Have you ever reflected on your day at the end of the day and felt like you have gotten anything done? Or you look at your to-do list and feel like it is almost laughing back at you saying “As if?!”? I know I have. There are days that from the minute I get up in the morning until the minute I lay down at night, I am on the run. I have transitioned into and currently live in the busy mom season of life.
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The time where you feel like you spend half of your time as the personal chauffeur and assistant to your kids. You get them to and from school, shuttle them back and forth to various after-school activities. While also making sure to schedule and keep all their other appointments, like doctor and dentist visits or getting fitted for new soccer uniforms.
Then trying to make sure that their schedules are not overloaded with activities and still have time to be a kid and hang out with friends. The list goes on and on. Then when you add all the other things you do to get keep your house running, your marriage off the back burner, and work for so many of you. Your title goes from just mom to busy mom.
She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
Proverbs 31:27 (NLT)
Yet even with all we have to do as moms, there are five things we all can do to not just survive, but to thrive as a busy mom.
#1 Way To Help You Survive & Thrive as a Busy Mom is to Reevaluate Your Why
We all have one reason or another for why we do the things we do. So making sure that there are reasons behind why you do the things you do and adding to your busyness is important. As women, wives, and moms we wear so many hats throughout the day, so the why behind our to-dos are numerous.
Our families are as unique as we are and so are the whys behind our actions. The most important thing is not what the why is, but that you have one that makes sense to you.
For example, if I am completely honest with myself, the reason I exercise is mainly because I enjoy to eating.
Yes, there are numerous health benefits for exercising and a certain amount of pride I take in maintaining my physical well-being. Yet the real reason behind why I make the time a couple of times a week to exercise is because I like to eat both healthy and not so healthy food. So reevaluating your why, regardless of what it is, helps you to make sure busyness has purpose and you are thriving as a busy mom.
#2 Way To Help You Survive & Thrive as a Busy Mom is to Take an Honest Look at Your Schedule & To-Dos
We only have so many hours in the day, so you have to make sure you are using yours wisely.
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every change your get. These are desperate times!
Ephesians 5:15-16 (MSG)
While also making sure that your busyness has purpose is important as well. Reevaluating your why and your schedule or routine often go hand in hand.
Making sure we are making time for the things we need to do and want to do is a must to thrive as a busy mom.
#3 Way To Help You Survive & Thrive as a Busy Mom is to Embrace Saying ‘No’ More
As kids, one of the first things we learned was to say No and the power of saying No. Yet, as we get older and especially when we become moms, it often becomes harder and harder for us to say no, whether its to our kids or to others. We often either do not want to disappoint someone or be looked at as if we cannot handle it. Or we do not want to miss out on something or have our kids miss out.
The reasons are endless as to why we say yes to more than we should. So one of the best ways to thrive as a busy mom is to embrace saying ‘no’ more. Realizing that as a mom and wife, it is hard to balance it all. Finding true balance requires a lot of give and take. Which means you have to say ‘no’ to something, so you can say ‘yes’ to others.
This is something I struggled with a lot, especially when I became a SAHM. Then I read this book entitled ‘The Best Yes‘ and it was a total game changer for me.
This book was so good that I convinced my husband, Eric, to read it and he loved it too. I still have times when I find myself struggling again, but I know how and why I have to say No to certain things so I can give my best yes to others.
#4 Way To Help You Survive & Thrive as a Busy Mom is to Stop Comparing
Comparison finds a way to creep into our lives and thoughts in so many ways. We often do it by looking at another mom and thinking she just has everything together. So we then find ways to do the things she is doing or striving for the things she has.
Adding things to our already busy lives. Not because we really want to, but we are trying to measure up to whomever we have compared ourselves to.
God made us all uniquely beautiful and talented in many different ways. While also blessing us with the beautiful and full lives that we have. So in order for us to truly thrive as busy moms in our beautifully full lives, we have to embrace our uniqueness and stop the comparisons.
Taking inspiration from someone and striving to be a better you is one thing. But comparing yourself to and trying to live someone else’s life is another. We have enough busyness of our own to not need to add someone else’s to our plate.
#5 Way To Help You Survive & Thrive as a Busy Mom is to Make Self-Care a Priority
It is hard to take care of someone else if you are not taking care of yourself. So making sure that your health and well-being are a priority is so important.
No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.
Ephesians 5:29 (NLT)
If we are taking the time to make sure our kids and our husbands are fed, well cared for, and loved every day. Why shouldn’t we be doing the same for ourselves? By making yourself a priority you help to ensure that you are thriving as a busy mom. Self-care can be done in so many simple ways every day.
For me, quiet time with God and regular exercise is necessary for my self-care. So in order for me to get that time, I had to become a morning person. Now before my day can enter into the heights of its busyness, I take that time for me. I often grab one of my favorite devotional books, like this book by Priscilla Shirer ‘Awaken‘, and take the time I need.
Sometimes I have my quiet time sitting in my prayer corner and other times I have time while on my elliptical. Either way, making sure that I am taking the time to keep my self-care a priority. You cannot pour out of an empty cup, so making sure you are taking the time to make sure you are poured into as well.
As wives and mothers, our lives are often nonstop. So making sure that even in the midst of the busyness we are living our best lives is important. Not just surviving and making through each day. But, thriving as the fearfully and wonderfully made wives and mothers God created us to be.
I’d love to know one of the ways you ensure you are not only surviving,
but thriving as a busy mom in the comments!
These are some great tips. I needed to be reminded to say “no” more. Thank you for that.
