Category: Mum Tips & Productivity

faceless black kids drawing and playing on carpet at home

How to create a fun learning environment for kids

Published on by Alethea Awuku3 Comments

Cultivating a space where curiosity thrives, imaginations soar, and hearts are touched by the wonders of God’s creation is an incredible process to be part of. As mums we have the opportunity to provide that for our children yet at the same time, it can feel overwhelming when we think of our tidy homes being transformed into a playground for little hands, minds and feet. Creating a fun learning environment is totally doable in any environment, and with a few systems and strategies in place, we can transform pockets of areas, and most importantly our atmosphere to bring life to all the souls that dwell in it.

I lean toward minimalism, but I have still found a few ways to make room for play and imagination in my home. In today’s post I am sharing some ideas that we have incorporated into our space to make learning fun for our 3 boys.


Please note that this post contains affiliate links. The purpose of this post is to recommend items that we use or would use. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep this blog running.

  1. Use colourful, relatable and engaging decorations: Decorating a wall or part of it with beautiful thought provoking artwork helps to spark the imagination. Incorporating bright colours within the learning space such as posters, artwork, and educational materials related to the subjects your children are studying is useful for igniting further interest in that area. So take your time to search for beautiful imagery, because it’ll not only be visually beautiful and inspiring to look at, but it’ll naturally lead to a conversation about the creativity, wisdom and unmatched power of God.
  2. Incorporate Games and Interactive Activities: Integrate educational games, puzzles, board games, and interactive learning activities that make learning feel like play. These can also include scavenger hunts, role-playing games, and simulations. Teaching on and learning about subjects such as Maths, English, History and Science can be brought to life by incorporating hands on activities. This just cements the information and children are more likely to remember facts and information when it is presented in a vivid way. The boys love learning in a very hands on way, and with my kinesthetic learner, group activities, and hands on activities work really well.
  3. Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Design a comfortable and inviting reading area with bean bags, pillows, rugs, and shelves stocked with a variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, and picture books. This could be in the children’s bedrooms, or in the living area next to the sofa. Reading nooks serve as a personal sanctuary (no matter how small or simple it is) and encourages regular quiet reading time which is great for everyone! It helps to break reading and learning out of a box and reinforces the truth that learning can and does happen everywhere!
  4. Utilise Hands-on Learning Materials: Providing manipulatives, such as blocks, LEGO, puzzles, and art supplies, that children can use to explore concepts in a tactile and hands-on manner is great for creating a fun learning environment. They are so useful for engaging the mind during down time or “gap moments” before something else is scheduled to take place. I have found that my boys are always engaged for a while as it really suits their learning style.
  5. Integrate Technology in a Purposeful Way: Incorporating educational apps, interactive whiteboards, educational videos, and digital resources can enhance learning experiences and allow children to explore topics in innovative ways. The boys love watching Science Max at Large, Dude Perfect, Superbook, Dr Bionics and Science Planet.
  6. Outdoor Learning Spaces: Taking advantage of outdoor spaces for learning activities whenever possible is a must if you want to create a fun learning environment for children. They love to run, jump, dive, create and so much more. If you don’t have a garden or balcony space, the park or fields, trails are absolutely great for getting everyone outdoors for fresh air and fun. You can also conduct science experiments, go on nature walks, get involved in gardening projects, or art sessions in the backyard or local parks. The boys attend forest school once a week and really enjoy swinging, jumping, building dens, playing in mud and working on craft activities.
  7. Incorporate Music and Movement: Music, songs, and movement activities are so important for children as they make learning complex information really fun and easy to remember (think of times tables, poems, languages science information). A quick search online can yield so many results and helps to to enhance learning and energise the atmosphere. Create playlists with educational songs or encourage children to create their own music related to the topics they’re studying!
  8. Celebrate Achievements and Milestones: Recognising and celebrating our children’s achievements, progress, and efforts with praise, rewards, certificates, or special activities can make their learning experience fun. Positive recognition boosts motivation and fosters a sense of accomplishment. We use stickers, and an achievement “trophy” that they boys can earn when they go above and beyond to do a particular work without prompt.
  9. Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork: Providing opportunities for the children to work together on projects, to solve problems collaboratively, and to share their ideas and knowledge with one another is important when trying to build a fun community based environment. We have regular “sports days” in our garden which is so much fun. It gets very competitive which adds to my fun haha.
  10. Rotate Learning Centers: Set up different learning stations or centers with activities related to various subjects or skills. Rotate these centers periodically to keep the environment fresh and exciting. We all need change once in a while to freshen our minds and give us new inspiration. Children are no different. When we change up the space every now and again it invites new energy into activities, and I have found that engagement and focus is also improved.

I hope these tips and ideas have been helpful by incorporating these elements into your learning environment, you can create a space where children feel excited, motivated, and eager to explore and learn! Are there any other things that you do to make learning fun for your children?

photo of plants on the table

5 ways to be productive at home

Published on by Alethea AwukuLeave a comment


Finding Grace in the Chaos: Productivity Tips for the Christian Mother.

Being productive at home is essential for maintaining efficiency, organisation, and overall well-being. As Christian mothers, we are juggling numerous responsibilities: nurturing children, maintaining a household, perhaps working from home, and most importantly, fostering a spiritual environment for our families. In the midst of this whirlwind, finding ways to be productive at home can often feel like a daunting task. However, with a little organisation, a lot of trial and error and grace, it’s entirely possible to manage our time effectively and create a peaceful, thriving, productive home.

