1. Don't let your mommy-friends clean their houses before you come over, and you agree to do the same. It is amazing how much more you will look forward to play dates when your expectations of yourself and the tidiness of your house are lower. A happy by-product of this one is, when practiced religiously, you will learn to lower your tidiness expectations all the time. Less time tidying= more time for fun. Or TV. Or sleep.
2. Find a good sitter (preferably one with younger siblings who can take over when he/she goes away to college). This is my ONLY tip that requires work. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, folks, and the only way to feel that absence from your kids is to GO AWAY, even if it is just for a couple of hours. I know how hard it can be to find someone you trust to watch your kids, and struggled for several years with little or no time alone with Bryce. Then Sydney went to summer camp, and I was introduced to the world of camp counselors. It is like babysitter HEAVEN. Do not be afraid to approach teenagers whom your kids have connected with and ask if they babysit (not just at camp, but anywhere). You can always ask for references and then never call the kid if you don't like what you hear-- it is really a no-lose endeavor. Just a little bit of work can provide you with a lot of cheap dates, pedicures, and solo trips to the store.
3. Only clean when absolutely necessary. When there is a ring around the toilet or bathtub, it is time to clean. When walking around your kitchen floor feels like walking on a gravel path, it is time to sweep. When you have worn the same pair of jeans so many days in a row that they are officially a size bigger, it is time to do laundry. You get the picture.
4. Give yourself a break with your dinner plans a couple of times per week. Who says dinner cannot be cereal, grapes and sliced cheese? Or my own personal favorite-- cheese, crackers and pepperoni? The ironic thing is, most kids (and men) are just as happy or happier with something we throw on the table as opposed to something we worked really hard on. If taking a major dinner shortcut means the difference between an inexpensive, healthy meal TOGETHER and expensive, gross take-out at different times, it is worth it.
5. You only REALLY need to shower every other day. If you do not work out and have the right kind of hair, pushing it to every three days is not unreasonable.
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