3 Weekly Habits for Every Mom

One of the best ways for a busy Mom to stay organized and improve her mindset is to create routines and helpful habits.  The three weekly habits will help you get yourself focused and prepared for the week ahead.

7 Daily Habits for Every Mom

A little over nine years ago I got the best job that I had always dreamed about... I became a Mom.  And then a couple years after that I got to become a Mom again, and a couple years later a Mom again and a year later a Mom again.  I feel so lucky to be a Mom of four kids and I am always learning and growing how to be a better Mom.  Over my years of motherhood I have picked up some daily habits that not only help me personally, but help my family too.

6 Truths About Being a Mom of 4 Kids

Being a Mom is something that I absolutely love and it is something I am very proud of.  I've wanted to be a Mom ever since I was a little girl.  And to tell you the truth, I've wanted to be a Mom of four ever since I was a little girl.  Sure I thought I was going to have a household of boys when I was growing up, but now I wouldn't trade in my one son and three daughters for anything.

My Kids and I from L to R: Miss R, Mr. K, Miss A and Miss L

Since I became a Mom six years ago a lot has changed.  First, obviously, is now I have a house full of kids.  Second, is my parenting style has slightly changed.  Now while I feel like I've always been a pretty laid back parent that is guided by structure and guidelines, I feel like with each year that passes and with each kid added to our family I've learned a few things:

Be Prepared to Share Your Food (And Really Everything...)
I'm not sure the last time I was able to eat an entire meal without someone asking me if they could finish or eat something from my plate...  From part of my salad, to finishing my grapes, to just one bite of my pork chop.  It seems like I'm always being asked to share...  But, I guess we're teaching our kids to share...  So, I guess I need to do a better job of telling them Mom's food is off limits 😉

Teach Responsibility
We are teaching our kids responsibility by having them take care of not only the house, but help on the farm and in our community.  When it comes to teaching responsibility at home, make sure you get your kids involved in taking care of your house.  I actually had a blog post drafted a couple years ago that I never published about chore charts, because by the time I was ready to publish it, I realized I didn't use chore charts anymore.  We have a rule in our house that everybody pitches in.  If something needs picked up, then whoever is close by is going to pick it up.  Everyone helps with setting and clearing the kitchen table, everyone helps with diaper duty, etc.  There is a way for everyone to get involved no matter how old they may be.

You Will Never Have Enough Hands
Think about it, you have two hands but have four kids... the math doesn't quite add up for being able to hold everyone's hands to help them out.  But that is the glorious part of maybe instead thinking how you have lots of hands.  I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "it takes a village to raise a child."  I guess in a way My Farmer and I have created our own village and it is amazing to see how the older children naturally step up and their nurturing abilities take over, even as young as 18 months!  All of our kids do a great job of playing and working together.  They care deeply for one another and are willing and able to help each other out.

Now while going grocery shopping or crossing through a parking lot I still may wish My Farmer's extra hands were always there, we can and do make it work.  It's all apart of taking care of our village.

Have a Daily Routine
I understand with kids you need to have some flexibility, but I believe with any number of kids - one or ten, you need to have a daily routine.  We have a morning routine, a "quiet time" routine, a bedtime routine, and even a routine for leaving the house.  This helps your children to know what to expect during their day, which leads them to simply functioning better, and resulting in being happy.  And like I said, sometimes things get moved slightly and we might not have "quiet time" (aka naps for the younger kids and individual quiet play/activities for the older kids and Mom 😉) start as early as we want, but we do work it in everyday.

One is an Accessory, Two is a Lifestyle, so Four is...
My Farmer always says the saying that "One is an Accessory, Two is a Lifestyle."  It's true, when you have just one kid it's simple to bring them wherever you go, traveling (with or without your child) isn't a huge deal, and while yes you have some toys, you have toys for one developmental stage and for one child.  Add in baby number two and you realize that your children become part of your lifestyle.  Now while we still bring our kids to most places with us, there are times and situations that we realize that we either need to find a sitter or stay at home.  Traveling with a van full of kids takes a bit more patience and a bit more strategy than just one, and getting away and traveling without your kids also takes more organization and commitment.  And toys - we have toys for four different developmental stages.  My advice with that is try to get activities that work for more than one kid.  I will also add that we have a rule in our house that no matter who received the toy, game, etc. anyone can play with it.  It's not "just mine"; everyone can use it.

Lots of Love
In the end, the best part or truth of having four kids is that there is lots of love in your home.  Love from parent to child, child to child, and parent to parent.  I never have to worry about going a day without kisses and hugs from everyone.  Build up your family's love by making your own traditions - from Friday Night Pizza & Movie Night, to Birthday Waffles, to Family Date Nights.  Always be building on your foundation of love.

What truths of parenting would you add?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

New Year Goal - Making a Daily Routine

For the last week or so, and all day today, I've been thinking about what my New Year Goals for 2016 should be.  I decided in the end that what I really want to work on, is routine.  Now, if you know me, you're probably thinking, Val needs to work on routine?  I do keep myself and my family in a pretty good routine, but there is room for improvement.  We have had great times of our routine throughout 2015, and I'd like to take all of those great times and combine them all into one.

The first routine:
Kids strive on having regular bed times and wake-up times, so why do I, as Mom, not do that for myself?  I need to get myself back in my best groove by going to bed at a regular time and waking up at a regular time too.  Now, talking about waking up, there are days I have just slept till I heard the first kid wake up, but I have noticed, especially over the last year, if I don't get at least 30 minutes to myself in the morning - I'm sluggish all morning, and sometimes all day.  With three kids and a fourth on the way, I don't have time to be sluggish.

The second routine:
At the end of the summer I started focusing on including daily exercise into my routine.  I did a pretty good job working out daily, and then fall harvest hit and my exercise routine decreased to rain days.  And I have to add, after harvest it has been hard to get back into my regular exercise routine.  I know I need to add exercise to my day because it gives me strength in multiple ways.  I also know that I need to exercise either during afternoon quiet time or right away in the morning.  Exercising at night doesn't work for me.

The third routine:
I have a hard time being productive at home if my house isn't clean.  A clean house makes me feel at peace, and able to tackle other tasks that need to get done.  I have a pretty good daily house cleaning and laundry routine that I plan on keeping, but I'd really like to monthly tackle some bigger jobs (aka clean and organize closets, our porch, our garage, our basement, etc.)  For some reason these areas have never seemed to be organized since we moved to our house over two years ago!  When we moved in we had a few areas that became dumping spots, and I have never been able to get those areas out of those ruts.  2016 will be the year of finally getting fully unpacked and organized!

The fourth routine:
Over Christmas break I have realized the importance of time with my kids.  Now, it is not like I don't spend time with my kids.  After all, I am a stay at home Mom and I'm with my kids everyday.  But there is a difference between being around and being present.  All of my kids do better if I can give each of them individual time daily.  This individual time can be reading books - just the two of us, playing a game - just the two of us, working on walking (aka JP), etc.  Also, My Farmer and I have a routine of going on a date night monthly (which we will continue in 2016).  I'd like to do better of doing something fun monthly with our kids, and including one on one kid dates too.

So there is a look at the best of my routines that I'd like to keep going all year long.  What are some of your goals for the New Year?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!