as the date gets closer to having the money. but remember dont know matter how much you need that money dip into it. after all you would have spent it if you hadnt made those temporary sacrifices.
you cant think of ways to cut back? we all can cut back regardless wht we tell ourselves and what we believe.
here are some examples for ways to achieve this. ive gone shopping with the toddler . oh let me stop for coffee. i will also have a cake . $5 for coffee $3 for cake . $2 for toddlers icecream total $10 why not go home ten minutes away. make yourself a coffee scoop up some icecream from home freezer for toddler . no cake? substitue with a biscuit yogurt nuts cocolate that you have bought from the supermarket much cheaper! to get the atmosphere sit outside in the sun. its winter no problems!. find the sunniest room in the house draw open the curtains or blinds and allow the sun (if there is any) to filter through. enjoy that sun on your face shoulders . allow it to kiss your whole body. its healthier for you too . vitamin d is formed by the action of sunlight on the skin . increased amount is needed during growth, pregnancy and breast-feeding
it is essential for normal bone formation so its great for children too.winter time is important to get the sunlight . i remember when my boys were young and i worked full time i would get home 6pm or sometimes 7pm i wouldnt see the sunlight then i would take over from hubby and finish the cooking . i would have to wash the nappies and wash the dishes. hubby worked too but he would get home at 4pm. i was feeling very tired and my bones ached. an older wiser woman at work told me i was probably lacking vitamin d . she told me i neede to get out in the sun! so at work although i only would take a half hour for lunch on sunny days i would sit out in the park or stroll to the shops and eat my lunch. if i had more time(i worked flexi so it depended on what time i got in and what time i left and what i had accumilated in hours) i would indulge myself and takeone hour for lunch.
when i wasnt working i would organise my day. i would treat it as if i had an appointment so i would dress my toddlers feed them their breakfast and clean up. occupy them for a half hour with a dvd whilst you quickly make the beds shower dress and apply a touch of makeup. i found if i do my face it gives me added confidence. if you dont like wearing makeup maybe a little perfume or lovely practical casual clothes. talking of clothes i would always dress nicely but slip on an old top whilst feeding little ones or doing housework. that way it didnt matter if i got stains on it or got it dirty. if someone dropped by unexpectedly or i had to go down the street or hubby came home from work i would quickly take off the old top and change into my other top.i would have it close by and handy. i learnt the hard way on this one.
working in an office i was always dressed neat and tidy so when i stopped working i found it very hard not to be dressed neatly. but i found myself in and out of the house whether it was to drop off the children to school or go to the shops or go out. i was spending so much time getting in and out of outfits. then i realised its the top that gets dirty .
the one that i like the most was to relax in the bath tub. you can do this whilst baby is sleeping . keep the bathroom door open . if you have a young baby have them sleep in their bassinet . wheel it to a room close to the bathroom by having the bathroom door open you can hear baby if they are crying. use bath crystals to relax there are the cheaper salts from the supermarket that work wonders you dont have to buy an expensive brand.
baths always relaxed me and many a time saved my sanity. they are great to relieve some tension also from relationships or money woes. there is something very relaxing about baths . if you can have one last thing at night before bed even better.
have a small circle of friends where you can take it in turns to go to each others houses like a "play group" this allows your children to interact. it also gives you an opportunity for contact with other mums .this is only a suggestion there are other activities around . each local area is different.you need to check it out. some libraries have story telling . this gives you an opportunity to relax in the library and read if you dont want to leave your child out of sight . if you dont mind leaving them with the care of the story teller go for a stroll by the park. most libraries are situated by parkland or playground for children.
take the children to the park. be a big kid yourself and swing on the swing !!! you will feel rejuvenated all these get the endorfins moving in your body. the release of endorfins gives one the feeling of eurphoria and happiness.
there are other methods too . think outside the circle. different methods suit different people these are only suggestions .
one more thing do take the time "to smell the roses" i was taught that earlier in life and that has helped me many times. after all the chores are never ending
an update and an important one too
try to have an annual holiday or split it up to 2 or 3 lots during the year. If you are working you need to take the break as they come along. Dont let them accumilate unless you are saving to go overseas and therefore you take 2 years in the 1 year.
research has shown and thats why industries are all for holidays that people that take holidays annually perform better and are less stressed than people that dont take their holidays as scheduled.
if you can afford it go overseas. children too. why not? if children have been brought up with boundaries(see my previous advice) then it shouldnt be aburden. all the family. all the family help out.
if you cant afford an overseas holiday. try to get away for a couple of days camping. grandparents beach house. last but not least if you still cant afford that set up camp in the back yard. time spent outdoors all day. dont forget though to protect from the sun and use sun screen. sit in the shade or play in the shade. go to the park. incorporate that in part of your camping. At night go into the house sleep in the house but change rooms. pretend its the motel. children will love it. change routine around.
If you are fortunate enough and the grandparents have the children during the break. Take full advanatage of this time. and make it all about me
(June 11th) (
People often forget about the simple little things to make life a little bit more positive when everything around you seems so rushed... 
