8 Things to do on Sunday to Have a More Productive Week

It'll be here before you know it...the dreaded Monday morning! Are you ready for it? Are your kids ready for it? I genuinely enjoy Mondays now (because I have tricked myself into it over the years) and you can do the same! 

Mondays set the tone for your week and they do NOT have to be awful. These are a few simple ways you can get your life together on Sunday so your life, home, and family are happier and more peaceful tomorrow morning!

1. Clean up the house | Set a timer and make a game out of it with the kids if it helps, but get things picked up, put away and cleaned so you wake up to an organized home in the morning. Waking up to mess and clutter will set the mood for your day (week, month, LIFE). 
2. Get laundry done | Have the kids bring their laundry to the laundry room and sort it by lights and darks and get going. I have had my kids help (in some capacity) with laundry since they were about 3 or 4 years old. If they're old enough to do their own laundry now, even better! 
3. Meal plan and grocery shop for the week | I have meal cards and a meal board in my kitchen. It is nothing fancy, but it works! The meals are on the front and the ingredients are on the back so making a list for the store is super quick and easy. I let the kids and my husband pick some of the meals (selfishly because decision making is not my strength in life). 
4. Plan kids’ lunches | What days will they buy and what days will they take their lunch? Make your grocery list accordingly.
5. Plan (time block) your week | I use a day planner with daily times from 6 AM to 10 PM. Spend some time planning out your week. I use the time blocking strategy and it works well for me and my life. Look into it if you are struggling with time management. If you don't have a planner - GET ONE.  
6. Spend QUALITY time with your family | Try to have all of these other tasks done in the morning (yes, it can be done). Dragging it out through the day (most likely because you're being distracted) is not an efficient way to handle your to-do list! Get it done so you can enjoy your family! Go outside, go for a walk, play a game... There are so many ideas, but whatever your do, turn off your phone and tune out any other distractions. The only reason to work so hard on keeping things in order is so you can spend more time doing what you love with the people who matter most to you. 
7. Have clothes laid out for tomorrow | This goes for you and the kids. Having 2 daughters can be crazy in the mornings with hair, morning chores, and hormones (yikes). Taking finding the perfect outfit out of the morning ritual makes all of our lives much better. ;-) 
8. Get to bed in time to get 8 hours of rest | If you have an iPhone, you can set a bedtime alarm that will let you know it is time for bed so you get a full 8 hours. If you are a freak who requires less, you can set it accordingly... Also, I am envious of you! 

There you go! Give these things a try and see how it works for you. As always, OF COURSE there might be part of this that will not work for you and your family, so modify it... You know what you need to do! Now you just have to do it!

Happy SUNDAY! Have a GREAT week!