Whether you’re homeschooling, managing a home business, or simply trying to keep up with daily chores and tasks, these tips will guide you towards more organised and fulfilling days. Let’s transform our homes into spaces where faith, love, and productivity coexist harmoniously. Here are some quick fire tips to help us achieve this.

Streamline your routine

Simplify your daily tasks by creating a streamlined routine. Identify repetitive tasks and find ways to automate or batch them to save time and energy. Establishing a consistent schedule for chores, meal preparation, and other household responsibilities can help you stay organised and productive.

Declutter Regularly

Keep clutter at bay by decluttering your home on a regular basis. Take time to purge unused or unnecessary items. You can start small and pick a draw or corner of the house. Organising your belongings in a way that maximizes space and functionality doesn’t just provide a clutter-free environment, but it promotes a sense of calm and clarity, making it easier to focus and enjoy your living space.

Prioritise Multi-Functional Solutions:

Opt for multi-functional furniture, storage solutions, and appliances to maximise space and efficiency in your home. Look for versatile pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as a storage ottoman that doubles as extra seating, and a place for toys and games, or a fold-down desk that transforms into a dining table. Choosing multi-functional solutions allows you to make the most of your space without sacrificing functionality.

Create Zones for Efficiency:

Divide your home into zones based on functionality to optimise efficiency and organisation. Designate specific areas for activities such as work, relaxation, and play, ensuring that each zone is tailored to its intended purpose. Creating designated zones helps minimize distractions and promotes productivity by providing dedicated spaces for different activities. Sharing our living space with children doesn’t mean that our home can’t feel calm and organised. We can create fun zones for them, as well as more minimal areas that serve the purpose of relaxation, rest and productivity.

Embrace Minimalism

Embracing a minimalist mindset helps us to prioritise quality over quantity and to focus on what truly adds value to our lives. If it is your preference, curating a home environment that is clutter-free and conducive to peace and tranquility can help your mind feel much calmer. Embracing minimalism allows you to simplify your life, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of contentment with less.

I hope you enjoyed this quick fire style post! I hope that you’ll be able to build on some of the points and they help enhance efficiency, organisation and productivity in your life.

Here’s to an ever enriched life.

God bless,

Alethea

crop anonymous black mother holding hand of baby lying on bed

9 Hacks to help you thrive in motherhood

Published on by Alethea Awuku1 Comment

Being a mother is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, filled with joy, challenges, growth, and never ending love. When we bring our babies home, our lives are changed forever and when you weave the threads of our Christian faith into this journey, it takes on an even deeper significance.

Christian motherhood is not just about raising children; it’s about nurturing and training souls, instilling values, and guiding young hearts to know and love God and others. It’s about embodying Christ’s love and grace in every moment of our lives, whether we’re comforting a crying baby, helping children with homework, diffusing tantrums and outbursts, and encouraging anxious, frightened and insecure hearts. It is a deep work. A deeply fulfilling one and as much as we give out, we also must dig deep to fill ourselves constantly for the marathon journey.

One of my deep desires is to thrive in motherhood and to be truly happy and joyful in my home. In this post I am sharing some “hacks” to help you thrive in motherhood. These tips aren’t don’t really lean towards creating shortcuts, but rather they are methods that when implemented, help us not just live efficiently, but to enjoy our days and feel deeply fulfilled as we laser in on building a life that truly matters to us.

1. Daily journaling

Being intentional with our time can be achieved as we seek to be held accountable for the every day choices and decisions that we make. I have found that documenting my thought patterns and behaviours, and journaling through some of the experiences that I go through helps me to pinpoint areas that could use some improving, as well as celebrating the things that I enjoy about my life.

The practice of keeping a traditional hand written journal has fallen out of favour in recent years due to the influx of digital and social media/podcasts etc, however nothing can truly replace the practice of maintaining a journal.

Journaling is a deeply intimate and private thing. It is the recording of your thoughts and your heart. You write things that you would not consider to share with others on social media or in person. What I love about it, is that it is a beautiful way to explore and work through your thoughts and experiences in private.  This can be deeply impactful as you converse with yourself and God about some of your struggles, weaknesses, pain, joys, and the different experiences that you go through in life.

Using different tools and techniques to journal will help you to rediscover what makes you tick and encourages you to do more of what makes you happy. It can help to plan a schedule, write down some goals and journal about your achievements at least once a week to keep you encouraged.

2. Fill up your own well frequently

There is wisdom in filling ourselves up before we give to others. Prioritising regular “me time” for activities that recharge you can look like reading a book, taking a bath, or going for a walk. Investing in self-care is essential for maintaining balance and well-being.

As a busy mum, it is easy to spend any down time binging on things that don’t necessarily feed my soul because I feel tired and drained after a long day with my children. As relaxing as it can feel to go through a series on Netflix in one sitting, or watch countless Youtube videos, after a while I am still left feeling drained.

Finding creative ways to squeeze in things that inspire and encourage my soul has been a real intentional effort as I seek to shape and stir my mind towards things that delight and inspire me to love my home and family better. I listen to podcasts while cooking, audiobooks while taking a walk or doing the food shop, and read books/ my Bible during my morning breakfast. All of these practices help build up contentment and joy in my heart.

3. Simplify Your Wardrobe:

Creating a capsule wardrobe filled with versatile pieces that mix and match effortlessly is a big hack for us busy mums as we often have children waking up through out the night and early in the morning. Using an already tired brain to think of what to wear for the day (so I look and feel put together) can add to my stress and frustration.

