2018 Prep for Working Moms … Start NOW!!

Consistency, my 2017 word … and truthfully, I did not meet that criteria to my fullest potential.

I had great intentions, as we all do, in the beginning of the year. At that time, yes, I thought I was being realistic; however, life gave me the real reality check when it comes to being realistic. I am a work at home mom and put forth way too much energy and effort to do it all. I wanted to be at every program for my children, volunteer in their classes, never said “no” until it was too late, and I was on empty. Empty! Empty! I was out of gas and that was the reality of my situation.

Make no mistake, I understand most things will not go as planned and I have only one regret.

I  regret working too hard and missing milestone moments with my family. Work will not change, but my intentions can. Intentional. Yep that’s my word for 2018. It has much depth, meaning, and most of all, PURPOSE.

My family’s annual tradition, started by my wife, is to create vision boards. It’s a night filled with lots of magazines, paper clippings, glue, tape, scissors, conversations, laughter, and the occasional disagreements. We want to teach our kids the importance of a clear vision of life while knowing how to get what they want. While we have great intentions for our children, I forgot about me and what I wanted, as most moms do.

Here are some easy tips you can do now to prepare and plan for 2018

Choose your one word / phrase

Intentional is the word. My word came to me in the later part of 2017 once I was emotionally and physically broken. I want to be intentional in my daily life. I know there will be some days I fail. I want to do what matters, is important,while being productive.

Family: I don’t want to be too tired and miss the moments. I want to capture moments for the future, not for social media.

Self: Get moving. Simple as that. I have committed to practice meditation.

Friends: Who doesn’t need a friends night out. I want to be more present in my friends’ lives. It is already hard to find a good friendship let alone maintain one. I am committing to scheduling a text, message, and a call at least once a week.

Work: that’s another blog post … but in a nutshell, I want to cut it off.

Choose your planner(s)

Write it down on a note pad, put it in your Google Calendar, or in one of those fancy planners like Plum Paper or Erin Condren. Whether you are a digital or paper planner, planning does not have to be stressful, but intentionally planning in advance will reduce those daily stressors. Things to input now include: work schedule, school schedule, birthdays, doctor appointments, self care time, moms night out, date night, etc.

Budget ready

I print off my statements every year and analyze my personal spending while making the necessary adjustments to better plan. I also go on a NO SPEND JANUARY month. I save all of my “FUN” money and only purchase necessities, including Starbucks. Grab a sheet of paper and write all of your income and expenses down to create a plan for your money. Lastly, frame the one expense you want to tackle in 2018 to help keep you motivated to pay it off or reduce. Would you like to pay off my student loans? LOL!

Social media ready

Daily life for most of us right?! This may be my OCD speaking, but I have set up albums for my kids (Brodudes: January 2018) on Facebook in order to have them organized at the end of the year when I am ready to create my Shutterfly photo book.

Family email

How many times do you and your spouse forget an event or have to remind each other? How about one person receiving an email and forgetting to forward to the other? This is me constantly. For 2018, I have created a family email that my wife and I will both have access to and never miss another email from school, doctors, etc. I used Google so I am able to utilize other Google platforms such as Drive to store important documents.  No more forgetting to forward.

Prepping for a successful 2018 has already reduced my anxiety.

How are you going to prep before January 1, 2018? What is your 2018 word / phrase?

Nette Archangel
Originally from the village of Loreauville, Nette along with her wife, Jasmine and their two sons, Thomas and Lane moved to their favorite city after residing in Ruston, LA. . She is an education administrator who loves living in NOLA. When not running after the brodudes, you can find her organizing, planning, and jamming to Carrie Underwood. Already busy with supporting education and family, she finds time to be involved with the LGBT Community by serving as an administrator for NOLA GAY FAMILIES. Her goal in life is to acquire Carrie Underwood legs and to eat an entire salad one day (she's super picky eater)! Follow her on IG: @[email protected]

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