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Parenting
Become A More Confident Parent
The dishes may be piled high in the sink and your kids are at each others throat again, but pop in a DVD for them and join me for a bit (don’t worry, those judgy mean girl moms in the carpool lane will never know). Are there nights when you lie awake praying that your kid went to bed knowing they’re loved? Do you have days when you feel like nothing you set out to do is getting done?
I’ve spent years working as a professional nanny and have dealt with all different types of moms. Full-time working moms who are re-entering the workforce after a few years staying home with their child. Part-time working moms who need the outlet of a job and want to contribute financially to their hoursehold. And even a few stay at home moms who need help with the challenges of trying to run a household with a couple little ones underfoot. There’s one thing all of these mothers had in common, and I’m sure you can relate. They often finished their day feeling like there just weren’t enough hours to get it all done. There’s often talk on each side of the mommy war battle lines about sacrifice, but I think that the one thing that every mother is sacrificing is her confidence. The confidence that they are “good enough” as a woman and a mother. The confidence that her parenting choices are the right ones for her family. Between chores, errands, cooking, & cleaning it’s hard not to feel like something gets left on the wayside. I want to show you how you can conquer the clock and become confident that you’re giving your children all the love and attention they need. Let’s not waste any time and get right to two simple strategies to gain control over your calendar.
If you’ve got a hectic schedule it can be easy to double book or have an appointment slip your mind. We’ve all heard the trite saying “passing like two ships in the night” when referring to couples, but I never realized how sad but true that statement is. With two working parents, kids, household chores it can be easy to lose that close realationship between you and your spouse. You know, that one that led to you creating those little ones wreaking havoc in the other room right now. The “parenting and family experts” like to talk about concepts like “checking in” every night with your spouse or having family meetings, but let’s start with baby steps. Be sure to talk to your spouse. Let them know what’s coming down the pike for the next week. Don’t come blowing hrough the door at 5:35 screaming, “why aren’t the kids dressed for dinner?!!” if you never even bothered to tell your partner that dinner out with the neighbors is tonight. There are lots of ways to communicate with each other these days, but it often feels like we are more disconnected than ever. Shoot each other a text if an event comes up that needs to be added to the calendar. Have a shared calendar on your smart phone and add the event to the calendar so both of you are aware of the commitment. And please for the love of God, check with your spouse BEFORE saying yes to something to see if there are any time conflicts. By communicating with your partner you’ll be able to adjust the schedule if necessary and hopefully delegate drop offs, errands, or homework duty accordingly. *Note: Timing is everything when it comes to going over a calendar and coordinating schedules. Right when you’ve walked in the door from work, the kids are clamoring for dinner and asking for help with homework, and the dog is barking to be taken for a walk? NOT the best time. Find a calmer moment and it’s more likely that everyone will remember just what it is that they’re supposed to do tomorrow at 3:45.
It’s taken me years of living (and driving) in Lost Angeles to grasp the concept that you need to plan appropriately how long it takes to get somewhere. And of course in LA, add 20 minutes to that time. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to get somewhere; especially if you getting out the door requires getting a little one out the door simultaneously! Think about if there is going to be a hard time parking or if you have to stop somewhere on the way. Plan accordingly. Growing up we were often running late for events and I’ve carried some of those tendencies with me to adulthood. However, when it comes to my nanny job, I’ve become ruthless at getting out the door on time. That often means “planning” on leaving 10 mins ahead of schedule to leave wiggle room for tantrums or lost shoes. Another way to ensure a fairly quick exit is to have a dedicated spot for things like shoes & jackets, backpacks or briefcases, and especially keys. There’s nothing more frustrating than having everyone dressed and ready to head out the door and then be unable to find your keys. That saying your grandma used to say about “a place for everything and everything in it’s place”? It definitely applies to those things required for getting out the door prepared. This can also help tame the clutter monster; if everyone knows where to put their backpacks, there won’t be a line of them from the door to the couch (theoretically).
These seemingly simple steps can make a surprising difference in how smoothly your day runs. By managing your time more effectively you can feel less harried, less stressed, and be free to be a more patient, engaged, and confident mother. What area would you like help with when it comes to parenting time management?
