With governments around the world requesting that those who aren’t classified as key workers stay at home, many people are finding it difficult to cope with the new normal. Staying calm and comfortable inside is becoming a main priority, but it can be difficult to figure out how to create the best space in which you can stay both mentally and psychically healthy. Luckily it doesn’t have to be as tricky as you might think to make your home a positive and productive space, as there are a few simple steps that you utilise to see an improvement in no time. So, if you would like to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the best tips and tricks that you can make the most of today!

Image Source – Pexels 

Focus On Comfort

Comfort is key when it comes to maintaining calm at home. How comfortable you feel can be influenced by many different factors, from the environment that you are in to the clothes that you are wearing. In order to reach good levels of comfort you should start off by aiming to create the most relaxing space possible, cleaning up your home (as clutter and dirt can encourage negative/unfocused thought) and adding some extra comfortable features like big pillows and blankets that will envelope you on the sofa. Adapting your home to make a more positive and welcoming environment will help you to stay calm during the longer periods of lockdown, and it’s so simple to make beneficial changes. Feeling comfortable is influenced by the clothing that you choose to wear, as some items can make it impossible to sit, lie down or relax without discomfort. Investing in some of the best loungewear like scrunch leggings and super soft sweatshirts will help you to feel a little less restricted, and allow you to really relax and unwind in the most comfy manner possible.

Make Time For Health

With all of the stress and worry related to the current situation, it’s so easy to fall into a cycle of eating junk and unhealthy foods, as well as avoiding exercise too. Having so much more time on your hands opens up the opportunity to focus more on your health, and now is the time to improve your general wellbeing and immune system too. Aim to consume 3 nutritious meals each and every day, and don’t be afraid to look online for some inspiration – there are so many recipe blogs and cooking tutorials from all around the world that are packed full of vitamins and minerals! Exercise can seem difficult without access to a gym, but there are so many home workouts that you can indulge in to burn some calories and strengthen your muscles. Improving your physical health will have a positive impact on your mental health too, so it’s a definite step in the right direction towards achieving comfort and calm. 

Staying comfy and relaxed whilst at home during lockdown has never been so easy when you can make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above!

It’s a new decade and that means a total revamp of the home and garden. Don’t believe that? Take a look at the recent interior design trends. Leather is out, fabric is in. neutrals have been kicked out, vibrant colors are back in. Metal and glass aren’t being spared either, instead being replaced by wood and craftsmanship. The garden is receiving the same treatment. The normal thoughts around the typical styles are being challenged. So what kind of things can you expect to see in springtime gardens that are of the utmost stylish, in 2020?

The cottage returns

Cottage flower beds are exquisite. There’s no other way to describe them, they are just fantastic to look at. So many bright colors, complimenting pairings and harmonious designs. The cottage flowers that will be making a comeback in every stylish garden will be lupins, honeysuckle, delphiniums, phlox and aquilegia, to name a few. These flowers are delicate in their texture and low in density, but they are very resilient to the wind and rain if they are situated close together. This is because their designs are so varied, that wind effectively passes through and rain is splashed and spread everywhere so every flower gets a drink. Take a look at how the different flower bed designs in classic English, Swiss and French cottages make good use of spacing and positioning to gain a little perspective.

A protective and nourishing border

Garden borders have always been popular but recently, they have become far too common. Brick borders are seen in many modern home gardens because they offer protection from moles that would otherwise burrow under the soil and eat the roots of plants and flowers. They also look hideous when done incorrectly. You must choose a brick tone that matches the flowers otherwise, the border sticks out and takes attention away from the flowers.

Using a mulch border is better in a number of ways. You can find more details about the different kinds of mulch you can use here. Leafgrow is is a fine mulch as you would expect from the name, bark mulch is coarser but very nourishing in the long-term and, shredded hardwood mulch is of slightly lesser nutrition but is cheaper. The mulch will prevent weeds from growing around your plants and flowers, which would then sap water and food away from them. It’s also 100% natural so nothing harmful will enter your soil. It’s also more aesthetically pleasing too because it’s not a hard structure as a brick border is.

