Well, its been awhile since i had a good routine going. From all the ups and downs of my pregnancy it just never seemed to happen. Then the baby and Summer arrived and … well… just never happened!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a routine and schedule kinda gal. My thought is it keeps me organized and I get stuff done. For the kids routines are great too, keeping things consistent is important for them. However, not everyone is all about the routine and keeping in line with one (of my dozen) ‘Life Commandments’ I need to remind myself to “Lighten Up”!!

In doing so… my love of being in a groove often gets tossed and I go with the flow. It actually has been really great! My husband is not a routine kinda guy. He likes to do whatever whenever and not stress about the small stuff (like housework, bedtimes, chores etc) especially in the summer.

At our house, Summer is about makes memories and spending time together. So, if the dogs got footprints and dog hairs all over the house and we want to go to the beach, we go! Typically, I would not be able to go because I would want to clean the house first and be sure everything is in its place… BOROING!!! I Know… hence the ‘Life Commandments’ were put in place and I now say “Screw It… TO THE BEACH” 😉

Its way more fun and how many kids get to see the fun and exciting side of their parents?? How many of us are caught up in routines and chores… work and rules? How many parents say “well its 9pm and its bedtime… so No you can’t go outside and look for night worms?” (My kids like to look for Night Worms…LOL) There are a lot of us who have gotten “boring” now that we have become parents!

Its important to have rules and things in place don’t get me wrong… we have chores for the kids, weekly allowances, time outs and screaming kids who don’t get their own way. I just mean ‘Lighten Up’ on the little things! Whats the big deal really? Its summer and the kids are suppose to be able to have fun!

However, this brings me to my next point… How the heck do Momma get some ‘me time’ with the lack of schedules and routines???? I mean really… by the time 8pm comes I wanna stick the little guys in bed and sit down in quite … whew! Its tough sometimes ya know! So its kinda bittersweet really! What are we suppose to do? Finding that out can be challenging but the main thing is to just remain calm… and it will work out!

Tips:

1. Include the Kiddos: It allows you to do things you like without feeling too guilty about them doing nothing while you enjoy something 😉

2. Stay Calm: Its short term remember.  By the time they are in grade two they don’t wanna hang out with you.  Soon they will be packing their bags and moving out.  (I am so not ready for my oldest to be heading to grade 1- where the heck did those years go too???  Full days… nope I am not ready… Wanna keep him here with me forever sniff, sniff)

3. Laugh:  It really is the best medicine (well It ties for first with exercise) … Try not to be too serious about things that are not really that important… Who cares really if you want til supper to do the dishes?  Go enjoy the sun with your kids.

4.  Take You Time: How??  Just do short intervals… for example my run last night was 30mins.  The baby was crying yes… but ya know what it was 30mins, he wasn’t hungry or needing changing and Dad was with him!  Momma needs a little “Sweat Therapy”  and after the whole family feels the benefits!  Just take “YOU” time quickly! 😉

Last night I escaped and did a quick run to re-energize and then I took the older boys in my gym with me to workout with me.

It can be frustrating at times when they are hyper and all you want to do is decompress in peace but for me I remind myself that this is short term and allowing them to be here with me is great bonding time as well it teaches them about health and balance.

Because I am a Night Owl and and Early Bird, I take advantage of these time of the day.  Everyone else is in bed and I like to be up.  So, I took the baby down to the gym this morning for his first “workout”… (he likes early morning as well)  It was basic but it was something 🙂  And that is perfectly Ok… there will be days where I long to have them here with me and they will be gone doing their own things…

see how much he LOVES it! LOL

As a person who like to get a lot done… remind yourself that everything will get done eventually! But for now… just roll with it!