Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
Top knots over crop tops 😜 Top knots over crop tops 😜
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Baby, Family, Life & Finances, Sponsored, Toddler, Video, Work · July 26, 2016

How to actually get your to-do list DONE as a working or stay at home mom

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VtechBaby #CollectiveBias

Let’s face it, as moms we can sometimes let our to-do lists pile up, but it’s an honest mistake! We know all too well what it’s like to be pulled in 20 different directions at once, and all the little “interruptions” that make up what we like to call “#momlife,” aren’t looking to go away any time soon. And we don’t want them to! But sometimes a mama had GOT to get stuff done! So what’s a girl to do? I’ve come up with a list to help any mama, working or stay at home, actually get her to-do list DONE. #VTechBaby #ad

How to actually get your to-do list DONE as a working or stay at home mom

Let’s face it, as moms we can sometimes let our to-do lists pile up, but it’s an honest mistake! We know all too well what it’s like to be pulled in 20 different directions at once, and all the little “interruptions” that make up what we like to call “#momlife,” aren’t looking to go away anytime soon. And we don’t want them to! But sometimes a mama had GOT to get stuff done! So what’s a girl to do? I’ve come up with a list to help any mama, working or stay at home, actually get her to-do list DONE.

Motivate yourself to get up as early as you need to

I don’t know about you, but the afternoons are terrible when it comes to getting anything done! Kids are cranky and needy, errands need to be run, dinner needs to be cooked, etc. If I have something to get done for work or school, the likelihood of it getting done is tripled if I jump on it in the morning! I credit that first cup of coffee for that. There’s also just something about mornings that makes me a lot more focused in general, but I don’t think it’s just me.

Know when you work best

That being said, you know when you’re at your best. While I can tear through an assignment before 8 am, my husband looks like someone from the walking dead until at least 9 am. Are you a night owl or a morning person? Me? I’m basically useless after 9pm. I’ve written entire blog posts past 9pm, read it the next morning, and then deleted the whole thing and started from scratch with a non-delusionally tired mind. My point is, you know when you work best. If you’re a night owl, plan to have your evenings free because that is when you’ll be at your best to tackle your workload.

Go crazy with your to-do list.

13836046_10154359906033610_846307618_oI used to be not much of a list-maker, but when I started to get surprised every other week by a deadline that sneaked up on me, I realized it was time. Now, I use Asana to plan out my MONTH. Yep, complete 360° turnaround there. This way, I now have 0 surprises and I know when all my deadlines are, days or weeks in advance, giving me plenty of time to plan out how I need to spend my time on each task. If I see a free day before a big task is coming up, I’ll now know that I can use that time to complete that task, instead of having to cram it into an already busy day because I didn’t realize the deadline was coming up.

Best of all, if you can get your spouse to use Asana, you can actually delegate tasks to others on your “team;” that is, if your husband will actually remember to use it. You’re on your own with that one!

Schedule your days

Being a mom/wife, employee, blogger, and student, there’s always something I need to be doing in my free time. But being the scatterbrained person that I am, if I don’t plan well, I’ll end up starting 5 different projects, and finishing none of them. Instead, what I do now is have certain days for certain areas of my life. Now, given, you can’t hang up being a mom and pick it up later, but you can control the days you have to do grocery shopping, running errands, etc. My suggestion is to do something like this: if you work, make Mondays all about work, make Tuesdays all about home management, Wednesdays about that other thing you do, etc. That way you won’t feel overwhelmed and pulled in 100 directions at once. Your days will be more focused and you’ll wipe out tasks one-by-one instead of having 5 things you’ve started and are struggling to finish.

Ask for help!

There’s no honor in freaking out because you decided to try to do everything by yourself without asking for help. Try some of these things we like to do:

  • Trade babysitting days with a friend
  • Communicate with your spouse! Before you’re overwhelmed and freaking out, ask them to take on some of your regular tasks to free you up!
  • If you can afford it, hire a babysitter to come over one day a week JUST so you can work, run errands, and get your to-do list done.