Decorative arches

Wooden garden arches are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they can shape your garden in ways you didn’t imagine. If you are creating a sectioned garden, with a pleasing entrance that meets a walkway through a maze or along with a water feature, garden arches are a great non-invasive way to do this. Wooden archways can also be decorated with flowers to your liking, adding a new depth of style.

Springtime is a great time to do a bit of gardening. You can make your new 2020 garden a project which could last into summer if you begin now.

Pixabay – CCO Licence

Welcoming your new puppy home is an exciting time, both for them and for you. However, it’s important to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. Remember – this is your puppy’s first introduction to a whole new world, so he may feel a little overwhelmed or scared at times.

If you want to ensure your puppy feels at home from the get-go, take a look at these top tips for welcoming your new puppy into your family…

1. Puppy proofing

If there is one thing every puppy owner needs to do before their new puppy arrives, it’s puppy-proof their home! In the same way you would prepare your house for a boisterous, inquisitive toddler, you need to ensure it’s safe for your furry friend.

Puppies are naturally nosey, so be prepared for your puppy to get into anything and everything. It’s essential that you store anything dangerous well out of reach, ideally up high and in a locked cupboard. 

Many puppy owners use baby gates to keep their puppy in a safe environment. Installing an exercise pen or baby gate is a temporary way to restrict your puppy’s access to the rest of your home and can be a great way of preventing mishaps.

Don’t forget – there are many human foods that are poisonous to dogs, so you’ll need to ensure you don’t leave snacks where they are accessible to your puppy. This applies to trash cans too – you wouldn’t eat out of the trash, but your puppy isn’t so fussy! Make sure trash cans are fully sealed and can’t be knocked over, or you’ll find your puppy is most at home making a mess. 

2. Register your puppy

As you might expect, welcoming a new puppy home involves a little paperwork. When you buy a purebred puppy, you will be eligible to register it with the American Kennel Club. Although you can do this yourself, reputable breeders, like Lucky Labs, will guide you through the process. However, the American Kennel Club isn’t just open to purebred dogs. If your puppy is a mixed breed, you can register them for the American Kennel Club Canine Partners Program. 

In addition to registering your puppy, you’ll want to ensure you have a network of support in place. Before your puppy arrives, find a veterinarian you wish to use. Ideally, seek personal recommendations from family and friends but, if not, check out online reviews too. 

It’s also a good idea to have contact information for reputable dog walkers, dog sitters, doggy daycares, dog trainers and puppy training classes. By building your puppy’s network before they arrive, you can ensure you’ve got access to any help you might need in the first few weeks of your puppy’s new life. 

3. Prepare your family

When your new puppy arrives home, you’ll find that extended family, friends, and neighbors are excited to meet them. In fact, you’ll be surprised at just how many people can’t wait to make a fuss of your furry friend. However, meeting a large number of people at once can be overwhelming for a puppy, particularly within the first few days of arriving at a new home. 

While you might be tempted to throw a welcome party, hold off until your puppy is more familiar with their environment. Getting to know their new home and immediate family members is enough to keep them busy for a few days or weeks, so let them acclimatize first. 

Of course, you’ll need to ensure that you and your immediate family members are ready to welcome your puppy home too. If you have children, for example, you’ll want to ensure they understand how to interact with the puppy safely and what they can do to keep him safe. 

In addition to this, it can be helpful to agree on a training program as a family in advance of your puppy arriving home. Once he arrives, some of you may be tempted to break the rules so having an agreed regime in place can make things easier and clearer for your puppy and your human family. 

4. Hit the shops

Your puppy is going to need a few things to help them feel settled in, so you get to do a bit of retail therapy. Puppies need food that gives them the essential nutrients they need to grow, so you’ll want to ensure you’ve got tasty puppy food at the ready. If you want to continue with the same food your breeder uses, ask them for the brand in advance so you can stock up. 

