https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 09:51:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1281326 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 06:33:09 +0000 Foodnerd81 1281326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your Lo is still really little, right?</p> <p>This post made the internet rounds a while ago and I try to embrace it:<br /> <a href="http://mamaseeds.com/blog/baby-sleep-training/new-mamas-get-nothing-done-and-other-untruths/" rel="nofollow">http://mamaseeds.com/blog/baby-sleep-training/new-mamas-get-nothing-done-and-other-untruths/</a> </p> <p>I try to make a list a prioritize what I want to get done at nap time- usually the first two items are shower, eat. While she is awake now at 4.5 months I can get other stuff done but I still try to spend way more time with her, less getting stuff done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1281254 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 00:10:05 +0000 Dagny 1281254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all! So many helpful ideas and thoughts :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1280367 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 15:05:55 +0000 Cherrybee 1280367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gone the other way to the posters above. I have created a series of routines around me, slotting jobs - like emptying the dishasher etc - into tiny slots of time. For example, DH baths LO every night and I spend that time putting laundry away. I let clean laundry pile up as I do it bit by bit during the day knowing that I will put it away at 6.30pm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1280098 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:50:09 +0000 Corduroy 1280098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have two family policies that are working for us. First, we only commit to one event per day with LO. Playdate, party, appointment OR errands. Second, the person watching LO is not expected to accomplish anything else. It just doesn't happen so DH and I released each other of the expectation. It relieves the "I really thought you could have done the dishes/laundry/etc." Good for you if you get anything done. Obviously there's a lot to get done after bedtime before we can crash but it's working for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1280009 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:18:35 +0000 pmerr 1280009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good question! I'm having trouble getting anything done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1279959 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:03:11 +0000 Weagle 1279959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Managing expectations and remembering that these early years are just a phase helps me. In a few short years our kids will be much more self-sufficient, and I know I'll be sad that they won't need me as much :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1279038 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 09:07:05 +0000 MsLipGloss 1279038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: Yes! My GAS meter has not been pegged out in quite some time! </p> <p>@Dagny: I try to remember when making lists to always include *watching/feeding/playing with LO* and/or *work* because I think it's too easy to not include what we normally do during the day as part of our accomplishments . . . When I get LO to daycare and myself to work (usually no later than 8 a.m., even though I have not set arrival time), I feel like I have already accomplished something! Same goes for a successful day of playing with/taking care of LO . . . if I do just that, I consider it a success! Anything after that is just icing on the cake! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1279024 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 09:02:57 +0000 blackbird 1279024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Embrace it, honestly. Let go when you don't get things done. Realize that some days, you won't be productive, and that's ok!</p> <p>My give a shit meter dropped pretty low :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278888 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 07:31:37 +0000 lamariniere 1278888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Realistic goals. DD was born 13 days ago but I learned with DS that you just have to let things go. I am also a do it now kind of person and with DS, I tried to do all the normal things like clean, cook, errands, etc., and became totally stressed that I couldn't get anything done. Now that I have another new baby, I'm soaking up as much rest and relaxation as I can for now. My current goal is to get out if the house at least once a day and I am succeeding at that. The time goes by so fast when the LOs are tiny and I don't want to spend this time being stressed that I'm not getting X done. One thing we do have now that we didn't before is a cleaning lady who comes once per week. She is amazing and totally worth it and I don't get that creeping feeling that I need to clean something before I go crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278876 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 07:06:34 +0000 rachiecakes 1278876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: yep!</p> <p>I used to kind of just do things and now I plan to, even if it's the dishes, laundry, cleaning. I plan these things out and commit to it. And definitely take it one task at a time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278871 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 06:47:55 +0000 Beyond2 1278871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dagny: I'm a list maker too! I have the normal list which includes things like dishes and laundry that we really need. Then I have my long term list with things I'd like to get done, organize the hall closet for example. If I can do my regular list and maybe one thing off the long term list it's been a good day. If I don't get to the lt list I try to give myself grace. Do the important stuff first and cut some slack! With motherhood, everyday is unpredictable. Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278863 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 06:32:30 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1278863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: LOL that's exactly what I was going to say!</p> <p>It took me a long time to realize that I'm not, not doing things. I'm actually accomplishing a lot. I had to switch my mindset to see what I was doing, and realizing that my goals were shifted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278858 Fri, 13 Dec 2013 06:22:58 +0000 illumina 1278858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan to get things done on the weekends, when Dh is around to watch LO for a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278558 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:43:44 +0000 cascademom 1278558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say realistic goals and taking a few small goals at a time. Don't beat yourself up over not getting everything done. Motherhood has taught me to stay organized and manage my time better. I can get a lot done in shorter time with managing tasks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278555 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:41:52 +0000 winniebee 1278555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wine. And working out. And trying to laugh a lot :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278550 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:37:07 +0000 Dagny 1278550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely need to work on keeping my goals fluid! I'm always making to do lists and never completing them according to the time I give myself, which makes me feel like I'm always failing. I guess I just struggle with realistic expectations - I have no idea what is realistic now! Hahaha. Thanks everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278116 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 19:05:52 +0000 mrs. wagon 1278116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a big schedule and routine person, and Wagon Sr. is excellent about sticking to the routine and our kids respond well to them as well, so that really helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278093 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 19:01:27 +0000 lemondrop 1278093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with having realistic expectations and staying flexible with my day and try to have as much fun as possible each day that I am lucky enough to spend with my little guy. No way am I going to be as efficient as I was pre-kids, but I do have way more fun these days. </p> <p>One thing we do is use our gym childcare- either to let myself finish up a work project, get some "me" time, or have my husband take him with him when he works out so I can get a few things done quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278053 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 18:53:02 +0000 MsLipGloss 1278053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By keeping my expectations realistic and my goals fluid . . . 5% sounds like a pretty successful day to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-manage-the-constant-chaos-of-motherhood0#post-1278012 Thu, 12 Dec 2013 18:40:24 +0000 Dagny 1278012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like my life is chaos every. single. day. I realize that all mothers feel this way and understand that perception and attitude have a lot to do with how you handle daily life as a mom/wife/employee/person, and I feel like I'm failing! Im a do-er and now that I can only manage to get 5% of my to do list done each day, i feel exhausted and anxious all the time. How do you manage the constant chaos?? I really want to work on this! </p>