To all the wives/mommy's out there...HELP!!

Here is how I manage...

I have 2 kids, a 6 yr old and an almost 8 yr old (who suffers from SPD, ASD, ADHD, asthma, and a million other things). I work a full time job, I go to school, I am training for a marathon, and my significant other works 2nd shift so he is not at home at night. That makes my schedule insane!

My 8 yr old thrives on routine, which has really helped me find a schedule and stick with it. We clean house on Sat or Sun morning, and spot clean during the week (dishes done after dinner, floors swept, etc). My kids have to pick up their rooms before bed. I run in the morning before I get the kids up (I can't do it at night, I get too wound up and can't fall asleep). The kids do homework while I start dinner. I try to plan meals that allow some time to bake, simmer, etc. While I am waiting for dinner to be done, I do a workout DVD that involves strength training. We eat, clean up and if it is nice, we try to get outside for a walk or baseball or something. This is MY time with the kids. Sometimes we color, play a game, play Kinect on Xbox, or watch TV or a movie. Once they are in bed, I spend time doing homework and then I head off to bed.

I fit in laundry in the morning. I will throw a load in after I get out of the shower, throw it in the dryer before I leave for work. When I get home, I will fold, or do it in the a.m. I start a load at least once a day so I can stay caught up.

I get a ton of meal ideas off of Pinterest, and I have a whole board devoted to "Skinny" recipes. I make a grocery list some time over the weekend. I will go Sat or Sun before my S.O. leaves for work, or he will go on Sunday night when he gets off work (store is open 24 hours). Our meals for the week are always planned. Breakfast is usually egg whites, oatmeal, Special K. I plan all my lunches. The kids eat lunch at school, and starting next week...at their summer program. Dinner is something that I enjoy making so I try to make dinner every night.

I keep quick snacks around the house (turkey slices, mini Clif bars, string cheese, fruit and veggies).

Some days are harder than others. Some days I am so exhausted by 8:30 that I crawl into bed. Some days I eat over my calories and some days, I just don't work out. It is ok to miss some stuff and not be perfect. Sometimes our house needs a good dusting, but honestly, who cares?

Feel free to add me and you can check out my food diary or just for some support.

I'm far from a super Mom and it took me a long to realize that I had to make myself a priority. I used to keep an immaculate house and prepare really great meals. You have to figure out what's important in life, a healthy Mom or one that has a 'perfect' looking life. Put yourself first girl.

Prioritize. I work full time and am a single mom to an almost 2 year old little boy. My hands are super full. My super power is scheduling lol. I get off work and when it's nice i take him on a jog. That way we can spend time together but i can still get in some fitness time. I make meals that can be eaten throughout the week. I pick a day to grocery shop and have a list ready. And i try to make it so i only have to go every 2 weeks. Then after my little man goes to bed at about 8:30 i make time for my workout video (30DS) then i do my house chores such as laundry and dishes and cleaning up and shower. Then i read and go to bed. I find i can fit it all in if i want to. Some days i don't want to, so i don't, and i don't beat myself up!

I work as an emergency dispatcher full time (stress..yea), I am married and have 4 children ages 5-15...I get it. It's HARD. The hardest part for me to realize was NOT TO FEEL GUILTY! I hate spending time away from my kids, I felt like a bad Mom. There were chores to be done, meals to cook, homework to do. You HAVE to make time for yourself. I do crossfit and it's normally 20-30 minute workout. with drive time I am gone approx 1.25 hours. and I do it 3 times per week. I am in better shape than ever and have more energy when I workout. My sex drive is better, I don't want to just sit on the couch and snuggle anymore, I want to jump on the trampoline and play ball in the front yard. I want to eat healthier because I damn sure don't wanna lose all the work I did in the gym AND I push myself to the max when I'm there because I know how precious my time is. My kids don't mind me being gone for 1.25 hours 3 times a week and I know I am being a good role model for them too. I also run obstacle course races a few times per year and they think that is super cool. I am doing a Color me Rad 5K with all of my kids in July and I am super proud that they are so excited. That is proof that Im doing the right thing for my family...and the Hubby likes it too Anyway, let the laundry wait until tomorrow when your not at the gym!

What I love about you Mummas (and Dads) is the no excuses attitude you all display. Some days I am bemused and disheartened by the whinging and whineing on these boards. Parents are some of the busiest people on the planet and it is refreshing to see such positivity on this thread. Keep going, you are all awesome!!

I tend to agree with everything here. Priorities.

I am a full time working mum I have a 19 month old daughter, and I work a 37 hour week as well Mon-Fri.

We have a set routine Mon-Fri we make sure all our lunches are packed and ready the night before, and marinate anything we are having for dinner a few days before, we do a majority of our house work at the weekends, and the other need to do bits daily, ie washing up etc.

Because my partner goes to the gym we alternate days in the week and when one goes to the gym the other workouts at home and then when we are both at home after gym we do an insanity workout together. I go to the gym on a Saturday morning whilst my partner looks after our daughter, we take it in turns doing the shopping before we pick our daughter up on a Friday from Daycare.

To add on this we both have jobs that mean we have to travel from time to time so we have to adapt our routine. Its all managable you just need to understand what you want to achieve each week.