"Do You Even Sleep?"

This is a fun question for me. I get it all the time, because I accomplish A LOT every day. "How do you make all the meals, clean the house, get to the gym... How do you fit it all in!? Do you sleep?"

Firstly, yes, I absolutely sleep. I couldn't do all the things I do if I didn't sleep, I just don't stop moving when I'm awake! Second, folks who work outside the home and ask me this question need to remember, I am home ALL DAY LONG. Home chores actually make for great dayhome activities. Kids learn by doing, so if i need to change over the laundry, the littles are more than happy to follow me into the family closet (more on that in another post, but it is absolutely life changing!) take the wet clothes from the basket I will put them into, and place them in the dryer. Matching socks is a fun game to them, discerning between colours, size, patterns and textures. All of those home made meals? Well guess who helped me wash the potatoes? Or shell the peas? Homemade breads and cookies? Well that's just a given that the kiddos are helping crack eggs and whisk the flour, and they all love the stand mixer!

Nothing better than a gorgeous, fresh from the oven, quiche

How do I fit in the gym? This is actually a non-negotiable in my life now. If I don't go to the gym on my scheduled days, it affects my mood, my energy, and even my sleep. You see, exercise releases a whole bunch of happy hormones, making me the glowy ball of sunshine you all see before you (or maybe just a slightly more tolerable momster that may not bite your head off if you talk to me before I eat my breakfast). It didn't used to be this way. My main form of fitness was playing with the kids, and even then, it wasn't running around so much as supervising the running around. Fitness has given me life, and I won't go a day without getting something in, even if it's just a walk, (which I can conveniently do with the dayhome on my rest days, and still call it rest.)

80's night at the gym. I always go all out, lol

The girls and I repping our surrogacy agency at Orange Theory

I also make the most of nap time. Sometimes they nap for a few hours, sometimes they call it quits at 30 minutes, so I need to hustle in the time I have. I always vacuum first (we have 10 pets and 10 children running amok in here daily, so vacuuming is a must), then dishes and eventually my own lunch, and a check in with my planner. If there's time left, laundry or one of my random tasks (clean out the pantry, wash the fridge, clean the mirrors and windows, spot wash the walls), or a workout in my basement gym.

My very last tip for time management is this; have a great team behind you. Brian, myself and the kids are a team. We have a Family Contributions chart (thank you Positive Parenting for this glorious term!) which gives the children their tasks for the day. They're always the same 13 chores, but we rotate which 4-5 the kids get each day. These are things that help me tremendously, and they must complete them. We don't have a bribe, or a punishment if they aren't done, it's just understood that this is our home, we all live here, so we all take care of it. Brian never, ever complains when it's time for me to go out to the gym, and understands that I can't be the only one washing the dishes or mopping the floor. This hasn't come easy though, this has been years of conversations (sometimes its me screaming that I am ready to leave this house and never come back) where I explain that I cannot take care of our children, other people's children, make all the food, clean the 2500 square foot house, take care of the 10 pets, and still have time for me. This year, it clicked. I came home last night after Orange Theory, and the house was clean! You do not have to do it all yourself! I even get my oldest kiddo, Reilly, to help me with her younger siblings when it's time to make dinner.

Robert doing the dishes

Reilly pushing little A on the swings. She's always so helpful

Please know that you do not have to be like me. I thrive on chaos, and love being busy, but this is not for everyone. Give yourself some grace, and don't think you're a failure if you have to order in dinner because you're too tired to cook. You aren't letting your family down if there are piles of laundry and your kids are wearing the same outfit as yesterday. Keep them fed and alive, the rest will come. Or it won't, but you're still killing this parenting thing as long as they're happy.