Living On Mom Time

April 25, 2012

Written by Marykate Wurster, an amazing mom of 3, from Riverside, Connecticut

Photo by CeresB

My life is broken up into 15 minute increments. I want to create a mom clock, instead of hours it will have 15 minute blocks, because that seems to dictate my life. Drop the older kids at school, 15 minutes until preschool drop off – stop home, pop in a load of laundry, clear the breakfast dishes, grab a yogurt for the car.

Another option is dry cleaners, mail letters at the post office. And then after yoga, desperately, much needed, couldn’t skip shower, followed by another 15 minutes before preschool pick up – options – return books to library and call mom but not sister because we would be on too long. Mom doesn’t talk as much. And in the afternoon, its drop son at soccer, drop off older daughter at ballet, pick up younger daughter at a friend’s house and then 15 minutes until soccer pick up – options watch practice, have younger daughter watch a movie in the car or both watch practice from the car while she watches a movie – which is what I inevitably choose. This is followed by 15 minutes until ballet pick up…. Living on mom time baby!

What do you do with your 15 minutes? Who has ideas about how to manage and maximize small increments of time?

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8 Comments »

Anne Schenendorf
on April 25, 2012 11:40 am
Ah, life would be much easier to organize in 15 min intervals… My fifteen minutes is how early I need to leave the house with my twins to be on time. I found that two of those intervals is how long I need to change diapers and get the babies dressed before departure. My most productive 15 min though are the one right before my munchkins awake. Do I quickly unload the dishwasher? Finally scarf down some breakfast though technically it’s now lunch? The best part of those five minutes early when I hear tiny little voices and run up to see Seany peeking back through the bars of his crib.
Marykate Wurster
on April 25, 2012 12:32 pm
I remember those days! Mom time then consisted of how to use naps – and that golden 1-2 hours.
Heidi Farmer
on April 25, 2012 5:10 pm
In my 5-15 minute segments today I’m trying to pull a spring book post together for tomorrow. So far I’ve had 4 boys here for a playdate (lots of bumps and bruises, snacks, etc), pickups, dropoffs, people calling, and Sloan wanting to write a book and use me as his typist (and how can I say no to THAT??!?). I can TOTALLY relate to your post today!!
Marykate Wurster
on April 25, 2012 5:33 pm
Mom, take this down… Love it – go Sloan! I have been putting together a mailbox – dont ask. 🙂
Gina
on April 25, 2012 6:18 pm
I’ve used the 15-minute block to organize my work-at-home/life balance. I divide my tasks up into small enough pieces that I can set a timer and do 15 min of housework or 15 min of writing/social media. I made a checklist with boxes to help me stay focused. It’s working so far!
Marykate Wurster
on April 25, 2012 6:47 pm
Now that is a fantastic idea! I am going to do that – writing it down is key for me, otherwise, it is lost. Thank you for sharing that!
Heidi farmer
on April 25, 2012 7:16 pm
I do that too! I have a 15- minute area on my big to- do notepad where I list all the house projects that are currently bugging me. Then when I’m on the phone with my sister or my mom I tackle one while we talk. I’ve cleaned out cabinets, junk drawers etc while chatting away. And no worries mom and sis, I was paying attention!!
Anne Schenendorf
on April 27, 2012 7:28 am
I try to multi task when on the phone too Heidi. I’m not very proficient at it and often end up hanging up on people. Right MaryKate? The flipside of my multitasking though is knowing that if I get things done, the babies will take advantage of the opportunity too. They love to redecorate. This can consist of dumping things or their new favorite(which I don’t understand) tossing their favorite items over the gate to the basement. Ah babies… Heidi, the author request of your son is the sweetest thing ever. The greatest form of flattery is of course imitation. In my previous life as teacher I published stories for my kiddies and they illustrated them. If you laminate it, its something he’ll have forever. 🙂