Ten Tips for Getting it all Done ~ Mom of 7 

I'm a mom of three adult children 28, 27, and 25. There were years I thought I wouldn't survive. Now I miss those days of children at home. All of life is truly about grace and compassion. We are so much harder on ourselves especially us females. We compare way too much and see ourselves as failures when we can't meet the too high standards. This video is a blessing and reminds us that NOBODY has it all together all the time. Seasons of life are different for everyone and learning to be flexible while navigating those seasons is the best way to make it. Thank you for reminding us that no matter what season of life we are in we need to take the time to enjoy it. Once its gone it gone. 💚💚

1)Have a plan 2) Compartmentalize/Categorize your work 3) Prioritize your tasks 4) Delegate 5) Use evenings wisely 6) Simplify 7) Set realistic goals 8) Limit distractions 9) One task at a time 10) Be flexible. Hope this helps the crazy note takers.

I have five kids and a working homestead with chickens, turkeys, dairy and beef cows, and an 1100 sq ft garden. My oldest and biggest help is 20 and is moving out in a month. I’m back to figuring out how to do it all on the homestead with four kids under 13 (although my 13 year old is autistic and also needs a lot of emotional support). It means pulling up my bootstraps and doing a lot of the heavy lifting myself again...and I’m already looking forward to cool weather and the [much less demanding] homeschool season! HalleluYah!

One of my favorite things about your channel is the humility and the honesty when you share your life. Best wishes in August for your challenge!

When I was a young mom I used to get so burned out. One summer I decided to see what happened if I ONLY focused on homemaking for 3 months. Turns out, I was very good at homemaking... but I realized I couldn't do homemaking perfectly along with homeschooling, homesteading, etc. at the same time. We can't do it all (and I certainly wouldn't want to). I agree with asking for outside help. Hire out what you can afford. Hire a tutor if you need help with homeschooling. Streamline everything you can. Don't try to do it all. Also, sorry for your losses. God Bless

Great list! A few more… 1. Pray for wisdom which includes how to use your time each day 2. Realize when you need a short break (I’m going to sit down for 15 minutes while the soup simmers) 3. Drink water-it’s easy to forget. Keep a glass on the counter and take a drink when you walk by. 4. While doing one task at a time makes sense for some, I actually accomplish more and stay more motivated when I’m doing multi-tasking. Just know what kind of person you are. 5. Some tasks are that elephant. I make a deal with myself-I don’t have to do this all today or even this week, but every time I walk into this room I will do at least one tiny piece of this task. Don’t cheat! 6. I divide a sheet into 4 sections. In the upper left hand part I write those tasks that are the most important, most urgent, or are bugging me by hanging over my head. The other 3 sections can be less and less so such that those items on the lower right are least urgent. Then, each day focus only on the upper left list and from that list see if you can accomplish one item or make headway on it.

I clean houses, & one of my favorite jobs is helping new moms get through that season. I love love love cleaning and organizing, & there’s others like me that want to help you!! Great video as always Jessica, great advice.

I have started the journey for "Every Bit counts". Today I froze 5 bags of squash. I know I will have 5 batches of muffins from that! This is so inspiring for me.

This was such a timely video! I was just searching yesterday “schedules for busy moms” and found myself thinking, “I wish Jessica had a video”. And here you are! Thank you for always sharing from a genuine place and for the great reminder to find the joy in it all. Blessings to you and your family this week.

This video was a balm to my heart. Urban homesteading and homeschooling 4 and listening while I can tomatoes. Made me tear up - thank you for sharing

I'm sure that you have heard this before!, but home school is so much more than book work. You are teaching them so much more. You're doing great.

I love that you mentioned our island lives. Communal living was great growing up. I learned so much from grandparents, aunt's and uncles even church family that my parents couldn't teach me for whatever reason. Yes, no one person can do it all on their own.

I'm a mom of 4 and this is my first year as a stay at home mom and my first large garden and grew our chicken flock and looking at homeschooling my youngest two. This is going to help me so much because I definitely feel overwhelmed at times and feel like I'm letting my family down. I always feel like I'm supposed to do it all and if I can't then I'm just failing but I love the way you break it down. I can't wait to see what else I can learn from you. I feel like your my personal guide to getting to where you are in figuring this all out.

this is truth 🙌🏽 thank you for sharing these tips and reminding us to be kind to ourselves 💗

Wife, homeschooling mom of 4, wife/office manager of a self employed general contractor, primary homesteader, primary support for my parents and my inlaws. We had to bring in my mom a few times a week to help with office work, laundry, baby sitting, and some of the homeschooling depending on what the day holds.

