*I have received information and materials from ©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2017.The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post dealing with moms’ daily schedules. #ForWhatMattersMost #CollectiveBias
No matter what time of the year, I am mom to two school aged girls. That means we are constantly on the go with after school and weekend extra-curricular activities.
In the spring time months, these activities include dance recital practice, rehearsals, pictures and even the big recital.
We also are knee deep in spring soccer season with practice and weekly Sunday games.
Plus, even though religion has recently ended for this school year with my oldest having received her first Holy Communion, we still have Girl Scouts meetings and trips upcoming, as well. So, our daily schedules are just hectic and insane.
But is your head spinning yet from all we have going on here?
Well, trust me I don’t have time to deal with aches, pains or to slow down one bit to smell the spring flowers!
But how do I keep going with our daily schedules?
Here are some ways I do keep going with our daily schedules…
5 Ways for Moms to Keep Going with Their Hectic Daily Schedules
1. Make sure to keep a planner.
I not only have use my phone calendar, but I also use a physical planner, such as this to keep track of all our daily scheduled events. It helps not only keep me organized, but from forgetting anything crucial or important from our daily schedules.
2. Try to stick to activities that are doable.
I once said that we wouldn’t do more than we could keep up with. But my girls had other ideas. Thus the crazy schedule I laid out above. However, I still reserve the right to veto an activity if it isn’t age appropriate or even if it just isn’t doable with our current daily schedules, too.
3. Do homework before if possible.
I am a big believer that school work still comes first. Maybe it is the former teacher that resides in me. But still I try very hard to make sure to get most if not all of the written homework is done before we attend extra curricular activities. The one exception is reading as I like to do that before bedtime if possible to help my girls unwind after the long, crazy day.
4. Have snacks/drinks that are portable (recipe).
My girls usually will complain of being hungry or even thirsty when we are out and about. So, I try to make sure that drinks and snacks are healthy and portable for our daily schedules. That said, I am happily sharing a new favorite portable snack I made that my girls have been enjoying while we are out and about. Even my picky eater approves this one!
5. Use TYLENOL® when necessary.
Well, for starters, I have admitted here that I have been known to suffer from headaches and even lower back issues in the past. So, it is crucial for me to be able to control both of these issues when they do rear their ugly head.
For those times, I try to use over the counter medication from my local Target, specifically TYLENOL® products, such as Extra Strength TYLENOL®, which is a temporary relief of minor aches, such as headaches, backaches, minor pain of arthritis, toothaches, muscular aches, and even premenstrual and menstrual cramps.
Sometimes, I use TYLENOL® 8 HR Muscle Aches & Pain for more prolonged help with many of the same symptoms.
Now onto that yummy and healthy on the go snack option…
No Bake Loaded Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 2 to 2 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 crushed walnuts
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 c mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 c dried coconut
- 1/2 -2/3 cup peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon sugar
- optional 2 tsp coconut flour or GF flour if you want to adjust the batter’s thickness.
Instructions
- Add your nuts, oats, chocolate chips, dried coconut, cinnamon sugar and mix together in mixing bowl
- Next add your peanut butter. Stir again.
- Finally, Add in your vanilla extract and honey a little bit a time. Mixing between pours. Adjust the amount of honey you use depending batter’s thickness. You might need more or less.
- Mix again.
- Before rolling, chill batter in fridge for 20 minutes. That way it’s easier to roll later.
- Roll into 1-1.5 inch balls and place on cookie tray or plastic ware with parchment paper underneath.
- Let them freeze for 20-30 minutes.
- Dust with additional cinnamon if desired.
- Keep in fridge or freezer for up to 6 weeks.
NO BAKE LOADED CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL BALLS (GLUTEN FREE)
Ingredients
- 2 to 2 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 crushed walnuts
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 c mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 c dried coconut
- 1/2 -2/3 cup peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon sugar
- optional 2 tsp coconut flour or GF flour if you want to adjust the batter’s thickness.
Instructions
- Add your nuts, oats, chocolate chips, dried coconut, cinnamon sugar and mix together in mixing bowl
- Next add your peanut butter. Stir again.
- Finally, Add in your vanilla extract and honey a little bit a time. Mixing between pours. Adjust the amount of honey you use depending batter’s thickness. You might need more or less.
- Mix again.
- Before rolling, chill batter in fridge for 20 minutes. That way it’s easier to roll later.
- Roll into 1-1.5 inch balls and place on cookie tray or plastic ware with parchment paper underneath.
- Let them freeze for 20-30 minutes.
- Dust with additional cinnamon if desired.
- Keep in fridge or freezer for up to 6 weeks.
Now that you have that easy, but healthy recipe, what more could you need to deal with the hectic daily schedules?
Well, don’t forget any of the above, especially Extra Strength TYLENOL® or TYLENOL® 8 HR Muscle Aches & Pain.
Just remember spring and the hectic schedules only last so long, moms. That said here is to hoping for some quieter time during summer vacation.
How has your spring schedules been so far?
Tell me in the comments…
**”I am not a medical expert, and this post is not medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. ©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2017. The third party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.”
Meredith Spidel says
Such smart–and needed!–tips! Thanks, Janine. Go get that hectic schedule! 🙂
Janine says
Thank you and you, too Meredith!! 🙂
Seana Turner says
As a mother of two girls, I always had two “go to” remedies for rough times… chocolate and painkiller. I can see from this post that we have similar strategies! Self care is an important skill to teach our kids, and to employ for ourselves!
Janine says
Couldn’t agree more and self-care truly has to be priority for moms to be able to keep going for their family’s sake, as well as their own, too!
Kathy Radigan says
I love whenever you have pictures of your two sweet girls!!! They are getting so big! Love your tips. And I can’t wait to try your no bake cookies.
