Speed cleaning is the only way I can keep a clean home. With a very wild toddler and a full plate of work getting in 10 or 20 minute cleaning moments is what keeps me from going crazy in a big mess. Remember, don't stress out if your house gets messy. Take a few minutes and include your little ones in a fun, short house cleaning party.
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The Power of Maternity Leave to Inspire and Re-Energize
I went on maternity leave suddenly. I had worked an extra long weekend, shot a short film during the week, edited at nights and then suddenly at 11:30 at night my water broke a month early and 3.5 hours later I was a mom for the first time.
Taking a solid amount of time for maternity leave really changed my life. Before giving birth I thought I'd take 3 months and be ready and rolling. After having my son I knew it was wrong for us to be separated before we were both ready.
Save up as much as you can: Save, save and save some more when you're looking at all the expensive maternity wear. The more you can save up while pregnant the better your restfulness will be during leave from your day job while you do the 24-hour job of new motherhood. Buy as much gear second hand or on clearance as you are able to. Ask for practical gifts from family and friends. Step back and try not to be overly tempted by all the cute, ridiculous and fun looking baby gear in stores; you don't need much for a baby to be safe and happy in your home so do not feel bad if your savings is more important than your ultimate nursery.
Prepare foods and freeze them: You are going to be so hungry and at very random times of the day so prepare and get prepped for a food-filled maternity leave. Stock up on bulk items like toilet paper, diapers, and dried food: start looking at sales now and be ready with nummy treats, important diapers and necessary toilet paper for those first horrible postpartum poops.
Consider working from home: I am so lucky, and I know it, to work from home. I was back to work after less than 3 months but I was working from home on a very reduced schedule. Reducing your work hours can be a great way to allow yourself a longer leave as you care for the super high needs of a baby. Being a mom is a full-time job, the fact that most of us need to have a second job to pay bills is a little crazy. So try to give yourself space and time to figure it all out. Nobody knows what they're doing while trying to manage maternity leave and motherhood. It's all going to be okay!
Something I always find laughter in is trying to workout with a toddler around. I think it was easier to workout when he was a baby but my body is more prepared and healed to workout now that I'm several years postpartum. HIIT workouts can be great for busy mamas who need to get their heart rate up in a short span of time.
Who is an excited monkey? Me, that's who! Mylatest romance book has just been published and I'm so excited to share a few of my tips for getting a little romance in your life- even if it's just in the form of a good book.
A question I'm often asked is where do I get the ideas for my stories? The simple sounding but super complex answer is that they pop into my noggin and I try to remember to write them down. Isn't it funny how both writing and romance share the beauty of inspiration? Sometimes all you can do is put in the work to be ready for when the light bulb goes off. Do you know what I've learned from writing and dating as a single mom? You have to go for it. There is no perfect time or place to start doing what you love. If you want to have romance in your life or finish writing your novel you just have to do it. Terrifying, right? I'm right there with you. Every time I start a new book or agree to meet for coffee I think I must be a little mad.
Another question I often receive is how I balance working, motherhood and writing. Toss in trying to find a great soul to travel through life with and man it is hard to fit everything in. If I'm being super honest I can't do everything all at once. If I want to write I have to put some work on the backburner. If I want to try and date I have to set aside time to put into that.
It is never easy to find the space in our lives to do the things we want to do but aren't wholly obligatory. I have found releasing some mommy guilt over taking time away from my son is okay so I can get writing done. I set him up with a game or an iPad cartoon and we cuddle while I write. Romance is much the same, I have to give myself, as we all have to give ourselves, permission to take time to do something I need. Even if that means our children aren't getting 100% of our attention 24/7, just 95% 22/7. You can find copies of my latest novella on Amazon and all the great spots where books are sold. Who here loves a deal that doesn't involve clipping deals or comparing prices on your phone for 20 minutes? I headed over to the Dollar Tree store after a workout and found a couple goodies. I am not huge into mindless buying just for hauls and vlogs but today I grabbed some pretty fun deals for around the house. |
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