Thanks for reminding me that I don't need to do everything perfectly 😊 Although we don't have any children, we do have 22 budgies to care for and I have some health issues which force me to follow a specific diet. In short, I do often feel like I have many tasks that I don't always manage well. But I'm learning that it's ok to sometimes let go of certain tasks and make up for them the next week. For instance, last week I didn't clean all bird cages. I felt guilty for it back then, but this week I was able to clean a lot more and I realized all is ok. The birds are ok and I don't need to stress so much about always getting everything done. Recently I've decided to start feeding our birds in the evening before sunset. I noticed I felt so exhausted when feeding them after getting up (they're rather loud 😋), so I experimented with feeding them in the evening. It's helped a lot! Now I'm able to do much more in the morning 😊

When homeschooling many years ago I read that one hour of one on one tutoring is equal to 5 hours of classroom time. When my daughter took the placement test at 16 for college I prayed I had done enough. Now looking back I stressed too much. She was way ahead of her peers in college and ended up tutoring others. She now has her Masters in nursing. I'm in Northwest Ohio too. When processing my children's transcripts for high school, the most difficult part was finding a standard grading system. Thank you for giving much needed advise. We can't do it all for sure.

LOVED this video! I’m a new subscriber. I’m also pregnant with my 8th baby, homeschooling, etc. The big difference is I’m living in the middle of a small city in middle America trying to establish an urban homestead. I’m in a season of needing great flexibility. Your video was affirming to all God has been teaching me. Thanks! Nice to “meet” you.

We're expecting our 5th in December. At the end of the school year in May, I quit teaching and am now a SAHM. I had so many plans for this summer and I've had to scale way back. I was overdoing it and was so sick. I totally understand how having a plan can back fire. My plan/to do list now includes basic things like did I eat breakfast because being able to mark something off makes me feel better.

I am a Mom of a 3 year old and a 3 month old. The transition from one child to two has been a little difficult for me and also trying to manage my home. You make some excellent points and I wanted to comment and say thank you! It's nice to know I am not alone and feel like I am doing everything wrong. It is just the season of life I am in and I need to roll with it ❤

Homeschooling, homesteading mom of 6, pregnant with #7. I love watching your videos, and you have been a source of positivity for me. Thank you for this video and all the other ones ❤️🙏

I needed this video! I’ve been struggling the last couple weeks I’m currently pregnant with our 3rd and have just been extremely tired lately and just feel like on the day to day it’s hard to get things done and it will really bother me and I’ll feel guilty but then there will be 2-3 days where I get a burst of energy and can actually get a lot done. Thank you for this video Jess! Being pregnant in my 30’s is way different than being pregnant in my 20’s 😅.

I'm not a mom, I don't have a homestead etc etc (yet). But about the distraction point: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself, just as I am, then I can change.” One day, I started accepting that I really love to spend my time, doing stupid games on my phone. After accepting it in myself, I noticed people around me treat it with shame... People in my life, who also loved certain games, would turn the volume down when I came in the room! I thought that interesting. I began saying to this one friend: Don't do that! Keep it up, I like the melody! Just to attempt to nudge them into discarding their shame. That's when I realised a second thing: I had also lived under the pressure that my shame would put me in. But by being honest with myself, the tension released! (That was such a good feeling!) And you know what else? After a few days, of having enjoyed many hours a day of phone-gaming, I started finding it boring! I still game on my phone. But it's not the hours of my day that get sucked up by it anymore... And again: I still don't have kids or a homestead and so on. I am still just a normal grown up with a job, friends, a household... etc. When I was under tension of shame and hiding, it was like I was bound to it. Once I admitted to myself I actually LIKE it... I was freed up to notice what else I liked. I don't know who needs this. But it was a profound realisation in my life.

One of the best things I ever heard was: "You CAN do it all, you can't just do it all at the same time."