I have found that taking the time to streamline my closet, and thoughtfully select pieces that I actually would love to wear has saved me time and reduced decision fatigue, leaving me feeling confident and stylish every day. Simplifying your wardrobe as a busy mum is a game-changer in the quest for efficiency and sanity! With a streamlined closet of versatile pieces, you spend less time agonising over what to wear and more time focusing on what truly matters—like tending to your family’s needs or stealing a precious moment for yourself in the morning. A simplified wardrobe means fewer decisions, less clutter, and effortless mix-and-match options that ensure you always look and feel put together, even on the most chaotic days. Sometimes, if I can get dressed quickly, I am able to steal a few moments to listen to a favourite podcast, or put some makeup on which equally makes me feel great.

4. Meal Prep

Knowing what you want the family (and yourself) to eat on most days of the week is important in helping you to not only run your home efficiently, but to beat the overwhelm that comes with not knowing what to make and having little time to make it. Having a scheduled weekly plan is a great way to organise your thoughts, allocate budget and enjoy the process of cooking for multiple people. Spend a few hours each week prepping meals and snacks to save time and make healthier choices. Batch cooking and meal planning can simplify your weeknights and ensure you always have nutritious options on hand.

Meal prepping is a lifesaver for busy moms, providing a solution to the perpetual question of “What’s for dinner?” With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can save valuable time and energy throughout the week. By dedicating a few hours on the weekend to batch cooking and putting meals together in advance, you ensure that wholesome and nutritious options are readily available for your family, even during the busiest of days. You don’t see the true value of meal planning and prepping until the week begins and you are carting back and forth to different activities. Arriving home after gymnastics and knowing that dinner is already there – it just needs to be heated up or quickly cooked is a real blessing when you have children ready to eat!

5. Learn to be present and content

This point is so important. Your intentional lifestyle will look completely different to mine. You are your own unique person with your own tastes and preferences. Your family is unique and your household rhythm is unique. How you choose to live your life and how you order your days should be unique to you.

In our wonderfully connected social and digital age, most of us spend our time drawing inspiration and motivation from so many different sources, creators and influencers. I’ve found that personally over time this becomes a big distraction for me actually being present in my own life and tending to the unique demands and needs of my own heart and that of my children and my husband. When our eyes are constantly looking “over there”, we can easily fall into the trap of comparison as well as building something that is essentially a carbon copy of someone else’s life.

Of course we can get some great suggestions and inspiration from others, but ultimately to be present in our own life journey is where the true beauty lies, and is the starting block to building a thriving experience for ourselves. We begin to learn about ourselves and those that we live with on an intimate level, and this helps us to make decisions that are uniquely ours to treasure for a life time. This truly excites me! Looking at my marriage and focusing on what my husband and I can do to improve it leads us to make intentional decisions that not only will bring us closer as a couple, but create beautiful lasting memories that fill our hearts with joy and gratitude.

Looking at my children and seeking to cater to their unique needs, personalities and interests opens up a whole new world of adventure for us as a family and that is so exciting! The possibilities to be intentional when you are present in your own life is endless!

Establishing and becoming in tune with your own rhythm and pace also frees you up to make a shift when you need to. Maybe you wake up feeling tired, or unwell, or feel like you need a change of environment. Being aware of your unique needs and lifestyle means that sometimes you can change up what you do and how you respond to your feelings and emotions so you can meet your needs in the best way possible.

6. Set Boundaries

Learn to say no to commitments that drain your time and energy, and prioritise activities that align with your values and goals. Setting boundaries is essential for protecting your well-being and maintaining balance in your life. Overscheduling the children can leave you burnt out and feeling discouraged.

Since becoming a mum, I have learnt that I don’t have to say yes to every single invitation that comes my way. With all the social events of friends combined, there is generally always something happening that you don’t want to miss out on, but if you said yes to everything by default, you would never have any time for anything else.

Learning to politely decline invitations and say no to commitments can feel very hard especially when in your heart you want to celebrate with all your loved ones. However being intentional with our time means that we should be able to say no to free up some space just as confidently as we say yes. Recently the boys were invited to a family outing and I felt that it was going to tip me over the edge after an intensely busy week. I was tired and needed a moment to just sit, breathe and reset. In declining to attend, I was able to redeem an afternoon of just what I needed – a little bit of space.

Being intentional is a gift and I am learning to use it without feeling guilty. If declining invitations feels really difficult and unnatural for you, a good first step may be to wait for 24/48 hours before replying to an invitation. This gives you some space to be thoughtful in weighing up your options, feelings and alternatives before responding.

Always remember that you have the freedom and power to fill up or create space in your schedule as you wish. Intentionality is a gift given to us because our time is on earth is precious.

7. Invest in good friendships

Nurture meaningful connections with friends, family, and loved ones by scheduling regular quality time together. Cultivating strong relationships enriches your life and provides vital support during both good times and bad. It is so much harder to do in the season of mothering little children, but connecting with even just one other mother in a good healthy relationship can be such an encouragement and fuel for your journey. Cultivating good friendships as a busy mum is not just a luxury but a necessity for maintaining balance and well-being.

