Mommy Tips and Ticks

                               

We carry many responsibilities as parents and one of them is making sure our household runs smoothly! As a mom of four kids, I've developed some "tricks" that have decreased the weight of this responsibility. I'm all about making everyday tasks and chores easier! How about you? Come take a look as I highlight my favorite ones!

Cleaning:  

Have A Daily Cleaning List You Follow:  

In our house with kids, there will always be something that needs cleaning. However, I don't want to feel like I spent my whole life cleaning. So, we follow a days of the week cleaning method. For example, Tuesdays are Tubs and Toilets in our house! We work together as a team to get that accomplished! Click Kids and Cleaning method to find out how we accomplish this task.

Clean As You Move:

If I'm already moving around the house caring for the kids; I'll grab items that need to be put away as I move from one room to another. For Example: If I'm waiting for one of my littles to finish on the potty; I use that time to gather up the dirty clothes, organize the bath toys, hang wet towels, etc.                                 

Personal Hygiene (for your kids): 

I don't know about you but I have the hardest time being responsible of my own personal hygiene as well as that of ALL four of my children. The Task is hard! I have some tricks up my sleeve for keeping our kids smelling and looking decent (well at least some of the time).

Bathe Little Ones In The Sink So You Don't Have

To Bend Over A Bathtub!

Tuesday Trim Day:

My older two know this day well. This is the day they trim their finger nails and toe nails. Does anyone else have trouble keeping up with this task?! Man those nails grow fast!!! The two younger guys can't handle that task on their own yet so Tuesdays have become a reminder for me to trim, trim, trim!

Designate Fun Bath Day:

I know there are benefits to bath time play! However, when the nights are short and the day has been long, the last thing I want to do is spend the next 1/2 hour engaging in bath play. So, I'm going to start implementing a day of the week when the kids can sit and play in the bath. The rest of the time, bath will be quick and purely for "maintenance" purposes!

Take Baths Outside:

We live in a very warm climate and playing outside is our favorite activity. During the summer this is especially true! Instead of carrying our dirtiness through the house, I fill up our kiddy pool with soap and water in the backyard. This provides another opportunity for that important bath time play. Just be sure the outside play is complete and you have all the supplies like towels and soap nearby. It straight inside after that!

Other Random Tip:

Stinky shoes?: sprinkle baking soda or baby powder inside their shoes                           

Groceries and Meal Planning:

Make A Grocery List

Create A Grocery List Template:
- I have a list I've created on the computer that includes all the major grocery store sections I visit. Under each category I have pre-typed items I always purchase from these areas. I'll highlight what I need on that particular trip and I'll handwrite in the rest depending on our meals needs that week. I know there are apps for this but I prefer the "old fashioned" way.

Plan Your Dinners Ahead Of Time:
- Depending on the age and stage of your kids, this task is hard. If your kids are little; they're always at your feet. If your kids are big; they're involved in activities that may keep you busy at night. No matter what, its hard. So, I plan my meals two weeks out and put into consideration our activities for each particular day. For example, my daughter has piano on Tuesday evenings. So, we always have left overs on Tuesday. I'm a big fan of leftovers and my family is a fan too (sometimes this isn't the case so that might make your task harder).

Other tips:
- Keep the menu simple: I'm a big fan of 5 ingredient dinners! BLTS, meatball sandwiches, spaghetti, tacos, etc.
- Make enough to provide left overs plus another freezer meal for later! It doesn't take much more effort to double the amount your making! I do this at least once a week so I have a stockpile of meals waiting for me to fall back on (or bless a friend with). Note: An extra freezer in the garage has been VERY helpful
- Its ok to use paper plates often!
- Make dinner cleanup a family affair.


Morning Routines (Weekdays and Sundays)

"Assign" The Younger Children To An Older Sibling:
Sunday morning we attend church. So, all 6 of us need to be ready and out the door by 8:45. This rarely occurs but here is one thing that has helped: Our older two children have been assigned the task of picking out clothes and dressing the younger children for church. This frees up the hands of mommy and daddy to get a shower in and hair done!

Have A (School Day) Morning Task List:

On school mornings you'll find me sipping my coffee as my older two get ready for school. You won't find me doing tasks for them. When our fourth child came into the picture after only 6 weeks after our third (See Our Adoption Story about that) I decided to leave the task of packing lunches, picking out clothes and prepping back packs to the kids. They are expected to do it all (sometimes I help between sips of coffee). This task list will look different for each family. If they finish the tasks on the list (without a constant reminder from me), they earn 1 incentive point. 10 incentives = $2 or a grocery store treat of equal or lesser value.

Label The Lunch They Made

Make Lunches On Sunday:

On Sunday afternoons the big kids help make the "main" item in their school lunches for the entire week. All of those items then go into the freezer door. Here are some "main" lunch items we've frozen and rotate through:

- peanut butter and jelly sandwich

- peanut butter and honey sandwich

- turkey and cheese (spread condiments between the meat and cheese so the bread doesn't get soggy)

- cheese, turkey and pepperoni slices with crackers (each item separate in its own bag)

- Tortilla wraps with cheese and meat

- personal pizzas (cook them and refreeze them. This only works if you're kids are ok with cold pizza)

- uncrustables  

Organize School Lunch Items:

There are four items the kids place in their lunch bags on school mornings. 1) Main Lunch, 2) Cold Snack, 3) Dry snack, 4) Fruit or a Vegetable. Each of these items are clearly labeled and contained in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. Having things organized and contained helps keep the kids moving quickly in the morning.

Night Time Routine

Organize Bed Time Items: Have everything you need for bedtime in one place. Most of our bedtime routine happens in the bathroom (toileting, diapering, putting on pajamas and brushing teeth). All of these items are organized and ready in the bathroom. This way we're not running from room to room finishing each task. Next stop is always bedroom, book reading and bed!     

Toothbrushes Are Stored In A Utensil Organizer.
Pajamas Are Stored In The Bathroom Closet

                   

I hope this list of tips and tricks was helpful! This list has taken time and diligence to build upon and accomplish. Its all about creating habits that will stick in the long run. As you implement these ideas, pick a couple to start with first and expect possible battles from your children. Staying committed and consistent will bring so many benefits! So, may you have fun including your children in the responsibilities of running a household, benefit from little helping hands and leave the rest up to the Lord! 

Other Post That Include Good Tips:

Toy Rotation

Dr. Visits With Little Kids

School Readiness

Potty Learning

Meal Time Woes

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