I am a SAHM, with a home based business and 2 kids. I find that everything that isn't business related gets on top of me.
I make time for the business, but almost never for the rest of the things that need doing.
My kids are fed and their clothes are washed. Hubby and my laundry is done too, and 5/7 days I'll get dinner sorted for H and me.
I lack organisation and time management big time! I'm ALWAYS running late, or just making it in time.
I gave up my job to be a SAHM, and truth be told, I did more around the house when I was working!
I just want to know if there are any tools out there, online or otherwise - that I can use to help me a more efficient mum?
4 Replies
I've no idea but I'm the same! Can't seem to manage my time well and always late or just squeaking in on time. Hopefully you'll get some good suggestions.
I find scheduling helps a lot. I put my alarm on my phone to ring at times so I am prompted to stop what I'm doing to do a set task, so I know I need to leave the house at a set time my alarm will be set for that. I keep to a semi strict routine/habit because once something is a habit it becomes much easier to manage. It sounds boring and simple but it works. I make sure things like food shopping, cooking dinner go in my diary and travel time to appointments is scheduled in.
You run late because you try and fit more in a day than is humanly possible! You are amazing getting all that done and running a business as well!
"I gave up my job to be a SAHM, and truth be told, I did more around the house when I was working!" Because now you run a business (that's called working by the way...) AND raise your kids,,, AND take the role of primary house work doer... Bet hubby now says "you're not working you can do all the stuff around the house" BUT... you are working establishing a business that happens to be home based.
Suggestion - write out a list of all the household things that need to be done and delegate to hubby and the kids (age appropriate) so the load is fairly and equally shared. Show them how to do the tasks and leave them to it. Don't worry too much about the quality - encourage and let them learn on the job. It's good for everyone. The other thing I would do is nominate 'work' times that you expect not to be interrupted and concentrate on doing the work - you will get a lot more done in a shorter period of time not multi-tasking. Proven. Good luck!
I agree, and that's another great thing about scheduling, it's much easier to say no to something or realise ahead of time that something isn't reasonable because you can see it written down.