It’s Thursday again, and this week our topic takes the form of a question: How do you find time for projects that need to be done, require focused attention and which the children can’t help with?
To which I respond with another question: You mean like writing this post at the 11th hour because you totally forgot and are out-of-state with sick children? Yeah, sometimes it’s more easily said than done. Sometimes there’s nothing easy about it at all, and you just have pray for patience and thank God that your life doesn’t depend on meeting a deadline.
I’m mostly going to defer to the other 3 moms this week, but here’s my answer in 575 words or less. Actually, I checked the wordcount after I finished this post. Is that lame, or what?
9 Ways to distract, immobilize, neutralize, or otherwise incapacitate children while you work on important projects
- Use DVDs to babysit. Yes, sometimes I do it. I try to limit the use of brain candy like this, but it’s effective when we choose to employ it.
- Use other forms of brain candy that are normally restricted: video games, computer time, or finger paint. Just kidding about that last one. Were you paying attention?
- Send them outside. Work during their usual playtimes, or just give them a fun picnic lunch and boot them out. Work fast, because they will be back. At least, we all hope they will. If they’re not, you just got a bigger project.
- Put them to work. Assign a chore they can accomplish without oversight, or work on your project during their regular school/chore time.
- Give them a project of their own. Let them start a fun, kid-appropriate project of their own that they can do independently or with whatever limited help/oversight you can provide while working on your Very Important Project.
- Work during naptime. If you don’t have daily nap/quiet time, maybe you should start. This is very important recharge time for moms, and guarantees you a bit of time every day to work on whatever can’t be done with rugrats underfoot.
- Burn the midnight oil. With challenges like children, you can’t necessarily choose your own hours. Keeping late hours can create problems of its own, but in some cases it might be your best choice. Long ago, a young mom who looked remarkably like me spent several weeks sewing 5 fancy Easter dresses for 5 children 6yo and under, all between the hours of 10 PM and 2 AM.
- Work in small bites. Yes, I know. Some projects go much better when you can dedicate a big chunk of time. Sometimes you don’t have the option of doing it that way, and it can still be done in small bites. You might lose some efficiency doing it that way, but if your “free time” comes in small pieces, you’ll be happier when you learn to appreciate and use it that way.
- Swap babysitting with another mom. OK, this one is rarely practical for me, but many moms have friends nearby who are also craving some project time. Take turns entertaining the wee ones so your brain doesn’t explode from over-stimulation when you try to concentrate on your task.
- Learn to work with, around, and through distraction. Yes, everything goes faster and better when you can focus, but this is real life and you are a mom. Live it, learn it, love it. This is your life.
Can you add to the list?
The other 4 Moms are talking about it too.
Upcoming topics for 4 Moms:
- October 27 - Q&A (watch Facebook for an invitation to post your questions)
Recent topics:
- September 15 - 4 Moms talk style (parenting style, that is)
- September 22 - 4 Moms Q&A: the attack of the shoe monster, socialized homeschoolers and more
- September 29 - 4 Moms talk about memorization {and 2 giveaways!}
- October 6 - 4 Moms: keeping up with housework in the midst of homeschooling
- October 13 - 4 Moms: Keeping the food budget down as the prices go up {linky}
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Two things.. I am making a quilt in small chunks of about 15 – 30 minutes. It is slow going but I am actually doing it. I love that I am actually doing something I have wanted to do for a long time but thought I didn’t have the time. I do. Just in small bits. The pleasure of getting it down out ways the faff of getting things out and putting them away all the time.
Made me feel less alone in the brain meltdown I am suffering from today.
Second .. I love that your list of 9 ways contains 10 things!
Thanks for the list. It makes me feel better. I have been doing all of those things as I build the family blogs. God bless!
Regarding late hours, I remember Kendra over at Preschoolers and Peace was redecorating their office a few years ago, and she only worked on it between 10 pm and 1 am. I thought then how smart that was!!
One more thing – when you have kids old enough to babysit, have them do it if you need to vanish for a bit. It is really important not to overdo this – but in moderation, it’s good for everyone. My oldest just barely got to be old enough to be left at home (or left in charge with me elsewhere at home, too) with little ones, it is a huge help to be able to do that now and then!
Did you mention older kids? My oldest will stand next to me holding my youngest, or walk around the house with her. My middle child can help when we are out and I need time and hands, she can push the youngest in the stroller up and down a empty space, takes two out with one stroke:D
I also learned to safely sew with a one or two children “in” my lap, easy, no, doable , for me yes, but I don’t recommend it generally.
A friend of mine and I get together each week and trade projects. We alternate houses each week. If we have no projects, we read together, or discuss homeschooling, do a field trip, or do general cleaning. We help each other with whatever we are behind on. It allows us to share tools, knowledge, and gives us time to fellowship together. The children look forward to it each week!
What a special giveaway! Large families are a Blessing!
Thank You
Marilyn