These relationships serve as a vital support systems, providing understanding, encouragement, and a listening ear during the ups and downs of motherhood. By surrounding yourself with like-minded friends who understand the joys and challenges of parenting, you create a safe space to share experiences, seek advice, and find solace in solidarity. Good friendships also offer opportunities for laughter, relaxation, and rejuvenation, helping you recharge and replenish your emotional reserves. In essence, investing in friendships is a powerful hack for navigating and persevering on the journey of motherhood! I am an introvert and I have had to step out of my comfort zone to nurture this area of my life because it is just important.

8. Continuous Learning

You don’t have to hide or disappear under a rug now that you are a mother. Make a habit of learning something new every day, whether it’s through reading, podcasts, online courses, or workshops. Lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp, expands your horizons, and opens up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

As a busy mum, it’s all too easy to let the demands of parenthood overshadow our own dreams and aspirations. However, it’s crucial not to give up on those dreams! Seasonally, we may not be able to put our efforts into everything, and it’s important to accept this as a reality of being a mother. However with a little creativity, planning with our spouses and support, we can still keep connected to the things that we enjoy.

Pursuing our passions and ambitions not only enriches our lives but can also set a powerful example for our children. By carving out a little time for personal growth and fulfillment, we fill up our own tanks, and feel refreshed to pour out to our families. Pursuing some of our dreams allows us to maintain a sense of identity and purpose outside of motherhood, fostering a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness in the long run.

9. Practice graciousness to yourself

Cultivate a spirit of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness towards yourself and others. Motherhood comes with its share of challenges, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-criticism and perfectionism. So many things are left undone and unsaid each and everyday and when we dwell on this alone, we can become incredibly discouraged and burdened with guilt and inadequacy.

Embracing grace allows us to let go of perfectionism, embrace imperfection, and live with greater ease and joy. Giving yourself grace mama looks like this: acknowledging that you’re doing the best you can in the circumstances, and that it’s okay to include self-care and rest when it is needed. It’s a powerful hack for combating burnout, reducing stress, and creating a greater sense of peace and contentment in our roles as mothers. So, let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace the beauty of imperfection, knowing that you’re enough, just as you are.

Now take take these points, apply them and go thrive!

If no one has told you today, I’ll be the first to say YOU’RE AMAZING!

Alethea x

basket with vegetables on stool in kitchen

The Power of your grocery list

Published on by Alethea Awuku1 Comment

In the whirlwind of busy mum life, where time is of the essence and distractions abound, staying efficient and focused is a crucial skill that all of us mums need! Whether it’s juggling work, family, or personal commitments, mastering efficiency can make all the difference, and one seemingly simple yet profoundly effective tool in the arsenal of efficiency? The humble grocery list that we carry in our heads or on a piece of paper each time we go to the supermarket.

Whether you are are a prepper and have your list ready days before you go out, or you are a last minute scrambler, having something to refer to is so helpful when you you face an overwhelming amount of options on the shop floor. If you haven’t realised the power of a grocery list, you’re in for a treat because in today’s blog post, I delve into why making grocery lists is more than just a mundane chore, but an effective strategy in saving our time, money, and mental bandwidth!

Organisation Leads to Efficiency

As busy mums, who have our hands full with different priorities, being organised in the area of food shopping can relieve stress and anxiety when it comes to meal prepping for the family. At its core, creating a grocery list acts as a blueprint and guide for our shopping trips. It’s a curated selection of items we need, neatly organised to streamline our visit to the store. By taking a few minutes to jot down what you require before you set foot in the aisles, you’re essentially creating a roadmap that prevents aimless wandering, unnecessary backtracking and impulse purchasing. More often than not, grocery lists help us stay within the range of our budget which is also a win! I know that I am less reluctant to pick up that cute top in Sainsbury’s when I know that I came in specifically to purchase and tick off the 5 items that are on my list. If I do pick up the top, I accept that it is an extra £15 that I have added to the budget! A list helps to train us in the habit of living within our means, as well as moving with purpose and efficiency.

Minimising Distractions and Impulse Buys

In keep with my earlier point, have you ever walked into a supermarket intending to pick up a few essentials and walked out with a cart full of items you didn’t need? It’s a scenario many of us are familiar with. I then spend a few minutes when I get home trying to hide some of my purchases from my husband! (ha). Without a list to anchor your shopping trip, it’s all too easy to succumb to impulse buys triggered by enticing displays or hunger pangs (I have heard it said that you should never go to the supermarket when you are hungry because you’ll make bad decisions lol).

However, with a list in hand, you’re less likely to veer off course. You know exactly what you came for, helping you stay focused and resist the temptation of unnecessary purchases. This not only saves you money but also time spent deliberating over items you could do without. When I go to the supermarket with my sons, they are given their own shopping lists (as I am training them to be involved) and we are teaching them that the purpose of the list is to help them stay as self controlled as possible.

Maximising Efficiency in Meal Planning

A well-crafted grocery list goes hand in hand with meal planning, another cornerstone of efficiency in the kitchen and home. By strategising your meals for the week and compiling a corresponding list of ingredients, you eliminate the need for last-minute dashes to the store or frantic searches through your cupboards. Instead, you can approach your cooking and planning with intentionality and confidence. In most cases, you can also save some money because if you purchase the exact ingredients need for your meals, everything else then becomes “extra”- and extra is optional, which means it can be omitted from the list for that week.

Empowers Healthy Choices

We are always looking at ways to encourage and maintain a balanced diet for our families and here, a grocery list can be a powerful ally. By outlining your meals and snacks in advance, you’re better equipped to make thoughtful, nutritious choices at the store. Rather than succumbing to the allure of convenience foods or unhealthy snacks (que chocolate and crisps), your list guides you towards more wholesome options that align with your dietary goals. In this way, a grocery list becomes more than just a tool for efficiency; it’s a tool for self-care and well-being. I love this!

