“How do you do it?”

I often have people ask me “How do you do it? How do you do it all with no family around?” 

For those of you who don’t know, most of our family live in Canada and America, and have done since we got married. The family that still live in England live between a 2-4 hr drive away. We are extremely grateful for the help they offer when they can and enjoy meeting up when it’s possible!

So, I’ve been thinking about how I do it. At first I thought….I just get on with it and do what needs to be done. Then I thought about it some more and this is what I came up with. This is how I do it, all the day to day stuff!

1) EVERY FAMILY MEMBER PITCHES IN

In our family, we all pitch in. The kids have jobs to do around the house and if they make a mess; they clean it up! They usually start singing 🎶”It’s a hard knock life for us….” 🎶 etc etc. Always make me laugh! We try to make it fun, but sometimes I do have to sound like a drill sergeant! They make their own beds, tidy their clothes and toys, clean skirting boards and doors, etc. They understand that if they help out with cleaning and tidying, then we have more time to do fun things. They like to help with baking and cooking dinner too. For some reason, the older 3 all like to peel potatoes!?

2) WRITE LISTS

I live by lists! I have a ridiculous amount of lists sometimes! I like crossing things off when I have done them. It helps me to feel like I’m accomplishing things. Sometimes, I add things to the list throughout the day, just to cross it off!! Let’s face it, there are lots of distractions through the day and sometimes things crop up that you weren’t expecting.

3) DO MY BEST!

I  just do what we all do in any circumstance we find ourselves in; I do my best! Some days I’m on the ball and I am flying through my list and I am in a great mood and feel very accomplished! Other days….not so much!! I have days (more than I would like!) where I am so tired and just can’t seem to complete anything. I have anaemia and when my iron levels are low it’s tough. I’m tired, I forget things and I find it hard to motivate myself, so I focus on my family and what they need. Every day is a new day, right!? So every day I do the best that I can do, and give what I can give.

4) FRIENDS

We have been so very fortunate to be surrounded by so many lovely people who are willing to help when we need it! I don’t like to put on people, as I know life is busy for everyone,  but I am so grateful that I have friends who have, on the odd occasion, offered to cook a meal for our family after I’ve just had a baby, friends who pick my kids up from school for me because I felt really ill and my husband can’t be there to pick them up, friends who listen to my ramblings (much like you are now! 😉) , etc. They make very tough moments easier!

That is how I get through my day-day life. I think it sums it up? Is that similar to how you do it?