You are such a blessing to anyone who watches your channel. God bless 🙏🏻

Thank you for this advice! I'm currently pregnant with my 3rd in 3 years and some days it is a struggle to do anything. I have a homestead and have also had to divert a ton of energy towards reviving a very sick calf lately. So it's comforting to see your calm, confident demeanor in the midst of very similar struggles.

When I'm overwhelmed by my to do list and nothing has a clear higher priority, I'll put to do items in a jar and draw at random. It's help get me started and create momentum. Thanks for the video. ❤

This is such great advice, especially keeping things simple & being realistic. It's easy to get overwhelmed if you don't. Also, anyone that criticizes you for making meals that are too "simple" well...shame on them.

Amen Just be easy on yourself.I call that evening work paying it forward to myself.

Wonderful video. I hope some young mothers can appreciate what you are saying. As a mother of 5 (now adult) kids, I tried, but could never do it all. In the long run I know I failed my kids in many ways, and wish I would have prioritized a lot differently! Now I know better, and keep that in mind with each phone call, visit, or grandkid stay over. :)

This has been a great reminder! I’m an empty nester and it seems like I’m getting nothing done. No matter how many hats we wear, or how few, it’s important to focus, prioritize and be organized

You are right about having discernment about using a planner. The past few years, I have been struggling with chronic migraines so having a planner only adds guilt and frustration. Being careful not to play the comparison game and giving myself a lot of grace has been important. There are always things to do in terms of homeschooling and homesteading and I just have to remind myself that the world won't stop spinning if something isn't done today. Thank you for your channel. I really look forward to your videos :)

I love this! Just found your channel and am binging thru content. So much good advice!!

SO MANY nuggets of wisdom here! Thank you so much for sharing. I have three kiddos officially in homeschool now and even though I consider myself a "seasoned" homeschooler at this point, adding my youngest this year threw me for a loop! Attempting three kids on my own was too much, so I've enlisted the help of my math-minded hubby this year. I think he actually enjoys being included and feeling needed in our kids' education. Also, I'm a new subscriber and haven't had the pleasure of participating in your challenges yet. So looking forward to next year as it's going to be a garden-focused year for us!

These tips are useful whether a large family or just one. Great tips ! The fact that you are asked ‘how you do it?’ Is a complement because you make it look easy. Staying true to yourself is a tool we all need and often stray from. Your help gives us all hope. Thank you.

I've tried different planners over the years, always thinking I'd figure out a process, but I always give up and end up with an empty planner after a week or two. I just can't do digital. UNTIL I saw your planner video - I ended up buying an Erin Condren planner very similar to yours and absolutely LOVE IT. I use it every day. Your layout was such an inspiration and now I don't know how I'd manage my days without it. I appreciate your content so much, and wish you the best!

I loved the juggling analogy... I need to figure out which balls will bounce. I don't have kids at home but I do have a homestead where I do everything myself with little to no mechanization. I provide supplemental food and resources for my children's families and I regularly struggle to get things done. I'm going to make a list and then prioritize it. Thanks for these tips, I'll be watching this video several times.

100% ok that you shot your video in your car and especially perfect for your topic. I was feeling very overwhelmed with the homestead work today. Thank you for the tips and motivation. Bless you and your family.

Thank you, Jessica. I needed this. You’ve encouraged me. I’m just getting to know your channel and I enjoy it.

Thank you so much for all of your videos ! You are so precious ! We are so blessed, us mamas, to have you !!!

Great advice for a Sunday morning! Now time to go put all this tips to good use for the week. Have a wonderful week!

Hi Jessica!!! Praying you have a blessed week ahead!! Thanks for always sharing with us!! Love your videos!

What great advice for young mothers!!!! I have older daughters all in their 30's. One having 6 kids at home which I forwarded this great video!!!! Thank you. Gods blessings 🙏. Oh, sorry to hear about the loss of your calves, that's really sad.

I appreciate this video. Nice job! Prayers to you and your family. Have a good week.

Thank you. I needed to hear this. I’m in a different season. At 53 I’m an empty nester. I can no longer do all that I did back then and I feel like I should be able to. After losing my mom five years ago, I lost my little brother March 2021 to brain cancer, then six months later, I lost my dad. I understand your grieving and I’m so sorry for your loss. All of a sudden I just want to enjoy every moment and not worry about not being able to do as much. It will get done and I’ll make it fun trying.

