A Mother's Manual
Recently I decided to put together a Mother's Manual. Basically it's a 3-ring binder that contains everything pertinent to my role as a Mother. The goal of having this binder is to reduce the amount of wasted time by having things in one place and having a list of things that need to be accomplished so I'm not trying to figure out what to do next
It also includes helpful tools such as a Meal Plan, Budget and more.
I like to refer to this as a Manual because if I had a job in the workforce I'd more than likely have some type of a manual that would assist me in my job. Well, my job is a SAHM mom and I have my manual for that too! It's a work in progress but I've already seen the benefits of having it.
I printed the cover and a few other pages here. Inside my notebook, I have tab dividers for the following sections in my binder:
- Birthday Cakes/Themes
- Blessings
- Blog (running list of ideas I want to post about)
- Books I want to Read
- Decorating Ideas
- Emergency Contacts/CPR
- Finances (includes a list of needs and projects that need to be done. You could also include your budget under this section.)
- Holidays (traditions, recipes, decorating ideas, gift ideas)
- Homeschooling (helpful articles, ideas)
- Hospitality (list of meals that are good for entertaining, table decoration ideas)
- Household Cleaners (recipes for natural options)
- Inventory (freezer, pantry and paper products)
- Marriage (helpful articles, inspirational writings)
- Maximize Your Mornings (plan of action for getting up earlier)
- Menu Plan (my calendar of meals, list of ingredients for each of those meals)
- Ministries
- Natural Remedies
- Parenting
- Routines/Weekly Schedule
I also keep a portable 3-hole punch in the back for hole-punching articles that I want to file under one of these tabs. Obviously, you can pick whatever subjects best suite you for your Manual.
Personally, I think every home manager ought to have one of these whether you are single, married, have kids or not. It helps you be more efficient with your time and it might even help with your sanity knowing everything's in one spot! :) Don't you think this would make a great wedding shower gift paired up with a money-saving tip book by Ellie Kay?
5 comments:
A neat idea that I never would have thought of!!
Mel, I think you'll find it helpful! :)
This is A-MAZING! I definitely need one, but I am not sure I am ready to tackle putting it together. Wow!!
Thanks! It's definitely not hard to put together and is a bit of an initial time investment and a few $ for the tabs and binder, but it is so worth it!
Thanks for checking out my blog. I'll be checking yours out for more sure! :)
great idea- I am going to use this idea! can't wait to get started!! You need to write blog post about scheduling and routines. I am amazed that you are a mother of young childrem, wife, teacher, and faithful blogger- how do you find the time??? My days MUST be shorter than yours!!! ;)
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