It doesn’t mean you have to wake up before dawn every day, but getting into the habit of getting up before everyone else in your house, and especially before the kids, has some advantages.
It can give you more of the extra time you need to mentally prepare for the challenges of the day ahead.
You can use these moments to plan your day to start some work, or simply sit in silence. At least you will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet.
When was the last time you had that opportunity?
Therefore, get up early, have time for yourself, and plan your day. Here are some habits that you should think about.
1. Shape Your Day
You may wake up with the best of intentions, thinking about the things you want to do that day, but then your children will wake up too.
Suddenly, you will find yourself immersed in: “Mom, do this” or “Mom, I need this”, or something else.
If you don’t take the time to come up with daily goals and write them down, it is very easy to let your children “tailor” your day. And, before you turn around twice, it is already time to go to sleep, and you’ve done absolutely nothing.
Because of that, get up early every morning, take time for yourself, and modify your obligations and your day.
Writing down your goals (making a to-do list) not only makes you more responsible but also gives you a sense of achievement.
2. Develop a Routine and Stick to It
Having a routine is a very important thing.
Of course, there is something in spontaneity, but it has its place and time.
When it comes to staying at home with the little ones, having a routine and sticking to a schedule makes the difference between normal, total, and extreme chaos.
It doesn’t mean that you have to do the same things every day, because that kind of monotony would drive everyone crazy.
But, having a solid structure or framework of action makes a huge difference. So, it helps you cope with your children’s behavior much easier.
3. Do Something Unusual
Routines and schedules are important when it comes to the happiness of mom-housewives. But some unusual things are also important.
Because of that, plan a trip to nature, to a local museum, or meet up with some mommy friends in the nearest playroom.
It doesn’t mean that you need to do something crazy or extravagant, it just has to be something different from everyday and usual. You and your children will be happy about it.
4. Involve the Children in the Housework
As a stay-at-home mom, it is easy to feel responsible for absolutely everything – from cooking and cleaning to taking care of pets or the family budget. Also, the thought of even more work is the last thing on your mind.
So, try to involve your children in your work.
By involving your children in your daily household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry, you will not only develop great habits in your children, but you will bond with them even more closely.
If you have a toddler who shows interest in what you do, find a way to involve him in the work. Let him help you set the table for a meal, feed a pet, mix lunch, or something else.
It may take you a few minutes at first, but it will work out in the long run. This also creates an image for your toddler that household chores are fun, so maybe it will be easier for him later.
5. Tidy Up a Little Every Day
One part of the responsibilities of a housewife mom is to take care of the cleanliness of the house. The idea of trying to clean up the whole house while taking care of your children can be absolutely terrifying.
The key is to keep the house relatively clean by doing minor cleaning jobs every day. Some things should be done daily, such as laundry, washing dishes, making the bed, cleaning the floor, and the like.
Other chores could be done once a week, such as dusting, cleaning the bathroom, vacuum cleaning…
6. Get Out of the House
As a stay-at-home mom, you don’t have to be at home all the time. Go outside, explore the neighborhood, and spend some time in the yard.
A change of environment will not only provide your children with mental and visual stimulation, but it will also help you maintain your sanity.
Plus, spending time away from home gives you the chance to make friends with some other moms, which is also important.
7. Plan Time for You and Your Spouse
There is no doubt that spending quality time with your children is important, but it is also important to spend quality time with your spouse.
As moms, housewives tend to put their children before themselves and in front of their spouses, but that shouldn’t be the case all the time.
You mustn’t exhaust yourself completely.
You need time to recharge your energy. So, take yourself a warm bath, and plan an evening out…even if it is just about the time at home when your children go to bed.
Do not be ashamed to be a little selfish.
8. Don’t Be Rude to Yourself
There will be days when you will not have time to do anything else except make sure you keep your little ones alive.
So, do not consider yourself a failure in any way. Remember that you are only a human being and that there will always be good and bad days.