Day2Day Joys » organization

Organizing the Busy Mom’s Day with Routines Rather Than Schedules

Kristen — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:00:05 +0000

Written by Kristen, Contributing Writer

I like my days to be organized. I like to see a list, check things off, and know that I’ve accomplished the important tasks that need done for my day. If I can get ahead on something, well by golly, I’ll take those bonus points, too! It didn’t take me long, however, to realize that keeping my days organized can be quite challenging when I’m working with a crew of little people. Rather than beat myself up over not sticking with a schedule that is ruled by the clock, I’ve found basic daily routines to be a much better fit for me and my young family.

Why Schedules Don’t Work For Me

I’d honestly really like to get up at the same time every morning, go to bed at the same time every night, finish our homeschooling at the same time every afternoon, and have dinner ready at the same time every evening. But in real life, this just doesn’t happen for me. Why?

Babies keep me up at night, and try as I might, I don’t have the super-power of going on limited sleep for an unlimited time.

Toddlers are really good at throwing multiple curveballs, and sometimes do so with cannon balls. They are cute for a reason, and their uncanny ability to throw a day’s time table off just might be one of them!

Young children still have many needs, and I’m generally the one to meet those needs.

I’ve had to realize that my time is not my own at this stage of my life. I’m constantly setting aside the things I want to do or think I should do to take care of what my children really need for me to do, or maybe just really want me to do. I can either resent that, or work with it. I’ve decided to work with it, and organizing my day with routines instead of schedules helps me with that goal.

Routines and Schedules: What’s the Difference?

The whole concept of working with daily routines instead of schedules was first introduced to me by a mom of eight at a homeschool convention. Hearing her wisdom and experience for daily living made so much sense to me! Focusing on routine rather than schedule was one thing she really emphasized.

Schedules are run by the clock. We organize our daily activities by the time and work to meet certain deadlines throughout the day. If something isn’t finished during it’s allotted time, we can either panic, put it off for the next day, or make it up during free time.

Routines, on the other hand, allow us the flexibility to follow a typical pattern for each day and to know what is expected without keeping our eye on the clock the whole time. There is still daily accountability, but it’s combined with more freedom and less pressure. As a mom of young children, I’m continually reminded how important flexibility is!

How I Use Routine in My Home

Putting a daily routine into practice for our home has been a great help to our homeschooling days, and just life in general. My children have a good idea of what happens when and I still enjoy a level of freedom to shuffle things around, finish schoolwork whenever we are done, or serve lunch at 2pm instead of noon.

For example, I try to get up around the same time every morning. I’ve found that a key element to fitting everything into my very full homeschooling days. But I’m expecting our fifth child, and sometimes I need extra rest and simply can’t get up when I’d like to. Working with a routine allows me to sleep a little later if I really need it. That does mean our day gets off to a later start, but that’s okay.

This is another common one: the toddler morphs into Baby Destructo. Maybe it’s scrambled eggs and smoothie spilled all over the carpet again. Or maybe she dumped out multiple puzzles while I was busy somewhere else. Or perhaps she snuck into the lazy Susan in the kitchen and poured oats out all over the floor. (They’re cute for a reason, remember?) Working with a routine keeps me from fretting any more than I already am because I’m not staring at the clock and thinking about how far behind I’m getting with my day.

Truthfully, I do still watch the clock with our daily routines. I still like finishing school around the same time and having our family dinner at a consistent time. But I also try to give myself, and my children, grace to not be a slave to the ticking face on the wall.

Do you find it hard to run your day according to a strict schedule? Or are you opposite, finding schedules to work best for your family?

The post Organizing the Busy Mom’s Day with Routines Rather Than Schedules appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

Organized Meal Planning Made Simple

Kari — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 10:00:25 +0000

Written by Kari, Contributing Writer

Meal planning has never been one of my favorite activities. I remember when I got married almost 13 years ago the dread I faced every time I went to the grocery store. I never had a plan, I never knew what to get and I had no creativity. My husband was a trooper, because I sure didn’t woo him with my amazing skills in the kitchen. As time went on, I moved from the same ole repeated 5 meals to a broader menu, but I still despised the duty of planning meals and grocery shopping. My solution? Continue to skip the planning and complain every time I went shopping. Wrong solution.

Over the years I have developed a whole new perspective on this task and I have found that I can do it joyfully.

