How is your to-do list these days? Do you feel as if there is too much to do and not nearly enough time? Is your plate too full? Kimberly over at 5 Minutes for Special Needs is feeling quite overwhelmed lately. She is asking for your tips and tricks. How do you keep going when there’s more to do than there is of you? Please comment here or head on over to Kimberly’s post at 5 Minutes for Special Needs and lend your advice.
Call in reinforcements! My family or friends. It really does help to just ask for what you need. If I had to I would ask a neighbor or a church member. You would be surprised at how willing people are to help you in your time of need.
I am definitely feeling the pressure of being in the sandwich between parents and children/grands right now. Thankfully,this, too, shall pass.
You need to prioritize and delegate. Everything can not be super important. Some things such as keeping the house clean, for example, are not that important. Kids don’t need a bath every day, especially in the winter. Husbands can help out with dinner, even if they make hot dogs or order pizza.
I agree with Pamela! I have also recently learned how to say “NO.” Will hop on over to the post and put in my two cents! Good luck!
Take a mini hiatus from certain things. As moms we can’t always get away physically so this is what I’ve done: I’m a single parent of four. I’m losing my house and I’m facing a very serious medical challenge. At the end of last year I made the decision that my commitment for 2011 is to minimize and organize (this was whether my medical report was good or bad). I’ve minimized my blogging and computer time including putting two clients on hold. I let them know what was planned and when I would be in contact.
I’m so glad I did. My brain is so overwhelmed with appointments, packing and taking care of myself and the children that I my creativity and ability to work quickly and on deadline are seriously compromised. Had I not let go of some things, including the stress of taking care of a house/property, I think I would have had a breakdown, at minimum.
Instead of long lists of things I have to do, I use my planner to write only a few things for each day. I’ve stopped beating myself up over dirty dishes and laundry, and making room for cuddling my children and going to bed on time. And throwing and giving stuff away has been a huge relief.
I say all that to say: put things on hold and take a break. Whatever will work best for you and your family so your plate isn’t so full.
If most people wrote about this subject with the eloquence that you just did, I’m sure people would do much more than just scan, they act. Great stuff here. Please keep it up.