- Trying to make pediatric appointments for several children? Ask if your doctor is willing to see two children in one appointment. Some doctors are willing to do this as it saves them time too. A few months back I was trying to schedule a post-partum checkup for myself, a two-month well baby exam for my son, and a sports physical for my daughter. The nurses scheduled the two children to be seen during one appointment, saving me time, energy, and (most costly, these days) gas and parking. For those of you working a 9-to-5 job, you're looking at less time out of the office.
- Babies get a lot of shots during their first year or so, and if you're like me, changing a day's worth of soiled diapers sounds more enjoyable than holding down a baby for a needle - let alone four of 'em! Stress less by delegating the chore - not to your spouse or nanny, but to a nurse. Pediatric nurses understand that some mommies will jump or cry just as much as the baby, and they are understanding when you ask for a second nurse to do "the hold" while you simply focus on comforting baby. (Okay, and yourself!) I had the worst time doing this with my daughter, so now I ask for a second nurse as soon as we check in my son for an appointment. Best of all, having a pro doing the "dirty deed" means we are all done in a flash - instead of me losing my grip or being afraid of getting jabbed myself if he jumps. Less time consumed for the nurses and less stress on you and your little darling.
- Accept "imperfection". Once my kids are walking and talking, I expect them to put their dirty laundry in their basket - I don't expect them to sort it or put it away until they are older. If they are sleeping in a "big kid bed" they are old enough to learn how to make it. Who cares if they wrinkle the covers while they crawl across pulling the comforter up? Teach your children some basic tasks and expect them to do them, rather than depending on you to do them. Accept that they did their personal best and it's one less chore you have to do yourself. (My daughter recently graduated to hanging up her own clothes on laundry day and let me tell you - though it's "only" minutes shaved off my chores, it's a blessing on my schedule!) Maybe you could even go through the FlyLady system together!
- Eliminate non-essential activities for the kids and yourself. Almost every magazine out there is talking about how stressed we are as a society - even babies are overscheduled with music classes, tot tumbling, and playgroups! As a homeschooling parent it would be very easy for me to blow the budget and the calendar by incorporating too many "socialization opportunities" or "educational trips" into our schedule. We've chosen to limit paid activities to one or two per child, which frees up time and money for less-structured events and adventures whenever we find something of interest.
- Consolidate activity days when possible. This isn't a must, and it isn't always feasible. But if you're the sort who'd rather have one long day and then a bunch of free evenings to yourselves, it's worth a shot. Mondays are Park Days with our local homeschool group, so we spend two hours there (socialization for the kids and the mommies!), then we hit the library, which is on our way home. Ballet class that evening for an hour and everybody is tuckered out and sleeps great that night. It also means we're not trying to get out the door four or five times a week for the various activities - not an easy task if you have more than one kiddo anyway.
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