Harness Technology for Added Efficiency

In today’s digital age, the traditional pen-and-paper grocery list has evolved to encompass a variety of digital tools and apps designed to enhance efficiency. From smartphone apps that allow you to create and share lists with family members to meal planning platforms that generate shopping lists based on your chosen recipes, technology offers a wealth of resources to streamline the grocery shopping process.

If you have a smart phone, you can create easy lists easily. We use Google Keep, Excel spreadsheets and Apple Notes, and at times I have used spreadsheets to monitor the prices of staple groceries that we purchase every week. By harnessing these tools, you can take your efficiency to the next level, leveraging the power of technology to simplify and optimise your shopping experience. It also saves on waste as you don’t have to carry and throw away pieces of paper.

While it may seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of things, the act of making a grocery list can really help us become more efficient, organised and focus which we always want more of as busy mums! It can sometimes feel tedious to make one but by embracing this simple yet effective tool, you can save time, money, and mental energy, allowing you to approach the task of grocery shopping with clarity and purpose. So the next time you embark on a trip to the store, take a moment to craft your list—it might just be the key to unlocking a more efficient and enjoyable shopping experience.

What do you think of grocery lists? Hit or miss for you? Have you found it to be helpful relieving stress or frustration concerning food shopping?

living room interior with furniture and flowers in vase

How to be happier at home

Published on by Alethea AwukuLeave a comment

This post is to encourage you to know that you can find joy and happiness being based right from home. You can thrive in your own environment when you create the conditions to help support you and your family. It takes time but it is well worth the effort.

By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established; (Proverbs 24:3)

Wisdom helps us to order our lives with intent. The virtue of wisdom has constructive, life-giving qualities. It initiates life, produces good fruit, creates, nurtures, fosters, establishes, and fills a house- a physical house, a family, and even our personal character with strength for our days.

Feed your soul the inspiration it needs

As a busy mum, it is easy to spend my down time binging on things that don’t necessarily feed my soul because I feel tired and drained after a long day with my children. As relaxing as it can feel to go through a series on Netflix in one sitting, or watch countless Youtube videos, it doesn’t truly feed my soul with the inspiration and strength that I need in the long term. After a while I am still left feeling drained which means that it’s imperative to fill myself with spiritually, physically and mentally nourishing “food”.

Finding creative ways to squeeze in things that inspire and encourage our souls has to be a real intentional effort as we seek to shape and stir our minds toward things that delight and inspire us to love our homes and families better. When we pour into ourselves well, we are not only strengthened, but the overflow is like a beautiful fragrance that fills our environment- which in turn blesses those around us.

Some helpful tips include listening to relevant podcasts while cooking, cleaning or having a shower, listening to audiobooks while taking a walk or doing the food shop, and reading books/our Bibles during morning breakfast or read aloud time with the children. Also, identifying an interest that you may have, and finding a small margin in your schedule to engage with it (e.g. exercise, leisurely reading, drawing, cooking etc) helps you to engage with the things that make you you. I’ve found that when I have given myself a little time, I feel a little more refreshed to then give of myself to others.

Taking tasks in bite sized forms to beat overwhelm

Some days just feel very blah and no matter how much you spiritualise or “speak into existence”, it can just be a very flat day that requires things to just get done. As busy mothers, the to do list is endless. As you cross off one thing on your list, five more are added and this can create a lot of overwhelm, and feelings of being buried. Inspiration can be hard to draw upon, procrastination knocks persistently at your door and you just feel like doing absolutely nothing even when you have things to do.

So how can we be happier when we have a never ending to do list? We can break down our tasks into order of priority and categories, and start tackling them bit by bit. The satisfaction of ticking a few things off creates a snowball effect that gives us momentum to tackle the other things. What are the things you want to spend your time on? Prioritise the categories, put the most important ones first and batch/ block them so you feel more accomplished as you tick things off slowly.

This is a great way to be intentional with your time particularly when it all feels like a melting pot of things that need to be done but you don’t want to do it. Intentionality is not about ignoring the things we don’t enjoy, because that creates overwhelm, anxiety and stress. It’s about the management of all the moving parts of our lives and, and taking back the control and order as much as we can. When practiced and mastered, it helps us to live in a much happier, calmer state of mind.

Take stock of all the positives and be thankful for it

We are prone to look at the negatives all the time because there are painful, challenging and frustrating things to deal with on a daily basis. A part of it is the reality of adulthood! Decide that although challenging moments are always there, you aren’t going to camp there. While dealing with challenging and frustrating things, we can still take stock of all the positive things that we do have in our lives and that we have been blessed with.

One of the greatest hacks to be happier at home is contentment. We can make the choice to be content with what we have in our lives, and how our lives look like. This can be a hard one because we live in a time where we see and know everything that goes on in the lives of other mothers and families and it can make us feel as though we aren’t enough and don’t have enough.

Taking time out to write down the things which you are thankful for will help you to realise that you are indeed blessed- everyday! Your life is unique to you and your family and accepting this helps us to truly own it and then look for ways to beautify and enjoy it!

Decide what matters

Following on from the first point, I believe that intentionality means prioritising the things that you do every single day that line up with your personal values and your personality. We get to choose the things that matter to us and this in turn helps build a life around things that we need to do in order to achieve the goal of what matters to us. For example, being outside for some period of time each day is very important to me.

