The fastest way to feel frustrated and unproductive is to try to get things done with kids around that should never be attempted with kids around! So, now what? In this week’s episode of She Just Glows: The Podcast, I’m sharing a simple hack that’s helped me for the last 10 summers.

I wish I was one of those moms who looks forward to summer.

But if I’m being honest, I kind of dread summer.

I love my kids.

But the summer is hard for me because I feel like I have so much I need to get done, yet very little kid separation to do it.

But over the last 10 summers, I’ve found a way around that.

And this simple shift has helped me feel more grounded, productive and peaceful during the summer months.

While still getting everything done.

I separate my tasks into manual or digital tasks, and I only do digital tasks when the kids are gone or sleeping.

I firmly believe that, in mothering, there are two types of tasks: manual tasks and digital (or computer and phone) tasks.

Manual tasks are things that require your hands but very little of your mind. Laundry, making dinner, organizing clothes, picking up the house.

Digital tasks use your phone or computer and take brain power. Making doctor’s appointments, researching schools, buying gifts, paying bills.

Manual tasks should always be done when the kids are around. Digital tasks should be done when the kids are gone or sleeping.

Of course, I know life happens. But this is the general guideline I follow.

Based on that understanding, I try to segment my day so that at any given time, I am either working on manual tasks or digital tasks. But rarely both at once.

This simple practice — which I explain in great detail and with loads of examples in the podcast episode — makes every day feel more effortless, and it has helped me uncover gratitude, increase productivity, grow joy and actually enjoying my motherhood again.

I sure hope it encourages you too.

What You’ll Learn In This Podcast Episode:

  • The inherent lie in “I’m more productive with my phone”
  • The difference between manual and digital tasks
  • How to segment your day to separate manual and digital tasks
  • 3 reasons manual tasks should be done when kids are around
  • My daily schedule + digital vs. manual tasks segments
You can listen to She Just Glows: The Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Audible or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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