First and foremost, in the Bible, we are told to:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”~Colossians 3:23, NIV

This would include feeding and taking care of my family. After all, if I grumble and complain about this task, it won’t be much of a blessing to my husband or kids. They will see that taking care of them is a burden for me and it won’t be enjoyable. Also, what example is that for my kids? Not a good one, that’s for sure.

Back in 2008 I began the process of becoming a Certified Health and Nutrition Consultant, which has been a huge part in changing my perspective in this area. A couple certifications I hold are for Fitness Nutrition and as a Personal Fitness Chef. You bet I look at meal planning and feeding my family differently. It’s no longer a dreaded task nor a burden to me. It’s an honor to be able to take such good care of my family as I sow time into their lives by preparing healthy and nutritious meals.

I’ll have to be honest though – at first, I still struggled with grocery shopping, planning and preparation. I always forgot to take something out of the freezer or I forgot the ingredients to make a side dish and I would find myself getting frustrated and resorting to convenience rather than nutritious. It occurred to me one day that I absolutely had to implement something I had operating in every other area of my life except meal time: ORGANIZATION and a PLAN!

That’s just what I did and in the matter of a week or two, I had a simple, yet extremely effective meal planning binder and system set up that worked for ME. This ONE change has saved me time, money and sanity over the past three years.

It’s not complicated, nor is it unrealistic. It keeps my most frequently used recipes in one place, I have my preparation details for the week right in front of me and I’m able to keep all my menu plans stored here so I can go back and get ideas when I’m feeling uncreative.How to make this SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE meal planning binder:

- I took a 1” binder (can be larger if you want) and put dividers in it.
- I named each section for what was most pertinent for me and my family (Menu, Main Dish, Sides/Appetizers, Dessert, Drinks)
- I made up a weekly menu plan and weekly preparation form to be my go-to on a daily basis.
- I have a month calendar so I can put all the dinners on it and I can see a broader view of what the month’s meals look like.

How to use this binder and allow it to make meal planning PRODUCTIVE.

- Every week I take some time to plan my meals for the following week.
- I’ll fill out the menu sheet, then I’ll fill out my prep/details sheet so I know what I have to do on a daily basis (take beef out of freezer, soak pecans, make crème fraiche). This is a life-saver.
- Then I go through the menu and make my shopping list. This is where I saved so much money! Buying stuff I didn’t need, then having to go back and spend more money to buy what I did need.
- LOOK at this sheet everyday to make sure you don’t forget anything. If you need it “out” so you’ll remember to look at it, hang it on your fridge so it’s in front of your eyes all the time.
- Store your most used recipes in their sections. This way you’re not searching all over for the “last place you saw it”.
- Make notes on your meals and recipes. This way you’ll know how often you should or shouldn’t prepare it. Notes such as: “Excellent!” or “Hubby loved it, kids didn’t”. Also note any alterations you made to the recipe and whether it worked or not!
- Keep your menu plans so you can refer to them later.

It may take a couple weeks to get in the swing of things and remembering you have this wonderful tool, but once you get in the routine of this – your meal planning and shopping will be so much easier.

Now, to wrap this up I’ll share with you one of my go-to autumn recipes that has it’s place in my binder. It is my quick and easy Cinnamon Roll Smash. This is a great, healthy alternative to those store bought cinnamon rolls or ones made with pre-made pastry dough.

Cinnamon Roll Smash:

What You Need:

Almond Flour Crust

- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (you could also use organic cane sugar)
- 2 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream (use coconut cream for dairy-free option)
- 1 tablespoon real butter, melted (via stovetop is best, you could also use raw coconut oil)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla – make your own
- 2 teaspoon baking powder – aluminum free
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher sea salt

Filling

- 1 cup toasted almonds, toasted pecans or toasted walnuts
- 1/2 cup real butter, melted (can use coconut oil)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons grade B maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla – make your own
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

What to Do:

To get complete instructions on how to make these amazing treats, visit Cinnamon Roll Smash and make them as soon as possible! Your family will thank you for it! Now, enjoy the simplicity of meal planning which will make your routine easier, your wallet fuller and will leave you more time in the kitchen to make amazing snacks like these!

Enjoy! And don’t forget: Everyday make your life A LIFE WORTH LIVING!

*this post may be linked to: Encourage One Another, Titus 2sdays, and WFMW*

How do you simplify meal planning? Do you have a system?

The post Organized Meal Planning Made Simple appeared first on Day2Day Joys.