Get out of the house when you can

The need for this is pretty self-explanatory. Sometimes it can truly just be impossible to get anything done at home. Sometimes when I get a little overly ambitious with my to-do list goals for the day, my son likes to remind me that, ah yes, I am his mommy, and he does need me. Quite a bit, actually. Which is great, but sometimes a mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do, and nothing going to get done in this house where I’m needed. If you can, take the initiative to get out of the house and sit at a table to work. Use one of the methods I outlined in the last point!

When you can’t get out of the house, get yourself an extra pair of eyes

Let’s face it, as moms we can sometimes let our to-do lists pile up, but it’s an honest mistake! We know all too well what it’s like to be pulled in 20 different directions at once, and all the little “interruptions” that make up what we like to call “#momlife,” aren’t looking to go away anytime soon. And we don’t want them to! But sometimes a mama had GOT to get stuff done! So what’s a girl to do? I’ve come up with a list to help any mama, working or stay at home, actually get her to-do list DONE.

Let’s face it, as moms we can sometimes let our to-do lists pile up, but it’s an honest mistake! We know all too well what it’s like to be pulled in 20 different directions at once, and all the little “interruptions” that make up what we like to call “#momlife,” aren’t looking to go away anytime soon. And we don’t want them to! But sometimes a mama had GOT to get stuff done! So what’s a girl to do? I’ve come up with a list to help any mama, working or stay at home, actually get her to-do list DONE.

Have you ever been told to sleep when your baby sleeps? If you’re like me, you thought, “And then when do I get anything done??” Most of my blog writing happens during those short nap times, which is when my VTech Safe&Sound DM271-110 Audio Monitor with Open/Closed and Motion Sensors sooo comes in handy! VTech’s baby monitors come with up to 1,000 feet of range so I’m able to walk all over the house, even out in our yard, and still know what our toddler is up to. And when he wakes up, I can tell him I’m on my way with the two-way, talk-back intercoms! Because I love this baby monitor so much, I created a little video to show you guys how I use it every day as a working, multi-tasking mama! (Check it out below). Best of all, it’s available on Amazon where I already buy all my baby essentials!

Tell me, mamas, what get’s you organized an on-task?? Leave your own tips in the comments below and share this post with a mama in need!

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In: Baby, Family, Life & Finances, Sponsored, Toddler, Video, Work · Tagged: ad, family, free time, get stuff done, life, mama, momlife, noads, overwhelmed, sahm, sponsored, stay at home mom, to-do, to-do list, toddler, toddlerlife, vtech, Work, work from home, working, working mom

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Comments

  1. Carmen Baguio says

    July 26, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    Breaking up my errands into different days of the week work for me, too. Monday is my house day, Tuesday is work, and Wednesday is blog.

  2. Caley says

    July 28, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    GREAT tips and all which I try and adopt every day! Its a whirlwind though x

  3. Leah says

    August 14, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    I try really hard to do the things that take actual concentration when my son sleeps. Then I let him ‘help’ with the other stuff when he is awake – things like laundry and mopping (he’s two, by the way).

  4. Giuseppe Eguchi says

    August 21, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    Even with being ahead with my schedule, I still need to prioritize what I write first and what I achieve with my time! I have 3 lists for different things to get done on my blog!

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How to get your husband to help around the house more

Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?

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Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growin Being a mom has always meant so much to me. Growing up, I thought it was pretty much all I was cut out to do, which ended up being false. But even though I've learned that I'm capable of so many other things, being a mom is still one of my highest aspirations. As we're getting our home ready for fostering, I can't help but think of how the little one(s) entering our home will feel but also how David and Evy will feel. How will they react if we parent slightly differently? Will they understand that we're working to build trust and connection or will they feel indignant? These are the things I pray about and also speak to the kids about in the days leading up. We're all excited but I have the feeling of heaviness that we don't and won't understand the burden until we're all already carrying it together.
Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over Doing my gosh darned best to manifest spring over here and I think it might be working 😉 Today the kids had TWOsday at school and they were so sweet. David wore a tie (I don't exactly get how it tirles in to Twosday but the kids were happy so..) and Evy "twinned" with a couple of sweet friends in her class. It's so sweet when you see your own kids building their own friendships. It just loosens a little piece of anxiety I've had about parenthood since David was still in my tummy. How did you spend your TWOsday??