A collar and a leash are, of course, essential, and you will want to ensure your dog’s collar has your contact details on it too. Although you won’t be able to let your puppy off lead for quite some time, it’s always good to be prepared. 

Many people choose to crate train their puppy, simply because it is an effective and safe way for them to adapt to family life. However, it’s important to ensure that you choose an appropriately sized crate. While crates that are too small could be harmful to your dog, a crate that’s too big can lead to training issues too. 

As well as selecting a food bowl, water bowl and other essentials, you’ll get the exciting task of choosing your puppy’s first toys too. Puppy love to chew, so having some safe, puppy-friendly chew toys allows them to exercise their tendencies. What’s more, having chew toys to hand means you can redirect your puppy when they try to chew other things, such as your furniture or your hands!

Enjoying your new puppy

Welcoming a new puppy home is one of the most exciting times for any family. With the right amount of preparation, you can ensure the transition is easy and stress-free. While it might take a little time for your new furry friend to adjust to his new home, these steps will help you to create a fun, friendly and safe environment for them to enjoy.

Most families look at a vacation together as one of the most exciting things that they can do all year, and they’d be right! The problem? Kids are chaotic. They’re filled with wild, uncontrollable chaos and energy that, when put in a confined space (like an airplane) it can be a slightly scary situation! So, for a family, road trips are often the best option to avoid too much confined chaos. A road trip allows you the freedom and your own schedule, and you are going to be able to enable your children to run and laugh and play as much as they like on the way.

The biggest worry – other than chaos, of course – is the worry of accidents on the road. Yes, the kids will be noisy in the car, and yes, this is a distraction. The likelihood is that you won’t need to have a car accident attorney on speed dial during your trip. However, the best thing that you could do is to add one – just in case! Some view a road trip with children as terrifying, not the thing to do to keep kids cooped up in a car for miles on end. Here’s the thing, though: you can stop at any time and get out, and you can’t do that on a plane. With our ten tips below, you can take a road trip with your kids without accidents, without worries, and without thinking that your children are going to be any trouble in a confined space.

Image Source

Tip 1: Choose A Neutral Place

Nope, you may not want to go to Disneyworld, and the kids may not want to go on a mad tri through the best museums in every state. So, it would help if you came up with an excellent middle ground. If you have tiny kids, you choose where to go but map out areas on the way where they can have fun. If you have older kids, get them involved in the conversation.

Tip 2: Use A Map

A real, paper map is always better to have than a GPS or an app. Sure, you can use an app, too, but if you run out of battery and can’t charge your phone, you’re screwed! Hard copies are also a great way to teach the kids how to map read. Lessons on the road? Always!

Tip 3: Get Out Of The Car

You may be on the road to get from place to place, but you don’t have to stay there. Map out spots to get out of the car and stretch your legs. You can explore the local areas, change who sits in which seat and give the vehicle a brush down and tidy up every time you stop. There’s nothing wrong with stopping to prevent lethargy, arguments, and built-up mess. Road trips are fantastic for seeing what you want to see, but they’re a slog, and as a family, it’s a lot of time close-contact.

Tip 4: Be Prepared With Entertainment

You are on the road with a family, which means you’re going to hear the cry of boredom more times that you would like. The scenic routes are beautiful, but children often do not pay attention to those! This means that you need to entertain them! Think games, music, movies and more. The games have to be more than just I Spy, though; you need to think about making up some special road trip packs for the kids. Bring charged-up iPads and spare chargers for the car, too. You want to keep the kids occupied in a way that interests them, so don’t be afraid of asking them what they’d like to do!

Tip 5: Always Stop & Take The Picture

If you see that magnificent monument or the excellent view, stop. Get out of the car and take the picture. There is only so much of your vacation you want to do things through a phone or viewfinder, so why don’t you bring a proper camera and start your own road trip scrapbooks?

