Finding ways to save your sanity is essential when you have kids. No mother ever wants to admit it, but your children can drive you a little nuts. Your house is in constant disarray plus the bickering over this and that… it all gets to be a bit much sometimes.

Here are some tips to help you deal with all of that and find a good work-life balance.

How To Save Your Sanity

1. Get Help

You are not Superwoman and you don’t have to be. It’s okay to ask for help when you truly need it.

Get a babysitter or ask a close friend or neighbour to watch your kids every once in a while. You can have some time to yourself and do what you truly want to get done in peace.

Delegate chores to members of the family so that everyone pitches in and you are not responsible for cleaning the entire house.

Create good organizational systems that help to maintain your home in good order. The simpler the organization system, the better it is. There is no need to spend a fortune on expensive and fancy storage solutions. Cheap storage baskets, wall hooks and file folders are sometimes all it takes to banish clutter from your home. For more ideas, read Cheap Organizing Hacks: How To Manage Clutter On A Budget.

2. Take Care of Yourself

I get so busy running around taking care of others in my family that I sometimes forget about myself. This is true for a lot of parents.

The problem is when you neglect yourself, you risk getting sick and rundown. Then, you can’t care for anyone.

Make sure you practice self-care. Exercise regularly, eat healthy meals and take frequent breaks.

Read Three Gifts Every Mom Should Give Herself.

3. Schedule Time For Grown-ups

Sure family night can be full of laughs but it’s important not to ignore your other relationships. Schedule time alone with your significant other and also meet up with friends often. Enjoy adult activities and conversations so you can nurture that part of yourself.

4. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is critical when you want to save your sanity. Meal planning can be such a big help to avoid coming home after a long day only to realize you have no idea what to cook.

During the weekend, sit down with a notebook and decide which meals and snacks you will enjoy during the week. Make a list of groceries you need and use it when you go grocery shopping.

Take your meal planning a step further and chop the vegetables you will need or even cook the dishes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Chopping your vegetables cuts down on preparation during the week. If you already have meals cooked, all you need to do is grab and go! What could be more convenient?

Planning ahead doesn’t just refer to your meals. Think about what else is going on during the week and how you can make your life easier. Can you arrange with your significant other or a friend to take your kids to one of their activities while you do something else? Add whatever you think about to your schedule so it’s clear what needs to get done.

5. Pare Down On Your Kids’ Activities

Your kids will not die if they don’t participate in swimming, ballet, football, karate and art classes all in the same year. You will run yourself ragged taking them to all of those activities. Not to mention, you will stress your budget with uniforms and all the extra costs that come along with children’s extracurricular activities.

Of course, it is important that kids do something other than the typical academic classes. Extracurricular activities build skills they otherwise won’t learn in school but choose wisely.

Save your sanity (and your money) and pare down on the sports and other classes they take. Stick to one or two activities and let your children decide which ones they are most interested in.

6. Embrace What You Can Not Change

They say your body never looks the same after you have kids but no-one ever talks about your house. When you have children, you have to embrace that your home will never be as tidy as before they existed. Just accept it and move on.

Implement organizational systems that your entire family can easily maintain and clean your home regularly. But, don’t stress if every little thing is not in place.

7. Do What You Enjoy

Ensure you enjoy your life wholeheartedly. Find time to do what you truly love—either wake up before your family does or do it during your lunch hour. However you fit it in, make sure you do something that brings you joy often.

Follow these seven tips to ensure that you save your sanity and live a balanced life.