By: Jenna Thompson
Updated: Aug. 2, 2023
As life with little ones turns our world upside down, we find ourselves cherishing the small moments of peace amidst the chaos. Gone are the days of spontaneous dinners out at 7 p.m. Now, every outing requires a solid game plan. With kids in tow, even the simplest tasks can feel like a daunting mission. Here are 15 areas that definitely need a strategy after having children.
1. Dining Out
Taking the family to a restaurant is no small feat. It’s all about strategizing how to keep your little ones from transforming the place into a scene from a wild adventure movie before their chicken nuggets arrive.
2. Running Errands
Running errands with kids in tow is akin to planning a military operation. It requires meticulous preparation and a keen sense of timing.
3. Preparing Dinner
Navigating the dinner-making process at home feels like a challenge, especially when you have a tiny human clinging to you like a koala.
4. Enjoying Coffee
You have two options here: either drink your coffee cold after it’s sat for hours or gulp it down while it’s steaming hot and risk burns for that much-needed caffeine kick.
5. Scheduling Dentist Visits
Figuring out how to manage dentist appointments while wrangling children is still a puzzle I haven’t solved. Typically, I end up making unintelligible noises while trying to keep the kids entertained.
6. Getting Exercise
Chasing after kids and hauling laundry counts as a workout, so really, all you need is a dose of speed and a sprinkle of hope.
7. Oil Changes
What was once a simple errand has morphed into an anxiety-inducing task that keeps you up at night. Car maintenance now involves an impact wrench that attracts kids like a magnet.
8. Taking Showers
Showering after the kids are asleep is the best option, but for morning showers, prepare for a real party in the bathroom.
9. Getting Ready
Getting yourself and the kids ready feels like a pinball game—you bounce back and forth, and by the time you’re ready to leave, you have to choose what you can skip: brushing your teeth, putting on deodorant, or fixing your hair.
10. Grocery Shopping
These days, all you need is a solid shopping list. Forget it, and if it happens to be naptime, you might need a prayer or two for survival.
11. Cleaning
The concept of cleaning is a laughable notion in a house with kids.
12. Phone Conversations
If nap times are a thing of the past, you’ll need to get creative. The best strategy? Run for it when tech support finally takes you off hold.
13. Clothes Shopping
Stock up on snacks like popcorn and Slurpees to distract the kids while you try on clothes. It’ll buy you some time, as long as you can change quickly.
14. Hosting Guests
Your kids may believe that every visitor has come specifically to see them, making it a challenge to maintain a conversation with anyone who isn’t part of the family.
15. Finding Five Minutes to Relax
Ah, the luxury of sitting down! Now, it feels like a call for chaos with kids wanting attention. My best strategy? Turn it into a game to see who can sit still the longest.
Overall, the essence of strategy in parenting is about finding methods or plans to achieve desired outcomes in the everyday hustle. Whether it’s making time for sleep or squeezing in a phone call, parents often adapt quickly, even if it means hiding out in the dog kennel for a moment of peace.
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