thedifferentmomblogI’ve been asked several times, how do I work full-time, have a Scentsy business, and a blog. Guess what! On top of all of that, I’m a FULL-TIME MOMMY to the best chidren! But to answer their question, it’s simple, I just do!
We all have 24 hours in a day. It’s all about how we utilize those hours. Spend your time intentionally and it should make sense…and sometimes cents 🙂
Over the years, I’ve developed some real simple hacks to help me enjoy my children, keep a orderly home, and make cents. I want to share the main ones with you, to help you figure out how to get as much as you can out of your day.
**Many of my posts and thoughts I share with you contain affiliate links to products I recommend, enjoy, or just want you to know about. And as a result I may receive compensation at no cost to you by you clicking on these links. **
First, Set a Schedule
From the time my son was a little guy, I set a schedule for him and myself. And we stuck by that schedule. His bath time was at 7:30. His bedtime was 8:30. they didn’t change until he was in middle school!
During the week, we woke up at the same time, and started our routine.
The structure helps your child flourish and grow, and it helps you.
A schedule is so important for a “Different” mother–a single mother. You’re assigned with doing it all, so for your sanity and your children’s set the schedule.
I live by schedules. I’m someone who has to have a schedule on vacations. I know, I know. I’m crazy. But that’s how I relax. It doesn’t work that way for everyone, but that’s my stress free. That’s my personality.
But when it comes to making time throughout your day, a schedule is so important. Heck, I even recommend a set laundry schedule. It helps with being able to “have enough hours in the day” when you want to do what you want to do. Whether that is writing your next blog post, working your business, or whatever you have assigned to your hands.
This doesn’t mean that we didn’t have variations to this schedule like for special occasions, vacations, extra curricular activities. But for the most part, we stuck heavily to that schedule. We did and have wandered from our schedule. But overall, we stick to our routine.
He knew what to expect, and I knew when I could have some free time.
And even after my daughter was born, that schedule has remained the same.
We know as soon as we get home from school and work, it’s time to do homework while mommy is cooking dinner. After dinner, is playtime (usually no TV or electronics) and workout for me. Next is bath and getting ready for bed.
You can set a schedule that works for you and your family, but trust me, it relieves A LOT of stress, and it will most likely allow you some free time.
Be intentional with your schedule. Just like your budget should have every dollar assigned to a category, every minute should be assigned to something. Even if it’s in the category of ‘relaxation.’ Having schedules just make life easier. Life flows when you have a schedule and a routine. You will have time to do just about anything necessary.
When doing your schedule, set your boundaries.
This is my second piece of advice. These are rules that you set for your children and you set for yourself. Have some time set aside for you; whether it is praying, working on your blog, working your side business, or simply being lazy.
There’s nothing wrong with setting time for a hot shower or a bath for yourself. The whole point is to the Sabbath was made for man, not the man for Sabbath.
I used to put so much pressure on myself, about getting “everything done” that I would never rest. I never set time to pray. I just went and went and went.
But guess what, this didn’t make me perfect. You aren’t perfect. And resting every once in a while doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you human. I’m not saying have every day a rest day, or skip every chore. Don’t not work your business for weeks on end all because you’re resting.
I often found out, the reason I was hustling to make sure I had the perfectly kept house, or perfectly pressed clothes, was a lot of comparison. I compared myself to what I saw on TV, or from others.
Comparing to others even on social media, who can manipulate you into thinking that they have the perfect life, and that you’re less than, is the thief of joy. You lose your joy when you’re constantly not satisfied with what you have, and always thinking about where you lack.
Trust me, there’s always going to be someone better than you at something. And you’re always going to be better than someone in something else.
You have a gift…a unique gift. You’re God’s unique creation. No one can do it like you do it, when you do it like you do it, when you do it like you do it in Jesus.
Do what works for you and your family. Schedule it how it works for you guys. Set the boundaries that help you reach your necessary and deserved break.
This will give you plenty of time to be a hustler. This will give you plenty of time to work full-time, be a full-time mommy, and even write that blog post about making your money.
