3 Simple Steps to be "Super Mom"

Many mothers spend their days being overwhelmed, overworked, overwrought. Vow to step out in a new direction.

Here are three simple things you can do to enhance those hidden motherly superpowers.

Tip #1: Get a (Good) Calendar!

No matter how many children you have, staying organized will lower your blood pressure. And that translates to a happier home. Wherever you get one (banks often have freebies), GET ONE! And hang it up somewhere everyone can see it. (Ours is hanging in the dining room.)

A calendar can be more than just a list of appointments. It can be used for everything! Checklists, spousal reminders :-), the center of your family's communication (and your sanity) starts here.

Get into the habit of going over your calendar at the beginning of the week. Choose either Sunday night or Monday morning (during baby's nap) to refresh and look ahead at what's coming.

I've fallen in love with the Thinkbin Calendar. I stumbled upon this resource a few years ago and use it exclusively. It's amazing what a difference it makes. It's large size leaves plenty of room to write in each day. Appointments, reminders, even meal planning, is all done in one spot.

Whichever type of calendar you use, make sure you USE it. I'm a stay at home mom, so the Thinkbin calendar's large size fits my lifestyle.

If you're a working mom, you may need to find a calendar that fits in your purse and include addresses, medical information, etc. If that's you, consider looking at a calendar by Franklin Covey. I used them exclusively when I was in the workplace and it helped tremendously.

Using a calendar on a regular basis will go a long way towards helping you feel more control of your crazy schedule.

Tip #2: Planning Makes Perfect

Nothing puts me in a panic like seeing the clock strike 5:00 and I'm at a loss for dinner. Sadly, when that happens, the end-result is often pizza or chicken nuggets, less-than-healthy foods that definitely wouldn't have been chosen if I had more time.

Eliminate this stress by setting time aside at the beginning of the week to choose out your dinners, consider your lunches, and create your grocery list. Heck, avoiding multiple trips to the grocery store with kids in tow alone makes this worthwhile!

I generally write in those meals on my Thinkbin calendar (it's big enough). That way I can glance at it and set out meat to thaw, etc. ahead of time.

I also print out recipes (my cookbook is digital) or page-mark books ahead of time. Printed recipes sit in a recipe holder on the counter so I'm ready to cook without having to search feverishly for the recipe.

By the way, I order a lot of my groceries online and have them delivered. Surprisingly, I find I spend less on groceries by shopping online than going to the store because I can calculate my bill as I shop. I'm also less likely to impulse-buy on something I don't need (I'm sure I'll use this rutabaga! It's on sale!).

If I'm not at home, Peapod will leave the groceries in refrigerated boxes by the back door that I simply return with my next order. The produce is excellent (no joke) and the service is wonderful. They know that if you get a rotten apple once, you're not going to re-order so they work hard to give you the best hand-picked produce they can.

You can get discounts on delivery by requesting certain delivery times and using Direct Check to pay. Best of all, I can order the groceries Thursday for a Saturday delivery. I have until 11pm Friday night to add anything that comes to mind (like Windex or toilet paper).

Tip #3: Connect Daily with Your Spouse and Kids

The previous two tips help to pave the way to the final (and most important) tip of "Super Motherhood" of all. Spend time every day interacting and connecting with your spouse (if applicable) and children.

Although this may seem assumed, it's amazing at how you can go through days of "going through the motion" without ever providing a single good connection. You must be deliberate to make them. No one drifts into intimacy. Building a strong, caring, loving family takes work!

Reading a book with your child, having dinner as a family, talking over coffee in the morning with your spouse...all can bring provide significant rewards to your family's sense of intimacy.

As the mother, you will need to model that reaching out to the rest of your family. Once they see you doing it, they will inevitably begin to follow.

Committing to do these three simple things will certainly alleviate some of the stresses of daily mothering. Get a good calendar (and display it proudly), plan your meals and other responsibilities ahead of time, and set aside time to spend quality time with your family.

In no time at all (sob!) our children will be grown. Make these important changes now, so you can reap the rewards when they are older. Not only will they fly from the coop well-adjusted, secure, and happy, your marriage will be stronger than ever and ready for the golden age of marital bliss to begin. (And you thought the honeymoon was fun!)