kids

While my blog primarily focuses on money issues, I am a mom of 4, so I thought it would be fun to talk momming one day a week. Mom Monday is my new feature where I will be tackling mommy issues. My hope is that even my non-parent readers will stop by and comment, since you were kids once too!

As I type this my 2 boys are across the hall building some crazy creation out of Legos. People often ask me how I get so much done (which makes my husband break into a fit of giggles), and the truth is I get done what’s important at any given moment, and the rest slides.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been alone at home. My oldest son is homeschooled, so 5 out of 7 days of the week he is home, and my youngest isn’t starting preschool until next year.

3 days a week I have the 2 boys, and my youngest daughter comes home from school at 11:30. The other 2 days I have the little dude for 3 hours alone, then we pick up his sister, and then 2 hours later we pick up big brother. If you didn’t follow all that, don’t worry. I don’t follow it either, and it’s my life!

The only way I can get things done is by squeezing work in around the edges of family life. Between laundry loads, dishes, and keeping the kids from killing each other helping them play nicely, I find 5 minutes to blog, or 10 minutes to email. I also work on the weekends, and hired a friend to babysit once a week for 5 hours so I can have uninterrupted time.

I don’t hover over the kids. I don’t spend my time policing them. I let them play. Even though my agenda right now says it’s time to clean up the boys’ room with them, and reorganize it they are playing nicely, so I let them play. Kids need time to just be kids, and I totally benefit from them playing together.

It wasn’t always this way. When they were little it was all about naptime. It was crucial they have naps so I could have some peace and quiet and time to get things done. If you have little ones at home know it does get better, but the flip side is no naps!

How do you find time to get things done? What gets shoved off your to do list in favor of letting the kids play?

Kelly

*note: before this post was done my 4 year old came into the office to show off his new creation

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Karyn from Kid Nexions contacted me to share this innovative, and fun challenge for kids. The basics: you get an email with a simple activity your child can do to teach them great money habits. It’s low pressure, and helps make learning about managing money a fun activity.

To sign up simply go to the Beyond the Piggy Bank page, and learn more and sign up! The challenge starts on Monday, February 22 (to coincide with America Saves Week).

More from Karyn Hodgens:

Beyond the Piggy Bank 15-Day Challenge…because the piggy bank is only the first step. Kids are fascinated with money. As parents, we need to tap into that fascination and teach them a healthy attitude towards money along with the skills to be saving savvy and money smart. Come join a community of parents as, together, we learn the ins and outs of preparing our kids for their financial futures…in a fun, all-about-the-kids way.