Are you finding there are simply not enough hours in a day? Running the kids here and there, trying to cook, clean, and hold a job can be exhausting. Whether you work in an office, at home, or a combination of both like me, sometimes you simply need a little help.
Super moms need a break. I know how tempting it is to just "handle it all" but the reality is the quality really goes down when you are juggling too many hats. Maybe you need a nanny, or a mother's helper, a cleaning service, or help with laundry. While those may sound like luxuries, if your emotional health and productivity are on the line, not to mention your families comfort, than it may be time to double check that budget.
Childcare Help
- Full time or part time? For some busy moms full-time help would mean having an assistant by your side practically around the clock, a live-in nanny and maid. Since that will probably not be happening anytime soon, there are options.
- When are you the most productive, or the most needy? Maybe you can have a part-time sitter swoop in and help manage after-school activities so that you can have two or three uninterrupted hours to wrap up work. If early mornings are your most productive, then looking for a sitter to help out in the morning could be your best bet.
- Take your time to interview potential helpers. A capable sitter or nanny will be able to work with minimal instruction. Check a referral service before placing an ad. These companies generally do all the leg work meaning the people in their system are pre-screened and have solid references that you can check. But even if the individual is perfect on paper, the personality must suit the family, so take the time to conduct an interview.
Cleaning Help
- Once a month, once a week, or more frequently? You know your family best. If your budget can handle a weekly cleaning service, the time this frees up is substantial. Even a monthly service can provide a big boost.
- Behavior modification. A surprising benefit to having a cleaning service come in on a regular basis is that most people tend to take a little more care into cleaning as they go. Kids put clothes in hampers.
Laundry Help
- Just like mom. I was unaware of laundry services until my girlfriend shared her little secret. She never gave up her college habit of dropping laundry bags off. She just changed where she drops them. Instead of making the drive to mom's house, she heads over to a Laundromat that handles this chore for her.
- How does it work? If you are as curious as I was, about this magical service. The price is generally the same as if you were to do it yourself, counting coins at a Laundromat, or the cost to run a washing machine and dryer plus all the products. Dump your clothes off, and they are returned in a nice, neat little cube with matched socks and all. That alone is worth the service!
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