Troy just left to run some quick errands, Micah is out and about with his "Mimi" today (again). I don't mind Micah spending some weekends with his Grandmother, She enjoys his company. She is a lovely God fearing Woman and loves her Grandchildren  more then anything in the world, as does Troys Dad! They have fun together and its good for Micah to get a little one on one time with her. The other boys are not ready to be away from me for so long and so they decline to go each time.  

Noah is napping and Ashton and Dominick are having a snack and watching "Discovery's Kids "The Ultimate Guide To The Awesome" ~ "Whales"  We record the good ones and watch them on the weekend because they are so long, 1 hour shows. 

Well I am off to prep dinner and wash rugs (Fun fun) Hope you all are having a lovely Saturday!!!

Here is a little something I wanted to share with you all, that I have in my notebook! I stick one in my "Orderly Mom" notebooks too!

50 HOUSEWORK AND TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR BUSY MUMS

Written by Delwyn McAlister

1.      Make out a daily / weekly schedule and try to stick to it.

2.      Involve children in household chores.

3.      If you don’t have time for early morning quiet times you could meditate on one or two verses that you have pinned up on your fridge or near your kitchen work area.

4.      Make your schedule your servant not your master.

5.      Take your phone off the hook if you want a rest.

6.      Have regular chore time each day so that children get used to the routine.

7.      Cook two meals at a time and eat tone and freeze the other.

8.      Don’t try to do too much – you’re not super mum!

9.      Don’t be too fussy – you may have to lower your standards (as far as housework goes.)

10. Make out a list of things to do in order of importance.

11. Remember that the Bible says: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

12. Go for a brisk walk every day.

13. Remember this: Each day is a gift from God, that’s why it is called the present.

14. Clean up the kitchen and dining area directly after meals.

15. Ensure that all members of the family have a rest time every day.

16. Eat a healthy diet.

17. Don’t compare your family with others. Your family is unique: You don’t have to live up to other people’s expectations.

18. Send your children to bed early and spend the evening with your husband – he needs you.

19. Trust in the Lord, He never fails.

20. Do a load of washing in the evening so it can be hung out early in the morning.

21. Put your favorite music on while doing the housework.

22. Family devotions each morning helps to keep things in focus.

23. Do outdoor chores (such as gardening) as a team – and perhaps reward the workers with an ice-cream.

24. Clean your bathroom sink whilst you are cleaning your teeth.

25. Play a game or have a competition while doing the chores with the children.

26. Be a ‘keeper at home’ and try not to go out too much.

27. Take time to play with your children – you will be amazed at how willing they are to help you if you have devoted some of your time to play with them.

28. Limit the amount of women’s meetings, coffee mornings and play group sessions that you go to.

29. Write all appointments on a calendar.

30. Enlist the children to fold the washing and to put it away.

31. Learn to say ‘no’ to others – family comes first.

32. Pray for the members of the family as you iron their clothes.

33. Clean the shower while you are having a shower.

34. Keep a list of things to do at the shops and go only once a week.

35. Teach your children this: ‘Don’t put it down, put it away’.

36. Reward and thank your children for their help.

37. Have an open Bible in your kitchen and read a few verses while you are working in the kitchen.

38. Clean kitchen, lounge, dining room, bathroom and toilet first – you can always shut the bedroom doors and clean them later.

39. Teach the older children to wash and dress the younger ones.

40. Ensure that friends and relatives know the times when it’s unsuitable for them to visit (ie: lesson time, rest time etc…).

41. Do all things without grumbling and complaining.

42. Enlist an independent midwife for your maternity care. They usually do home visits as apposed to you having to visit the doctor on a regular basis.

43. Be patient and help your children with the chores that they find difficult.

44. Hum, sing or whistle whilst doing your work – it creates a happy atmosphere.

45. If you are spending more that 2 hours per day doing the lessons, you are probably doing far more than the state school. One teacher estimates that teaching the children actually only takes up 25% of the school day!

46. Make children responsible for keeping their own bedrooms tidy.

47.You are not a taxi service! Train your children to be contented at home.

48.During rest time pin a note to the door saying ‘Mother and children resting please do not disturb’.

49.If you get behind in your housework pay for someone to come in   and do some for you. (Women’s Division of Federated Farmers provide a Nation wide service – usually costs aprox $11 per hour).

50.Remember that you are first a wife, then a mother and then a homemaker – keep these priorities in order!

(c) Delwyn McAlister 2001

Mrs Brent(Delwyn) McAlister
Wife, Mother, Homemaker, Editor  KEEPERS AT HOME, Author (in that order!)
P O Box 5128, Gladstone, Queensland 4680 Australia