So sorry for your losses! Thank you for making this video. I just told my husband the other day, that I feel like my new life as a full time mom, teacher, homemaker, wife etc. is like a big puzzle I can’t seem to solve. Your words are so powerful in reminding me that it’s okay not to get it all done every single day. You gave me such great ideas on scheduling and restructuring some areas of my life. Many blessings to you and your wonderful family!

Super great advice!! I look forward to your weekly video.... It's always down to earth and full of substance. Looking forward to next month's challenge. Thanks for all you do, and your willingness to let us watch!!

Thank you for giving actual examples from your life. So practical! I listen to a lot of SAHMs and they're so vague in their advice sometimes. So, I thank you.. also for reminding us you are human, not superhero... because a lot of youtubers seem like they have it all together and we're just sitting back failing. You rock girlfriend!

I can’t believe I just found this channel. So encouraging! Thank you for taking the time to post videos for others!

Perfect timing! Thank you for this video! I'm actually sitting down right now going through my August homeschool plan and taking out the extras and just keeping math, language and reading. I work full time (3-12s) plus homestead and homeschool. As with you, our garden and fruit trees are flourishing and it seems with the heat and little rain everything is being ready either late or earlier so everything seems to be coming on all at once. We start school July 1st and it has been a struggle this year as our beans, corn, peaches and tomatoes are all ready here at the same time. Usually it is staggered and all doable but everyday I'm having to process multiple things and I'm finding I can't get to bible, science and history so we are pausing on those for August and will pick those back up in Sept or October. Have a blessed week!

Very practical and much needed encouragement♡ as a seasoned mama,I totally agree! I tell younger moms all the time...you can't do everything well. Decide what is a priority in your home and focus there. Don't compare,keep things simple and cut out what you can.

Thank you for sharing this! I find myself as I am getting older and I have physical challenges that I was getting depressed because I couldn’t complete what I wanted to do and needed to do. I am going to try very hard to apply this information to my life. As always you have a wonderful way of reaching people and giving us great things to think about!!!! God Bless you and your Family 💕

Thanks for this. It is easy to end the day feeling behind, overwhelmed and exhausted. The part where you talk about spending evenings wisely helps you get out of the cycles of crashing and exhaustion is so true! You are a blessing.

This is all good advice. Sorry for the loss of the 2 calves! Have a great week 😀

I love this video. Great tips for everyone. Thank you for your honesty in that we can't always accomplish everything and that's ok.

I needed this video. I know I can’t do it all and even tell my friends, but I still have that nagging thought that I should do better and do more. Thank you for sharing this, the reminder and reinforcing wisdom is greatly appreciated.

I am right there with you getting all of my to-do items down on paper and out of my head. It creates space and I am able to be more present with my kids during the day. Then, when I have a moment, I look at my list and see what I have time to do. One bite at a time! 😍

Thank you so much for this video and sharing your wisdom. It’s always so easy to get wrapped up in “perfect productively“ and lose valuable moments in life.

Great advise. Thank you for sharing. We appreciate your guidance.

I’ve watched your channel for awhile now, and I appreciate how real you are with Mom life. I remember a video you did maybe a year ago, and you spoke about how even the Proverbs 31 woman needed help. I appreciate your honesty and transparency considering there are other RU-vidrs that don’t speak about this. They portray that they alone “get it all done” and it’s easy, and that is not truthful. I feel badly for the Moms who think they fall short because they can’t get it all done. Again, thank you for the reminder. Abundant blessings to you and your family. ❤️🙏

Thank you for sharing your tips, very thoughtful and encouraging, very much appreciated 😀

I always seem to forget you post at 9pm Sunday night (my time) so it's always a pleasant surprise. Cannot wait to see your new calves and what you do. I want to get a calf within a year so it's great to learn from you.

Oh dear Jessica, I just love and appreciate you so much!!! Everything you said resonated SO MUCH!!! Thankyou!!! ❤

Thank you for sharing your life experiences. Have a great week and be blessed 💖

Jessica I think your meals are brilliant! They’re back to basics and nutritionally good for you. All the things I miss from my childhood. You are fantastic!!

