Nanny to Mommy

1. Make the Bed Everyday. The entire house can be dirty, but a made bed makes things look a whole lot cleaner. I have no idea why. But I swear it does. My dad would make his side of the bed and my step-mom would make hers. Whatever works!

2. Get dressed everyday. Even if it is in sweat pants or leggings. The more put together you feel, the more things you’ll feel like getting done. Promise.

3. Keep a Calendar. I have a calendar because I would tell myself there was something I wanted to go to (like story time for the kids) or needed to go to (like a doctor or dentist appointment), but it would fall right out of my brain. The notorious "mom brain". Once I started keeping a calendar, I would keep my appointments more frequently. I also like to keep a daily agenda or goals for the day.

4. Find Time for Self Care. Easier said than done, right? This one, you will have to get your spouse on board. Don't be like me and feel like because it's "your job" to stay home with the kids all day that you shouldn't expect him to pitch in with the kids. He honestly should want to spend one-on-one time with the kids so he can be a quality presence in their lives that they remember. Or find a close friend, family member, or even a neighbor you can trade time with. I understand not all situations are the same and - for some people - it can be harder to find time. But time to yourself is essential when you are around children 24/7.

You need to take care of yourself both mentally and physically every day. Make sure to learn some more about intimate care and how you can include it in your daily routine. This level of self-appreciation can really boost your mood and productivity.

5. Squeeze in 30 minutes of activity. Take the kids on a walk, do baby time yoga sessions, or, if you can afford it, drop the kids off at the gym daycare and get your work out on. Getting your heart rate up for 30 minutes everyday will help your mental state. This one was unexpected for me. I heard it all the time, but ignored it. But I swear, it works!

6. Find a cleaning schedule that works for you. There are tons of Printables online for cleaning routines. And some may say "the chores can wait" and while I agree with this to a degree, clutter is terrible for your mental state plus getting your children in on helping with the chores will help them in the long run, so they can start learning to take care of themselves now. I have a rule about "stuff", if you don't play with it or use then I will donate it to someone who will. Another reason I'm a big fan of experience gifts. Plus absence of too many toys has been known to inspire creativity in children.

7. Don't put too much on your plate. Between keeping up with the house and children there are so many things on your list already. The last thing you need to do is take on more than you can handle. You don't want your plate too full to the point where you feel unbalanced and possibly become unhinged. It's okay if you aren't the perfect, craftsy-Pinterest mom. I know expectations can be high, but try not to stress yourself out about what someone else is doing or what you see on the internet. Be vocal about what you are doing and remember that it is enough.

8. Find your tribe. You need to be around people. And goodness knows I know how hard it can be to reach out and try to make friends, but if that is what you need to do then do the scary thing and at least try. Go to church, go to a local moms group, find a library with a story time, find a local toddler music class, etc. I found a local LeLeche Meet Up (Breastfeeding) that helped me find other moms.

9. Keep Easy Dinner Items on Hand. It is completely okay if you feed your family cereal for dinner. I like to keep eggs on hand because I can make quick scrambled eggs for dinner and my husband is happy because we didn't eat out plus it's something I know everyone will eat with no complaints. Win-win for me too because it is so easy and I didn't have to drive anywhere to pick up food.

10. Communicate. Remember to tell others around you about your needs. Talk to your spouse or significant other and ask them about how they are feeling as well. Ask for help from those around you if you need it. There is no shame at all in asking. I never asked for help because I felt like if I did then that meant I was failing, but I was wrong and you will find there are so many people around you who want to help as well. This can help you find your tribe as well.

What do you think of my tips? Have these tips helped you?