I find walking to be a great form of exercise, but very therapeutic and healing as I get time to pray, reflect, release and just enjoy the movement of my body and my surroundings without feeling the pressure of passing through to get to somewhere else.

As this is an important thing for me, and even more so for my boys, I choose to make it a priority for us to get outside in nature as often as possible. Depending on the day I’ll build our schedule around it or if we are having a particularly difficult morning, I’ll pause, we’ll put our trainers on and get outside for movement and fresh air.

Knowing what matters to you and how you can make steps to achieving that can be helpful when thinking of ways to be intentional as a mother. You don’t need to have a long list of things, but just taking action on a few core areas that are meaningful to you helps you to feel grounded and in control of your life during the busy and quiet periods. Working on a family mission statement is helpful in this area as it encourages you to dig deep to identify the things of value to you and your home. Once you begin to lock in on this, it makes you happier in the home and with life.

Create a Christ-Centered Home

Last but not least, as Christians, infusing our homes with the love and fragrance of Christ brings such peace and joy that really cannot be matched. Cultivating a Christ centered home is essential to the quality and longevity of our family unit and as a multilayered and complex thing that God has ordained to be put together, there is purpose, intentionality, and beauty that can be experienced deeply when we choose to keep Christ at the centre of the home.

We can achieve this by incorporating scripture readings, prayer time, and discussions about faith into our daily routines. Playing worship music throughout the day also really helps to draw our hearts back onto God as well as helping the children to memorise songs!

toys on the floor

5 ways to Navigate diverse learning styles in our children

Published on by Alethea Awuku3 Comments

I looked at my little 5 year old as I attempted to engage him in some sit down learning and I felt two strong emotions. Compassion because I could see he wasn’t just struggling with the task, but he really wasn’t enjoying it. I also felt frustrated because here we were, on yet another day and I felt like a failure at not being able to “crack the code” when it came to winning his interest and attention to sit down and work through some pages with me.

Teaching our children can feel like a very daunting task, and one of the beautiful benefits of home schooling is that learning can be tailored to the strengths of each child, and time can be given to really personalise their learning experience and build their confidence. Equally, it can be frustrating because you are dealing head on with their struggles everyday. If you are feeling overwhelmed with where to start with the different personalities of your children, here are some strategies that you can try which I hope will help:

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1. Identify Each Child’s Learning Style

Learning styles infographic

Understanding how each child learns best is the first step. Common learning styles include visual (learning through images and spatial understanding), auditory (learning through listening and speaking), kinesthetic (learning through physical activities and hands-on experiences), and reading/writing (learning through reading and writing activities). Supporting our children to learn in a way that is natural to them will help them thrive and it will alleviate a lot of the frustration that we and they feel when it comes to growing learning and discovering the word around them.

It takes time and you may have good days and bad days, but I’m learning to just embrace it all and take my time and try to enjoy the process. First born is very much a kinaesthetic learner and so I can exercise wisdom in this area, and instead of expecting and demanding him to do book work, what I try to do with his learning is to break it up into chunks of tasks. He will do what I refer to as core discipline studies which is a few minutes on penmanship, working out some number sums, and a little bit of phonics. Once he has completed that, his reward is working on a lego project or STEM activity which he absolutely loves.

2. Create a variety of learning activities:

Offer a mix of activities that cater to different learning styles. For example:

  • For visual learners: You could use diagrams, charts, videos, and illustrations to explain concepts.
  • For auditory learners: Engage in discussions, storytelling, reading aloud, and listening to educational podcasts.
  • For kinesthetic learners: Incorporate hands-on activities, experiments, role-playing, and physical games.
  • For reading/writing learners: Provide written materials, encourage note-taking, and assign reading assignments followed by discussions or written summaries.

DIY project tasks have worked really great with my eldest because it allows him to use his brain in a very active way which he absolutely loves. He loves to solve puzzles, and find solutions to tasks, so this has really engaged him. I also see how it fuels his confidence because once he realises his strength and what he’s naturally good at, he wants to learn more and he wants to do more. He loves to talk about the things that he’s created and how he has put it together which is so encouraging to hear.

My second born is predominantly a read and write learner. He takes in information that’s written down in a very logical way. He enjoys books and equations so I find that the traditional books work well. He enjoys the typical comprehension, questions and tasks, and figuring things out, so my approach for him, leans towards text, and any visual or auditory representation of an idea, which he does really well with. Seeing these two different learning styles makes me realise that God really makes none of us the same. We are wired so differently, so uniquely, so wonderfully by Him. As a mother, it is amazing to be able to nurture and bring out, and help my children to discover who God has made them to be.

3. Provide Choices

And another way you could figure out your child’s learning style is by providing them with a few choices for different types of work that you want them to complete over the period of a few weeks and observe what they gravitate to. This will help you to know where to lean into for learning activities. You can also engage in conversation with them about things they enjoy and why they enjoy it. This will give you an idea of how to put together their learning and play sessions. Hopefully in doing this, it will help your child to enjoy and stay focused on what they consider to be fun while also learning and activating a huge part of their brains in an activity. 

Offer choices whenever possible to empower children in their learning process. For instance, allow them to choose from different assignments or projects that align with their interests and learning styles. Observe how your children respond to different learning activities and environments. Talk to them about their preferences and experiences in learning situations.

