Thank you to Selena Ontiveros of Simply Home Solutions for this article that describes quick ways to combine have’s and want’s. Enjoy!
Work life balance has always been a struggle for me. As a mom of two kids under five who works full time outside the home, I have very little time to spare. In this economy, we’re increasingly stretched for time. What we used to consider as a time-saving service now seems like a luxury. For example, during the good times we wouldn’t have thought twice about dining out or having a housecleaner or a lawn guy, but now many of us have been forced to tighten our belts and do these services ourselves, even though it eats up our time.
The lay-offs are also taking a toll on our time. The lucky ones, who’ve survived lay-offs at their companies, are now busier because they’re doing the jobs of two or three people.
So work is busier, home and family is still as busy as ever and we have even less time than before.
From my own experience and talking with other moms, I’ve found a few cost-effective tips and strategies to help maximize the little time we have and also create more time for our family and ourselves.
Have you ever thought about combining your to-dos with family time? The trick is to find a way to make them fun. Here are a few suggestions:
- Visit Your Local Farmers’ Markets
Not only is this an excellent source of fresh, locally grown organic produce, but the kids have fun at them too. Many of the farmers’ markets in our area are close to other kid-friendly attractions so you can make a morning out of it. - Incorporate the Kids Into Your Housework
Yes, I know this slows you down, but to kids this kind of stuff is fun! You’ll have to tailor the chores around your kids’ ages for this strategy to work. For example, my 17-month old loves to sweep. I put a cloth on the Swiffer and let him go at it. He also can put clothes in the washer, sort the laundry and of course, go for rides in the laundry basket. - Review Schoolwork While Driving
Moms end up spending a lot of time with our kids in the car, shuttling them back and forth to various activities. You can use this time to listen to your child’s daily report, spelling words or reading. Just make sure you personally don’t do anything which takes you hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road!
These are but a few suggestions that you can adopt and fit to your own circumstances. With a little flexibility and creativity, I believe we can find the time to do the things you want to do without neglecting the things you have to do.
Selena Ontiveros is co-owner of Simplify Home Solutions, the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier home and lifestyle concierge. You can find more of her tips on work life balance and time management at www.simplifyhomesolutions.com.
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