CAOF - A time management strategy for an over-stretched mom

"How you manage-ah, without a maid?"

This is a frequent question I get when people discover I take care of 3 kids (aged 2, 4 and 6) and a house without the help of a maid.

I smile and say, "CAOF : Take care of those that can cry first."

If you're wondering, CAOF is Cry-Able Ones First. Kids can cry, so take care of them first. Dirty dishes and laundry don't cry, overgrown grass don't cry, crumpled clothes don't cry... you get the idea. These will be done after the kids are settled and when I have time for them. (The longest I've left dirty dishes was until the next morning. I had to wake up early to wash them.)

Once my hubby asked me why the living room was in a mess. "The kids-lah, who else made the mess." "Why didn't you clean in up?" My answer was, "I can cry, too, you know." It had been a particularly long day.

Yes, I am also one that can cry. So, I rate my sanity above housework. Wouldn't you? Take care of the caregiver so that she's able to give care to others :) I'll tell you more about this in my next post.

"Why torture yourself?" you ask. " Get a maid." Well, I'm proud to say that I'm "maid-less" by choice. A few reasons: save $$$; privacy in my own home (ie no need to worry about leaving valuables carelessly about); I don't want to feel helpless when maid leave; and most of all, hubby and I are not entirely comfortable with the idea of a stranger's influence on the kids. They do drive me to hell and back but I love them and they'll only be young once.

As for my personal time, 2 am in morning, when my little girl takes her nap (like now), ... that's it. Sometimes my little girl participates in my bath, be an audience when I use the toilet (I'm not kidding). So, this blog is sorta like an escape for me, when I can entirely be away from them... well, not entirely, since I'll write about them, hehe!