Sandals @naotfootwear 💕
Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Jos Today was a sweet day. Woke up at 8:30 next to Josh in a quiet house - the kids slept over my parent's last night. Got up, raced to clean the kitchen as fast as I could while my coffee was brewing. The coffee won this time. 

I recorded a Reel while getting ready. Went to the place where we were going to meet my fam a bit early so Josh and I could get in a walk. Then we got coffee, went to a huge antique store (sadly left with nothing but took pictures of my faves so I can remember to come back) and went to lunch with the kids and my parents. Love easy-going and fun days like these 🖤
Back in the day,I was talking with someone about m Back in the day,I was talking with someone about marriage.Josh and I had been married for a few years at that point but this guy was still single. ..

He told me he was studying to get his masters in counseling and he wanted to be a marriage counselor one day.I thought "Hey that's pretty cool" but, curious,because,you know, he was single. 

Anyway, after we'd been talking a few minutes about our interest in helping married couples, he leaned in and said, "You know, I have this theory on marriage.." "Oh yeah?" I said (pretty curious to hear what theories this guy had for all of marriage for everyone everywhere). 

He said, "I believe that every single problem in marriage boils down to communication."

At the time, I didn't really know what to say. I'm more of a *reflector* and then I come up with what I wish I had said later.

Here's what I wish I had said: "Um. Yeah I don't think so. I mean sure, communication helps with a lot of issues. But what about selfishness,⠀addiction,⠀past hurt and trauma, etc? Communication will help people work through those issues but they're connected to much deeper issues that concern the heart--not just your communication skills."

We are all broken, very human, beings and when left to our own devices,⠀we don't have all the tools necessary to "fix" ourselves or our spouse's problems. We can talk until we're blue in the face but we just can't fix ourselves. 

What we do need, is to lean on the Creator who made all things good and makes all things new. To understand that we are not the main characters here. The whole world and everything in it points to Christ and His redeeming power. And yes, he often works that out through us and often through communication. But it's not communication that saves marriages. It's Jesus.

I was just thinking about that today and wanted to get it off my chest. What role do you think communication plays?
Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁 Merry Christmas from the Damons! 🎁
So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 So much joy in one photo! Ok, maybe 4 photos 😜 Love my littlest niece, Eva ❤️
Let's hash something out together: what's somethin Let's hash something out together: what's something you do or used to fight about in your marriage/relationship regularly?

Do you feel like the issue is/was pretty cut and dry? 

Or was there an underlying issue that bubbled up in different ways?

Curious to know your thoughts. 

When Josh and I were first married, we fought a lot. We were pretty low-income, didn't have great jobs, and had a wee baby. While our fights were often about the grocery list, the real issue was that we were SCARED. 

Scared of the adult life we had just stepped into. It was kind of like jumping into a puddle you don't think is that deep until after it's too late and now your socks are completely drowning 🚣🏼‍♀️ 

Luckily, though, they dry off over time, don't they?

After lots of learning and working really hard (both at our jobs and relationship) things started to ease up. We started to see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and even though we weren't there yet, it gave up hope to carry on together ❤️
Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. O Go on a walk with your spouse before Netflixing. Or if you can't leave the house, sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine. Make time to talk. And make it easier by doing things together. It's so so important ❤️
Top knots over crop tops 😜 Top knots over crop tops 😜
Josh and I have been doing a lot of reading on par Josh and I have been doing a lot of reading on parenting recently and I love so many of the lessons we've been learning on creating structure while also being empathetic to your child's needs. 

One of the concepts that's stuck with me is how we should "sandwich" our criticism or corrections with positive things. Kids can get discouraged pretty easily but we can help make sure they feel reassured and loved by complimenting them and noticing & verbalizing their growth as well. 

So for example, saying, "I'm very proud of you for putting away your toys. I want you to work on not bossing around your sister - I'll be the parent in charge. Ok? But the way you put your clothes in your drawers was great!"

Idk about you but I would love if other adults sandwiched their criticism too 😂

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