Balance – My Goal for April

This week’s Listography is about our goals for April. Kate from Kate Takes 5, motivated by a little sibling rivalry, has decided to set herself five goals to achieve this month. When I started thinking about what goals I have at the moment it occurred to me that they are all about balance which fits rather nicely with my A to Z challenge as well. A double whammy, excellent!

Everybody is probably searching for a bit more balance in their lives but it’s particularly important for working parents. I’ve been back at work now since Christmas and everything has just about settled down into a routine, it’s just that that routine is pretty hectic at times. So what can I do in April to help maintain a bit of balance?

1 – Make the most of some time with the kids over Easter

As with all school holidays, Hubs and I will be covering the childcare over Easter with a combination of annual leave and holiday club and the week after the Easter bank holiday I’m at home with the boys for the whole week. While I was on maternity leave I tended to avoid planning stuff during school holidays as everywhere is always so busy but that’s not an option any more. I need to do my best to spend the week doing fun stuff so I’m going to plan some trips out and some activities for home so I don’t waste the week. I also will not keep checking my Blackberry, promise.

2 – Check the calendar and get organised

I know I’ve agreed to all manner of social activities, kids parties and blogging related stuff in April. I’m going to get the calendar and make sure I plan in enough time for a bit of everything. I will fit in a spa day, a trip to Cybher and The Tiger Who Came To Tea at the theatre without forgetting to buy two birthday presents for 4 year old boys or to pack E’s reading book for school. No I will, honest!

3 – Sort out the garden

Every year it seems like such a chore to tidy up the garden, sort out some flowers, plant new vegetables and clean the kids toys so I end up putting it off for ages. I need to remember it really only takes a day, I feel so much better for having spent the day outside doing it and then of course we can use the garden for the rest of the summer.

4 – Concentrate on work at work

As much as I think about work at home I also think about the kids when I’m at work. That is not getting me anywhere! The boy are both wonderfully happy in nursery and preschool and if I’m distracted at work everything takes longer and I end up doing more work at home when I should be spending time with them. The need to work isn’t going to change any time soon so, frankly, I just need to buck up and get on with it.

5 – Make a blog plan and enjoy the A to Z Challenge

I need to get a bit more organised if I’m going to fit in blogging with everything else that’s going on. Up to now I’ve just posted when I’ve felt like it and tried to fit in reading and commenting in between and I think a bit more of a systematic approach would help. I’m also going to complete the A to Z Challenge but I’m not going to panic too much about it. If that means the odd day is just a photo then so be it. There’s no point in doing it if it’s not going to be fun.

I can do all that in a month, right? No problem. If you want to set your own goals you can link up to listography by clicking the badge and to find out more about the A-Z Challenge check out my A post.

Egg Image: Victor Habbick / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Laptop Image: thepathtraveler / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

[Throughout April I’m taking part in the A to Z Challenge. This is my post for B. Yesterday I blogged about the challenge itself and tomorrow I’m tackling Celebrity Airbrushing.]