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Tips for stay-at-home moms
By Rachel Kubicek
rkubicek@joplinglobe.com
There are no black and white answers when it comes to the question of how to be an organized mom.
There are too many sticks in the spokes of life to plan for life to run smoothly all of the time.
Still, there are ways to be more organized and less stressed throughout the day, according to local author and speaker Cindy Sigler Dagnan, and stay-at-home mom Amy Wheeler.
Make time for yourself
“That is one of the weakest areas for any woman, whether she works outside the home or not. It’s our nature to be a nurturer,” said Dagnan.
She recommends using nap time to take time for yourself, which is easier when you get the kids on the same nap schedule.
“The No. 1 thing I tell moms is to take your nap first and then when you get up you still have an hour and 15 minutes to yourself. Use that time to do aerobics, sit on the porch with the baby monitor or read,” Dagnan said.
Wheeler, of Joplin, feels she has a better attitude and is a nicer mom when she takes time for herself.
“I usually try to do something I don’t get to do very often just to make it worth my time. I like to work out to have that as my own time,” she said.
Plan for dinner
Dagnan suggests posting a menu on the refrigerator and planning ahead before going shopping.
“If you are a coupon user, make your list on a business-size envelope and put your coupons inside,” she said. “I keep things to make spaghetti on hand all the time and buy the huge family pack of ground beef at Sam’s and cook it all at once and freeze it so it’s ready. That eliminates the most time consuming part of cooking.”
Wheeler will write down different meal ideas each week and will leave two evenings open so the family can run out and grab something.
“Sometimes I will use the slow-cooker, depending on what we have going on for that day,” she said.
Bedtime routine
Dagnan said that young children thrive on routine.
Her kids go to bed at 7:45 p.m. and lights out isn’t until 8:15, so they can read and unwind.
The Wheelers have a certain bedtime for the kids also.
“The youngest is at 8 p.m. and the oldest is at 8:30 p.m., then it’s our time,” said Wheeler.
Take time with your spouse
“Your No. 1 earthly priority is your husband,” Dagnan said. “You can’t just put it on auto-pilot until the baby is grown.”
She suggests that couples plan a date night once a month.
“Dress up and cuddle at the movies,” she said. “It’s really important to take that time and connect.”
Limit activities
Dagnan said her kids are allowed to choose one activity per semester. Limiting activities also allows the family to keep a scheduled bedtime.
“We have dinner together six out of seven nights and a once a week family time, which is sacred,” she said.
Wheeler says it helps when her husband, Starbuck, helps out with their 3-year-old’s activities.
“When you are married, it’s a partnership to raise the kids,” she said.
On the Web
Cindy Sigler Dagnan is the author of several books, including, “Scribbles: Sketches for Stressed-Out Moms” and “Who Got Peanut Butter on My Daily Planner?”
Her other titles and recommendations from her book club can be found at www.cindydagnan.com.
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