Everyone is busy, and most people would agree that their weeks are usually full of things to do and packed agendas. But… do you ever notice there are some weeks that just somehow become jam-packed with extra tasks and appointments too? Our weeks are pretty darn full anyway, but a few weeks ago I had a week coming up that was going to be extra hectic and crazy. And it got me to thinking… what are the things we can do ahead of time to help us navigate and prepare for a crazy busy week?
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Prepare
First things first, if you know it’s going to be a really crazy week, then you have to prepare. Give yourself a leg up and be prepared to start into the week. Ahead of time do the laundry, get the groceries, work ahead when possible and try to pace yourself. Spend some time over the weekend preparing for your busy week and give yourself the best head start you can!
Laundry
Clothes
Make sure all the laundry is done and put away and is ready for whatever you need. I decided to go ahead and find outfits for the kids all the way down to the socks for the week and set them aside. I made sure anything that needed to be ironed was ready to go and hanging up for each day we needed it. I took it a step farther and did the same for myself! This helped with the morning scramble for sure.
Sheets and Bedding
We go through a lot of crib sheets at our house due to potty training. So, I made sure absolutely all the sheets for the kids’ beds were cleaned and I had spares ready to roll. That way I could automatically put new sheets on the kids’ beds when I took the dirty ones off and didn’t have to worry about it again the rest of the day.
There’s not much that’s more frustrating than climbing to the top of the steps after a long day when you are FINALLY getting the kids in bed… only to realize there are no sheets on either of their beds. Save yourself. Just change them when you take the other sheets off! Then throw the dirty ones in the washer and replenish your spare stash later.
Groceries & Meals
Groceries
Stock up on groceries over the weekend and make sure you’ve got breakfasts, lunches and dinners covered. Making yourself some healthy and nourishing food will help keep you feeling good and your energy up for the crazy week you are trying to pull off. And making sure you have everything you need will stop you from having to stop at the store more times through the week.
I have these magnetic two lists on our fridge:
Supplies
Take a look around the house and make sure you are stocked up on the essentials for the week. Running out of toilet paper or shampoo makes for an unnecessary trip to the store that takes up even more of your time.
And if you do forget something, Amazon can have it to you in two days.
Meals
If you know you have a huge week coming up, prepare a menu accordingly. This is probably not the week you want to make your 12-hour beef stroganoff or roast a chicken for hours on end. This is the week for super easy meals and maybe even some take out. The name of the game is making life a little easier this week.
Plan for a pizza night, a fast food night, a sandwich night, breakfast night and spaghetti night to keep it super easy. If you have time on Sunday, make a few meals that can be reheated during the week for awesome family dinners. It’s totally up to you. Throw some salad on the side of anything and you’ve made a halfway decent meal already!
Need Cookbook Inspiration and Ideas? Try These Cookbooks:
- Mix-and-Match Mama Meal Planner: Your Weekly Guide to Getting Dinner on The Table
- The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook
- Betty Crocker’s The Big Book of Weeknight Dinners
Know Your Calendar
Keep your calendar handy and keep a handy copy for your spouse. That way they know what extra is happening this week and how to best help you. Keep reviewing it through the week so you don’t forget anything. Try keeping a simple dry erase calendar on the fridge for everyone.
Add reminders on your calendar along with the menu for the week and any weekly standing information like garbage day, piano lessons, etc. That way you are easily reminded at a glance of what to do that day. And whoever gets home first can get dinner going.
Need Help With Your Calendar? Try these Mom Planners:
Here are some of the best calendars and mom planners I’ve seen lately:
Rest and Exercise
Exercise
If possible, work in some exercise throughout the week for yourself. It will go a long way towards keeping you calmer and your head clear. I swear I exercise for my mental health as much as for my physical health. It’s such a stress
Rest and Self-Care
Also, try to get as much rest as you can. This probably isn’t the week to stay up every night until midnight working on extra projects. Get some sleep so you are refreshed and ready to go the next day.
Try to also work in a little self-care time too. Even if it’s just a few minutes each day, it will go a long way to keeping you cool, calm and collected.
Plans Will Likely Go Awry In Your Crazy Busy Week
Just know, somewhere in your meticulously planned week, it will go awry. It’s not “if”, it’s probably more a question of “when”. Don’t freak and raise the freak out flag to full-mast when that happens. Try your best to just roll with the punches. Chances are that the hiccup in the schedule isn’t that big a deal. Plans can always be changed and it will all be just fine. Just remember to stay calm and not overreact. (I’m looking at MYSELF in the mirror on this one!). If your week goes so bad it gets comical, read this post about what to do immediately if you are having the worst week ever.
Cancel Things
Don’t be afraid to cancel appointments and re-arrange your schedule if you need to. If the schedule is going to be too much to handle, don’t be afraid to re-arrange and reschedule. As long as you are giving people the polite amount of notice, it’s not that big a deal.
You know what’s best for you and your family. And if you realize you have totally overbooked yourselves, fix it. You don’t have to always power through and endure the world’s longest and most hectic week.
The Power of “No”
Don’t be afraid to say no to some things. If you are asked to pick up extra tasks along the way, and it’s not going to be good for you or your family, it’s ok to say a simple “No.” It doesn’t even require further explanation if you don’t want it to. A simple, “No, I’m sorry, this week is crazy, I cannot do it” will work just fine. I tend to forget a lot of the time that saying “No” is an option. I’m a people pleaser, what can I say? I’ll take my own advice and work on it.
Books about Learning To Say NO
Wrap Up – How to Prepare for a Crazy Busy Week
Sometimes weeks are just going to get out of hand and be crazy. It happens to all of us. The best we can do is pay attention and plan ahead. The more preparation you put in before a crazy week, the more likely it is to go a little more smoothly. Preparing meals and laundry ahead of time will help you a ton when you are going through each day of your crazy week. Try to rest up so you can keep marching through your week with as much energy as possible. And lastly, don’t be afraid to cancel items on the calendar if it’s gotten out of hand. When it’s all said and done, do your best and get through the week as easily as you can and just keep shuffling!
Related Posts
- Overcoming Overwhelm: A Mommy’s Guide
- Save Your Sanity By Waking Up Early In The Morning
- 6 Things To Do Immediately When You Are Having The Worst Week Ever
- 3 Tips For Getting Out The Door On Time Every Time
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