Boy was I wrong...
If anything my house is messier because we are here all day instead of sending her off to daycare while I went to earn some cash. To top it off I now have a baby boy adding to the piles of dishes and laundry and toys that need to be taken care of.
In the year I have stayed at home I have had my good days and my bad days. Some days the house is pretty clean, other days it's a disaster. I have, however, learned some things about my good days and how to make them happen more frequently. Here are my secrets to being a productive stay-at-home mom. (you could probably apply some of these to working moms just looking for more order in their homes as well)
#1. Get Dressed. I'm not going to pretend like you get to shower every morning. I'm lucky if I can sneak a shower in during nap time or between the kids' bedtime and mine. However, if you want to be productive as soon as you get out of bed GET DRESSED! I'm not talking throw on your jammies if you sleep naked. Put on some jeans, throw on a t-shirt, and skip the slippers. Slippers prevent you from doing things like taking out the garbage or running to the mailbox... anything that you have to go outside for (in my experience at least). Socks are fine, slippers are a no-no. If you are dressed and ready to go it is much easier to get up off of your butt after you're done nursing baby or eating breakfast.
#2. Don't turn on the computer/tablet. Stay off of Facebook, Pinterest, Vine, whatever your technological weakness is. Once the computer is on it's easy to waste time away... You check one thing, then you remember something else you wanted to look into. You see a Pin that makes you remember that project you wanted to get done, so you price things. You see a blog you have to read, then a response to that blog, and you get lost. Before you know it, it's 4:00 and you have no idea what to make for dinner!
#3. Assign yourself a set of chores each day. I have a schedule hanging in my kitchen with my designated chores I have to get done each day. Once my designated chores are done I can do whatever; I can play with the kids, I can read, I can get lost on the Internet, I can get the kids out of the house so they don't make a mess. I just have to get my chores done. Do what works for you. Here's what my schedule is (I did take it from a different blog and tailor it to my needs... unfortunately I can't find the blog to link to it.) Or, this wonderful lady shares a chore each day to help you get organized on top of things. Following her may do the trick for you!
#4. Make a meal plan. Not only will this save you money, but you won't have to sit on Pinterest for hours trying to find a recipe that looks good and you don't have to go to the grocery store for. You will be able to consolidate shopping trips as well, so you will save time on going to the store every couple of days. It's an all-around great situation!
#5. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your house is never going to be spotless... I mean, you do live there! You can keep it somewhat clean and still give your kids a great childhood by playing with them and giving them good memories. You're a great mom! Keep it up!
