Sanity

I decided I would do a blog post on how I try to keep my sanity with three kids, a husband, four dogs and a full time job(and by full-time I mean 24/7!). This idea was sparked my my friend, Cherish, when she flat out asked me how I keep my sanity on Twitter! haha!

First things first…you HAVE to have a routine. Kids thrive on a routine and quite frankly so do I. I like things to run smooth. When I get home in the evenings we eat dinner, get baths, read, playtime, bed at 8:30. And when you have another child, try as much as possible to let that child slide right on in to your routine!

Younger kids need an earlier bedtime. And you need a set bedtime every night. We lax on bedtime on weekends and during the summer.

Patience is a biggie. Believe me, I had two boys 15 months apart…I KNOW it’s hard to have patience. Just try to breathe. Even if you have to go to your room and scream into your pillow. Yes I have. And some days it’s REAL hard to keep your cool. And right now it’s hard for me because somebody has a smart mouth. Ahem, his name may or may not be Griffin.

Also, try as much as possible to let your child help you do things. (this one is mostly for the little ones, big kids don’t like chores!) This makes them feel important which in turn makes them happy! Reece likes to help me clean, so I’ll give her a rag and let her have at it.

You also have to remember to make time for YOU! A couple of weeks ago I started running. Even just that 30 minute run helps me keep my cool.

Date night is so very important. We have not been doing very well in this department since we moved! Howevs, we are going out of town at the end of this month so we shall make up! And get back on track of having regular date nights! :)

When doing things out of the norm of your routine like going out to eat and such ask yourself if it’s worth it. If you know your child is going to be restless and cranky at the restaurant then don’t go! Don’t stress yourself out because you aren’t going to enjoy that meal! You’re basically paying to stress yourself out! If your doing other things like going to the circus or to the movies try to avoid picking something that’s during nap or close to bedtime! Those are not fun.

This is all I can think of off the top of my head! I may have more later!

These are just things that I have learned along the way, we are not perfect parents and are still learning ourselves! And just because I feel sane right this very second doesn’t mean that tonight I won’t feel insane! ha!