Tips on how to enjoy daily tasks more.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

Benjamin Franklin

Things that make my life as a mom so much easier and more enjoyable. You just need to change your mind set a bit and take a breath. Remember when it comes to kids, you need to practice patience!! There are so many other hacks that you can find on the internet. I wanted to change it up a little and give you some ideas to involve your children in the everyday tasks.

However, you look at it, life with littles can be hard. Navigating parenthood is hard. Give up that perfect picture you have in your head on how life should be and embrace the chaos.

1. You have heard me say this in so many of my posts, but it’s the number one thing I always have to remember. Give yourself grace. I have a sign in my kitchen that was given to me by my mother-in-law, that says it all… Good moms have sticky floors, dirty ovens and happy kids!!! So what if your home is not magazine ready all the time. Give yourself a little slack and go put together a puzzle with your kid! 
2. Let your kid pick out what they want to wear to school instead of fighting with them on what they should wear. I know there are allot of people who will disagree, but our children do not need to match all the time. My daughter wore a gray shirt with arrows the other day, and sweatpants with stars all over. It clashed really well, and I did not care in the least. Why?? Because it made her happy to wear those clothes, she picked them out herself, and put it all on herself. Oh, and did I mention she put on black high boots and a frilly cowgirl vest! Yup my girl has style! Embrace their style and help them build their own confidence. 
3. Have a picnic in your yard!! I have done this numerous times with the kids. Why does this make my life easier>> well I do not have to clean up afterwards… I just shake out the blanket and put the cooler back in the house. If you use paper plates, and napkins instead of Tupperware, then you don’t have dishes to wash. Your kids get to enjoy their time outside, along with you and they can run, play and eat when they want. I sometimes bring out books to read to them too while they are eating. They think this is so special and you don’t even have to leave home or work hard at it. 
4. Give your kid the dusting brush or rag. Let them go crazy wiping up dust. This not only helps you, but it’s also teaching them how to keep their house clean. I even have them take the handheld vacuum and go to town on the floors. My daughter loves to help with the dishes so that she can play in the water. Sure, some will get on the floor, but bonus- you can use it to mop up the floor!!
5. Let them help you! I know this may seem crazy to you, and you are probably saying, well this will take so much longer. Listen, they want to be with you, they want to help you. The reason they won’t leave you alone… is because they want to learn how to do what you are doing. I know how frustrating it can be to watch them slowly unwrap a stick of butter, but in the long run they will learn how to do so many things, you will be able to get the task done without them yelling at you that they need your attention, and all will be happier in the long run. 

You can read all the hacks and articles on making life easier for you as a parent. Are you doing your best? Are you allowing your kids to be kids? If you can answer yes to both of these, you are doing a great job and thriving. I think as parents we want things to really come naturally and easy. We want our kids to do what they are told to do. Well, kids are going to be kids and we need to nurture them and show them our love! 

Lord, please watch over our beautiful kids and give us the patience and the wisdom to guide them on their journey. Amen

-Kristy