Monday Musings // How to Balance My Time As A Mom // Getting Organized Part II // Quote of the Week

Happy Monday!

Lots and lots on my mind these days… One of the biggest challenges I face as a mom (like all moms do) is how to balance my time! Each day is a different set of life happenings and when you have a little one at home sometimes you just are left feeling a bit spread all over the place! Laundry, cleaning, cooking, errands, doctors appointments, playing, going to the park, the list goes on and on! Of course my number one priority is my son. He’s my biggest investment and I want to be the best mom I can be for him. Now here’s where mom aka “me” can’t just throw in the towel and forget all about myself and my own goals. The first year of being a mother has been one of the most changing of my life. I also came to the realization I can no longer spend my time doing whatever I please, whenever I want, and that’s ok of course! My son is my greatest joy! I have had to learn how to adjust. Now I have entered my second year as a stay at home mother and being that we are only 13 days into 2014, I have declared this is the year where I get more organized than I ever have been. Certain areas I want to focus on getting organized this year are: 

1. “Me time” which includes: Exercise/ Get myself ready before my son wakes for the day

2. My blog

3. Finances

Now being a mom, you have to have the utmost flexibility with your time, so I am not talking about a strict regimented schedule. Instead finding a way to set aside time to focus more wholeheartedly on these 3 areas. I have been waking up an additional 2 hours prior to my son waking for the day. Its challenging, and I am working hard at getting up before the crack of dawn. But it must happen. Or else I am last. Last to get dressed, brush my teeth and put on a smidge of makeup (if I’m lucky ;)) And by the end of the day the last thing I want to do is throw on my workout gear and get my exercise on. Its just too exhausting. I am much more of a morning person, and getting the blood pumping and endorphins rolling at the start makes for an extra great day! Of course after exercising, I shower, and get this, I actually have time to put body lotion on, do my hair and makeup! Wow, the little things I took for granted pre baby 🙂 I feel so much more put together and I can just accomplish about anything now that I have taken care of “me”. 

The rest of the day I focus with all my intention on caring, loving and being there for my son. We play, eat together, run errands and what have you. When he naps this is the time that I get to spend how I want/need which includes taking photos for my blog, designing, social media, writing etc. I also quickly clean or tidy up what needs to be addressed as far as household duties are concerned. When my son goes to bed for the night, its again time for me to clean up, blog and have a moment of down time to watch tv, surf pinterest or spend time with my husband. It makes for  busy busy days. But at the end of the day, no matter how tired I am, I do feel fulfilled and satisfied with how I spent my time. 

Last but not least, getting organized with our finances! To date, my husband and I have not really made an efficient way of keeping track of our finances. Looking online at our bank statements just gets overwhelming and confusing because it isn’t organized. I am also kinda old school and need pen and paper in hand to have a clear understanding of whats in front of me, especially when it comes to numbers. I have put together a document to organize all the different financial categories that pertain to us, and will put together a separate post to share the document as a google doc or pdf for you to use if you wish. In this upcoming post I’ll share with you my tips, tricks and tools and more about our financial organization. 

Well I think I’ve about covered my monday musings for today! Tell me your thoughts on how you balance your time? How do you stay organized?