Monday, January 9, 2012

Multitasking And Thinking Ahead


The other night, I was fairly organised for tea but just needed to fry some bacon for the potato salad I had made. Not wanting to risk fat spilling on her with such a task, I palmed Sophie (who was due to go back to sleep) off to Paul. “Just rock her and pat her on the bum while you sit down and colour in with Grace,” I told him. As Sophie’s cries became louder, Paul suddenly dropped his bundle, “I can’t do it,” he said. “How can you expect me to do two things at once? I can’t settle Sophie and play with Grace at the same time.”

I laughed. Welcome to my world.

As a Mum to two under two and a half, I’ve learnt that multitasking involves doing a minimum of ten things at once. For example, I find myself hunting around the house for clothes so I can throw on a load of washing while I help Grace do a jigsaw puzzle, carry around Sophie and begin to organise dinner all at the same time.

I no longer walk from room to room with one purpose. If I head into our room to grab a nappy for Sophie, I’ll bring some clothes I’ve just taken off the line and folded with me to put away. On my way out again, I’ll collect a toy Grace has left lying in the hallway.

As well as multitasking, thinking ahead has become routine. I’ll sometimes set out clothes to wear the night before so I’ll make less noise in our bedroom (where Sophie’s bassinette is) in the morning. Plates and cutlery for tea are often waiting on the kitchen bench in the afternoon. Components of meals are made in advance to take advantage of moments when Sophie is sleeping or settled. One morning recently, I had boiled eggs and potatoes for a salad, poached some chicken and cooked some rice all before ten o’clock to make meal preparations for the following three days that little bit easier.

I realise that this pace of life is just a stage and that as Sophie gets older each month, daily life will become easier but I also realise it’s important that each day, I have a little bit of time to just be in the ‘now’. As someone told me recently, I need to sit down and just have a cuppa and take some time for me occasionally too. And so, that is what I’ve been aiming to do more of lately –to wander around in our yard seeing how things are growing, to browse a few blogs or write a post, to sit down with a magazine and a cuppa and to learn to appreciate simple daily pleasures without worrying about whether the dishes have been done or being bothered by a pile of washing yet to be folded… and most importantly, to enjoy all the special daily moments with my two precious girls.

18 comments:

  1. Well done Amanda...I was tired just reading what you do each day. I find I also have trouble getting things done, but I don't have two little ones...my excuse is I'm always totally disorganised, God help me if I had a baby
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Phew, I'm pooped just reading it Amanda! I had to chuckle at Lesley's (Melbourne girl) comment. I multitasking now doing many things at once so I can't imagine a baby or two in the mix. It would be chaos!
    It sounds like you are doing really great x

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Sarah, I'm pooped too just reading it! You are amazing being so organised with the meals and things. I'm going to have to get very diligent and organised too I think. I'm quite nervous!!!
    I love that photo of your two girls, both smiling at the camera! I think it's great you take some time out for YOU in the day. Big hugs to you and your gorgeous girls!
    Jxxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Amanda....again, you have taken the words from my mouth & typed them onto this screen :) Us Mothers are multi-tasking QUEENS! Men just don't cut it when it comes to doing more than 1 thing at a time LOL!!! I always feel there's so much to do, and so little time to do it all. Thats why its important that us girls, allow us the chance to just sit & relax! Thats what I'm doing now....slow cooker is on, house a mess but baby is asleep so i'm chilling in the lounge room with Ella & enjoying some blog reading :) x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Don't worry girls, I'm having a little break now with a cuppa as I've miraculously got both girls napping at the same time :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely picture! The bit about Paul saying he couldn't cope with two of them at the same time made me laugh, because it happens all the time here! Graeme will often say something like 'how I do get them both out of the bath at the same time?'. Welcome to my world indeed. x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I multitask too much. My goal for this year is to reduce my multitasking - to be more like a man! ;)

    Glad you are getting some time to yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I remember when Bridget was born, Charlotte was only 18 months old and everyone said the first 6 months would be a blur. I didn't let those months be that way, they were too precious. You're a wonderful mum and I'm sure you'll sail through. Rachaelxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautifully written, Amanda. Sounds like you've found the key to making it work, and you're finding time for yourself. Well done!
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  10. It sounds like it is such a juggle at times, but you seem so organised, or at least very good at planning ahead which must help so much. I don't know how you do it, I think it's very impressive, but I do hope you get some time for yourself too. x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Men cannot do two things at once fr love nor money. I think we women can't just o one!! Your friend's advice is solid. x

    ReplyDelete
  12. My hubby always reminds me he's not capable of multi-tasking, I'm sure he could try or maybe men just can't do it;) It does sound like you're so busy with two little ones but I'm glad to hear that you're having some of those small moments to yourself. You're very important and a happy Mum makes for happy children. Take care lovely. xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Life can be extremely hectic in those early months can't they? Glad to hear you are taking time out for yourself Amanda, that's so very important and as you say, this season doesn't last long :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. that's why women make very good employees as they can multi task and fit an amazing amount of things into a very short time. You will find as they get older you will still do the same. I was just making lunch for the kids and me, thought I'd pop some washing on while the kettle was on and then started to clean out the laundry all before I got back to my sandwich. The beautiful pic of the girls. x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh look at your beautiful girls!

    My hubby can't understand why I ask him what he'd like for dinner after we've just had breakfast. I like to get things organized during the day too so that at night I can just relax.

    You're doing a wonderful job mumma, and your girls are just heavenly xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bahahahahahaha!! Thanks for making me chuckle Amanda. Men!

    ReplyDelete
  17. So glad to have you join me on Planet Baby, Amanda! Having the 3 pixies in 3.5 years has made me very adept at multi-tasking ☺. J x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh my goodness, it all sounds so full on! As a Mum to one two year old I'm not sure how I'd adding another kid into the mix. Kellie xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment - it really makes my day!!