Image source

Tip 6: Get Everyone Involved

When it comes to a road trip, you need everyone to be a part of a team. Kids can share duties and get involved in blowing up air mattresses and putting up tents. They can help you to clear out the car, and when you have everyone with a task to do, things move far more efficiently.

Tip 7: Embrace The Traffic

Roadblocks..traffic…pauses in time – you name it, it’ll stop you in your tracks. There’s nothing more frustrating than stopping during your trip, but you should embrace these pauses! Take these moments and foster connections and conversations with the kids that you wouldn’t get a chance to at home. Take a detour off the book and get a little lost (safely). It’s exciting!

Tip 8: Act Like Locals

When you get out of the car to see the areas you’ve stopped in, why not take a moment and be a local? Go to the places off the beaten track and not in your guidebook. Take the time to enjoy the extra sites and when you’re in a big city, find the walking tours and go and explore. There is nothing like discovery, and when you’re with the whole family, it’s the best adventure that you could hope for.

Tip 9: Stop At The Grocery Stores

There’s something necessary about stopping for street food and at fancy restaurants, but when you’re on a road trip, it’s smarter to shop in the grocery stores and pack the car with tons of snacks. Keep a couple of coolers in the back, and you’ll be able to keep drinks cold the whole way, too. Plus, you can refill the coolers with cold drinks on the road!

Tip 10: See Some Friends On The Way

When you plan your road trip, plan to go places that take you to old friends and family. Visit those people who haven’t seen you and the kids in a while, and make sure that you bring souvenirs with you!

Moms are Amazing

As women we are constantly being pulled in so many different directions.  From being a wife to be a mommy, with everything we do on a daily basis we tend to lose ourselves in the process.  Our friendships suffer, our hair falls out, and we can’t remember the last time we wore jeans.  It’s a constant battle of feeling guilty for putting yourself first, you feel like a horrible mother for wanting or doing more. 

I have been a stay-at-home-mom for a decade! That’s right a whole ten years! I couldn’t believe it, and although it doesn’t feel like that because in the process of being home, I have been raising my four beautiful children.  But the reality is, it’s been ten years.  I started to think…. What have I done in that ten years? Yes, I have four wonderful and smart children, I served in the church ministry for five years, I obtained a bachelor’s degree, and created a website to help others.  It’s a pretty good feeling, but on the other hand I felt something was missing.  

I always strive to help my husband financially any way I can.  I know the amount of stress on his shoulders every day to be the sole provider of our home.  He does an amazing job and we are so blessed. My kids started asking me, “mom when are you going back to work”? It’s such an awful feeling knowing your kids don’t think you work hard or value what you do every day.  They are little and the question was innocent and valid.  

I talked to my husband and explained my concerns for my life and future.  What kind of example am I setting for my daughters as they grow into women? What will they take away from me? How can I teach them more? Did I do the best I could, and could I have done more? This is a constant battle I have in my mind.  Maybe I am too hard on myself, but I know that I was put into this world to do more and to be great. 

What Next??

I made the decision to start Grad School to obtain my Master’s Degree in elementary education.  Initially, I had no idea how I would do it all. Raising kids is hard enough, but while going to school online full time I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into.  I just knew I needed to do it to set a positive example for my kids and for myself.  

For as long as I can remember I always knew I would be in education. Once I had my oldest son Isaac and we found out he was autistic, I knew I could make a difference and impact the lives of other people struggling like I was.  Now I am five classes into my program; holding down the house, my kids, husband and maintaining a 3.7 GPA. 

 I feel pretty confident that God never gives you more than you can handle.  I feel empowered being back in school, encouraged as my kids watch me do homework and talk about what I am learning in class.  

They are interested in what I am doing for the first time.  Proud of who their mom will one day become and what she will achieve.  That is so important to me.  Maybe it shouldn’t be, maybe it’s petty to some.  

My goal is to be the best mom I can and that means setting an example for them, just because I am a mom doesn’t mean I have to quit on the things I am passionate about. It doesn’t mean I have to settle or stop being the best version of myself.  It motivates me more than ever to achieve those goals knowing that I have their support. I can look at them one day and truly say that I have done my absolute best.  Maybe I don’t always have it together, and I am a mess, and so is my kitchen, but at the end of the day I will hold it together and get it done. 

