Extracts below:
Are you a mum who feels like you are fighting a losing battle against the clock trying to keep your show on the road?
Whether you’re at home, back at the office, or simply fighting the eternal battle to keep the kitchen clean, these tips from Tanith Carey’s new book: “How to be an “Amazing Mum” - When You Just Don’t Have the Time – the Ultimate Handbook for Hassled Mothers”, price 7.99, will help find you more time for your child, your partner – and even yourself!
Decorate your home to make it easier to pick up after kids: As a mum, you will be spending a substantial amount of time picking up after kids, so make your life a bit easier by using wipe-clean, gloss paint on the walls so you wipe off hand-marks and plenty of attractive, storage – like big whicker baskets with lids - so you easily chuck the toys out of sight at the end of the day.
Do your beauty tasks when the kids are in bed: Are you looking like a stressed-out mum because you haven’t had the time for your old beauty regime? Set aside ten minutes every night before bed – when you children are asleep – for tasks like eyebrow plucking or moustache bleaching – so look and feel ready for the day the next morning.
Buy clothes that are easier to care for: One of the things mums hate most is the seemingly never ending pile of laundry that seems to stalk them around the house. Make your life easier by choosing fabrics that won’t need a lot of ironing. If it already looks creased in the shop, put it back right away. Then choose clothes in the same range of colours so they won’t need separating before you wash them. That way all items like socks will always match too!
Decide on your house rules; As kids grow, your life will be a lot easier and more efficient if you agree upfront with your child how expect them to behave. With their co-operation, draw up a list of the ten most important guidelines for all the family. It will help you be consistent and not to waver on the basics when you are tired or stressed.
Choose toys carefully: Busy mums can often feel like they spend half their lives on their hands and knees picking up after toys. But make your life easier by choosing playthings carefully. Remember that often the simplest toys are the best. Toys with flashing lights or whirring noises will also need a steady flow of battery changes, so steer clear of the extra work. Certainly avoid battery-operated toys with panels that need to be removed with a screwdriver. How much time do these manufacturers think you have?
Make your home easier to tidy: Don’t let children get into the habit of pulling everything off the shelves – for you to put back. From the age of three, introduce a rule that they can get a maximum of only three games or books out at a time. If they want to play with more, they need to return the ones they’ve used to the proper place.
Get kids to help: A young child in full flow can create a new mess every minute. So harness that natural energy with some reverse psychology, and make tidying up a game. It may not work perfectly, but at least you will feel as though it’s all getting slightly better, not worse! Let them enjoy making a noise as they drop the blocks back into the box. Buy a mini shopping trolley and suggest they go ‘shopping’ for toys.
Make it a team effort: Mums can also get stuck in the martyr rut – doing it all – but deep down secretly resenting it. Be honest about where and when you need help. Partners, mums and dads and friends are not mind- readers, so spell out what they can do. If you need a break, explain to your parents that a child’s family doesn’t end just with you and your partner - that you occasionally need a rest to recharge your mum batteries.
Fight off your laundry pile: Invest in a set of hard-wearing playclothes - in a tough material like denim - that your little one can muck about in every day so you're not constantly adding to your workload. Do more spot cleaning too. Just because your little one’s jumper's been worn once, it doesn’t necessarily need washing right away. As long as it’s stain free and the cuffs and neckline aren't grimy, let it be worn a second time. Don’t let kids throw clothes on the floor which always makes you feel like you have to wash them. For babies and toddlers, invest in "straightjacket" style plastic bibs (not cotton that will only add to your work) which cover up arms as well as their fronts to head off time-consuming outfit changes.
Tips taken from “How to be an Amazing Mum – When You Just Don’t Have the Time – the Ultimate Handbook for Hassled Mothers” by Tanith Carey, price 7.99 and available from all good book shops and Amazon.
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