The Foolproof Plan The A.M. Session

So you've had a baby, entered motherhood, and feel like you've literally been cut in half. The dicotomy of it all... mother/wife vs. diva fashionista. The identity crisis & the adjustment to your new lifestyle and newfound responsibilities can be a little overwhelming, but I'm here to tell you...You can make it work, without losing yourself. As a mother of two, a wife of two years and an overcomer of Post Partum Depression, I definitely don't have all the answers, just those that have worked for me; the answers that helped me find the pieces of myself that were lost, become a better wife to my life partner, a more patient parent, and ultimately happy and comfortable with all aspects of myself..inside & outside of marriage and motherhood. The first order of business was devising a daily schedule that would allow me to hold down a household (in style), maintain a fun-loving relationship with my husband, implement a structure for my kids, and above all make time for myself...and I would love to share it with you...This is the a.m. session

1. Wake up early- The key to the whole plan. If you can't do this, you can't conquer the method. You've got to be up to get things done. But don't just get up alone, get the kids up too. The earlier they get up, the earlier they go to bed....this has to be your focus. If your children are used to sleeping late, the first couple days will be tough, but like anything else, they will adjust. Make it a point not to re-enter your bedroom all day if you don't have to. Make the bed, tidy up, remove whatever you need for the day so that when you return in the evening its strictly for sleep. Make a play area outside of your bedroom for your kids and allow them to play there for the day.


2. Get the kids out for an a.m. walk- Young minds, especially baby minds need to get out and be stimulated. Take your child(ren) out for a walk. Its not only daily exercise for you, but an escape from the house. Find ways to incorporate your baby and his/her gadgets into your daily fitness routine. Climb hills, power walk, push your stroller with extended arms. Remember part of your overall happiness relies on your happiness with self. Remain happy with yourself by exercising guilt free---you don't necessarily have to spend time away from the kids to take care of yourself. Alternate between 3 routes everyday to keep thing variant.
3. Stimulate your kids with educational television- After you've returned from your walk, sit your children down for some tv time. Opt for educational networks like NOGGIN and PBS rather than Nick and Disney where most of the viewing is commercials for toys. Use this time to catch up on some things that you may need to do...if your kids have a hard time focusing sans you...throw a snack into a mix to keep them occupied.
4. Induce sleep post lunch-time- Swap a milk based beverage for juice at lunchtime (my sons love chocolate milk) to bring on the zzzzzz's. The average baby/toddler naps for about 1.5-2hrs daily so this is prime time for you. Also try to make them nap no earlier than 11 but no later than 1. This will ensure no late afternoon napping later. Use this time to cook dinner. In a perfect world, dinner would be coming out of the oven fresh upon your husband's arrival, but obviously you've gotta make it work the best way possible. If you have to cook something immediately before he arrives, cook everything else so that you can confine your babies to a highchair for a short amount of time later if need be. Keep weekday dinners simple....something you can cook in 30 mins. or less. Refrigerate what needs refrigeration, cover and set aside the remainder to be reheated later.

Invest in cookbooks such as Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Get Real Meals or my personal fav, Rachel Ray 365 No Repeats: A Year of Deliciously Different Meals.

Always remember never victimize yourself...Life is all about choices, you make the choice to wed and bear children, you make the choice to take on all that comes with it...you just have to choose a method to make it all work...Victimizing yourself and drowning your husband in a slew of "I've been dealing with ______ all day" will only put a strain on your marriage. Take a step back, realize that you're in it together and there's a method to it all!!! Stay tuned for the PM session and more blogs to come