Family Living everyone’s lives more in sync. It helps plan ahead and make life a little bit calmer. Along with organizing your schedule, it helps to organize other things as well. Having your pantry, freezer, and papers organized also make life simpler. Bills can get lost and food can be forgotten. Having all this separated and in its own space helps keep things running smoothly. Speaking of bills, I have learned that I forget less if it’s set up to automatic payment. It is a great benefit of many banks to set up payments through online banking. If your bank (or the companies you are paying) offer an option to do so, it may help stream line that aspect of your life. The other major issue I have noticed with being a working mom is keeping my house together (and when I say “together,” I mean clean.) This is probably the hardest part of my job! By the end of the day I am already tired, and I still have to take care of kids. When they go to bed the last thing I want to do is clean. There is two methods
I employ related to this subject. The first I noted above, “let it go” and the other is “never let your house get more the fifteen minutes away from being presentable”. I read somewhere a long time ago about this woman’s motto about never letting her house get past that point. It stuck with me. I feel like if I can at least do that, I’m doing better than nothing. As kids get older and can help more, this becomes easier. My boys are both still young, but if your kids are old enough, get them involved. Children can help keep up with daily household chores. Older children can even help cook and care for younger siblings. Not only does it help the household run smoothly, it teaches them responsibility. In that way, you’ve gotten two for one! If you are an over achiever like me, I have found numerous other things useful as well: • Planning Menus Ahead of Time • Precooking and freezing meals This is especially useful for breakfast
since it is the craziest part of our day! • Setting out clothing for the entire family the night before.
• Using hooks and baskets for coats and shoes This allows kids to care for and find things themselves, even at a young age. • Cleaning check lists • Daily organizing check lists • Shopping lists This saves money and time! I am a huge fan of lists. They help me keep my life and expectations in order. You can go anywhere in my house and find one of my lists. Not all people work that way though. In the end, all that matters is that you and your kids are happy and healthy. If you are that far, you’re doing it right! Don’t compare your family to others. Every situation is different. Every family is different. Every mom is different!
REACH EVERY MOM IN SWVA FOR PENNIES The Largest Reach of ANY Publication natashia@growingupinthevalley.com
No registration required - Sorry, family discount cannot apply. www.blueridgeacademyofmusic.com - info@blueridgeacademyofmusic.com 3585 Blue Ridge Blvd. (Blue Ridge Mall, Rte. 460 E) Blue Ridge, VA - 540-977-2710 may 2014 • growingupinthevalley.com
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