Getting Things Done with Littles

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If I haven't said it before, let me say it now: my first year of full-time homemaking was R-O-U-G-H!  Like, almost-drove-me-to-go-back-to-work kind of rough.  But, God allowed me to persevere through the "learning curve" and now, I am so happy I stuck with it.

One of the biggest things I struggled with was how to get things done {Bible study, dishes, laundry, quality time with Little Man, blogging...} with a little one who wanted to be in on the action; whatever "action" I was engaging in at the time.  Since those rough days, I've learned a few ways to tackle the to-do list when you've got smaller kiddos.

{Side note: though I technically have one child right now, I do keep other children on a regular basis.  So, it's not uncommon for me to have at least two... sometimes, four total... in my home.}

WORK WHILE THEY SLEEP

This one is so obvious that I figured I ought to go ahead and get it out of the way...

If there is something that I need to get done, but don't exactly want to do it with a little one underfoot, I will do my best to work while he sleeps.  Some days this means waking up extra early and other days it means reserving the task for naptime or after bedtime.

Obviously this is the easiest solution but, let's be real, it's not always the most practical option.  I mean, I can't get EVERYTHING done while he sleeps.  So, instead, I...

LET THEM WORK WITH YOU

If at all possible, I let him work on the task with me.  Take cooking and cleaning for example.  These tasks can definitely be done with a little helper.  It may take me twice as long to finish the job but, the good news is, he doesn't feel like he's fighting for my attention because he already has it.  Not to mention, there is the added benefit of him learning valuable skills that will serve him well into adulthood.

But, what about those tasks that little ones can't exactly help with, but still need to be done while they're awake?  In those instances, I...

TEACH THEM TO ENTERTAIN THEMSELVES

I believe there is great value in teaching a child to entertain him/herself.  For one thing, when my son plays alone {especially without any brothers, sisters, or friends to keep him company}, he's forced to be extra creative by making his own fun.  Obviously, I don't believe in leaving him to his own devices often or for extended periods of time {as in, several hours on end}, but an hour or two of independent play is both good for him and good for me, as it allows me to do the things that need to be done.

And, truthfully, he's usually playing independently in the same room; like when I fold clothes on the bed in the master bedroom, he's usually playing with some of his toys on the floor next to me.

Another option is to...

SET ASIDE SPECIAL TOYS/ACTIVITIES

I'll be honest: this isn't an idea that I'm currently using.  However, I definitely think it is effective, therefore it's a tip that I'm keeping in my back pocket until needed.

Basically, the idea is to set aside toys or activities {like puzzles, art supplies, etc.} that will only be brought out when you need to take care of a task that the kids cannot help with.  You can do this by taking toys "out of rotation" or purchasing new toys/supplies specifically for this purpose.  You could even designate certain toys/activities to be used during certain activities {kind of like creating a kid kit for each thing - and you all know how much I love kits, right?}:

• Sensory boxes are only for the dinner-rush-hour {when you've got to cook dinner, the kids are hungry, AND your hubby isn't home yet}.
• "Quiet Time Bins" {like these} for when you're child no longer naps, but you still need to tackle the cleaning chores.
• Special books or puzzles for when your toddler wants your attention, but you need to nurse the baby.

Of course, the bullet-point examples are just that... examples.

And, when all else fails...

UTILIZE THE TELEVISION

I know, I know.  I can almost hear the gasps.

I realize that this isn't always a popular choice, but it's a choice I'm comfortable with because television, in and of itself, is not inherently evil.  Its morality is determined by how we use it.  Therefore, using the television to, for lack of a better word, "baby-sit" my son is okay with me as long as I make sure to follow a few self-imposed rules:

• Selection: I determine what he watches and I keep the selection to educational/age-appropriate shows.  If you're curious, his favorites right now are Little Einsteins and Doc McStuffins.
• Time Limits: I determine how long he watches television and try to keep it to a minimum.  In other words, television time is often not my first choice.  But, when I really need to be able to focus on something, I will turn it on for an hour or so. {I try to keep his screen time to under an hour and a half every day.}
• Balance: Just like I make an effort to be fully present while offline, I also make an effort to engage my son when he's not in front of the television.  For me, this means providing him with toys that are educational and/or promote creativity, as well as taking the time to read to him and to facilitate more structured activities {like, a planned art project}.

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Because I'm still fairly new at this motherhood thing {and even newer at the homemaking thing}, I know that you all probably have even more tricks up your sleeve.  So, if you have something to add, please do so in the comments below!  That way, we can all learn from your experiences.

God Bless,

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Linked To:
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Women Living Well Wednesdays at Women Living Well
Better Mom Mondays at The Better Mom
Anti-procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia
Titus 2sdays at Time-Warp Wife
Teach Me Tuesdays at Growing Home
Titus 2 Tuesdays at Cornerstone Confessions