Be The Best YOU!

For those of you reading this today, you’re not alone. I encourage you to follow your passions and set goals to be the best version of yourselves.  Being a mom should not limit what we can do and who we can be.  It should motivate us to do more.  Whatever you do, don’t stop doing what you love.  Put lipstick on and pull yourself together because you deserve it, and yes, the little ones are watching you.  The more positive we are, the more they will mimic that. It will shine through them, because they had a mom who cared about herself first.  Healthy moms are better in all areas.  They are able to take on more and do it with an open heart and mind.  I can say, from example, since I went back to school, I feel I have more purpose and am eager to begin my days.  

I hope that this post reaches anyone who is struggling to find themselves through the journey of motherhood.  That you may know you are worth it, and that you can do anything you set your mind to.  It is so powerful to be a woman, the role we hold as mothers and wives.  We are amazing beings and can conquer anything we want with the right support and mind set.  

Thanks for stopping by and remember to keep striving for mommy success.  

When you’re someone that is homeschooling or you love to be involved in your children’s schooling, it can be really fun to ensure that you are creating lessons that count. Of course, we all know that there are specific lessons that need to be taught, and different subjects that need to be covered off. However, you may find that in most situations, history can inspire pretty much everything that you teach.

From English to mathematics to the arts, this can really apply in a range of situations. But one way to look at this idea that will always inspire you, is to consider the most important developments in human history. Let’s take a look.

How It All Began

As you’re teaching, whatever you’re teaching, you might want to take a look at how it all began. Because whether you’re looking at mathematics or science or even literature, there’s always something in history that puts today’s methods and work into perspective. It can be fun to see how things were once done too.

Reinforcing Today

Of course, in a history class you’re going to want to teach everything that happened before. But then also, you can turn back to what was done hundreds of thousands of years ago to see what was done, in comparison to today. It can be fun to make things stick, by looking at what scientists or mathematicians or philosophers did before.

If you’ve like to learn more about the most important developments in human history, just take a look at the infographic below.

Infographic Design By Norwich University

The time of year that some parents live for, and that others dread—booking the much-anticipated family vacation. 

Any parent knows that a family vacation doesn’t begin until everyone and everything has arrived safely at the destination; the kids have crashed in an over-exhausted heap, and the adults can let out a huge sigh of relief. You’ve made it. 

Planning a trip doesn’t have to be stressful, though. After all, the idea of a vacation is that they are supposed to be fun and relaxing! 

Here are a few helpful things to tick off your family vacation planning checklist to make sure everyone has a fun time! 

Pixabay-CC0 Licence 

Deciding Where To Go

The most important thing to consider when booking a family vacation is; where? Depending on whether you want to travel overseas, or explore the great places this country has to offer-there are plenty of family vacation packages to suit most budgets. If you’re a family that likes to live by routine and tradition, or you are explorers of new and exciting places, there are a variety of vacation spots to suit all. From exploring a new city to going to your favorite spot by the lake, to an outdoor pursuits adventure– there are so many family-friendly possibilities! 

For sleeping arrangements, many hotels will have family suites, with multiple beds in one room, meaning you can keep an eye on your children. However, for older kids and teens looking for more privacy, paying for an extra room will add an extra chunk of cash to your budget. 

It may be worth looking into a DIY option and opting for a holiday rental property. Air BnBs are versatile and offer a more home-away-from-home feel to your vacation. If you don’t mind preparing your own meals, this is a great option and will keep costs down. 

Who’s Coming?

So, you’ve decided you’re going away, but—who’s invited? Will this be a trip for two adults and multiple children, or is there a possible place for extended family, too? Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins etc. are important parts of the family. Taking a trip with them can create a whole new dynamic that will need to be considered before going ahead and planning the vacation. Think about whether they have the budget or the means to go on a family vacation overseas, or whether a trip closer to home would be more beneficial. The people you travel on vacation with can influence the decision on where you’re going, too. Compromising here is essential—you don’t want to cause any more drama than needed before you’ve even made it away! 

