Welcome back as we meet another steady mom this week!
Stephanie Langford blogs at Keeper of the Home and Saving Naturally.
I can't remember how I first found Stephanie online, but her first wonderful ebook Healthy Homemaking was responsible in large part for our family's real food transformation. I've been a big fan and admirer of Stephanie's ever since.
Let's find out how she makes life work in the midst of real life struggles and busyness.
1. What is one important, practical step you take that helps you maintain a steady rhythm in your home and how does it make a difference to your days?
Maintaining a basic routine, no matter what. We have been in a season of busyness and transition lately, but some things never change.
Breakfast is at 8am. Mornings are for household tasks, shopping, cleaning, playing. Lunch is at noon. Naps/quiet time are around 2pm, and that's when Mommy works on the computer. Dinner is when Daddy comes home. Bedtime is at 7:30.
Every day still looks different, and no, we don't have the routine steadiness of our usual activities like we do when I am more on top of things and less tired. Even so, this basic framework guides our day, keeps the children (mostly) settled because they know what comes next, and helps me to just "do the next thing" that needs being done.2. What is a personality weakness that motherhood has made more obvious to you and how have you tried to overcome that weakness for the sake of your children?
I would have to say it's my selfishness. I think most of us have that protective, mama-bear instinct that comes out when our children are in danger and we would do or give anything for them, so that's not what I'm talking about.
What I'm thinking of is that habitual focus throughout my day on what I want: the projects I'm working on, what I was hoping to accomplish or check off my to-do list, the schedule I had for the day, the way I would like my children to act, etc. Many of my frustrations come out simply because I am selfishly focused on my own desires and begin to perceive my children's wants, needs and actions as interruptions to my day.
One of the simplest ways that I'm learning to overcome this is when my children call me, as much as I am able to, I try to drop what I'm doing and come right away. They might simply want to show me something, or need a quick hand with a task. It's usually less than a minute of my time, but it makes them feel precious and respected and listened to.
3. We all have those days--where all our good plans and intentions crumble around us, the children are miserable, and we are exhausted. On a really rough day, what techniques do you use to try and turn the mood around and redeem the day in your home?
One of my favorite techniques is to decide to ignore the chaos and all the things that I feel like I need to do, and just reconnect with my kids. I grab a favorite picture book, pull my kiddos onto the couch with me, and we sit and read.
It's amazing how this simple act can transform our day. My children feel cared for and loved on. They simmer down and get a whole lot happier. I find myself relaxing as I forget my unmet goals for the day, and remember that enjoying and loving on my kids is one of the most important things I can do. By the time we're finished (which might be several books later!), we're ready to move on, with improved attitudes and fresh inspiration.
This technique works in so many different ways-- leave the schoolwork and decide to head out to the park, or suddenly ditch the housework and bake some cookies, or forget the errands and go get a special treat.4. You have three young children, aim to cook and grow whole foods, just started a new blog on top of your other one, and just moved to a new house. What does being a steady mom look like when you're in a survival, just trying to get by period of life?
The biggest thing has been lightening up on my own expectations of what I ought to be accomplishing! I am my own worst critic and I expect far more of myself than others truly expect of me. I want to be able to keep doing everything perfectly, even in hectic seasons, but that's just not reality.
Truth is, I'm not Superwoman (surprise, surprise!). I have to let go of things that I would like to do, but that aren't at the very top of my priority list.
In the past few months, I have had to be really selective and say, "These three crucial things are at the top my to-do list, and while these other things are important and I value them, they just can't be done right now." It's hard, but necessary.
What does that look like practically? I clean less (a lot less) these days. Sometimes our laundry piles up a bit, or we take clean clothes out of laundry baskets.
We eat just a few more (healthier) convenience or store-bought foods mixed into our regular diet of whole, organic and homemade fare. My new house has an alcove at the bottom of the stairs full of boxes that I will get to when I have time (but for now, they're out of my sight). Some days are simply about survival, and recognizing the sweetness of life in the midst of the chaos!
Not only do we get to know Stephanie a little better today, she would also like to give away one copy of her latest ebook, Real Food on a Real Budget, to a Steady Mom reader!
To enter, just
leave a comment below and answer this question: What's the first priority you let go when you hit a busy season?
You can also earn extra
entries by subscribing to Stephanie's blogs, Keeper of the Home and Saving Naturally (both are excellent!). Or by spreading the word in your online social networks about this
giveaway.
**Please note that in order for an additional entry to count, you must
leave a separate comment telling me what you did.**
I'll close the comments on Tuesday, August 4th at 8pm EST. The winner (chosen at random) will be announced shortly afterward.
If you enjoyed
this post, I hope you'll subscribe to Steady Mom--it's
free!Jamie is
founder of this spot called Steady Mom, editor of the blog Simple
Homeschool, mama
to three cute kids born on three different
continents, and author of Steady
Days: A Journey Toward Intentional,
Professional Motherhood.
