Outdoor Decorations

Hey Moms! It’s about time to start decorating. You can modify your daily routine schedule now that the kids are out for Thanksgiving break. Use this time you would take the kids to school to complete Christmas decorations. My husband used to love putting up the outside decorations, and the kids and I would decorate inside. It’s bitter sweet becasue decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year but since my husband has paased away it is difficult sometines.

I want to keep up the family tradition! I usually start after Thanksgiving but since Thanksgiving is later this year, I started a little eariler. I created a budget to keep me on track because everything looks beautiful and I want to buy everything I see. Some best practices to use when you go shopping is setting a budget, planning, and delegating.

Set A Budget

A budget helps you save both money and time. I like to use the notes app on my phone to jot down items I want to add to my decorations. I usually aim to add no more than 3 to 5 new items for both the inside and outside of my home.

One effective way to stay within budget is to take cash with you while shopping. It’s best to leave your credit and debit cards at home to avoid temptation. I’ve found that leaving my cards in the car doesn’t work for me, as the temptation often leads me to run out and grab them.

Another way to stick to your budget is to pre-shop the look you’re going for. Researching ahead of time helps you understand the prices of the items you’re interested in and their locations, saving you time and money. Personally, I prefer not to drive around looking for the best deal. If I can find everything I need in the same store or mall, it saves me both time and money.

Lastly, consider taking your kids with you. Yes, I said it! Taking your kids along can help you stay focused on the items you need to grab. If they are anything like my teenagers, they tend to rush you. And if you have little ones, they often grab things or remind you they’re hungry. So, involving your kids can actually help you find exactly what you need more quickly.

Once you have all your items, it’s time to plan how and when you’ll put them up.

Planning

It’s great to get the decorations, but now we need to plan how to put them up. Being single can be challenging at times. Many outdoor decorations may require a ladder or step stool. Planning is similar to organizing day-to-day events. Let’s start delegating some tasks to family and friends.

If you have a brother who is old enough to help, or if your father is available, invite them over for lunch and involve them in the tradition. My dad usually helps me a lot with outdoor decorations, and now that my son is getting older, he assists with the indoor decorations. He has taken on the role of heavy lifting while my daughter and I handle the decorating.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help! You can host a brunch or lunch and invite a few friends to assist with the indoor decorations. Also, don’t forget about the kids. If they are under four years old, you might think they’ll just get in the way, but if you delegate tasks correctly, they can still contribute, even if it’s just helping with cleanup. The cleanup song works wonders!

It’s great to get the decorations, but now we need to plan how to put them up. Being single can be challenging at times. Many outdoor decorations may require a ladder or step stool. Planning is similar to organizing day-to-day events. Let’s start delegating some tasks to family and friends.

If you have a brother who is old enough to help, or if your father is available, invite them over for lunch and involve them in the tradition. My dad usually helps me a lot with outdoor decorations, and now that my son is getting older, he assists with the indoor decorations. He has taken on the role of heavy lifting while my daughter and I handle the decorating.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help! You can host a brunch or lunch and invite a few friends to assist with the indoor decorations. Also, don’t forget about the kids. If they are under four years old, you might think they’ll just get in the way, but if you delegate tasks correctly, they can still contribute, even if it’s just helping with cleanup. The cleanup song works wonders!

Welcome to BusySingleMom Blog!

This Blog is designed to share my experience of being a busy single mom. After my husband passed away unexpectedly almost five years ago, I had to learn a lot. Most events I had to learn the hard way. Managing my time was one of them. My husband had our kids involved in every sport possible. He grew up being very active, which was very different from me. I was not used to being on the move all the time. My job was to show up and cheer!

In the initial months following my husband’s passing, I struggled to keep track of everything that needed to be done. I would often forget about games, school events, and important appointments. This oversight led to my kids being very upset and disappointed with me, and that was the last thing I wanted in such a challenging time. I knew I had to figure something out because maintaining their spirits while managing my own grief was becoming increasingly overwhelming.

Trying to keep it all together while still working was hard, often leaving me feeling frazzled and disorganized. I realized that if I wanted to be there for my kids and ensure they felt supported, I had to get my act together. The first best practice I learned was being organized. This could look very different for everyone, depending on personal preferences and lifestyles. For me, it meant creating systems that worked for our family.

As time went by, I discovered so many ways I could get organized that would help me stay on track. I started using digital calendars to keep track of upcoming games and events. Syncing these calendars with reminders ensured that I wouldn’t forget important dates. Additionally, I created a weekly schedule that included not just my work commitments but also family time, sport practices, and even downtime for myself. The visual layout helped me prioritize tasks and allocate time more effectively.

Another strategy I adopted was meal planning, which significantly reduced the daily stress of figuring out dinner. On Sundays, I sit down and plan out meals for the week, making shopping lists to ensure I have everything I need. This simple change has made a world of difference, allowing us more quality time together instead of rushing around for last-minute meals.

Incorporating these organizational strategies into our family life has not only helped me manage my responsibilities but has also improved our household’s overall atmosphere. The kids feel more secure knowing that their events are not just on my radar but are prioritized.

Let’s get organized so we can thrive! By sharing these tips and experiences, I hope to inspire other busy parents who are navigating similar challenges. We can find balance and joy amidst the chaos, creating cherished memories with our children while also honoring our own journeys.