Recalling my pregnancies it is important to ask for help & share. Forced rest during first trimester for one and third trimester for another. Prioritise your self care. Each day i would wake up ready to go into action but physically unable to do so, and i placed great pressure on myself unnecessarily. Find the support you need. Enjoy every season of your life, particularly when able to help others. Lovely advice with this video for all 💞🕊

You are such a blessing.Thank you for being so honest and kind. Your family is beautiful. God Bless!

U r so real and thats why I choose your channel. Have a blessed week Jessica.

You are truly a rock star Jessica. I am retired, with a hubby and no kids. But we live a busy life on seven acres in the bush. I fine myself making a list of to do jobs for me all the time. I always have. People accuse me of never stop working but I do. I fine, like you sat….stay organized, stay focused and follow your list and you can get lots accomplished. As we get older, we can still get lots done but now we take more breaks in between, but we still managed to get 8 cords,of wood in for the winter, manage a garden, take care of my bees and yard work. Great advice girl. Hugs 🇨🇦💕

Thank you Jessica for sharing! Wonderful tips as always. I have always been a “juggler” and the hard lesson to learn is that it’s ok to let some of the balls fall. And to ask for help with things. Thank you for reminding us. Have a blessed day 🙏

I've started my every little bit counts already because my produce has been trickling in, but having fun so far. 😃I will be continuing in August since that will be the time that my produce from the garden will be in full force. And hopefully we will be getting our peaches this week from a local grocer. Thanks for your tips!

Loved all your anologies. I'm now retired and facing a different season of life. Very busy with family and garden. Planning to do the preserving everyday in august. May need to hit up my Amish neighbors vegetable stands haha! Thank you for what you do.

This is just one of your many videos that are my absolute favorites. This topic speaks to me. When I was a newer mom learning to try to juggle everything and so often failing. I would get frustrated and felt like I wasn't giving my best to any aspect of my life. I am still learning, biggest thing is to learn to delegate outside of our family and making the most of my evenings. I appreciate my husband for not pressuring me and having patience. Learning to have faith and letting go and giving myself grace.

Thank you for the encouragement… Keep digging 💕🙏🏼

This is so helpful and comforting to me, as a newish mom of very small children (2.5, 1, and I’m 23 weeks pregnant) and hubby is in the military so sometimes I am solo parenting. The tip about looking at your accomplishments by the week or season was an epiphany for me!! Thank you! That is so helpful. ❤️ Also, how real you are is so so comforting.

Great tips! I'm now a grandmother but still very applicable advice ❤ may God bless you and your family ❤

Hi Jessica, I am very thankful I found your channel. Thank you for your encouragement and your testimony that you share with us. I appreciate your allowing us to peek into your day to day, and helping us learn! I'm a homeschooling mom to 4 kiddos and a military spouse stationed in Hawaii. Although our dream of homesteading isn't quite possible just yet, we know, Lord willing we will get there in the next few years. In the meantime, I hope to start learning the skills I will need for the future. You've inspired me much, thank you 😊

I am happy you found some quiet time. Our condolences on your grandma. I miss my grandparents so much. Sorry about the loss of your meat cows. You are a real person with your videos. That is what I like. Wish I could come and visit or come and help. I am busy with my daughter she had a health problem this week and in the middle of moving. So Mom has been helping her!! I love every minute of it. Have a great week friend.

Thank you for sharing some very good wisdom and advise. Great job💕

God bless you. Thank you for sharing with us. As a mom of 4 (including special needs twin boys) life can be overwhelming. We just do it. Totally agree, we find what works to keep things going. Lists really are the simplest way to try to keep things in front of us. You really are a blessing. Sometimes you just have to take a breath, pray then move on when you can.

Jessica, thank you for your encouraging words and keeping it real. I often feel like I am holding onto a life saver trying to stay a float. Pregnant with our 5th child, new to homescholing, homesteading, gardening, wife and homemaker. I am terrible at asking for help and often beat myself up for not being able to do it all. Your video hit home for me. I'll do my best to apply your words of wisdom. You are a great person and very uplifting!

