3 ways to stop flying by the seat of your pants - Part 2

This is a 3 part series.   If you are so inclined you can read the first part of this article here (Part 1).  I hope you do, because these are just little tips that helped me along life’s way.   See I’m a wife and a mom to 4 daughters, 3 son-in-loves, 2 nieces, and 9 grands.   I’ve also held a full time job, along with a side business and volunteer work!  I KNOW what it is like to FLY by the SEAT of my Pants!   Is everything perfect now?  No.  No way.  I’m still working at it.   So if you feel overwhelmed, come along with me…let’s see if we can fix this together my friend. 

Part 2:  

Last time we talked about doing one thing that was absolutely a must!  What was it for you?  Did you go to the grocery store?  Did you clean your kitchen?  Take a shower?   Whatever it was, after you've done that one thing, check it off and write down something you want to do.  Did you want to paint your nails?  Do you want to get lost on Pinterest?  Okay write that down, and set your timer.   Give yourself 30 minutes.  I know, you have kids.  They are not going to let you have 30 minutes.  They'll start fighting, or throwing up or someone will let the dog out of the yard.  I know this.  Here's what you're going to do:  put them in a safe place (crib, playpen, neighbors house) or if they are old enough to play in the back yard or watch tv without constant supervision let them do that.   Tell them when my timer goes off we will have a treat (a little bribing goes along way). Maybe it's a Popsicle or you'll play Legos with them (not after you just did your nails...for obvious reasons).   Now set your timer and do your thing.  It's just 30 minutes, but it's your thirty minutes.  Maybe position yourself so you can have one eye on the kids if that makes you feel better.   

After you've done that check it off!  Yes you did.  At this point you've taken care of one thing that had to happen, and one thing you wanted to do.  Now write down that one thing that you get to do to take care of your family.  Wait...why did I have me time before I took care of my family?  Doesn't that make me selfish?  Doesn't that go against everything we've been taught?... No. No, it doesn't.  Trust me.  It will make you a better mama, a better wife, a better person to be around.  We need a little bit of me time and if we always put ourselves last then it won't happen.  I know.  Back to the family thing...we get to take care of them, it's a blessing for us.  We fight it sometimes because we've not taken the time to take care of the have to's and want to's.   We get to fill their bellies with yummy food.  You know what they like.  We get to give them a clean bed to sleep in and clean clothes to wear.  We get to teach them how to take care of themselves.   We get to relax and have fun with them.  (Like play Legos for a little while.  Or Barbies, is that still a thing?  How about build Lego furniture for Barbies.  Your kids will think you're the coolest)!