How can you aim to be a great mum without the time to do so? Journalist and author, Tanith Carey decided that instead of writing another title telling us how fabulous we all should be, she would address the basic problem of how to find the TIME to be a good mother in the first place when so many of us are struggling to find a good work-life balance and afford child-care. Tanith offers her top tips for us to become the amazing mums that we are, even if we don't have the time!
1. How to dress your kids quicker – and without the fuss.
* Buy clothes that do two jobs: coats with hoods for babies so you don’t lose hats, and all-in-one jumpsuits so you don’t have to worry about socks falling off.
* When it comes to outdoor gear, cut down the time you spend zipping and buttoning up coats. Buy poncho or cagoule styles for kids that you can throw on over anything they are wearing and still keeps them warm.
* Buy socks in only one colour and style. Harassed mums don’t have the time to search for the only other matching colour at the bottom of the sock drawer. If you only buy white from the beginning, most socks will go together.
2. Not Another Piece of Lego... How to spend less time on your picking up playthings – and how to choose less messy toys.
* Many parents secretly like to think their child is advanced for their age. But there are often good developmental reasons why certain toys are only
recommended for certain age groups, not least of which is because they are not grown up enough to know how to put them away afterwards.
* For older kids, invest in a jigsaw mat so they can roll up and put away half-finished puzzles, instead of leaving them hanging around taking
up space. On days you can’t face picking up stray Scrabble letters, chess pieces and Monopoly money let older kids play them online. There
are realistic versions easily available free on your computer – even Snakes and Ladders.
* A young child in full flow can create a new mess every minute. So harness that natural energy with some reverse psychology, and make tidying up a game. It may not work perfectly, but at least you will feel as though it’s all getting slightly better, not worse! Let them enjoy making a noise as they drop the blocks back into the box. Buy a mini shopping trolley and suggest they go ‘shopping’ for toys.
* Think before you buy about how much work a toy will be for YOU before you buy: Toys with flashing lights or whirring noises will also need a steady flow of battery changes, so steer clear of the extra work. Certainly avoid battery-operated toys with panels that need to be removed with a screwdriver. How much time do these manufacturers think you have?
* Build open, secure low shelves in the alcoves of your child's room; they store much more than ready-made units. Kids can get what they want and put it back, and there's no risk of them toppling over.
3. How to hold a hassle free kids birthdays.
* Forget party bags: If you are throwing a party,save yourself the hassle of choosing and sharing out endless knick-knacks for party bags
by choosing one small party-themed gift and hand them out as the kids are leaving.
* Don't wrap gifts, bag them: Instead of messing about with wrapping paper, scissors and sellotape every time your child has a party to go to, buy
some plain gift bags at the start of year, pop the present in - and tie ribbon through the handles to finish.
Top tips adapted from “How to Be An ‘Amazing Mum’ – When You Just Don’t Have the Time – the Ultimate Handbook for Hassled Mothers” – by Tanith Carey is published by Lion Hudson, price 7.99 and available on Amazon and all good book shops.
About Tanith Tanith is a journalist and a mum who knows all about combining the two, without full time childcare. She decided to change her life and leave her job as executive editor on a New York celebrity magazine the night she ended up working until five hours before the birth of her second child. It was when she returned to the UK that she realised she had to find a way to work AND care for her children. Since then, Tanith has spent four years consulting experts, speaking to other mums and devising her own strategies to save time so she could enjoy her children - as well as bring in an income. She has written four books, hundreds of features and now writes regularly on parenting for several national magazines and newspapers. This is her second book on motherhood. For more information, visit www.tanithcarey.com
