How To Accomplish Something While Home with the Kids

Every parent feels like she/he has a million things they need or want to accomplish, but with the kids, it feels impossible.  This largely depends on the age of your children, of course, but if you find a way to accommodate them, you can squeeze in a few things here and there throughout the day.  Accomplishing things you need to do will pay off in the form of happiness - at least I feel a little weight off my shoulders when some of my small projects are completed.  Here are a few ideas and scenarios:

Playtime
This one may be harder for a parent of 1 child than a parent of 2 or more.  Set-up your child to play a particular activity and find something you want to accomplish that will only take 10 minutes or so - they may not last much longer than that.  If you have several 10-minute tasks, you can start a new one after the first, if they are playing well.  If a child starts nagging you that they are bored or wants you to play with them, it's a good idea to stop what you're doing and play.  A few minutes of attention goes a long way.

Another scenario may be to select an activity you can do in the same room.  That way you can still interact with them and they don't feel lonely.  This is a great way to hang out with a baby who is playing on the floor, or even older kids.  Terrific opportunity to do laundry or sorting a box of items, etc.  You can also sit at the table to work on something as they color, play stickers, or if you are really brave, PlayDough.

Exercise Time
If you can't get up early in the morning (before the kids wake up at 5:30am) and you hate jumping on the treadmill at night after they go to bed, why not designate some time in the morning or afternoon as "exercise time".  Pick up some exercise DVD at a yard sale or rip out a workout from a magazine.  Then guide the kids through it.  Have them count to stay involved (and it's a good learning-to-count drill). Even if they don't do the exercising "just right", they will probably have fun.  It will also be a good example to them, pointing them in the direction of making healthy decisions.

Chores
If you have a toddler or preschooler, this is a great time to get them involved in the house cleaning chores.  Hand them a damp sponge to wipe down the table and chair legs, a feather duster, or dry mop, or even just a rag and ask them to make their way around the house.  Don't count on them to do a good job.  They will, however, feel like a "grown-up" if you praise them for helping and doing a good job.    Handling these previously forbidden items will be lots of fun for them.

Nap Time
If you have a baby who will nap once or twice a day, this is a great time to accomplish something.  Knowing how long they will sleep, plan your activity accordingly.  With a toddler or preschooler, you may not be able to rely heavily on this time to accomplish something, because some days they will nap, and others they won't.  Don't get too involved in something, in case you have to stop, and plan to keep your project to an hour or less.  Being interrupted mid-project will only set you up for disappointment, frustration, or resentment.

If you are getting frustrated and want to re-cooperate, why not take the occasional nap yourself?   Once in a why we should enjoy the silence - it may re-align your attitude.

Gardening
Why not get some gardening done while the kids play outside?  And if they are bored and want to hang out with you, get them some kiddie gardening gloves and ask them to help you...they will either enjoy it or hate it.  If they enjoy it, you win!  If they hate it, they will find something else to do so you can finish.  Either way, this is probably a win-win situation.  Should you choose to do gardening during nap time, however, be sure to take the baby monitor with you.

TV Time
Some people hate relying on TV to entertain their children, but hey - if you have something you HAVE to accomplish and none of the above has worked out, once in a while won't kill anyone.

Bed Time
Not everything can be accomplished with kids around.  That's why bed time is so important.  Sure, everyone wants to relax after the kids are in bed and breathe a sigh of relief, but this may be the only time you have to chip away at some really important projects you need to dedicate your attention to. 

REMEMBER:

• The best way to accomplish something it to plan out what you want to do BEFORE it's time to do it.  That way, on the off chance the kids cooperate, you can jump right into it.  
• Make a list if you have to and break up tasks by amount of time needed, and then by priority.  Then pick the appropriate task for the time allotted.
• Don't plan to do an important task that cannot be put off or disrupted.  Save those for a time when you are certain you can get it done (bed time or someone else watching the kids).