6 Tips to Running a Home Every Working Mom Needs to Hear

6 tips to running a home every working mom should hear - Miracle Maker Mom

Are you feeling totally overwhelmed about running a home and not sure where to turn next?

Do you ever have this sense of guilt no matter where you turn your attention to whether it be the kids or the dishes, meal prep, laundry, & clean up?

I know, you want to keep the house running smoothly but you also want to have time to sit and play with the kids?

Boy can I relate!

Here’s a letter that a mother wrote in:“I have a few adorable toddlers at home, I work full-time, and I feel like I’m running on a treadmill that never stops. I’m finding it very hard to make time for everything and figuring out how to prioritize the time I do have.Once I’m home from work, I want so badly to be able to focus on my little ones, to care for them with patience and love. But the house is flying, and there are demands from every corner: the dishes, the piled-up laundry, the supper that needs to be made. When that slides and we don’t have clean clothing or a proper supper on time, the kids end up suffering because they’re cranky – or I am. But when I focus on the housework and ensuring that things run smoothly and pleasantly, I feel guilty that I’m not playing on the floor with the kids.My husband is working full time and he’s just not around so much. I have some cleaning help but not enough to make a real dent in things.How should I prioritize my time so my children have the best home and mother possible?”

Okay. Pat yourself on the back! You’ve undertaken an awesome challenge: full time earner, full time mother and full time homemaker! You’ve joined the ranks of the elite! It’s time to get off the treadmill, get rid of the guilt and make the proper adjustments - before you snap from all the pressure.

#1 Create a System

You must have a Planner. A Daily Planner or Organizer where you keep your to do list and plan ahead for your week. A must have – here are a couple of planner options that I recommend.

You must have a Plan! There are so many details that go into running a home and you don’t want to be winging it every day.

Meal Planning – what’s your system? When do you make your menu or is it set? Do you make crockpot dinners, freeze dinners, cut up veggies the night before, create a menu in advance, grocery shopping online? I currently love using Real Plans for menu planning – they are all natural, allergy friendly and they’ll even give you a weekly shopping list!

Laundry – what’s your system? Do you do one load a day, each room twice a week, what do you separate? Who does the laundry?

Setting a time every day for everything you need to put in your schedule, including play time, which I agree is very important, will help you feel more in control of your schedule and less overwhelmed on a daily basis.

The answer for busy working moms is not necessarily in becoming a full time stay at home mom (which is a great thing to be 😊).

The truth is, there are plenty of stay at home moms who are plenty overwhelmed when running a home even with all the extra hours every day.

The answer is in creating a system!

#2 Cut back

Cut back on what you are doing – I know you’re going to tell me that you’ve cut back already, but think. Really think – how can you cut back some more.

Simplify your menu, use paper goods,
Don’t starch the shirts, or don’t separate darks and lights (the clothing comes out just fine, I’ve tried it)
Fill the freezer once a month so you don’t need to make dinner every night. Here’s an amazing resource to ‘freezer cook’ in advance so you’ll never again be without dinner at the last minute.
Put the kids to bed in their clothing (!) I did this (don’t tell anyone) for about a year when I really wasn’t managing when I was expecting my fourth and my husband was out of town all week. (I don’t think any of the kids were emotionally damaged for life!)

I cut out making fancy desserts. We just started buying ice cream. If you want to, you can find a way to cut back and still get the essentials done.

#3 Combine

Try combining things into one task. I don’t recommend that you do this all the time but often it works just fine. Here’s a few ideas:

exercise with the kids in the living room,
fold laundry together while playing I spy,
Set the kids at the kitchen table with a game while you do meal prep

#4 Delegate

I’ve often felt like I can do it all. Until I fall apart and realize that I can’t. How humbling….Here are some ideas for finding help in running a home:

Cleaning help – get more help, make sure they are clear on their job. This has been a life saver for me especially as a single mom.
Teenager helper, one hour every night,
Give the kids some chores.
Discuss with your husband (if you have one) how he can pitch in.
Enlist help from friends or family. Sometimes they’re happy to help out once in a while, it’s just us that don’t want to ask (for fear that we won’t be super woman any more.)

#5 Emotional Support

You need to feel appreciated! This is something you can enlist your husband, friends, siblings, parents to help make you feel appreciated.

But most importantly is yourself!

YOU Do your part – remind yourself every day how fortunate you are to have a house full of little children and what a priceless payback you are getting for all your hard work.

The more you value your purpose, the more strength you’ll have to pursue it.

Make sure to put in your new schedule something that you love to do every day. This will give you the energy and stamina to keep going with a smile!

#6 Ditch the Guilt

Guilt is a recipe for depression. Drop the guilt!

First of all, when you’re taking care of the house and the meals it’s not instead of taking care of your children, it’s for them. You are making them a home.

Secondly, you’re doing your best, and that’s all that’s required of you.

Running a home is not easy but I hope these tips can help you. Be smart, learn new skills of how to manage best and - Be proud of yourself! Look yourself in the mirror every day and say hey you – good job! You’re amazing!