Are We There Yet?

Now that the destination and the company are planned, now it’s time to think about how you’d travel to your destination. Depending on where you go, you may not even need to get on a plane to get there. The country has so much to see and do, that even a few hours road trip to a neighboring state can give you the feeling of taking a vacation far removed from the normalcy of home. However, if you do need to jump on a jet, make sure you get the best flights for your money. Flight comparison sites make it easier to compare prices and to get the best deal possible. If you do need to fly, you might want to consider looking into getting a rental car for traveling between places during your trip—it might not be walkable, and unfamiliar public transportation may cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. 

What Shall We Do?

Pexels-CC0 Licence 

Planning activities is the fun part of organizing your vacation, but pleasing the whole family can be tough. Get the kids involved in researching what there is to do in the area. There are plenty of theme park reviews for them to check out online if that’s their thing or days by the beach where the grown-ups get to relax while the kids play. Bushcraft activities are fun for all the family, too. Get creative! Kids will bring their own fun, so remember you don’t have to have a packed timetable of activities to have a memorable trip! 

Remember Why You’re Doing it
Going on vacation is a real treat, and can bring a lot of fond memories to the family for years to come. There are many reasons to go away; to celebrate a milestone birthday, wedding anniversary, or achieving high grades at school–even just to relax and unwind. Plan, take pictures and create memories with those you love the most.

(Image Source)

Building a home is an exciting and thrilling process, with loads of fun jobs to do along the way, and a great sense of achievement to be earned from the finished product. You will have to learn an awful lot on this journey. It will be hard to design a building without any prior knowledge, and even things like picking materials will be a challenge unless you’ve done the background work. When it comes to the roof of your home, it becomes crucial that you have a good understanding of the field, though a lot of people ignore this area when they first start.

Materials

The very first area to consider is the materials which form your roof. The option you choose for this will be largely dictated by your budget, but things like weather and location can also play a role. Tiles, slate, metal, and plastic are all commonly found on roofs, nowadays. Each has its own benefits, with the options from a site like https://eriemetalroofs.com/ offering a good balance between affordability and durability, but not always matching the style preferences people have. It can be worth talking to your construction team to figure out what they think will be best.

Roof Styles

Along with the materials which are used to make a roof, you also have to think about the style of roof you want to go for. A lot of people go for standard styles, with a triangular slant which has its highest point in the middle of the house. You should choose your style based on the rest of your home, while also taking climate into account. For example, you shouldn’t have a flat roof if you live somewhere with a lot of snow, as it could collapse under the weight of it.

Creating Space

A lot of traditional architecture makes use of space far better than people do today. Roofs present an excellent opportunity to make a new room inside a home, as they often have a huge empty space right below them. It’s worth thinking about this before you design your home, as this can have a huge impact on how much room you have for living, without taking much away from the style of your home. The taller your roof, the more space you will have.

Functionality

Roofs are designed to do a lot more than simply keeping the inside of your home dry. Some will have chimneys which can expel smoke from a fireplace, while others will have windows which can let a lot of light in. Whatever you choose, it will be worth thinking about how you will use your roof. If you don’t think you’ll need features like this, you can ignore them, though it’s a good idea to make sure you don’t ignore things you might want in the future.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of creating the perfect roof for your home. A lot of people struggle with work like this, finding it hard to know what needs to be done when they are working on the top of the house.

No one ever wants to go through a divorce, and it can often be a painful process. So how do you handle a divorce mentally so that you can continue to look after yourself and to any of those in your household that are also suffering from the fallout.

