Accept the reality:
Real moms do not have immaculate houses without clutter.
Real moms do not get everything done.
Real moms look worn out at the end of the day.
Real moms do not make gourmet meals every night.
Real moms do not smile all day.
Real moms make it through a day at a time.
Real moms have the best reward . . . children who grow up, and the promise that someday they will call you blessed. I promise!
In the meantime, how can you better organize your stuff, your day, your week, your new year . . . so that you have more time to spend with your family?
- Figure out what gets lost – keys, shoes, etc.
- Find a place for them – key hooks, box for shoes
- When going through junk have 3 boxes or garbage bags: throw, give, keep
- Go through mail daily and toss junk mail
- Have a bag reserved for library books
- Clean out your car
- Clean your purse
- Get a storage box for your pictures and throw in migrating photos
- Keep laundry caught up: throw it in throughout the day, dark, light, dark, light, etc.
- Have a schedule that works for your family
- Get help: cleaning, mother’s helper, your husband
- Put your feet up – you will end up with more energy if you take a break
- Do a little at a time so you are not overwhelmed
One of my fond memories of my mom is her consistency. She scheduled each day – Monday was wash day; Tuesday was ironing; Thursday was shopping; Friday was cleaning, and Saturday was baking. She even hung a tea towel that she had embroidered for each day with a kitty cat or puppy doing the task she was doing. Was she really that organized, or was she trying to encourage herself?
I have never achieved her level of order and used to be hard on myself for not being as organized. I reminded myself that as a child in a small town, I could walk to school, church, and music lessons. As a mom, I had to drive my children to every event, as most of you do. Life seems quite complicated. Don’t get discouraged. Do what you can, when you can, and remember that your goal is to be a more effective, patient mom, available for your family. One benefit of organization is that you do all that you can, when you can – things that are in your control – so that you have wiggle room and a tad bit more patience with yourself and others for the things that are out of your control.
And Moms, extend yourself some grace.