Since our youngest babies are just 3 months apart (and all our kids are 5 and under) people have asked, “How’s it going?” and I must say that overall it is going mostly well. Thankfully, my older boys are quick to pitch in and are shockingly supportive – a five year old can do all sorts of crazy, helpful stuff…”Bud, can you entertain your sister for a minute while I help your brother? Can you hold this bottle? Would you rub my feet for a second…” I kid. I kid. But seriously.
On days we employ a few simple strategies (often so simple it seems silly) there is less tension, creating space to more fully enjoy our time as a family!
Baked Breakfasts (& General Morning Routines)
We are typically oatmeal people around here, but when everyone wants to help and then there is grand discussion over bowls, spoons, toppings and a seemingly simple breakfast gets complicated quickly. With a baked breakfast, we’re starting the day out on the right foot (nutritionally and emotionally). I’m able to throw it together before the kids are awake (or whip it up in under 5 minutes and pop it in the oven to prepare itself), set the table, and everyone served at the same time! It makes the start to the day and breakfast experience much more enjoyable and less stressful (and leaves leftovers for a healthy snack later). I stick with baked oatmeal, egg bakes, or revisit an old favorite, Oatmeal Quinoa Bake!
Activities on Deck
Each night, I hop on Pinterest or think for a minute of ONE new fun activity – active, artistic, or whatnot – that I can pull out the next day as something new and exciting! Mind you, these are ZERO PREP activities. We have our go-to activities and basic routines, but there is usually one time of day that needs a little sprucing up. That’s when we whip up a Lego Zipline, Balloon Volleyball net, etc. I do nothing in advance except decide the option I’ll give them and let them go at it!
Outside Time
I think it is essential to try and spend time outside every day. While it is not necessarily an option for me with the littlest babes right now, I try to bundle up the big boys and shoo them out the door at least once per day to expel their pent up winter energy!
Advance Prep
There is ALWAYS someone who just ate, is eating, or is about to eat! Having baby bottles and snacks prepped and ready in the fridge either makes for easy handing out or even allows older kids to grab them themselves (meanwhile, I know they’re not in the kitchen trying to saw a cucumber with a butter knife 🙂 On another note, trying to prep bags, outfits, meals, etc. makes things so much smoother (for mothers who work outside the home (or are more organized than me) this is probably old hat – now, if only I could always remember this one at 9 pm each night!
Ditch Time Wasters
It is easy to slip onto social media while nursing or in a few down moments, but redeeming that time with more fulfilling endeavors is good for the soul – sneaking in exercise, reading an actual book, getting a larger task accomplished, etc. is much more life-giving!
Support Systems
Truthfully, my husband is probably my greatest sanity saver! He works hard all day outside our home and then comes home ready to pitch in, make dinner, play with kids, and be an all-around encouraging partner! In this busy season, we divide and conquer most tasks and I am so thankful to have such a capable spouse. I know that some of you might not have this – are in struggling marriages, work opposite shift jobs, etc. – in which case, finding some sort of support system, however small, is huge. Even if there isn’t help around the house or with the kids; having a place you can go or someone you can simply talk or cry with releases the pressure. It’s easy to try and carry the weight of the world yourself – thinking we should be able to do it all and never need a break – but it does not make for a peaceful mama or home. If you don’t have that, seriously email me, I’ll listen or help find someone who can!
Time to Refresh
Remember, taking advantage of your Five Minute Freebies really is a sanity saver! While it may not be a day at the spa, we can enjoy moments of refreshment here and there that can bring deep contentment and joy to our days!
Although, a day at the spa wouldn’t hurt either 😉
I’d love to hear your biggest sanity savers! What are some simple ways you streamline your day?
~ Becca
I spend 15 to 20 minutes laying in bed with each of my kids at night while I put them to sleep. I realize this tends to go against everything sleep training books say (Though I’ve seen nothing of it failing me both sleep all night): but because I work all day, and when I get home were in the busy bustle of evening dinner, homework, bathes, etc. it’s a way for me to spend some quiet time with each kid outside of the busyness. My oldest and I chat about ‘life’ which gives him a chance to tell me what he’s feeling and my youngest and I sing a song and get in those much needed baby snuggles before she grows up on me. It also gives me 45 minutes of just happy down time where I’m not worried about what comes next, or what I have to do tomorrow or prep for tomorrow. I’m just present in their moments truly listening to them. It’s my sanity saver because no matter what kind of day I had, that love erases it all for just a moment.