013. Productive Parenting Episode

Adjust your definition of "productive"

• Raising and loving children is productive
• Don’t over strain yourself
• Your priorities change once you have kids, too, and sometimes it's difficult to imagine just how much the little ones can change your world for the better
• Try this: research how much it would cost to hire someone to do a home-related task for you vs. doing it yourself

Include your children and establish boundaries

• Sleep when they sleep
• The YMCA has great childcare options
• Have a room for work as a physical boundary between working on your business and working with your kids
• Have a support network for help: daycare, babysitter, relatives, friends with kids, and so on
• Teach your child (as early as 3-4) to play independently and be safe — they'll carry this with them into adulthood

Break down large projects

• Small, manageable goals are good in general
• Small, achievable tasks are especially good when the kids are home
• Use timers to allocate "me time" and "us time"

Products mentioned in this episode

• Echo Dot: Kids Edition
• Circle Round Podcast
• Wow in the World Podcast
• Bounce houses near you
• Rock Painting Kits
• Board games for little kids (psst, follow Erik for more board games)

In the next episode...

• We'll talk more about breaking down tasks
• We're still looking for books to read and review!