In any size family, life can get overwhelming fast. As a homeschool mom, getting it all done feels almost impossible: educating the kids, laundry, meals, and basic errands. Add in extras like caring for extended family members, illness, social activities, working at home, and enjoying a hobby now and then and you have what could be a recipe for crisis.
It’s December as I write this. We are having all the extra (but normal) activities that come with the holiday season. I’m writing two books at once. I’m also uploading videos for an online mom conference (coming in January!). I have three kids to homeschool. Our elderly cat is needing special care. Laundry is in about 4 different piles in my living room and bedroom, and I’ve fallen into a dinner rut that ends with us eating leftovers or frozen meals on paper plates most of the time. So, when a fellow blogger and homeschool mom shared her new book A Year of Living Productively, I hit the “reply” button faster than you can blink!
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Melanie Wilson, Ph.D. is a homeschool mom of 6, author, and entrepreneur. But she admits that she has never been organized. So how did she accomplish so much? Well, that’s what this book is all about.
She began experimenting with various “life hacks” to see what would work for her. As she experimented, she blogged through each organization idea. Melanie shared what she was trying, what worked, what didn’t, and why. Throughout this she graduated three of her children from homeschooling and published several books.
This book lists more than 80 methods, some you’ve definitely heard of and some you may not have. Some you’ve no doubt tried, and others you need to try! The point is to read through, see what might work for you (because we’re all different), and embrace the ones that speak to you.
I LOVE this book. It is accessible. And by that I mean that you don’t have to devote weeks of reading and planning before you find your productivity inspiration. You can jump right in and find several things that work for you. In my first half-hour of reading I was reminded of some things I used to do, and of things I do sporadically, and inspired to try some new ones.
I have always been a Type-A, list-making, super-organized person. I have school schedules on Excel spreadsheets, online shopping lists, delegated housework chores, and the list goes on. But I’m also easily overwhelmed, even by my own processes. So the lists and charts get buried under the clutter on my desk, and the housework gets behind again.
Melanie’s book is a breath of fresh air. It really puts everything into easy-to-envision ideas that you can try one at a time or several each week.
- Declutter for 15 minutes a day? So easy!
- Pray and read my Bible before I begin each day? No-brainer!
- Theme days? So reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie and Fly-Lady!
Like I said, it’s a brilliant combination of old and new (and easy to implement) techniques for running an efficient, stress-free home and life. It’s flexible enough for ANYONE, not just moms.
Get it on sale this week (through December 16th) for just 7.50. That’s 25% off! The PDF version includes a tracking form for reviewing what works and what doesn’t!
If you’re like me, and you prefer to hold a real book in you hand, click the book below to order from Amazon:
Get your copy now and peruse it while you contemplate a more efficient and organized YOU. You can thank me later! Come back and comment and tell me what you thought!
Review Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product from Dr. Melanie Wilson in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations.
Nicki Truesdell is a 2nd-generation homeschooler and mother to 5. She is a homemaker at heart, and loves books, freedom, history and quilts, and blogs about all of these at nickitruesdell.com. She believes that homeschooling can be relaxed and that history is fun, and both can be done with minimal cost or stress, no matter your family’s circumstances. Nicki is a member of the Texas Home Educators Advisory Board. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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