Mondays of a stay at home mom
Before I was a mommy and got to stay home, I was like the majority of the workforce and loathed Mondays. The weekend was too short, I had a million things to do, and Friday was just so far away.
Things are really different now.
Now I almost look forward to Mondays. (Don't tell my husband!) The calm. The quiet. The lack of the weekend's hustle and bustle. The fresh start to a new week. I really like it.
My control freak, organizational loving self still needs a plan, though, so this is what I do every Monday morning.
After breakfast, Little Guy #1 watches his Gymboree movie and Little Guy #2 bounces up a storm in his Exersaucer. I peacefully sit with my can of pop (I like caffeine, just not coffee) and map out a list for the week.
I write out what I need to get done, our weekly menu, bills that are due, the chores, the errands, the stores I need to go to and the things I need to buy. I list everything. Of course, as I accomplish things, I cross them off my list. This works for me because I like the visual of what I've done and what I have left. I also use graph paper because I fell in love with it in highschool and it's been my favorite paper ever since. (Hey, we all have our quirks.)
So this is what's worked for me for the past few years. It keeps me on track and I feel like I'm actually getting things done in the midst of the clutter and chaos in the life of a 2 year old and infant's mom. Many of the daily mom jobs have little evidence to show for them (uh, preparing, serving, and cleaning up after 3 meals a day comes to mind), and this is my proof.
Now if you want to really throw me for a loop, give me a Monday holiday like Labor Day. Yikes!
Things are really different now.
Now I almost look forward to Mondays. (Don't tell my husband!) The calm. The quiet. The lack of the weekend's hustle and bustle. The fresh start to a new week. I really like it.
My control freak, organizational loving self still needs a plan, though, so this is what I do every Monday morning.
After breakfast, Little Guy #1 watches his Gymboree movie and Little Guy #2 bounces up a storm in his Exersaucer. I peacefully sit with my can of pop (I like caffeine, just not coffee) and map out a list for the week.
I write out what I need to get done, our weekly menu, bills that are due, the chores, the errands, the stores I need to go to and the things I need to buy. I list everything. Of course, as I accomplish things, I cross them off my list. This works for me because I like the visual of what I've done and what I have left. I also use graph paper because I fell in love with it in highschool and it's been my favorite paper ever since. (Hey, we all have our quirks.)
So this is what's worked for me for the past few years. It keeps me on track and I feel like I'm actually getting things done in the midst of the clutter and chaos in the life of a 2 year old and infant's mom. Many of the daily mom jobs have little evidence to show for them (uh, preparing, serving, and cleaning up after 3 meals a day comes to mind), and this is my proof.
Now if you want to really throw me for a loop, give me a Monday holiday like Labor Day. Yikes!
Have a great Monday!
ReplyDeleteI feel ya girlie! I have to make a list of some sort otherwise I don't know what's going on.
ReplyDeleteMondays are a great day for this SAHM, too!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely jealous of your organization! I lack the skills but need more of it. Maybe I'll start doing this with my morning caffeine, mine is coffe though :)
ReplyDeleteSundays are the start of the week for us here and I feel the same way, the quiet can be so nice!
~Michelle
That's really cool you are so organized. If I was a SAHM, I'd be the same way! I looove lists! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I'm the same way - gotta have a list and feel like I'm getting things done & staying organized too. Love the look of yours & the graph paper too!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm so impressed! All those lists----I get excited just reading about them---I am a huge list maker myself, but I have to have about 4 a day to keep myself focused.
ReplyDeleteI need to get organized like that. I don't stay home but my aunt comes to my home daily so I still plan the schedule. Now that summer is here I need to get a routine for them in order, with crafts and activities. I think Sunday will be my day to gather the thoughts and figure it all out. Cool graphing paper...I love notebooks!
ReplyDeleteIt's really weird, but I feel the same way. Monday comes and I get everything in order. I usually do the laundry, get groceries etc...it's errand day. But it makes me feel pulled together and like everything is back in place after the busy less structured weekend.
ReplyDeleteThis is so me! I love my lists and you reminded me of my latent love for graph paper. Maybe I'll add that to next week's list. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I am not the only one that looks forward to Mondays and dreads Fridays!
ReplyDeletethanks for your input on painting my cabinets! I wish I was as organized as you with a weekly list! I fly by the seat of my pants!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday. I am such a list person too!
ReplyDelete