6 Tips For Taking Care of a Young Child With a Busy Lifestyle
I have a 20 month old daughter, and am 5-months pregnant with my second child. Even though their age gap will only be two years, I feel like I gained 100 years worth of knowledge in my first two years of parenting. Knowledge that is making life a lot easier now than it was in the early days of parenting, and will hopefully continue to do so as my family expands.
Before being a mother, I would look down at women who never had the time to take care of themselves, who always looked frazzled, or who couldn’t hold a conversation longer than 2 minutes. But now, I get it, I really get it. That is the mum life when you are juggling tantrums, dirty nappies, endless snacks and managing to dress yourself in the midst of it all.
In my 100 years of knowledge packed into two years, I have put together a list of 6 tips for taking care of a young child, and yourself, amidst a busy life. Read on to learn more.
1. Ask for help
My husband and I live overseas, so we don’t have family around to help with our little one. After breaking down a few too many times, I finally broke through some serious guilt barriers and hired a nanny in Melbourne. It completely changed my life. For any mum, especially those without family around, do not feel guilty or hesitant to get hired help. You and your child will benefit greatly from it!
2. Hang up your apron
Before kids, I prided myself on healthy, gourmet food on the table every night.
Ensuring healthy food is even in the house let alone on the table is tough with wee ones! Finding ways to simplify healthy cooking like getting a weekly delivery of organic vegetables or a favourite local take-away spot are great ways to take the culinary pressure off.
3. Let go of your neat freak
For months, my whole day felt like I was picking up and organising, then turning around to find another massive mess. Then, I saw the inefficiency in my process, and I shifted gears. Now I have a few baskets of toys in our living room.
My daughter can destroy the living room all morning and I don’t bother picking it up until she naps. Then, I toss it all easily into the basket which hides behind the couch. Same routine in the afternoon. This means two big clean ups rather than twenty, and we are all happier for it!
4) Cleaning – who needs it?
The second best domestic outsourcing decision I made, other than getting a nanny, was to hire a cleaning person. Once a week, my house is scoured by someone who doesn’t curse my husband for toothpaste clumps in the sink, or feel frustration at my daughter for crayon marks on the walls. It is the ultimate freedom, and I will never live without a house cleaner again!
5. Take a moment and enjoy
We have all heard the cliche – the days are long, but the years are short.
But seriously, think about it.
It is a finite time in our lives we are with our small children. It tests our patience in ways we cannot describe, it robs us of freedoms we once took for granted, but it fills our hearts and enriches our lives. Make sure you take time to feel the gratitude for the two last points, rather than focusing on the first ones.
6) Girl, take care of yourself
So much easier said than done, I get it.
From personal experience, I am a better mother, wife and human all around when I have a bit of time to myself. Whether it is a quick walk, a yoga class, or even just hiding in my bedroom with a cup of tea and my favourite show, these recharging moments are essential to keep up the energy needed to raise tiny humans!
It seems like everytime I hear the question “How are you doing?” these days, the response always seems to be “busy”. Mums, dads, even kids are running around in the rat race trying to keep up with these crazy busy lifestyles.
While it can feel daunting to get off that treadmill sometimes, there are ways to stay in control amidst the madness. Hopefully these six tips are a starting point to a calmer, and still productive and fun, life raising kids.
Article by E Hudes
