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Back-to-school Morning Mayhem
Help for Frazzled Moms-to-be
By Katherine Bontrager
Otherwise, the best way to get everyone to pitch in is to make a list of all chores in the house and have everyone sign up for one or two, Luhrs says. "For instance, one person loads the dishwasher and another one unloads," she says. "Everyone clears their own dishes from the table. The best way is to make a big master list on a grease board, and each week or each month, everyone signs up for certain chores. Depending on the family style, you can also instigate a Saturday chore morning. Put on fun music, promise ice cream afterward, set the timer and everyone gets their jobs done during a set time, and then you go out to ice cream, movies, ice skating – whatever the family likes."
Helping hands can be especially beneficial during mealtime. For those nights with a bit more time, involve your children in the cooking. If it's taco night, have someone wash the tomatoes and lettuce while another pulls out the cheese and salsa. Make your oldest responsible for the salad fixings while your youngest attempts to put napkins on the table. Keeping kids involved in mealtime not only can be a help, but serves as great bonding time, too.
"You're tired because your body is very busy creating new life," Lewis says. "So simplify things. Look at your calendar and say 'no' to the unimportant. Then look at your calendar again and say 'no' to the even almost important. You'll have time to do more in a few years. You can't do it all and that means you have to start making quality choices that include your well-being and the well-being of your new child. And part of being healthy is making sure you sleep right, eat right and get enough exercise. Are you? If not, what choices will you begin to make to make your personal health a priority?"
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