Dear momma of toddlers, preschoolers, or babies, do you struggle with getting things done each day? Here are four books that I have found extremely helpful to getting things done during the day and knocking out goals. Every one of these books has had a big impact on my life, whether it is related to how I mother, how I plan our days, how I react to different situations, or how I love my children; I love each one of these books and if you were to see my copies you would see lots of notes, highlighting and coffee stains.
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I love learning about ways that I can mother better and be a better example for my children. These books definitely give wisdom and direction for both of those goals.
4 books that will help you survive the season of littles and stay organized at the same time Click To TweetHere is a little about each book that I use to survive the busy season of life with toddlers.
ESV Bible – I love the size of this Bible, it slips easily into a purse, diaper bag or tote. The ESV is one of my favorite translations of Scripture. I also like how it is in between the KJV and NIV in understandability (is that a word??). If we are similar, momma, the days that we don’t get in our quiet time are a little, or a lot, harder than the ones that we do. Now I don’t think that you need to be spending hours alone with Jesus every day, in fact you can read my thoughts about devotional time for young mothers here, but I do know that we NEED that personal relationship with Him. Because of the fact that this Bible can slip into any of your bags you can sneak in a few minutes at the park, the parking lot while waiting to pick up your children, or the coffee shop in the rare case that you get away alone for a few minutes.
Steady Days ~ Jamie C. Martin – I don’t remember where I heard about this book, maybe I found it through one of my favorite homemaking blogs, Keeper of the Home or maybe I was just looking around the blogging world and found Jamie’s blog Steady Mom and loved everything I read….anyways, somehow, I found this book. And I’m so glad I did. It helped me to start looking at motherhood as a profession and living intentionally with my boys rather than just waiting to see what would come of our days. I actually need to pull out my copy and re-read it.
A Planner– I love planners and journals. I love setting goals and crossing things off my to-do list. One of the easiest things that I have found to do to keep flow to our day is to pick five things that MUST be done each day and then putting those on a small list on the edge of my planner and checking them off as they get done in the morning. Only after those five things are done can I go on to the rest of the list. If I push something off I can only push it off for two days, the third day is has to get done. This way I don’t go weeks without cleaning the bathroom.
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode ~ Crystal Paine– This book encouraged me to start making goals and accomplishing them. As a momma of littles it can be hard to get out of survival mode, and honestly it takes me a while for each day to not feel like survival mode after a baby, but taking some of the small steps that Crystal outlines in this awesome book and applying them have helped our days immensely. Here is how you can get back into routine after having a baby.
I see Steady Days and Say Goodbye to Survival Mode as two companion books, Steady Days deals more specifically with motherhood and making a daily routine, while Say Goodbye to Survival Mode deals with every area in life including finances, marriage and more; The Bible is needed so that your spiritual life doesn’t go down the drain while mothering young ones, and the planner will make it easier to stay on top of things.
If you are a homeschooling momma you may also enjoy this post: The Spiritual Power of a Mother
I would love the surviving book, one of my biggest fears of becoming a parent is feeling overwhelmed
Kayty, it can be overwhelming at times, but Jesus and a great support system keep me sane. 🙂
Id read the survival mode one first.
I love it Tayyrenee and I would love to send it to you. 🙂
I would love to win this! I need a 2015 planner. 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
I would love to send this to you Hannah! 🙂 Thanks for entering!
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode seems like something that would be helpful.
Such a good book! I found it very helpful and encouraging.
Is it wrong that I’d read the Planner first? LOL! But, I’ve been examining bibles for a while now as I need a new one, so that is a very close second! I can’t decide what version to get, it’s a struggle that is probably good to have!
PS, the entry form said to share it on FB or Pinterest, so I shared on Pinterest – but then it only wanted my FB name – but I put my Pinterest name in there instead!
Thanks Kate!! You can get one entry point each day by sharing, so share away!
That is a good struggle! 🙂 I have quite a few versions at home all at different times have been a favorite, the ESV is just my current favorite.
The planner is so awesome!! I’ll have pictures of it on Instagram, so watch there. 🙂
I’d dig into the planner, because I need one, but then I’d read Steady Days. Great giveaway!
Steady Days is so good! My favorite thing about it is that it is broken up into little one-three page chapters. Perfect for busy mommas!
I would start filling up that planner first because I’m obsessed with getting things organized. I already read my Bible, but I love the size of that one.
I’m sorta an organizational freak too, I already have two 2015 planners but when I got the one for the giveaway I fell in love with it and had to get one for myself.
I’d love the planner! Great giveaway.
Thanks Natasha! I’ll be sharing more about the planner on IG and about the books on FB so watch there for more info. 🙂
I’m hoping for a planner this Christmas!
Maybe you will get this one as a late Christmas present.
I’d read Say Goodbye to Survival Mode – I could really use that right now, that totally describes my life!
These all look great! I haven’t read any of them, but will add a few to my list. Thanks for sharing!!
I was looking at Say Goodbye to Survival Mode a while back, but I don’t think I ever read it! lol. Need to get on that, I’m sure it’s great!
The one I would “use” first is the 2015 Planner,,,would read Say Goodbye to Survival Mode ..
Oh my goodness! The planner is amazing!! I shoulda bought one for myself. 🙂 Did you check it out on Instagram?
Say Goodbye to Survival Mode ~ Crystal Paine is what I would read first!
That book is so good Allyson! Perfect for the new year.
I read the Bible everyday, but I would really like to read Steady Days.
Steady Days helped me so much. Learning how to schedule and arrange my days to get things done but also spend time with my boys was worth it. 🙂
First I’d read Steady Days.
Steady Days is such a good book Nancy!
ID give this to my daughter and i know she would read Say Goodbye to Survival first
I hope you win it for her! I love Say Goodbye to Survival Mode! 🙂
Steady Days!
I would like to read Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.
Maybe you’ll win Julie! 🙂
These are some great books! I would definitely use the 2015 planner and I would read the ESV Bible first. Thanks for the chance!
Thanks for sharing Tandi!! Hopefully you win and will be seeing a package on your door step soon.
Say gooDbye to survival mode!!
Awesome idea! My favorite book ever, the one I read before my first child, and model my entire parenting strategy after is “Scream Free Parenting”. I come from a family of screamers. I refer to it still, with my six year old and 3 year old, as they change and I’m forced to keep up.
Hmm, I haven’t heard of that book, I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
I hadn’t heard of either of these books – except of course the ESV bible which is my favorite translation. I bought a planner earlier this year and haven’t made much use of it. I feel having a one child, stay at home mom family – we really don’t do much outside the home that needs to be planned for. This is a great post I am bookmarking for down the road! 🙂
Aww. Thanks for saving it for later. Yeah, with one there is a bit more freedom in your days. I hope you can find it useful in the future! I just started using the ESV a few years ago and I love it! I love how it is right between the King James and the NIV versions.