I’ve spent years working as a professional nanny and have dealt with all different types of moms. Full-time working moms who are re-entering the workforce after a few years staying home with their child. Part-time working moms who need the outlet of a job and want to contribute financially to their hoursehold. And even a few stay at home moms who need help with the challenges of trying to run a household with a couple little ones underfoot. There’s one thing all of these mothers had in common, and I’m sure you can relate. They often finished their day feeling like there just weren’t enough hours to get it all done. There’s often talk on each side of the mommy war battle lines about sacrifice, but I think that the one thing that every mother is sacrificing is her confidence. The confidence that they are “good enough” as a woman and a mother. The confidence that her parenting choices are the right ones for her family. Between chores, errands, cooking, & cleaning it’s hard not to feel like something gets left on the wayside. I want to show you how you can conquer the clock and become confident that you’re giving your children all the love and attention they need. Let’s not waste any time and get right to two simple strategies to gain control over your calendar.
If you’ve got a hectic schedule it can be easy to double book or have an appointment slip your mind. We’ve all heard the trite saying “passing like two ships in the night” when referring to couples, but I never realized how sad but true that statement is. With two working parents, kids, household chores it can be easy to lose that close realationship between you and your spouse. You know, that one that led to you creating those little ones wreaking havoc in the other room right now. The “parenting and family experts” like to talk about concepts like “checking in” every night with your spouse or having family meetings, but let’s start with baby steps. Be sure to talk to your spouse. Let them know what’s coming down the pike for the next week. Don’t come blowing hrough the door at 5:35 screaming, “why aren’t the kids dressed for dinner?!!” if you never even bothered to tell your partner that dinner out with the neighbors is tonight. There are lots of ways to communicate with each other these days, but it often feels like we are more disconnected than ever. Shoot each other a text if an event comes up that needs to be added to the calendar. Have a shared calendar on your smart phone and add the event to the calendar so both of you are aware of the commitment. And please for the love of God, check with your spouse BEFORE saying yes to something to see if there are any time conflicts. By communicating with your partner you’ll be able to adjust the schedule if necessary and hopefully delegate drop offs, errands, or homework duty accordingly. *Note: Timing is everything when it comes to going over a calendar and coordinating schedules. Right when you’ve walked in the door from work, the kids are clamoring for dinner and asking for help with homework, and the dog is barking to be taken for a walk? NOT the best time. Find a calmer moment and it’s more likely that everyone will remember just what it is that they’re supposed to do tomorrow at 3:45.
It’s taken me years of living (and driving) in Lost Angeles to grasp the concept that you need to plan appropriately how long it takes to get somewhere. And of course in LA, add 20 minutes to that time. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to get somewhere; especially if you getting out the door requires getting a little one out the door simultaneously! Think about if there is going to be a hard time parking or if you have to stop somewhere on the way. Plan accordingly. Growing up we were often running late for events and I’ve carried some of those tendencies with me to adulthood. However, when it comes to my nanny job, I’ve become ruthless at getting out the door on time. That often means “planning” on leaving 10 mins ahead of schedule to leave wiggle room for tantrums or lost shoes. Another way to ensure a fairly quick exit is to have a dedicated spot for things like shoes & jackets, backpacks or briefcases, and especially keys. There’s nothing more frustrating than having everyone dressed and ready to head out the door and then be unable to find your keys. That saying your grandma used to say about “a place for everything and everything in it’s place”? It definitely applies to those things required for getting out the door prepared. This can also help tame the clutter monster; if everyone knows where to put their backpacks, there won’t be a line of them from the door to the couch (theoretically).
These seemingly simple steps can make a surprising difference in how smoothly your day runs. By managing your time more effectively you can feel less harried, less stressed, and be free to be a more patient, engaged, and confident mother. What area would you like help with when it comes to parenting time management?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Become A More Confident Parent
Nope!!!
Started fertility treatments 11/2010
Ovarian dysfunction, LPD, male factor
6 failed medicated IUI's
Pregnant 5/2011 - Miscarriage at 6 weeks due to triploidy
Decided to adopt - 6/2012
SURPRISE! Pregnant without intervention - 7/2012
Sweet Baby James Born 3/2013
Decided to be "One and Done"
....OR NOT.
Pregnant 12/2018 despite birth control pills
Here we go again...
Due 8/26/19!
PS - the Fire and Ice series is awesomely longer; I've been reading it since my wedding 7 months ago.
I can't stop laughing!!!!! LOLOLOL