Let’s be honest. You don’t even have time to read this article. Even if you’re trying to steal away five minutes of serenity, you’re probably simultaneously forgetting to switch the laundry around for the third time this week or respond to text messages from who knows when.

You are raising little people, and it feels like the most inefficient, chaotic job on the planet. If you’re not behind on normal life things like dishes, laundry, and oil changes, then you’re bracing for the moment that you are.. Because it’s inevitable.

Kids have the unique ability to turn normal life tasks into full blown activities. Putting shoes on, getting out of the car, and opening a snack are all examples of time intensive activities that must be strategically calculated into the day when you’re a mom of toddlers. If you don’t add this buffer, you will quickly be begging for less chaos in your life. 

Mothers are masters at performing metaphorical back bends around unplanned tantrums, shoe hunts, and blow out diapers while racing out the door. We figure out creative ways to build efficiency into our lives when living with someone who has zero concept of time and schedules. 

RELATED READING :: No Mama, You Don’t Need to be Productive During Nap-Time

It’s a wild season of life. Enjoy it. It will pass quickly. But don’t lose your sanity in the midst of it. Here are some practical ideas from moms just like us who hacked their life to avoid time sucking situations like – where’s my kid’s other shoe. 

  • Shoe Stickers – Helping our kids slip their shoes on isn’t a large task, but every second gained in a mom’s world is priceless. Grab a pack of neon circle stickers, cut one sticker in half, and place the left half in the left shoe and the right half in the right shoe. It’s much easier for a toddler to look at the half circles in his shoes and know which shoe goes on which foot when all he has to do is put the circle together. This will help them become less dependent on you to get them ready to leave the house.
  • Socks Inside of Shoes – Avoid the never ending sock hunt when it’s time to go home by slipping their socks into their shoes as soon as you arrive somewhere. Eventually you can have your kids do this for themselves and teach them the importance of caring for things responsibly.  
  • Countdown – Like anyone, adult or child, we don’t appreciate abrupt change. Giving children a countdown starting at 5 or 10 minutes before leaving anywhere helps them mentally prepare. Depending on a child’s temperament, this may not avoid a tantrum, but if you turn it into a fun game, it may ease the frustration. Once it’s time to go, tell your kids that you have to be cheetahs and move super fast!  
  • Snack Tray – Using a party platter like this one and filling it with fruits and veggies is an easy fix for quick snacks and pre-dinner munchies. This way you don’t have to worry about them eating their vegetables at dinner because you snuck them in the snack tray before dinner! Kids love food that’s easy to grab. This gives them 3-5 choices which makes them feel a sense of control on what they want, and when they think they are controlling their choice, they are less likely to complain. Plus, it’s one of those snack options that you don’t have to feel guilty about kids eating too much of!
  • Multiple Supply Stations – Clean ups are a daily occurrence. When you walk into your toddler’s room and she has smeared her dirty diaper all over the walls, save yourself the trip downstairs to the one closet with cleaning supplies in it by having multiple supply spots around the house. Easy access to useful things is essential for efficient living.
  • Kid’s Stuff Within Reach – Giving kids age appropriate tasks is super important. For a toddler, there isn’t much they can do. However, putting all of the kid plates, cups, and bowls in a lower kitchen cabinet allows them to help set the table or get a snack. Kids love feeling grown up and independent. This is a small way parents can help them feel that. Plus, if they can retrieve a bowl for the snack you’re making, that’s a win for everyone! Your kids will feel like they’ve contributed and you will feel like you got some help!

Photo Credit:: Amy McLaughlin Photography

Brittany Churchill
Brittany lives in Austin, TX with her two children as a youngish divorced working mom. In 2019 while going through a divorce, moving to a new state, re-entering the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for 7 years, and rebuilding her life, she published her first book “Tap In Not Out: How Overwhelmed Moms Can Reclaim Peace, Cultivate A Better Life, And Thrive.” Why did she write this book during so many major life transitions? Because she knew what she desired for her life - to be an author, speaker, and life impactor in this world. And she figured out the steps to make it happen even in the worst of times. In her book, she opens up in a candid, old-close-friend kind of way about her struggles and breakthroughs in motherhood while offering great life hacks and perspectives to help any mom out there. Her heart is to help women tap into powerful mindsets that ignite their most authentic self setting them up for a thriving life. Here is what people are saying about her book: “I read a lot and love reviewing. But THIS book is authentic, real, and encouraging.” (T.A.) “Ah, a breath of fresh air-- it's a serious book that makes you laugh out loud!!! This book was such a refreshing look at our humanity as moms!” (Grossman) “This book is great with funny mom stories, authentic mom self talk and inspiration for living the best mom-life. The author shows moms a way forward into the abyss of motherhood, where we often feel like we are fading into oblivion. She shows us moms how life can be exciting and fulfilling even in the mundane.” (Jessica) Brittany is active in her new community in Austin, TX. Whether she is connecting with others through Austinmoms.com, Bee Women in Bee Cave, or mom groups in the online world, she is constantly reinforcing a mindset to inspire all women to live their best life. In a nutshell, she is just a mom who figured out how to live her dream.

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