1. Get In To A Routine. My best advice, find a routine that works and stick to it at least Mon-Fri. If you have a little one, your baby will soon learn your routine and learn to sleep and be hungry at times that suit you. If you have bigger kids, they too will know what’s happing next, it really takes away the nagging. Everyone gets up at the same time, kids eat breaky, get dressed, brush their teeth, hair done, then free time until off to school. They know that’s just how it is every weekday and it works. My daily routine is gym, coffee, pick up anything at the shops, 200 jobs around the house, school/kindy pick up. Kids unpack bags, homework, lunch box filled for next day, then free time until tea, at 7pm wees & teeth, BED, my time! Everyday, it really works.
2. Break The Routine. Some days it’s just fun to have a routine free day, kind of feels like I’m rebelling. Like no gym and hitting the shops, or letting the kids stay up to watch Jnr Master Chef, or not cooking tea and ordering pizza!
3. Get Out Of The House. This is a biggy. When I first stopped working, after 13 years in the Army let me tell you it was great to wear Pjs until 1pm, watch Foxtel ALL DAY and eat nachos. After a while you become crazy, you get sick of your house, kids get cabin fever. So get off the computer and get out of the house, everyday you must leave the house. Go get a coffee, sounds funny to get a coffee on your own with a 6month old bub, but trust me do it you will feel normal again. Get out of the house everyday at least for an hour! I joined a gym with a free crèche, it’s my favourite hour of each weekday, my thing, my time, I really needed it.
4. Get A Hobby. I know you never had time for hobbies when you worked full time but now you do. Start something you always said, ‘I’ll get to that one day’. Plant a veggie patch, get your hands on a sewing machine and make something, finish that scrap book album you never started of your new babies pics, try some DIY projects, photography, baking, gym, anything.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Join A Mothers Group. This is one thing I regret I never did join a mothers group when I had the chance with my first baby. I know of women who are still friends from when they met in a mothers group years ago with their first. When I went to join one after having number three I was told I couldn’t bring my three year old so that went out the window. You will meet other mothers with the same story and learn you are not the only one up at 3AM!
6. Kid Free Time. Hard to leave them at first, can’t get a moment to your self later! You need to have some kid free time to refresh, you need to miss them and they will miss you but it teaches you to appreciate each other. I’m not talking go to another country, just go to Coles with out them, or leave them with Dad on Saturday while you go window shopping.
7. Mummy Daddy Time. Ok this is a big one. You think the job is big being a mum, but being a wife is even harder. If you and your partner don’t make time and a huge effort for each other, you will grow apart. You have to have to have to make mummy daddy time, it can’t just be all kids, kids, kids.
8. Turn The TV Off. No really, turn it off right now, get down on the floor with your curious toddler and just play, it’s the best thing ever!
9. Turn The TV On. Yet the best invention by man I must say. If you want a break, no make that when you need a break, put a DVD on, make a bowl of popcorn set the kids up in front of the tele and you have at least two hours to your self. You can use this time to catch up on house work or read about Kim Kardashian’s sad love life.
10. Get Your Hair Done. Look in the mirror everyday and get out of the track suit. Even though you are a mummy you still have the right to be yummy. Get your hair done on Saturday morning while Dad has the little people. Paint your toe nails while bubs has his afternoon nap, then shave your legs, and arm pits you will feel so much better! Always buy at least one new thing a fortnight for you, a new top, belt, new shoes, new colour nail polish. I bet you buy something for bubs every time you go to the shops right?
So there you have it, my top 10 Yummy Mummy Rules to stay on time, in control, in love, sane, fit, healthy, happy, social, occupied, groomed, fed, organised, try at least one tip today!
Renee
great tips, i am going to implement most of them 🙂
Angela, you wont look back these are a must for a stay at home Mumma! R