Simple strategies to help busy moms live better

Motherhood is a wonderful “job,” but it is also fast, full and frequently noisy. There’s so much rush, so much to do that moms often miss the opportunity to enjoy the process of their daily lives. Sometimes it may be very easy for a mother to feel like she is failing at everything (you’re not). Remember, there is no such thing as a mom who has it all together, there are, however, busy moms with a great strategy. Whether you’re a working mom, stay-at-home mom, single mom, or any type of mom, we know you are working hard every day to be there for your family and maybe also maintain your career. There is just so much to do all the time and it seems like the child is always needing something. In this article you will find some tips and tricks for busy moms that can make their daily life feel less rushed and more balanced.

Mommas, You Need to Slow Down and Feel the Joy 

These days more and more women are juggling motherhood, career, school, family, housekeeping, cooking and whatever else life throws at them. You can do it all by finding ways to make the most of your time and stay organized.

• Decluttering

First, let us tell you that you can make housekeeping easier by reducing the clutter. Remember, clutter has many negative effects, such as triggering anxiety. One thing you need to do is to throw away broken toys and items that have missing pieces. Take out any toys that are no longer age appropriate. Pick out toys that the children don’t play with and put them aside for a garage sale or consider donating them or passing them on to a friend. Then we recommend to divide toys into three categories: thinking toys (puzzles, board games, shape sorters), pretend play (play food, dolls, blocks), and toys that encourage gross motor play (balls, push toys, cars). When you have the items sorted, there should be three piles, one for each category. Lastly , you need to place each group of toys into a large box and label it.

In this context, you can also give your kids age-appropriate responsibilities as it helps them learn independence and responsibility. Toddlers can learn to put toys away, hang up their coat, and do small sweeping jobs, for example. Remember, every little thing kids can learn to do for themselves is one less thing their mom has to do for them.

Decluttering your wardrobe can also help simplify your life by saving you time getting ready and freeing up space in your overstuffed closet.

• Meal planning and time management really go hand in hand!

By planning ahead and organizing your meals, it means there’s no more last minute trips to the shops and reduces the aimless wandering and overspending when you’re there.

Also, prepping in advance can help you manage your portion sizes which means you’ll be less likely to overeat as well as helping to reduce the amount of food you waste. Therefore, the magic of meal planning reduces the stress of cooking last minute, helps you save money as well as avoiding unhealthy options.

And if you are looking for some weight loss tips, check out this amazing tip compilation from Zoylo:

• Less social media time, more “kid and me” time.

Furthermore, we recommend you to spend less time on social media as it can start to affect you mentally by comparing your life to the filtered lives of others, even subconsciously. Also, excessive use of social media has been proved to have a negative effect parenting; causing parental distraction, decreasing the level of everyday parental engagement, and even making a child more likely to be at risk for injury. Instead, try walking or going out with your children as this will help you bond with them.

• Finding the right tools!

I cannot stress this enough! Motherhood is wonderful, but all of its demands can be tough as most of the moms keep their plates pretty full. It can be very difficult to take care of everyone (and yourselves!) without the right baby tools that help you in everything you need to do.

• A high baby chair

A high baby chair can very useful not only because it can be used longer than most baby products, but it also makes feeding a WHOLE lot easier. What’s more, high chairs with footrests support your child to develop good sitting posture with their feet flat on the footrest, which increases stability and encourages your child to sit upright without slouching (sacral sitting).

• Diaper Changing Pad

Diapers should be changed every 1 to 2 hours during the day to prevent rashes and irritations that can escalate to larger problems. That’s why you need to invest in a changing pad which will save you more space compared to a changing table; it will keep diapers, baby wipes, lotion, and more in one place; will be more comfortable for your baby and you will be able to take it almost anywhere.

• Stroller

Finding the right stroller is very important too, because it will be your best companion throughout the motherhood journey. Take a look at the Metro Stroller for example:

Not only is this stroller amazingly beautiful (just look at it!), but it is also the perfect mix of practicality and affordability.

The Metro Stroller can help you find the calm that’s been eluding you. Its lightweight aluminum frame that folds compactly, along with the great storage space will make the stroller your best, most reliable friend during your entire motherhood journey. And if you are stuck in the debate of whether your baby would rather be looking around, or looking at you, worry no more. The Metro Stroller offers BOTH! All of this while both front and rear suspensions ensure a heavenly smooth ride. What’s even more awesome is its included rain cover and removable cup holder.

• Playpens

Toys and games aid your child in learning to master motor skills and figuring out how the world works. Playpens provide you with a safe area to place your child in when you need to engage in tasks such as going to the bathroom, cooking dinner, or answering an unexpected but important phone call. Keep a few favourite toys or books in the playpen so that your child associates it with some of her best-loved things. You could even transform the pen into a ball pool by putting a layer of large plastic balls over the base.

In addition, do not forget that a healthy mom is a happy mom, therefore she becomes a better mom. We know that your kids are the most important thing in your life, but sometimes you get so caught up and focused on them that you forget to take care of yourself. Remember that self-neglect and ignoring your personal needs can then make you feel tired, stressed, worn out, and unhealthy. The less you focus on your needs, the less vibrant and healthy you will feel, plus the more difficult it becomes to deliver on your kids’ needs. Some of our top 4 health tips for busy moms include:

• Don’t let your workout get pushed off. Schedule your exercise just like you would an important work meeting or a parent-teacher conference. You can also go running outdoors and take your baby with you on their stroller.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration as it can affect your body even before you know you’re thirsty, and it may leave you with a headache, fatigue, or lack of energy.
• Don’t buy foods you know you shouldn’t be eating. Avoid buying junk, processed food like chips, cookies, sodas, and/or ice cream. It becomes way harder to resist these foods when they’re in the house; and if you’re buying them for the kids, just stop—they don’t need them either. Instead choose healthy snacks.
• Find some time for yourself and be positive. Change your thinking from negative to positive and you can drastically change your life with appreciation and gratitude.
• Lastly, get rid of ridiculous high standards. It is worth noting that experts agree that sometimes parents are their own worst enemies, making parenthood much harder than it has to be. So, slow down and try to enjoy the little moments. It is ok hanging out with your friends sometimes, as well as spending time alone with your partner. Stop mom guilt and forget perfection once and for all. It seems even the best moms stress over the job they’re doing, worrying they’re not good enough. It’s because they love their kids so much. Furthermore, when things don’t work out, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, model to your kids how to recover and keep going. You can only do your best and keep trying every day.

And remember, you are the best mom ever!