Jessica, thank you so much for this video, I so needed it!! I am married to a wonderful husband and have one daughter, she will be a senior in high school this year, I also am my dad's primary care taker, and work a full time job. We have had a rough summer, we almost lost my dad, our garden burned up in the heat and drought we are experiencing, some days I feel like it is all I can do to make it through a day. You are so encouraging!! I have used some of your organizing tips, and hopefully will be doing the every bit counts challenge starting on Monday. I love your tip limiting distractions, I am so grateful that I work from home so that I can be here for my dad, but even that is tough. Sometimes I think everyone sees me working from home and think that I have a lot of free time, when the opposite is the case. It has always been hard to set boundaries, but have had to learn to do it. Praying God blesses you and your family!! Again thank you so much for being so real and such an encouragement!!!

Blessing to you and your family!

Great video! Thank you Jessica. I am in a completely different stage of my life,. My children are grown and to be honest I was pretty good at wearing several hats and keeping it all together. A few years back, everything changed. I was dealing w several family deaths, I was a full time caregiver to my elderly mother and then Covid hit. I lost my job and I started having some health issues of my own. Talk about overwhelmed, and I was that person that froze and my mental and physical health suffered even more. It's been a struggle and I finally see a way through but it's been hard as heck especially as I was in my own way. I couldn't accept that I didn't have it together anymore and I wasted a lot of time and energy wishing I was the person I was before. I'm telling you all this because I want you to know I appreciate your video's so much! There is a calmness and serenity in the way you speak that just resonates with me so much even though our lives are completely different. It really has had an affect on me and I thank you for continuing to use your voice and time making these video's for us. Today's was especially helpful. Wishing you and your family a fantastic week from Ontario, Canada. Big hugs!!

Brilliant message .I appreciate how you 'keep it real'. God bless you for your honesty. Hope your replacement calves do better at the adjustment of a new place.

I was looking for a channel like yours for a really long time. 💗 Thank you so much.

“Wear your many hats with joy.” Oh how I love that quote. That is always the goal. Organizing my life with peace as the highest goal has been my prayer and work over many years. When you do that, joy is the hat that sits most comfortably on your head. You’re such a gift. Thank you for sharing your heart and life with us.

Wonderful video! I an recovering from Covid and frustrated with still not feeling well, I will try to have more grace with myself.

Very encouraging video, thank you. I am a mother of 5 (ages 8, 6, 4, 1, and 1 month), we homeschool, I cook from scratch, and we are working our way towards homesteading. Needless to say, managing everything currently looks impossible. These tips are exactly the encouragement I needed to hear!

I wish I had your energy. I just found out the week before Easter that I have cancer. It's just bad timing, if cancer can have a good timing. My grand daughter has to have spinal surgery, and my daughter needs a kidney transplant. So our family really needs me. Please pray to give me the strength to do what I need to do for my family. BTW, my daughter's birthday is Dec 6. She said, please have baby on that say is possible. Lol And name her Catherine. I told her children come when they're ready. Lol ty

This is a VERY helpful list! Thank you for the permission and grace to ‘not get it all done’. Some days get so overwhelming, so I plan to refer to this list often with the upcoming harvest and homeschooling season coming up! Thank you for sharing!! ♥️

You're amazing! Love watching!

I really love this video, it speaks to where I am as a mother and wife and trying to work human. Thank you for the excellent tips and for being real and vulnerable.

I really appreciate your honesty in how life really is. I appreciate your message that I listen to this week. I am in a season of my life that I am learning I have to kind of do what you do in August and do the little bit everyday counts. I was bedridden for almost 3 years and then extremely busy with my job for 2 years before that. So my yard which is about a half an acre is extremely behind. But I am learning that I can only do a little bit at a time and that's okay because that little bit at a time has made such a difference. I am a mother of five and I only have one under 18 still in the home but I remember those years when I had many children in my home other than my own as well and you just can't do it all. I know we try but we have to let go what can be let go and do what has to be done that is the most important. Thank you for your encouragement and your understanding and your wise words.

So encouraging, thank you!

I am not a mom but work full time and have a summer garden and I find myself so overwhelmed most of the time and so tired from work . So many good tips here Love your channel . God bless you always ..

I can’t tell you how encouraging this video was to me today! Thank you sooo much for sharing your wisdom and tips! God bless you and your beautiful family! 🤍

Thank you so much for sharing! I really needed this right now.

I am so sorry you and the kids had to go through that and after the loss of their Grandmother. You are so encouraging and positive, thanks for all the wonderful tips.

SO HELPFUL AND ENCOURAGING. Thank you!