If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that question I’d be very rich. My usual short answers are a nervous laugh followed by, “I don’t know” or on harder days, “Do I really have a choice?”. The real answer is much more complicated! I promise I don’t have super powers, I’ve just learned to prioritize and plan very strategically. I’ve compiled a list of things that make my life possible. Some things will seem trivial but these all play a part in the “how”.
- Condo living- I chose to buy a condo last year to eliminate outdoor maintenance. I don’t have the time to mess with mowing, painting shutters, shoveling snow, etc.
- Location- I can get to work, school, doctors/dentists appointments, family, children’s hospital and pretty much anything we need on a daily basis in under 20 minutes. This wasn’t easy during the buying process but I was determined to make it happen.
- Brady proofing- My home is so safe it’s stupid! Furniture is anchored, no indoor steps, safety locks on exterior doors and his room has an extra tall metal baby gate on it so I can do things like sleep and shower with peace of mind.
- Meal prepping- I don’t mean the fancy single serve containers with perfectly portioned meals. I mean I only cook 3-4 times a week and I cook like I’m feeding a family of 10 and then there’s leftovers kind of meal prepping.
- I order groceries online from the same place Brady’s prescriptions get filled.
- Amazon Prime- Enough said!
- Backpack purse- It keeps my hands free for keeping track of kids and it zips closed so nothing falls out. Bonus- It saves my back.
- My keys are on a lanyard around my neck during transitions to prevent losing them, fumbling with them and also keeps my hands free.
- Dry shampoo- I have a lot of long hair so washing/drying/styling is time consuming. I limit washing to 3x a week. Bonus- It keeps my hair healthy from less heat.
- Tinted moisturizer with spf- One step that I apply like lotion but acts as sun protection, makeup and moisturizer. Quick and easy and I look somewhat put together.
- Paper plates- Sorry earth but it helps and it could be worse, right?
- I’ve learned to say no and be ok with it- I cannot make it to everything.
- To-do lists- I write them at least 5 days a week.
- Support system- I am so blessed with some of the kindest, most loving family on the planet. They help with my kids, they give me tough love when needed and they’ve literally been there to pick me up off the floor during the hardest of times. I can also get to most of them in 20 minutes too!
- Self love- I’ve learned to listen to my body and heart. If I need extra sleep I go to sleep with the boys, If I need alone time I stay up and write, read or watch a show I’ve DVR’d.
These are just the main things that make current life possible and none of them alone would be worth talking about(well maybe the support system). Next year this list may be different and I can think of other things like co-parenting schedules and being flexible but thats a whole entry in itself. So no, I’m not a 1 woman show all the time. Hopefully this answers the question of, “How do I do it?”.
*Try making your own list, it’s kind of eye opening. While listening to Carrie Underwood’s song Champion. I did:)