Well, to an extent I think they can. I also think they can be pointless.

They’re pointless when they’re not focused on your goals. And they’re pointless when they’re not helping you achieve your goals and manage your household.

When you need a to-do list

There are times when lists are going to help you. You probably need a daily to-do list for household management. I don’t mean things like “cook breakfast” – these things should be on your schedule so you get used to them. Form “habits” so to speak. But sometimes something like this may need to be on your to-do list for a few days. I need to put “drink my pregnancy tea” on my list because it hasn’t become a habit yet. By next week I probably won’t need the reminder. Another thing is the supper dishes. My hubby was in charge of those and I am taking over for him. But it’s not habit so I need it on my list right now.

However routine tasks should become just that – part of your routine. Follow the schedule that you’ve developed and “tweaked” for your family to take care of those things (take a look at the entry on scheduling for a refresher.)

You daily to-do list is a place for things like “get the oil changed in the van” “call for insurance quotes” “go buy eggs on sale at YumYum Grocery” – tasks that you need to accomplish to manage your household, but don’t occur every day.

Planning and following through

I’ve found it helpful to take one evening on the weekend and think of the things I’ll need to do in the coming week. Then I plan out when during the week is the best time for them. I have a time each day I handle phone calls and things and that’s when I’ll insert “call plumber to schedule work on bathtub” into my schedule. Of course some things are urgent and you need to put them in right away. But do try and consider how “urgent” something actually is.

My preferred night to do this is Saturday. I run errands on Saturday and we generally do our family running around on Saturday. So I like to use Saturday night and then devote Sunday to resting, relaxing, enjoying the family, and telling stories to the kiddos. You may find Sunday night works better for you to focus you for the coming week. I just like having at least one day somewhat “off the job”

I also have a daily to-do list for my website related tasks. I have some things that are routine, like weekly site information checks. But other things I need to put on the list. If you work from home an organized to-do list will help you.

Try to actually *do* what is on your list. If you consistently find there are things not done you either A. Need to plan less on a given day. Or B. figure out why you’re not following through. For me the things I haven’t done almost always involve phone calls because I don’t like making them. It’s something to work on. If you notice similar weaknesses you can start creating targeted goals to help you remove those weaknesses. (note to self: set some goals about confidence in making phone calls :p)

Other helpful lists

Now for other lists. These are actually my favorite kind of lists. They really help me. I have “big” to-do lists which often get translated into goals. These are things like my appropriately named “Baby List.” This list is full of things I want to get done/get made/get purchased before our new baby is born (I know, you figured that out already :p)

It’s helpful for me to have this list because I can put something on the list and get it out of my head. I don’t keep thinking “I need to read this book before the baby comes” randomly throughout the day. Have you noticed that continuing to think about needing to do something but not being able to take action on it will drive you crazy? Getting it onto a list can free you to let go of the thought – and to constructively plan when you’ll be able to act on it. You can look over these lists on a weekly basis when you do the rest of your planning.

I like to take lists of these kinds and either form concrete goals out of them or translate items onto my to-do lists. One of my “baby list” items is, of course, having the house organized. I formed a concrete goal out of this list item. Another of my goals to read a certain book to help myself prepare for labor. I’ve put this on my “to-do list” for next week (in general I list the 1-2 books I’d like to get through that week on my to-do list).

Lists for supply gathering/action planning

There are other times lists are helpful. If you are taking a trip or moving you need to make lists. List out everything you’ll need for your trip. If you’re moving go check a book out from the library – they’re full of lists you’ll need for moving and they’ll really help. Start all these types of lists well in advance.

Then as the “listed event” gets closer, start to gather your supplies and things. Strategically plan how to attack some things on the list (like if you’re going to cook travel food for your trip. You need to plan a day to do this!).

I made a pretty flawless 2000 mile round-trip last summer alone with three children. And it went incredibly well. I think the biggest thing helping me was my getting-ready list and how I translated that into practical goals and concrete steps to get ready.

Cooking can fall into this type of list too, especially if you’re planning a holiday spread or cooking for a birthday party or your freezer. Plan out your recipes and your ingredients. Then use your lists to make a plan of action for working through your big cooking project.

Organizing your lists

Right now I really strongly favor a paper planner for managing my daily to-do lists for the household and for this website. I like being able to write out my goals for the week on the page ahead of the week, and then being able to chart out my tasks in the week pages. I use a weekly format that has a block for each day of the week, but no times listed. I like it a little more open like that since I already have my day scheduled out.

You may find a digital solution works better for you but I’ve really found paper is great. I can jot down phone numbers, confirmation numbers, etc, when I’m talking to service people. I often list each day’s lunch and dinner recipe above the daily block so I can see right away what I’ll be cooking. I have menu planning sheets in my planner and I like those too. So for me paper helps manage the “to-do” lists.

Now for the other lists like my “Baby List” I seem to find myself on the computer. Right now they’re mostly in my little “virtual sticky note” program, which I love and has tons of uses. But I’m still looking for a slightly more organized solution. I have a software in mind but I want to review it fully.

Ok, that’s a lot about lists! Like I said, my paper planner is my #1 to-do list helper. I’m still exploring other software and options to help on the computer. I’ll update more in a couple of weeks when I’ve had time to try some applications for “mom friendliness” and for their ability to actually help you get things done!

I’m pregnant.

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

Ok. But now. There’s so much to do, to think of!! I called my midwife yesterday, my midwife from down south who was there at the births of my older children. I wanted to let her know, get her input. She means so much to me She was excited for me and she was the first person I know “in real life” (not online) that I’ve told and it was exciting to be able to do that.

Now today I’m thinking more about preparations and AHHHHHH, there’s so much to think about! Thank goodness for 9 months.

Scott told one of his friends yesterday and today she called me to see if I want to go to the LLL meeting next Tuesday night. I would like to because I’d like to go with her. She also said it’s probably a good way to get the scoop on home birth midwives in this area, as I’ll definitely be planning another home birth. So I’ll hang around after the meeting to see if any of the mamas have had home births.

I’m excited to think about another birth because I’ve had such lovely births and birth is really a wonderful experience. Not easy, but good. And because this time around I actually get to use The Pink Kit, which is a childbirth course I have become a great believer in. It will be really good to get to record my experience with that in this blog

Today I am feeling a bit overwhelmed just with the immensity of “oh my gosh, I’m pregnant again!” and then I’ve just moved 1000 miles and my house is still chaos… and of course I have the children getting adjusted, and my oldest child adjusting which is harder for her than the boys I think. I worry so much I’m not doing a good job for her, but I really want to. /sigh. Lots of challenges.

I’m trying to remember that I consciously form our days, and my attitude, and that I just need to make sure I am conscious, and that I control how I feel. That even through challenges I can be positive, or take the time I need to make sure I can be positive. And I can take my afternoon nap!

As for the house…I’m leaning pretty heavily on to-do lists right now, lol! I think that’s a good thing when overwhelmed. At least for me. Is to put everything down on paper and work on it until I can cross it off. Today I’ve even numbered things. There are so many things it’s helpful just to put down numbers so I know what to do first, second, etc. It helps me stay calmer. And I really don’t want to get stressed out with a baby on board! I want this little one to have a peaceful 9 months floating around down there.

Did I mention I’m actually pregnant!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday night I get to go to the LLL meeting and say “Hi, my name is Kristen, and I’m due October 25th.”

Hello, world, I’ve got a baby on board.