3 tips from a Busy Mum on her New Juggling Act

3 tips from a Busy Mum on her New Juggling Act

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Like most mums, hell, like most PEOPLE, my life is busy. I have two small kids at different life stages (a kindergartener and a one year old), a husband that works long hours, I study part-time online, and I’ve just started a new job.

Returning to the workforce after a gap of a couple of years has forced me to be very clear on my priorities for my time. Everyone has the same number of hours in the day and nothing can be done to change that, no matter how hard we might try. Since I can’t add more hours into my day, I need to make better use of the hours I do have. So what are my priorities and how can I make them happen in my new juggling act?

Eating well

Eating a diet that is predominantly plant based, with lots of fruit and vegetables and lean, high quality protein is important to me. I choose to make cooking good food for my family a priority, over say, having a pristinely tidy home. To ensure that there is a constant base supply of fresh produce to prepare meals from, I will be investigating home delivery services, particularly for fruit and vegetables. Recommendations welcome!

Keeping active

It is important to both my husband and I that we continue to build and improve our physical fitness. We’ve had to sit down and agree on who gets which available timeslots. It means on some mornings I run in the door from training, he runs out the door with the kids to drop them off, then I eat, shower and rush off to work. Other nights he goes off to his martial art, I do everything with the kids and bedtime is a far more drawn out extravaganza than it is with two parents on deck. Ideal? Probably not, but it means that that we both get time to do the things that are important to us.

Being present with my kids

As we get busier, it’s tempting to try to do more activities at the same time. I have been so guilty of this, and the tool that has allowed this to happen is my smartphone. I am that mum that is glancing sideways at the screen to check emails while playing Lego with her kid. Well, let me tell you, it is not a nice feeling when you realise that your kid knows that you are doing it and they feel ignored as a result. And does it make me any more productive than I would be by doing emails in a solid block at the end of the day? Not really. So I am committing to smartphone-free afternoons. From school pick up until bedtime, my phone is not to be touched. I will be present with my kids and freely give them the gift of my dedicated time and attention. It is important to them and it is important to me.

In the busy modern world, are you actively deciding how to spend your time? Or is life racing by without a chance to make intentional choices? Tell me about how you are making time work for you!

Angela Denly is a freelance writer and communications consultant. She is a mum to two gorgeously cheeky girls and blogs (sporadically) about life, sustainability and food at www.worsthouseinthestreet.net

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Pru

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I have been training outdoors with Babes for 2 1/2 years. I love that my “gym” is a park bench, the fresh air, sunshine. The trainers are always aware of your fitness levels and every exercise has a modification, if you are newly back into exercise, pregnant or even injured, their is an option to suit everyone. I started out one session a week, gradually increasing to two (and sometimes three) ~ the energy and motivation from the small group sessions far outweigh a run on the treadmill or a sweaty gym class. I have made some great friendships and always enjoy the “adult” time away from the kids, looking after myself so that “mum” is getting fit and strong, being a great role model for my three children to follow.

Renae

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I started training with Babes with Babes halfway through my second pregnancy. Thanks to the care and support of my Babes trainers, I was still able to continue training up until 35 weeks. I returned to training doing pram sessions with my bub from 8 weeks – getting out of the house and training in the sunshine was truly a lifesaver in those intense early months and was a highlight of my week. Now my baby is older, I have graduated to the sessions without prams and feel fitter and stronger than ever. I’ve never done the same session twice and have been able to work at my level, with appropriate guidance on how to challenge myself further. Throughout pregnancy, post-natal recovery, and beyond, all of the Babes trainers have supported and encouraged me and I could not recommend them more highly.

Angela

Allambie Heights

Babes with Babes is one of the most encouraging, enjoyable and motivating organisations I have ever had the pleasure of training with.  Every session is filled with challenge, fun and a sense of having achieved more than I thought possible.  I always look forward to my training sessions and leave feeling fulfilled and proud of my achievement.  Everyone is so friendly and non-judgemental – we all work at our own pace and level.  The trainers are supportive and so knowledgeable.  Training outdoors is a great way to really appreciate the beautiful surrounds in which we live and far more enjoyable than being stuck in a stuffy gym!  The option of childcare is a great incentive too.  With a huge variety of class times I feel I have NO excuse to get myself feeling fit and fab!  Thanks Babes…don’t know what I would do without you!

Jacqui

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Having trained throughout my pregnancy I was a little concerned how I would be able to manage an exercise class once my little one arrived, having no family locally who would be able to babysit. I was so excited to learn that Babes with Babes ran regular training sessions offering either a babysitting service, or ‘pram sessions’ where I could bring my son along. I loved joining the outdoor pram sessions, Nicky and Sonya kept me motivated to work hard and I enjoyed meeting other new Mum’s too. Now that my son is older, I happily leave him at home with Dad while I join one of the regular Saturday sessions and enjoy the peace and quiet!

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