Want to organize your chaos? Here’s how I do it as a stay-at-home Mom

There is absolutely nothing average about raising children. There are so many aspects to take into consideration and the main priority is to take care of the children as best as you can. My days are extremely long and the night’s unfortunately are too short. As a stay at home mom and domestic executive, my work is never ending. Domestic executive really means I am the maid, nanny, chef, laundromat, grocery shopper, driver, nurse, doctor….the list is endless.

Prior to having children, I had an abundance amount of time for myself. Going to the toilet was a solo activity. Doing my hair and make up was a MUST before leaving the house and of course there is that thing you call sleep. Ahhhh, the life of a childless person. (Smiling to myself as I think about those high heels I don’t fit into anymore)

Now things are different and my time is split between a thousand things and everyone wants my attention. So much so that it feels like I’m running a monkey zoo. The key to not losing your mind completely, is to get organized. Full disclosure, I’m not the best organized person at the moment. However, it does help to have a general idea of what chores to tackle each day and plan where possible.

I’ve listed a breakdown of my not so average day and kept it simple by breaking it down into sections. The basis of my schedule has been planned around my children’s routine. At conception of this blog, I thought it would be a brilliant idea to write down what happens every hour. However, this is a blog, not a book.

Without further adew, here’s what my schedule looks like:

Mornings (06:00 to 12:00)
Cuddles all around, make the beds & change out of our pajamas.
Coffee for adults (cause Mama needs her cup of fresh grind) & milk with fruit for children.
Feed the furry babies.
Breakfast for children & start a load of washing – I use this time to freshen up for the day.
Play time for the children & start another load of washing.
Clean the kitchen while the children have their midday snack.
Nap time for the baby.

Afternoon (12:30 to 16:00)
One on one time with my daughter.
(most of the time it includes her helping me with chores)
Work on my website or catch up on admin.
Lunch for everyone once baby wakes up – I use this time to get ingredients ready for dinner.
Play time for children & I continue with my chores.
Late afternoon snack for the children.

Evening (16:30 to 20:00)
Cook dinner while Daddy entertains the children (when he can).
Feed the family, including the furry babies.
My husband will shower the children while I get their pajamas ready.
Milk & reading a children’s book as a family.
Bed time for both children.

Late Evening (20:30 to 23:00)
Clean up the kitchen.
Shower myself.
Work on my website.
Take my daughter for late night toilet run.
AND finally bed time for me.

This of course is an average day without school runs, grocery shopping, play dates or family visits. There are days where neither me nor the children get out of our pajamas. GUESS WHAT?! that is not the end of the world. Some weeks I don’t get to finish more than one load of washing and other weeks I’m so on top things, I even manage to do a 30 minute workout.

Yes, my children watch television and that can be included during play time. However, I do make an effort to get them moving everyday. Yes, there are days when they get McDonalds chicken nuggets instead of steamed fish with vegetables.

No one is perfect, definitely not me. Instead of putting yourself on a guilt trip, rather celebrate the little things. Enjoy the hide & seek games, finger painting and home made lava lamp experiments. Stick to the obvious routine and the rest will just fall into place when they do.

“I hear the soft giggles as they tip toe to the side of my bed.
I feel the soft tickles and kisses on my face as they wake me up from my slumber.
Nothing beats that first waking cuddle.
Even if I am very tired.
I love them more and that will keep me wired.”
poem by Odette