This is definitely a reminder we all need from time to time, Karen.
Self care is what I struggle with the guilt is smothering. I only feel like its ok if I am producing something.
It is wearing me out and I am working on it. All of these are important and thank you for writing this.
You are definitely not the only one struggling with this, Cindy. Yet, it is so important for us all not to feel guilty about taking care of ourselves just as much as we do for our families.
I need to better with exercise. I used to be so intentional about it. I haven’t done as well lately, and I love the way it makes me feel afterwards. Sigh. And comparison… I must be so careful. Thanks so much Ayanna!!!
It is definitely not easy to balance it all, Brittany. But it so important for you to take time for you, even if it a 15 minute at home workout. 😉
Great tips girl! Definitely saying no is such a tough one but what a difference it makes when you do!
What a beautiful family! <3
As I’m sitting here reading this post, I am looking at the to-do list I have for today and ignoring my dirty kitchen and trying to reevaluate what my priorities really are. Great tips!
I loved all of these tips. I believe that comparison is the root of a lot of unhappiness as a mom!
re-evaluating our whys in life is so important to stay on track!
I’m not a mom but I do work full time have two side gigs so I’m always running around like crazy! Definitely need to embrace saying ‘no’ more often.
This was great i don’t know where I’d be with my calendar.
I felt like I was in church listening to a sermon that was crafted just for me!
I am a married mom with a full-time job and three kids. ALL of my children are involved in sports (track, baseball, soccer). My husband is a fireman so he has a crazy schedule. Most days, I am like a chicken with my head cut off. But, I have learned how to be a mom, a wife, a teacher, a blogger, AND still have time for me. Sometimes, I feel guilty for having me time but I know how important it is for me to NOT have an empty cup – that is NO good for anyone. 😉
Just like you, I too like to eat healthy and unhealthy food but I do not exercise. I need to do better and I keep saying I will. This article was a beautiful reminder and personal reflection!
This are really great tips to help busy moms and you are right, you can’t pour from an empty cup
I need to do a better job of looking at my schedule for the week and also looking at my husband’s schedule for the week. I think it would help us set an intention. Great post!
Now that my son is in school 2x a week, I thought i would be able to get so much more done. Not with a newborn at home, it seems like the days go by so fast. I try and schedule self-care once a week so I don’t lose my cool. Thank you for the reminders!
The comparing thing is so hard to overcome especially with social media!
I love number three! Ever since my third child was born, I have been saying “no” more often. I’m trying to prioritize what is most important in my life, and not say yes to every volunteer opportunity, play date, birthday party, activity, etc. that comes around. Being over booked just makes things too stressful and unhappy!
My kids are grown now, but I remember the days with 3 kids and running a business from home. I learned to say no, but not before burning out. I still compare myself to others though. It’s always something, isn’t it?
Not comparing myself to other mothers really resonated with me! I only need to accomplish my to-do list, not compare it to others’ lists.
A bit thing for me is keep exercise a priority. Thankfully, my son is used to me leaving to go for a run or to the gym because I’ve been doing it since he was little. Exercise keeps my head on straight and I can focus so much better. It helps me be my best self and that makes me a better mom. 🙂
This is a great post, especially for newer moms. #3 & #4 are really key to keeping everything in balance.
Oooh, comparison has been my struggle lately. I need to work on that one for sure. Doing something peaceful like playing the piano, painting, and reading scripture can help me reset when I get too busy. These are all wise recommendations.
Embracing the power of saying NO is one of the most important things!
Such great tips, Ayanna!
I love your suggestions especially saying no. As mom’s its really hard to say no but so important as to not get overwhelmed. It really is ok to say no!
Yes it is, Sandy.
This is such an encouragement to my heart. Thanks for this wisdom!
I’m so glad, Shan. 💕
You are so spot on with saying NO more. I finally started saying no to things that just added too much stress to my plate and I feel so incredibly FREE!
It is so freeing and allows to truly enjoy all the things you say yes to, Amanda.
Ahhh embrace saying no – the hardest word to say sometimes! These are great tips, Ayanna <3
Don’t I know it, Cassie. I struggle with it still from time to time. 💕
I went through a Busy Boycott after I retired. I was so busy I couldn”t understand how I had ever had a job! But, cutting back on all the busyness made it possible for me to entertain getting a puppy. I”m so glad I cut the busy clutter from my life as I have Mylo now! He keeps the busyness focused on HIM!
Knowing when to take a step back and clear things off your schedule is so important.
Oh, all the time! Seriously, almost every day I look around at the state of my house and wonder what in the world I did all day. My favorite tip of yours is to not compare. This is my stage of life. My neighbor who only has grown up children has a perfectly clean house. I’ll be there someday! Thanks for the reminder!
Comparison gets me often as well, Amy. Learning to operate in my strengthens and realizing that different seasons require different things has helped so much. Also accepting my husband’s help, by getting us a bi-weekly house cleaner, has worked wonders. 😉
Loved this post! I definitely have to get better at saying no more. I am a joiner! LOL I love joining in on things and then the time rolls around and I am overwhelmed and regret it. I think my want and my capability just doesn’t mesh all the time. So for me, part of saying no is saying it to myself!!
I totally know how you feel, Diane. Embracing the power of “No” is so important.
When my kids were in school, my calendar was my god send. Everything went on the calendar. Every Sunday we had family council to plan and put on the calendar what was going on next week.
I love the idea of having a weekly family meeting to go over all the to-dos of the week, Candy. I have calendar meetings with my husband, but having one with my girls would be so helpful now that they all have their own activities.