Are you struggling with beating winter boredom? Winter is not going away soon, so if you've been stuck inside for what feels fo-ever, do not panic! Read this now and make a plan, because being cooped up in the house can make parents and children crazy after only a few hours, let alone months on end.
Bundle up and enjoy these GIT Mom approved survival tips.
Love, Eirene
GIT Tip #1 Teach your kids planning skills
Have a family meeting and ask your children what they want to do. Provide some options:
Chill and play at home
Play dates
Movies
Check out new exhibits or museums
Take a few minutes with the kids to research all the fun things your city has to offer over the next few months. Most places do promotions – two for one days, kids free days, etc. These are good things to know in advance and great to put on the calendar. That way, you have planned ahead and saved money, too. There is nothing wrong with calendaring your next few months.
GIT Tip #2 Play dates
Embrace drop-off playdates. If your kids are old enough to be dropped off for a playdate, do it. In exchange, tell your bestie she can drop her kids at your house for an afternoon. The kids will entertain one another and you can get some of that work done that’s been piling up. Get everyone out of your house all at once and embrace the peace!
GIT Tip #3 Demand balance for yourself!
See this verb? It's not followed by a question mark; it's a command! I am my biggest cheerleader for solo time! I don't hope or wish I could have more time for myself; I plan it out and make it happen every single day and I never cancel on myself. I tell my clients no one else knows exactly what you need and it's up to you, mom, to advocate for your wants and needs and stand behind them. I sleep and meditate right when I wake up. My children respect my boundaries for my quiet work time until it's their turn to have mommy time. I move my body every day and I take a daily siesta to refresh my brain to be calm and take on the rest of the day to get the boys to bedtime, which I feel is the holy grail of parenting.
GIT Tip #4 Plan a moms night out
Escape your kids. Check out. With wine. Bottles and bottles of wine.
GIT Tip #5 Chillax
Do you feel like you must always be doing doing doing? Always engaging and teaching your littles? Stop it! Just relax already. I promise your kids are thriving! There is nothing better than when our family is home and in pjs by 4:00. We have an early dinner, and then relax. If you ask me, there's really no real reason to ever get off the couch, our happy place! Luckily Orville Redenbacher and Netflix have us covered.
GIT Tip #6 Don’t do it all yourself all the time
Every time I get the bright idea that I won’t schedule anything for my kids and instead we’ll just “figure it out," it's not so awesome. I call this Camp Mommy, which ends up being amazing for everyone but me because I entertain them all day and don’t get anything else done or have a second to breathe. So hire up! Babysitters, mommy helpers, or a neighborhood tween who loves your kids. Really, anyone with a warm heart, because you cannot be their sole source of entertainment. That's a recipe for disaster and sure to fail.
P.S. Have you grabbed your copy of my book yet? Being a GIT Mom is a mindset and this book is your manual. Grab your copy on Amazon.
Do you know someone who could use these #GITMom tips? Please share!