4. Create an environment that makes learning look fun

I am a minimalist calm, create a spa like ambience in my home type of girl, and so the thought of turning my entire home into a nursery or learning class doesn’t quite appeal to me, but I do recognise that for children, visuals are so important for inspiration, for memory, and for representation of where they are in this life stage. My laminator, my printer and Twinkl website are my best friends as I print put together little resources and learning packs for the boys.

I always have to remember that they are children and it’s important to encourage them to see the world with wonder, and to beautify it in a way that appeals to their senses. When I look at it from that perspective, creating a learning environment whether it’s a corner, conservatory, a whole room, or a bedroom seems like so much fun and even an inspiration to myself.  

Creating a fun learning environment can really enhance their engagement and enthusiasm for learning. Most of us don’t have a separate room that we can turn into a magical learning world for them but if we really look around, we’ll see that we have pockets of space throughout our homes that we can use. If you want to encourage a love of books, you could create a small nook with either a book shelf or some baskets and keep a few books there, or scatter small piles of books throughout the house for them to casually pick up. The same can be done with toys and puzzles or whatever their interest may be.

5. Assess, pivot, personalise and pray

We can pray and ask God to give us wisdom to encourage and teach our children, as well as to give the process over to Him to do a work in our own hearts. We all change as we grow and so do our children’s learning styles over time. Keeping our expectations open will help us to pivot when we need to without feeling too overwhelmed. I am trying to be so much more intentional about just enjoying life and enjoying the process with them. The rest will surely fall into place as we journey along.

A book that has really encouraged me in this area is Sally Clarkson’s book: Awaking wonder. As mothers we want the best for our children. We want them to thrive in every area of their lives and we want to give them a strong foundation. However, it’s so easy to lose sight of the wonder that is found in the journey to this destination, and I think that I’ve come to understand how childlike wonder really can become lost in the fog of formulas, strict curriculum and pressure from external things. Helping my boys to engage authentically and confidently with who they are, while leaning into the truth that wonder and curiosity without constraints does empower such a powerful educational experience.

My encouragement to you Mama

“To give a child the gift of time to imagine, to dream, to create, to engage, and to wonder is to allow time and space for his heart to be touched by the beauty surrounding him, for his mind to have room to grow strong on the feast laid out for his imagination, and for his emotions to bathe in the tranquility of a peaceful life in an unhurried rhythm. Then we offer a feast of theology, math, story, literature, virtue, faith, science, nature, art, music and culture upon which to apply his wondering and wonderful mind. To lay this foundation is to give our children beauty and strength of imagination and the strong pleasure of learning and acquiring knowledge over a lifetime. Wonder is the catalyst in shaping a powerful, engaged intellect.”

Sally Clarkson
green plant on white ceramic pot

9 must read books for Christian mothers

Published on by Alethea AwukuLeave a comment

For Christian mums looking for inspiration, guidance, and spiritual nourishment! Whether you’re navigating the complexities of motherhood, seeking to deepen your faith, or simply craving moments of reflection and perspective in the midst of the demands of it all, I hope that these nine books will encourage you just as much as they’ve encouraged me! Each one offers a wealth of wisdom, practical advice, encouragement, and insight, reminding us of the profound significance of our role and the love and grace of Christ that sustains us on our journey.

book gift guide

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here. 

Risen Motherhood: Gospel hope for everyday moments

What I love the most about Risen Motherhood content is how they connect our faith with motherhood. It helps you to life up your eyes and perspective to see things from a Biblical worldview which is so helpful- a needed reminder! It’s not a ‘how to’ book for mothers, but an encouragement that everything we do is by God’s design and for his purposes. Nothing is too mundane or small in this season. <a href="http://<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Risen-Motherhood-Gospel-Everyday-Moments/dp/0736976221/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36R77O3G3K8CM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i1c1n54y9HgHyWdHTlKYFQIpWNnqTlIq6kHyftvbPXThy-Mliaz_jYRQtuR2_wRw1hErTal9_o7mP0IV3YngnRvLor77ky12mxNJjzJLDE1QjxL41YDDbNVi94or5sDoROOXKXhsqJB-xiA3Ee7o7v99j_p3AileJKkOUP-ChcZXh4IYGYei5nZaHqUV_FNsC1mwfCRSrj2V6Gy6RpvfuRPoQ5CCfGGPWAB-MZ_dGvk.GLcNGwmACLTwB_Mc_PVwgroKg3r4e7iR6G7NjGpL2i8&dib_tag=se&keywords=risen+motherhood&qid=1710657442&sprefix=risen+motherhood%252Caps%252C90&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=gracedforhome-21&linkCode=ur2&linkId=4e578b21670ccb6030b08b7fadbf720c&camp=1634&creative=6738">Get your copy

Get yours here.

Shepherding a child’s heart

The first parenting book that I read and it blew my mind away! The wisdom in this book is incredible and very convicting. Tedd Tripp really goes into detail on the importance of looking at the heart of our children and seeking to disciple the heart over correcting outward behaviour. It’s challenging, informative, direct and focuses on Biblical principles and practices.

Get yours here.

Memory Making Mom

If you are feeling overwhelmed with creating new and unique family traditions this book is really helpful in kickstarting it for you. There are so many ideas to bring joy and personlised experiences into your home which is something that all of us want to give to our children. I see it as part of our legacy building and what makes our family “us” so this book is a little gem!

Get yours here.