Image Source
S

Surround yourself with support

In times of trouble, the best thing that we can do is surround ourselves with love and support. And no matter what end of the divorce you may be on, everyone deserves love no matter what they did wrong. We all are guilty of making mistakes, and so it’s important to not beat yourself up about it if you feel like you are to blame for the break down of the marriage. The best thing that you can do now for your mental health is to give yourself a lot of love and to get that love and support from others close to you. Whether that’s family, friends or work colleagues. The more support you have, the less likely you will feel that you’re in this divorce alone. 

Take A break from it

The process of a divorce is stressful, and sometimes it’s important to take a break from it. Of course, you need to know what to do when served with divorce papers and to keep up with any of the processes when it comes about. However, for the rest of that time where you’re waiting for papers to go through, it’s a good idea to take a break. Forget about the whole situation and instead focus on something that makes you happy. Submerge yourself into work or spending time with others. Do more of what you love and give yourself as much self-care as you possibly can. By taking your mind off it, it stops it from consuming your every waking moment. That’s not at all healthy or needed for your state of mind. 

Avoid arguments with your ex

Confrontation is something a lot of us don’t want, especially when it’s not warranted. If you have a volatile relationship with your ex or tensions are currently high, and arguments are expected, try to avoid these situations at all costs. It’s important to be still civil and have respect for your former spouse, no matter the situation. This is particularly important where children are involved because they’ll see and hear everything that goes on, and that’s something that will stick with them forever.

Think Positively And To The Future

The future is always going to come, but when you’re going through something so painful, it can often feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Thinking positively about the situation is the best way of putting your best foot forward. There’s so much more to be grateful for, and it’s good to refer back to this thought process, whenever times get hard.

Be brave, be strong and know that things will get better. Look after your mental health and make time to focus on yourself.

For busy moms putting your best self forward often means a lot of work and dedication, it’s not just something that falls into place. Even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone once in a while it’s important to make sure you are having times when you do put yourself forward. It’s going to mean you’re healthier, more focused and ready to deal with anything. Your main priority should be trying to get a balanced life where you can juggle and family, career and also live a healthy lifestyle. This is by no means impossible. Just think positive choices that feed your mind and body. 

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Check the things below that you should think about focusing on to be the best busy mom you can be: 

Get Yourself Active

Exercise is an important part of everyone’s life and routine so even as a busy mom you should try to find something that you’re able to fit in. Whether it’s a quick yoga session with the baby, hiring a personal trainer so you can get some essential routine time or sticking a DVD on during nap time, it’s a good idea to try and slot it in somewhere. Not only will it help to keep you motivated, healthy and focused it will leave you feeling more energized and your kids will pick up on the fact that exercise is a focal point to a healthy lifestyle from a young age. You could even get the kids involved if you’re really struggling for time. Try holding dance parties in the living room, going on a long walk at the weekend or try som mini-games or runs on the way to the park. 

Make Sure you’re eating well

It’s not a hidden secret that good food is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and an important part of looking after yourself as a parent. You should make sure you’re eating the right foods, a balanced diet and from good quality sources. It’s all good and well feeding your children organic, healthy meals but if you’re not going to do it yourself you are still setting a really bad example and frankly not taking care of yourself as you should be. You could try things like going vegetarian one night a week or get the kids involved in choosing and cooking a healthy meal for the whole family. Integrating the elements into a normal routine will not only help you to take care of you it will help you take care of your kids. You should also make an effort to drink plenty of water instead of pop and caffeinated drinks. 

Keep Connected and catch up on appointments

Jut because you’re working and juggling a family life doesn’t mean that your personal appointments and catch up’s should be missed. It’s an important part of feeling like yourself to have some time for a normal routine every now and again. So, if you have an important meeting with a personal injury lawyer or want to grab a coffee with some friends try to allow yourself this time. This also goes for things like date night, although going out once a week might not be doable any more it doesn’t mean you can’t put some time to one side for at home, try arranging a meal at home or dig out the old cookbooks once in a while. 

It’s important as any parent to make sure you take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your children and lead by example. Do you have any other ways that you can look after yourself as a busy mom? Please share them in the comments section below.