What parent hasn’t had to deal with a to-do list a mile long? My wife has always been a go-getter. Undoubtedly, she inspired this mom’s to do list cartoon
As amazing as it may seem, there is a cure for the super busy parent. It takes intentionality and discipline. But it is possible. The big challenge is learning to say no when the world seems to be asking us for the moon… and then some!
One site has good tips for moms along with a printable to do list. We all need a little help out there and judging by a web search, there is a big need and a lot of resources out there.
When to Say No
We’ve all heard the phrase, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” This proverb has been around so long, that nobody quite knows who said it first. My guess is it was a husband that was observing his industrious wife. That was probably the biggest pastime for lazy husbands before the introduction of television.
When there are so many needs and opportunities out there, it can be hard for a busy mom to say no to a request. However, it is so important for moms and dads to set boundaries. We all need to consider the consequences before we say yes to any request.
When you consider a request, ask yourself:
- Do I have the margin of time to add something else?
- Will this keep me from my goals or help me achieve them?
- Does this keep me from fulfilling my main role as a mom or dad?
- If it is an event, does it have decent snacks? (Be careful on that one, you may end up volunteering for snack duty!)
When Halloween comes up, I look for things that bring me fear. And yes, a mom’s to do list cartoon brings a bit of anxiety to me! But I get over it. I’d write more, but I have a commitment I need to get ready for!
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
