Ninja Tricks For Being A Super Effective Mom

Last time I checked, when a woman enters motherhood there is no welcome committee waiting with banners, parades, instruction manuals and super Mom capes. That’s just the way it is. But rather than scramble like a cat on ice, mothers everywhere can tap into their inner Ninja and incorporate these savvy tips to super optimize their day.

Laser In And Get It Done

Many moms are born multitaskers, but just as many are “stumbletaskers.” They start a task, stumble onto something else that needs to be done, get distracted and so on. Distractions can be a huge time suck for busy moms so if you are faced with an important task at hand, use these tactics to laser in on it and get it done.

If you’re working at home, your spouse and/or children will constantly be popping in on you. If you need some uninterrupted time to get your work done, let your family clearly know what you want and need. A simple “mommy needs to work alone for an hour” goes a long way and once expectations and boundaries are set, it should be easier to blaze through your task and get it accomplished.

If you are at work and find your office occupied with “just stopping by visitors,” get rid of the guest chair. Loiters and interrupters will find it a lot less attractive to hang out if there’s no place to sit. A closed door is also a gentle reminder that now is not a good time to stop and chat.

If you are someone who likes to work in a public place like a coffee shop, nothing says “do not disturb” like a set of over-the-head headphones. Keeping your head down and avoiding eye contact will also give well-meaning interrupters the message and help keep you focused on your work.

The Family That Eats Together Stays Together

With the hectic lives we seem to lead these days, getting the family all together in the same place at the same time can be a difficult chore. Between work schedules, after-school activities, errands, it seems we have less and less time every day. By taking the time to do some meal planning, meal time can be an enjoyable and treasured family time and not a panicked “what the heck do I cook tonight!” moment. Also designate no less than two nights per week as “family sit-down” nights and enjoy a meal as a family. Nights like these offer the perfect opportunity to share everyone’s day and plan for the upcoming days so everyone is on the same page.

Turn Your Downtime Into Productive Time

We’ve all been there. Trapped in the doctor’s office, delayed by traffic or weather or sitting idle at home waiting for the cable man to come “between 9:00 and 2:00.” Instead of losing these valuable hours that you can’t back, tap into your inner problem solver and discover ways to make best use of your downtime.

Prepare for the wait by bringing a book to read, paperwork you’ve been meaning to fill out or a magazine article you haven’t had time to read.

Technology has major benefits during these downtime by providing Internet access. This enables you to do research, read on your Kindle or watch a video tutorial.

These tips may not be as handy as a Super Mom cape, but they still help you make the most of your day. What other “ninja mom tips” do you have to share?