Guest Post puts FF on hold!! And Lasts Week's Winner.

My Regularly Scheduled Freebie Friday has been put on hold because I am on my way to California to do some serious junquing at the Pasadena City College Flea Market!! Hurray. 

Before I turn this post over to my guest blogger, however, I do want to congratulate  Mimi Sue on winning the sweet flower necklace. She noted that she already has it, but now she has one to give as a gift.

Now for my guest blogger.  She is my daughter Emily, she has one child and lots of wisdom, I think.  When I read this blog I asked her where she got her ideas, figuring she had spent some time gathering on Pinterest.  I was impressed when she told me they were all her own.  What a proud mom she makes me.  So, if you know some stay-at-home mom's who are interested in better using their time and energy, you might pass this along.

5 Ways to Be a More Productive Stay-at-Home-Mom.

Let’s face it- being a stay at home mom IS work- but without the regulated hours or regular pay of a regular 40 hour work week, leaves YOU, the mom, in charge setting your own work, goals, etc.

Here are 5 tips on how to be more successful as a stay at home mom

1- When possible, wake up before the rest of your family (namely children) shower, dress, and get ready for the day. This will automatically set your mind in go-mode, preventing you from being sluggish and unproductive throughout the first hours of the day

2- Any physical exercise, even just 15 minutes a day, will release extra endorphins, giving you some extra energy. Additionally, a little cardio can help you work out anger/frustration (which can’t help but give you more patience with your children)

3- Each night, before going to sleep, jot down a to-do list for the next day. Even if you aren’t able to accomplish everything on your list, you will find that simply having them written down will help you to do more than if it was just on your mind

4- Have one long-term goal (eat better, work out, finish an art project, sculpture, quilt, garden, etc.) and do a little bit of work on it each day. Stay at home moms are busier than ever, so giving just a few minutes a day over time will result in a substantial result that will surprise you.

5- Tune out the TV. Have favorite shows? Ones you can’t miss? Just choose even one hour of TV that you normally watch and substitute it with listening to the radio for an hour instead- that hour of programming that you miss will quickly turn into something far more important: an hour playing with your kids, a cleaner home, a better dinner that evening….

However, make sure to remember that as a stay at home mom, your number one priority IS your children: If you ever have something that seems to come above your children, re-evaluate yourself a bit. In five years, will you remember that half hour that you laughed and chased with your children? Or your spotless floor? Just be careful to keep a balance.

 

You can find more of the wisdom of Emily at her blog My American Confessions.  Thanks!! I can't wait to come home and share my flea market finds with you all.  'See' you soon!