Ages five and under
You've just woken up from a long night only to find that your three and five-year-olds have been having a breakfast party in the living room with cheerios and bananas. And before you even get a chance to ask them what they were doing your three year old looks up at you with his big baby eyes and says " We made breakfast mom."
That cup of water you left on the counter in the middle of the night.....Nowhere in sight. It's not only lying sideways on the floor, its contents are now in your shoe. Yea, that shoe. The one that you needed to put on to go run errands this morning.
Before I get started I have a few words to say.
It's tough. It's REALLY TOUGH!
And before you go on being too hard on yourself, Breathe momma. Know that raising children is probably one of the hardest yet rewarding things you'll ever do in life.
You may feel alone.
You may feel overwhelmed.
You may feel like no one else understands you.
This is completely NORMAL.
We've all been there. There are days when I feel like I'm losing my mind, that no one else cares and the world is going down in flames. It happens.
Raising kids, especially several small kids is difficult. You're constantly on a grind from sunrise to sunset DAILY. If your house is anything like mine, the minute you open your eyes before you even use the bathroom, your kids are asking "What's for breakfast?" or they may be trying to make their own breakfast in the most convenient way possible.
Teaching and helping your little ones with every aspect of life from tying their shoes to brushing their teeth can be tedious and it takes time for all that teaching to pay off. It's not until around the ages of five or six when parents usually start to feel comfortable allowing their kids to manage certain aspects of their own lives. This would include things such as taking a bath or shower on their own, brushing their teeth, making their own simple meals, tying their own shoes, and getting fully dressed on their own. Some children are doing this before the age of five with no problems and that's fantastic. As children get older they start to gain more independence and are able to free up that time that you would otherwise be helping them with. Until then, the days can feel sooooooo long and crazy at times.
So how do you manage to get through it?
The best way to get through this season of life is to just SIMPLIFY your day.
You can make your day easier by doing the following few things.
1. GET UP EARLY
I've noticed that my most challenging days are the days that my kids get up before me. One of the reasons this happens is due to me pulling an all-nighter, due to a sick child or teething baby, sleepwalker or talker, or from choosing to go to bed late just because I needed the extra quiet time. If you make an effort to go to bed early and get up early it makes a huge difference and sets the pace for how the day will go. It's also a perfect time for you to sneak in some quiet time for yourself or for your spouse.
2. CREATE A ROUTINE AND STICK TO IT
Kids thrive in an environment where they can predict what happens next. They need routine. You don't have to create a long detailed routine of the entire day. Start off with just a few scheduled events. Have meals and snacks planned around the same time each day so that your children know when they're going to eat. Little ones get cranky and fussy when they're hungry or thirsty so keeping them on a consistent food schedule is important. When you need to leave the house try to schedule activities and appointments around mealtimes. For tips on grocery shopping with kids click here. Since reading is SUPER important for kids, try to schedule in times to read to your children. Maybe before bed or around lunch. Maybe you can even read to them at dinner. Having a routine not only makes children feel more safe and secure, but it also lets them know what to expect. I don't know how many times, for whatever reason, we've gotten out of our routine and the house was just complete chaos. Once it gets to that point, it's difficult to get back into a routine without a fight. So stay consistent!
3. SIMPLIFY MEALS
Little ones can be picky. They can be REAL PICKY! But don't let a battle over food ruin your day. Give the little people of your life options. Make sure they're options that you approve of. It's not going to hurt them if they eat a cheese stick and a pickle for lunch instead of Macaroni and Cheese or a sandwich. If your day is just completely falling apart, it's OKAY to give them snacks for lunch. Yes, we want them to be healthy and full and I guarantee you, that skipping a hot or healthy meal for lunch is not going to affect their health. Give them a couple of options that are easy and simple even if it's not the best option out there. Use paper plates and napkins for easy cleanup. I promise you won't be the only mom doing it. Choose sanity over mom of the year.
4. SET UP A QUIET TIME EACH DAY
For some this could be your nap time, for others it could be another time set aside just for this. Try to set up a time every day for you to get some peaceful moments. If you have to take a drive down the block just to get your kids to take a nap, DO IT! Roll the windows down and park somewhere and enjoy some quiet time in your vehicle with a book, social media, or a long chat with a friend over the phone with no interruptions. If that's not doable, try getting your quiet time early in the morning or after your kiddos go to bed. You have to make time for you!!
5. PICK AND CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES
We're not going to win every battle so is it worth the argument? If your four year old wants to wear a long sleeve shirt when its seventy degrees outside even after you explain to him that it's too warm, just let it go. If you're going somewhere, pack an extra shirt. Then when he or she figures it out you'll have the shirt ready. Maybe your two year old wants to wear two different shoes? Or maybe they want to wear their pumpkin costume to grandma's house? Is it really going to matter? You may get a couple of awkward stares and maybe a few smiles or laughs if you walk into a store but who cares? Pick and choose your battles. Which leads me to the next tip.
6. LET SOME THINGS GO
This Disney song has been a classic for quite some time now and really brings some great advice with it. Let something go for the day. For example, cleaning the bathroom, putting on makeup, folding and drying the towels, etc, etc..…..if you don't have time to get to it, don't stress it. LET IT GO! It's not going to hurt anything if you give up chores for the day and everything else. Think about it. When we're physically sick we don't clean, so think of it as your mind needs a break for the day. Hang out in your PJs. Go ALL NATURAL if you don't do it already. Watch a movie with the kids and relax for the day. Your kids will enjoy it!
6. GET ON THEIR LEVEL
Sometimes nothing is better for a kid than getting down on the floor and having a conversation with your child eye to eye or even playing on the floor with toys, puzzles, blocks, etc. Kids love this so much!!! As parents, we have so much on our to-do list and always seem to feel like we have no extra time for anything else. We're quick to throw our kids in front of the TV or give them an Ipad to keep them occupied. The truth of the matter is that your kids really just want you and your undivided attention. I'm not saying do this for hours. Stop what you're doing, even if it's only for five to ten minutes, and give them some of your undivided attention. You'll realize real quick how far five minutes can go with toddlers and little ones. Sometimes that five or ten minutes is just enough to keep them going and playing for a few hours independently.
7. GET OUTSIDE
Wanting to play outside is just a part of being a kid. Children have that natural instinct of wanting to explore and run. Not only does this keep them healthy, but it also boosts their motor and sensory skills. Kids come up with all sorts of things to do when they're outside. Being outside sparks their imaginations and encourages them to be independent. Try to spend some time outside every day if possible. Fresh air is good for everyone!
8. ENCOURAGE YOURSELF
To me, this is one of, if not, the most important tip you could take. If you can't encourage yourself, allow someone else to. Often we blame ourselves for every little thing that goes wrong when it comes to our parenting abilities and this could be the furthest from the truth. When you're having a rough day or feel like you're mentally spiraling down, give yourself grace. You're not perfect. Noone is. Unexpected things will happen, wrong words may be said and situations may not always be in your favor. Don't stress about it. Remind yourself that you're doing a good job even if it's not your best. Everyone has there good and bad days. Give yourself a pep talk, call a friend, open up your bible, browse you-tube, read an inspiring book, listen to some music, pray, and allow yourself to be encouraged. We all go through these seasons of motherhood and most of the time encouragement is just what we need.
So there you have it! Tips on surviving at home with little ones.
Hope this helps simplify your day.
