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Are you a stay at home mom who is looking for innovative ways to stay productive while still caring for your newborn?
Have you gone through a multitude of blogs trying to find practical solutions but have been left unsatisfied?
This is the information you’ve been looking for!
This is a comprehensive guide on all adjustments that I had to make when I decided to get productive after having my baby.
The guide will highlight very practical activities that I feel would work for all new mothers.
Get up early
Are you an early riser or do you prefer to get productive in the later hours of the day?
One of the most significant changes to my daily routine has been the time that I get out of bed.
This change has enabled me to accomplish a lot more during the day than what I previously thought I could.
I would recommend that you also try to wake up at least two hours earlier than you are accustomed to.
You can achieve this by ensuring that you get to bed a lot earlier than you would normally do.
If this isn’t sufficient to get you out of bed early then set an alarm and be careful not to hit the snooze button before going back to bed.
As a matter of fact, put the alarm on the other side of the room, so you HAVE to get up and turn it off.
Waking up earlier could be quite easy if your partner is also an early riser.
Similarly, you can ask one of the people who you share a home with to wake you up.
This trick might seem trivial but its benefits far outway any other productivity hack you have thought of.
There is a reason why so many mothers around the world prefer to start their day early.
Try it for yourself and don’t forget to tell me how it has affected your productivity.
Get ready for the day
My next tip is just as simple as the first but it has also resulted in huge gains for me and my family.
It is a trick that has helped me overcome some of the challenges that life has thrown at me.
It is the skill of taking action and preparing for the day.
What do you mean by preparation?
The best way to explain this solution would be through an illustration.
Leaving the house with my baby used to make me anxious until I discovered that I could prepare for it.
Rather than just leave the house with what I can grab, I started packing a travel bag in advance.
This bag contains everything that my child and I would need in case we have to be away from the house for a few hours or on very rare occasions a whole day.
Are there any activities that you feel need some preparation in your new life as a mother?
It can something as simple as writing a shopping list or something as involving as getting your mind right with some yoga and meditation.
Either way, you need to start preparing for activities if you want to be a productive mother.
Create a Solid Morning Routine
Now that you’ve started waking up a lot earlier it is time to make sure that you do not waste those crucial morning hours.
You can achieve this by having a solid morning routine.
It took a while before my routine become my new normal.
It was quite challenging in the beginning as I would end up logging into Instagram at 8 am.
Fortunately, I developed discipline which has enabled me to have a very tight morning routine.
I even wrote a post about it here >> New Mommy Morning Routine and Checklist with a Newborn
I would suggest that you start with the activities that you cannot do while the baby is awake.
For instance, I prefer to do my laundry first thing in the morning before my newborn starts craving attention.
This also lets me vacuum some parts of the house while the clothes are in the dryer.
What would your ideal morning routine be? Please share your list of activities with me.
Block scheduling
Do you remember a time in middle school where the teachers would have a 90-minute session rather than the regular 50-minute lessons so that they can release you from school earlier?
This is a productivity hack that schools have been using for years to save teachers from wasting time.
I opted to try out block scheduling and it has produced quite remarkable results.
What is block scheduling?
Block scheduling is a productivity hack that enables you to prioritize your activities into set time frames during the day. For instance, you can designate house chore for between 8 am and 10 am. This is more effective than just listing a bunch of activities down and not assigning each a set time frame.
This awesome video by Jordan Page at funcheaporfree.com shows you exactly how she integrates her block scheduling system! Check it out…
I’d suggest you try and integrate block scheduling into your life if you want to remain a productive mother.
It will ensure that you always prioritize activities based on how much time and energy they need, and their urgency.
Use your Calender
One of the great mysteries of becoming a new mom is the sudden realization that you need a calendar.
I prefer one with the daily planner functionality available though.
This one on Amazon is perfect for us mama’s who need to get sh*t done – Check it out here <<<
A calendar will let you have a practical way to visualize your activities as well as give you a constant reminder of upcoming events such as your baby’s next immunization.
If combined with a daily planner these events can be scheduled down to the minute.
Do you have a calendar close by? Have you marked any upcoming events on this calendar?
Plan Everything
I remember resenting my mother for always having a plan when I was a rebellious teenager.
I couldn’t fathom the thought that she wanted to live such a rigid and ‘boring’ life.
I plan nearly every activity down to the details.
It may seem obsessive to some of my friends but having a plan helps you get things done.
It gives you a guideline that will ensure you don’t waste time and energy on activities that don’t bear the intended results.
Do you know that mother’s who plan regularly always end up making time for their personal lives?
They are always able to make time for their friends, work and even hobbies.
Taking the time to plan might be the difference between being a productive stay at home mother and being a total mess.
Meal prep
Another productivity hack that I have gladly picked up from my mother is the art of meal preparation.
It is quite simple and I believe any mother of a newborn would benefit greatly from it.
My meal prep usually involves both regular meals for me and my family and meals for my baby.
It ensures that I don’t have to start running around when its time to feed my small army.
I can simply put the dish in the microwave or heat it in the oven.
Another big advantage of meal prepping is that I get to pick out very nutritious meals for my family.
I won’t be forced to order a pizza and some soda when I have already steamed some spinach and fried up some lentils in advance.
Have you tried meal prep before? What was your experience?
Order Groceries Online
Imagine raising a family in an era where you couldn’t have items delivered to your doorstep?
I discovered that I can create a template on my shopping cart so that I don’t have to repeat the tedious process of filling my orders every week.
This saves me a ton of time and energy while still giving me a clear idea of whether I am within my regular budget or not.
You can also benefit from this hack if you opt into an online grocery shopping site.
These sites are now in plenty and their produce is quite fresh and of high quality.
It is important to note that you might have to pay a premium for faster delivery.
Learn How to say no to things
Your close friends who have not had any children might not be able to relate to your new situation but you need not be afraid.
Saying ‘no’ is probably the easiest and most effective thing you can do.
It will save you from committing to engagements that will only leave you too tired to care for yourself and your family.
You must learn how to let people down with ease and develop the will power to not let anyone derail you from your plans.
This is a very crucial skill that every mother must learn if she is to get anything in her life done.
What are some of the activities that you cannot indulge in anymore due to your new status as a mother?
It’s okay to not get everything done
Being a newborn mother isn’t a walk in the park. It is probably the hardest job in the world.
This is the reason why it is important to learn how to forgive yourself for not being able to get everything done.
You have to learn how to accept failure and learn from it. If not you will burn out and wallow in self-pity instead of caring for your family.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most effective changes that I have made to my life.
These hacks have transformed me into a productive stay at home mother.
Please try them out and send us feedback on what worked and what did not.
If you enjoyed this post on Productivity Hacks for Stay at Home Moms with a Newborn please share it someone who may benefit from it as well!