Janine says
Aw, Kathy what can I say, but thank you my sweet friend and I also hope you get to try my no bake cookies’ recipe very soon now, too 🙂
William Holland says
The first thing I thought of to help you keep pace during the day was to take some speed. LOL Just kidding, but I’m not kidding when I say I don’t know how you do it.
Have a super Monday, Janine!
Janine says
LOL, Bill you had me giggling on that. But seriously I just try my best and trust me I have my moments where I am still a work in progress and failing miserably. Believe me I am so far from perfect and can say that just honestly here to you. But thank you always for your friendship and kindness. Happy Monday once again!! 🙂
Cynthia says
Oh, there is SO MUCH to this post I want to comment about! (And it IS during the day, haha – I have some downtime with work.)
First, GOOD for you for getting a sponsored post. Eventually, when my I & S portfolio gets bigger, I would like to do some of that. 🙂
Second, congrats to Emma on Communion. 🙂
Third, the planner. You know, I’ve used Google calendar the past couple of years and I used to have a big take-with-me-everywhere planner. I have been itching to have a physical planner again – and, well, I may just have to design one. 😛
Fourth, homework. YES! Get it out of the way, first. THEN, the fun can happen, and then READING before bed!? BLISS! Oh, I just love you! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Sending hugs!
Janine says
Aw, think you know that I just adore and love you to pieces. By the way, would totally be interested in purchasing a planner from you if you created. Maybe a coloring book one even. Seriously that would be awesome! Major hugs once again and thank you always for just being you!! <3
Allie G smith says
Maybe number 6 should be keep wine in the fridge? Thanks for tips, I can barely keep my head above water most days.
Janine says
Omg, liking tip #6, too!! 🙂
Jen says
Girlfriend, it is like we are twins or something. Yum and yes mam on all of your tips! Just a little bit longer to go until summer vacation! Here we go 🙂
Janine says
Aw, yay to twins and I know summer vacation is most definitely looming here, too!! 🙂
Michelle says
I tend to follow those same tips to keep my life in check! #client
Janine says
Thanks Michelle and it is the little things that truly do help 😉
Dara says
I want to take a nap just reading about all those activities!
I love my actual planner, the physical act of writing things down really helps me remember 🙂
Janine says
Aw me too on both counts!! 😉
ShootingStarsMag says
Great tips! I don’t have kids of my own yet, but I know all about busy schedules – plus, I have a bad back already too so that can be difficult to manage sometimes. Love the recipe you shared!
Janine says
Aw, thanks and so sorry to hear about your back, too!
Christine Carter says
Janine, this is a PERFECT post for this CRAZY season! I am drowning in it all- two kids graduating, soccer tournaments out of town, swim meets out of town, school events every day, and two baseball games a week with practices to boot. It’s NUTS over here!
I want to try those delicious looking oatmeal balls. I am seriously going to get the ingredients when I go to the store today!!
Great ideas, and hang in there mama! We got this!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Chris and agree I think we do have this. But still appreciate your kind words and support always, my friend!! 🙂
Echo says
Oh man, now that I have 2 kids in school full-time, I am constantly busy. My calendar is my best friend, seriously and Tylenol, well that goes everywhere with me!
Janine says
Same here, my friend in both counts. So glad I am in least good company 😉
Diane Roark says
Janine,
Call me crazy but I would love to grab one of these No Bake Oatmeal balls for breakfast. They would definitely make a delicious healthier snack option.
Thanks for sharing!
Diane
Janine says
Not crazy at all and could so work for breakfast, too Diane 😉
ItalianBelly says
Totally agree with the planner and the healthy portable snacks. I tried to organize our lives from my phone but it just doesn’t cut old fashioned pen and paper. #wonderfulwednesday
Janine says
Thanks ItalianBelly and glad it isn’t just me!!!
Rabia @ The Liebers says
We just finished up most of our crazy schedule (violin x 2, dance x 2, leadership club, choir, and Orff). All we have left now is soccer and that just seems easy after all the other chaos!
That recipe looks awesome! I tried making some of my own granola bars, but this looks way easier!
Janine says
You are so lucky, Rabia as we are still knee deep right now. Another few weeks and we should be calming down though thankfully. And yes these balls are seriously so easy to make and yummy, too 🙂
Tamara says
Mm… I love your no bake recipe.
TYLENOL is exactly what I use when all else fails. I really have appreciated its consistency throughout my life.
These are the busy times right now! (and always)
Janine says
Omg so busy and I know you know this though from our conversation today 😉
Aunt Gloria says
Thanks for the perfect remedy for aches and sweet tooth! I’d like to try those chocolate oatmeal balls….they certainly will satisfy the sweet tooth and are healthy too! Don’t overdo on the scheduling….take time to smell the roses! xxoo
Janine says
Aw, thanks and I am trying my best to do that xoxo
Leslie says
Yes! kids schedules get so crazy. Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe with us at the #happynowlinkup!
Janine says
Happy to share and I know those kids’ schedules can indeed be quite insane!!
Nellie says
Omg ha J you so much for sharing these tips! I am still trying to keep it all together!
Nellie says
Thank you! *
Janine says
Aw, no problem and thanks for sharing with me, too!! 🙂
Janine says
Nellie, I know the feeling well and just happy to share with you, too 🙂
AnnMarie John says
I always keep my Tylenol on hand, it’s something that have helped me through the years, with minor headaches, aches and pains, you name it, Tylenol is always in my medicine cabinet.
Janine says
Me too, AnnMarie as far as Tylenol is concerned!! 🙂
Catherine Gacad says
Yes, I totally agree with you. We went traveling and I happened to get a headache and I was like, “Why didn’t I bring my Tylenol?! Now I have to go and buy another bottle!”
Janine says
Aw, I hope you can get another bottle for your next trip soon now!! 🙂