How to clean your house fast and efficiently

December 10, 2018December 3, 2024
by Jessica Whitney

The battle is real when it comes to decluttering, keeping things clean, and overall being presentable when you’re exhausted from breastfeeding a newborn all night, emotionally drained from toddler battle of wills, and you’ve been rushing around from event to event the past few days with a pile of mail on the counter, laundry piled up, and Lego’s strewn across the living room floor.

And when you’re about to have guests – ahhhhh!

“How do I clean my house fast and efficiently before they get here?!”

In this post, I’ll cover the most-importante areas I focus on in the last 30 minutes before guests arrive.

I focus on these so I stop stressing out my family by freaking-out with a long to do list.

I know that a clean house is a huge weight on a mom’s shoulders and can cause significant stress and frustration.

Mama, I don’t want that for you.

I want to help you simplify your to-do list and enjoy the present more. I want you to know that young motherhood doesn’t have to mean constantly being tired and stressed and overwhelmed.

Productivity + Planning

How to make an effective to do list [for…

September 26, 2018November 18, 2020
by Jessica Whitney

As a new stay at home mom, I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance my to-do list, which seems never-ending, and spending time with my 3 kids. I’ve found a really awesome time management tool to help with my to do list that I wanted to share with you!

This to-do list is tried and tested and mom approved. Whether you are a new mom, working mom, or stay at home mom, I know that if you follow this to-do list tip, you’ll drastically improve your day-to-day productivity.

I know that’s a big claim to make, but here’s the thing, when it comes down to it, I know I feel like I “get more done” when I actually focus on my priorities.

But how do you stay focused on priorities when things like e-mail, social media, and small tasks get between you and the important stuff?

Productivity + Planning

24 Trello Board Examples to organize your life [family…

July 20, 2018May 8, 2025
by Jessica Whitney

I love using Trello for work and organizing my blog, but I also love to use Trello for home management. How do I get my husband to use Trello too? Well, I’m still working on that one!

I thought I would highlight my favorite inspirational board examples from the Trello inspiration boards. These will help you organize for the school year this fall, organize your family schedules, track to do lists, declutter, plan for summer memories, create effective to do-lists, and even organize kid artwork.

Without further ado, here is some Trello inspiration for organizing boards to inspire you to get organized in one place!

Productivity + Planning

8 routines to start: before, during, and after your…

July 10, 2018February 26, 2019
by Jessica Whitney

Yes, I know that coffee has a lot of health benefits. That coffee makes you more alert. That it wakes you up. All-in-all super helpful to get you on the right foot for a good morning routine.

But, I’ve discovered other morning routine ideas to associate with your coffee drinking habit that will improve your day. I would call this a tongue-and-cheek post with a pinch of truth that is surprisingly effective yet simple at starting new morning routines.

It’s all about routines to start before, during, or after your morning cup of joe (which you already have every day). There are ways to leverage your morning coffee to be more productive, live a healthier lifestyle, and stick to a more productive daily morning routine.

But first, if you’re struggling with finding the perfect morning routine — I just loved the chapter about it in Family Routines. Hillary talks about all the routines that have really worked for her — and more. I think you’ll love it — in fact, she guarantees it. Join for a month, or a year — you can cancel at any time — you can even save 10% with code SIMPLYMOM10.

Productivity + Planning

Time management tips to be more present [step by…

June 22, 2018July 23, 2020
by Jessica Whitney

I get it, time management just isn’t your thing. You’ve tried all the time management tips in the book, but you just can’t seem to keep it together. You’re always busy and you always feel overwhelmed. You’ve just accepted being late as part of your personality. In fact, it’s pretty much an inside joke between you and your friends.

You’re always the last one to the play date or to the church group or to brunch with your friends. The Kesha lyrics to “Tik Tok” are pretty much your theme song (or your excuse), “The party don’t start ’til I walk in.” Am I right? Now, what if you could change this?

The thing is, I already know you have great reasons to be late. How do I know? Because you’re like me. You’re a productive boss lady with lots of obligations, a family, a mom, and you’re an overall rockstar.

Motherhood + Parenting

How to achieve goals when you’re ready to quit…

February 28, 2018December 21, 2018
by Jessica Whitney

To the goal-oriented mama: How to achieve goals when you’re ready to quit

I’ve been struggling with some of my goals so far this year. I’m sure I’m not the only one! Specifically, I haven’t been working out like I originally said I wanted to! Yes, I realize I’m pregnant. Yes, I realize I have two kids that I’m at home with, which makes it difficult to find time for myself. But when I set my goals at the beginning of the year, I thought it wouldn’t be too difficult to meet them. I mean come on! If fitness is supposed to be a priority in my life, then working out three times a week for 30 minutes shouldn’t be a big deal?!?

Morning Routine

3 unexpected + invaluable benefits of waking up early

February 2, 2018June 4, 2025
by Jessica Whitney

In 2017, I made it one of my New Year’s resolutions to start waking up early and to get up before my kids. I realized that something needed to change and that I needed a new way to start my day. I was often grumpy, frustrated, impatient, and overall not a pleasant person in the morning. I wasn’t able to enjoy my kids in the morning, and I wasn’t able to be grateful for the precious moments I could spend with my kids before work.

Productivity + Planning

New Year’s Resolutions and Such

January 2, 2018December 11, 2024
by Jessica Whitney

Okay, as promised, I’m writing out my New Year’s resolution list. Everything inside of me is screaming, “No, no – don’t do it!” On the inside I know, that if I share these, if I make them public, I risk disappointing myself and others. I risk something by setting high goals that stretch me. I risk people knowing that I failed at goals I set. I risk vulnerability because goals I set reflect what’s on the inside… the quiet places that are sometimes hard to talk about.

But despite the risk of failure and the feelings of vulnerability, I also have a higher desire to embrace authenticity. I desire and wish to be more MYSELF. So, because of that, I’m putting goals out there for all the world to see. I’m putting my goals out because I know that sharing with others creates accountability. That putting goals OUT THERE in the WORLD, allows others to encourage you.

To the goal-oriented mama: How to achieve goals when you’re ready to quit

Do you have a copy of the free simple budget printable?