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Are you a busy mum?
Then you probably struggle to get stuff done sometimes.
I get it. As a mum myself, I know what a juggle it can all be. So I am here to give you 7 tips on how to get more stuff done as a busy mum.
7 Tips to Get More Stuff Done as a Busy Mum
Now that my baby is finally at a stage where she naps fairly consistently, I have found myself trying to get more stuff done during those hours.
But how do you make the most of those nap time hours?
First of all, don’t feel the pressure to make every one of those hours a productive one.
Remember that rest is productive too.
So if you feel exhausted, sometimes using that nap time for a chill yourself is exactly what the doctor ordered.
But if you’re feeling up for it and want to tick some things off your list during those naps, then here are my best tips. Being a mum of 2, I feel like I’ve learned a thing or two along the years.
1. Plan ahead
The best thing you can do is to plan your day ahead of time.
If you have a few hours to get things done, but you don’t know exactly what you want to accomplish, you’re more likely to spend that time scrolling aimlessly (no shame, I’ve done that before myself).
Most evenings, I like to open the Notes App on my phone and write down a brief to-do list for the next day.
Then when nap time comes, I know exactly what I need to do.
This tip has boosted my productivity so much.
2. Use a baby monitor (we use the LeapFrog LF2936FHD Baby Monitor)
If you have a small baby like myself, then you need a baby monitor.
My baby Sophie is currently 9 months old, so my time to get things done is mostly when she’s asleep.
Which is why my LeapFrog baby monitor and I have been inseparable.
There are so many things I could say about this baby monitor, but here’s the brief on why we love the LeapFrog LF2936FHD baby monitor:
- Installing the baby monitor was so simple and it came with everything needed.
- The design of it is so sleek and it’s so helpful to have as a busy mum, so I can get things done but still have the peace of mind.
- I love how it doesn’t make unnecessary noise or light in the baby’s room. We had other baby monitors that would beep when turned on or have a light shining in the crib. This LeapFrog one is perfect as it doesn’t disturb her sleep at all.
- It has built-in white noise and night light that you can turn on as needed from the parent control monitor – how handy is that!
- I love the colour touch screen monitor. You can see the baby so clearly which gives me so much peace of mind.
- You can zoom in and out, as well as rotate the camera 360 degrees, so you can see the baby regardless of how much they wriggle in their crib.
- Night vision is brilliant, it shows such a clear image even in pitch black at night.
- It’s also nice to be able to see the temperature and humidity in the baby’s room, as it’s so important to keep them comfortable and safe.
- The battery on the baby monitor lasts so long. For example, it lasts all throughout the day for all naps and evening. I only put it to charge on my nightstand when I go to sleep.
After trying the LeapFrog baby monitor for the past few weeks, I highly recommend it for any busy parents out there.
Watch my nap time cleaning video for motivation:
3. Choose tasks for your to-do list wisely
Do you know what’s even worse than not making a list?
Making too long of a list.
When you’re writing down your to-do list for the day, make sure you choose your tasks wisely.
From a psychological point of view, if you have a massive to-do list, you’re more likely to feel overwhelmed and procrastinate.
However, if you’ve got 3-5 tasks that feel manageable for that day, then you’re much more likely to stay focused and tick them off.
If you’ve got a big project you’re working on, try breaking it down into smaller tasks and put those on your to-do list.
Tackling a bit each day is better than not doing anything at all.
4. Do the least favourite task or most time consuming task first
Doing the least favourite task first, or the most time consuming task, will give you a spring in your step.
We will likely procrastinate when it’s something we don’t feel like doing.
So tackling those tasks first will help you not only feel more accomplished, but also be more productive when it comes to the other tasks on your list.
5. Set daily habits
I wish I had learned about setting small daily habits years ago.
If we leave things to pile on, then it gets too overwhelming. For example, leaving dishes to pile on in the sink, letting laundry take over entire floors etc.
Instead, if we set small daily habits, we can tackle these chores faster and with greater ease.
I try my best to clean up the kitchen after each meal. It doesn’t take nearly as long as you might think (time it yourself to see).
Clean and put dishes in the dishwasher as I cook.
Put one load of laundry a day – start to finish.
Do small declutters as I spot things we don’t need anymore.
It’s the small daily habits that make a huge difference in our lives.
6. Simplify your home and routine
Speaking of decluttering, if you’re finding it hard to manage your house, then you might be in need of a good declutter.
I share lots of tips on minimalism and decluttering on my Instagram as well.
It’s such a simple concept that we tend to overthink and overcomplicate.
If you have less stuff around your house to manage, you will spend way less time cleaning and tidying.
Since starting my minimalism journey last year, I have found that tidying feels so much easier.
Even with two small children who constantly make messes, my house doesn’t overwhelm me anymore.
Here is your cue to start decluttering your house and to create a simplified home that brings you peace.
7. Be kind to yourself
Lastly, please be kind to yourself.
If you have a day where you don’t feel like being productive, listen to your body.
Rest and recharge.
As a busy mum of 2, I have learned that some days I will tackle all my to-do list and more. But then other days my body or mind is simply saying “stop”. So I chill guilt-free and recharge for another day.
I hope these 7 tips to get stuff done as a busy mum were helpful, even if you have small children or a baby like myself.