Awaking Wonder

I love Sally Clarkson and her vision and heart for home. She is an older much wiser and seasoned woman who comes along side you in her books to share the heart of God for our lives and it is such an encouragement and challenge to our hearts as mothers.

Get yours here.

Treasuring Christ

This is a really great practical book that helps us to keep our eyes on Christ in the midst of the busyness and chaotic moments in motherhood. Reading the book shook my preconceptions about the significance of hardship in motherhood, deepened my understanding of biblical teachings regarding trials, and reinforced the truth that contentment and joy can’t come from anything else but Christ.

Get yours here.

Sacred Parenting

It’s not your typical how-to guide, which is really refreshing considering the inundation of parenting manuals that are out there. What I love the most about this book is that it prompts us to reflect on the higher calling of nurturing children for the glory of God. It also gives a lot of practical and realistic tips that don’t feel so overwhelming to achieve.

Get yours here.

Desperate

For this review I’ll have to post the authors statement as it sums up the book perfectly.

Desperate is for those who love their children to the depths of their souls but who have also curled up under their covers, fighting back tears, and begging God for help. It’s for those who have ever wondered what happened to all their ideals for what having children would be like. For those who have ever felt like all the “experts” have clearly never had a child like theirs. For those who have prayed for a mentor. For those who ever felt lost and alone in motherhood.

In Desperate you will find the story of one young mother’s honest account of the desperate feelings experienced in motherhood and one experienced mentor’s realistic and gentle exhortations that were forged in the trenches of raising her own four children.

Get yours here.

Missional Motherhood

A great encouraging book helping us to know that in the midst of all the busyness, motherhood is anything but insignificant and I think it just hits this nail squarely on the head. It is too easy to wonder if anything we are doing is worthwhile because raising other human beings can be so taxing.

The book focuses on the Gospel and how this should shape our desires, and realities in motherhood. The bigger picture from a theological perspective.

Get yours here.

I hope you find these useful!

Affirmations for mothers at home

Published on by Alethea Awuku1 Comment

I am humbled by the breadth and depth of my role as a mother to my 3 boys. I am even more humbled (and often overwhelmed!) by the opportunity to be able to be with them each and everyday – watching them grow and come into their own.

The motherhood journey isn’t easy at all, and yet I truly believe that it is a sacred calling. It is an incredibly enriching and character shaping role in which we need all the encouragement and love to just keep going- one- day-at -a -time. It is deeply refining.

I am guilty of getting lost in the busyness of everyday life and responsibilities (because it all needs to be done!) and I often forget to fill my cup up as I am pouring into others everyday. It is easy for me to reach burnout and I have come to realise that daily short reminders and affirmations are a great way for me to incorporate multiple infusions into my mind and heart as I train, live with, enjoy, discipline and disciple my children.

I am always researching, reading, downloading, printing and creating something for the boys and you must do too! I thought that while we are busy making wonderful resources for our children, we should also be encouraged along the way, because as tough as our motherhood journey is, it is also incredibly beautiful and we can thrive in it by the grace of God.

I created these downloadable and free printable scripture based affirmations for mums. May they encourage, edify and remind you of your significant significant role as mum.

Motherhood Affirmation cardsDownload yours here

5 ways to feel refreshed as a mother

Published on by Alethea AwukuLeave a comment

I love a good refresh and reset, and some days call for it when things don’t go according to plan. In today’s post I’ll be sharing 5 quick and simple things that you can implement as a mum to press the refresh button and freshen up your day!

Tip 1: Tidy up a space in your home

I am a big believer that as human beings that need connection and feed off of our surroundings, the environment that we live in can and does have a big impact on how we can feel.

As a mum of three, it’s quite difficult to always keep the main living areas clean and clutter free. This definitely can leave me feeling overwhelmed. Once day I realised that doing my best to keep my kitchen countertops clean, and the dishes washed made me feel so good every time I walked into that area. It instantly lifted my mood and made me feel somewhat put together to have a small area clean throughout the day.

For you it could be a corner of your living room, the bathroom or even the hallway. Give this tip a go and see if it helps to make you feel a little refreshed.

Tip 2: Take a quick or long walk outside

Since having my boys, I have grown to love being outdoors. Even more so to release all of the boisterous energy out into the open! They get time to run, shout and play while I use the time to literally breath. To be out in the open and specifically in nature is deeply calming to the soul and gives a sense of smallness in comparison to the magnitude of everything.

If I can’t make it out to a park or forest, and the weather is good, simply walking in my garden provides the same effect. When we didn’t have a garden, I utilised our balcony, and it became a place of solace for me to reflect, pray and express gratitude. If you don’t have either, then you can open a window and let more of the outdoors in. It really does help to recharge your day.

Tip 3: Take a shower

This may sound funny, but it really works! As busy mums, it can be so difficult to have time to enjoy a proper shower with all the spa like trimmings (facials, body scrubs etc). When I am able to during the day – I ask my husband for a few minutes and I jump into the shower. The feeling of the warm water and a nice smelling shower gel is instantly calming for me. Some days I sneak in 2 showers, one in the morning and another in the later afternoon just to give myself a boost for the day.

Tip 4: Prepare a lunch that you enjoy

We all know that eating well provides important sustenance to the body and yet it can be really difficult to find the time or motivation to prepare simple nutritious meals that will leave us feeling boosted and not deflated or bloated. Having a few quick meals that you enjoy eating can really be a mood changer when you are having a long or difficult day.

I take time to prepare the meal, expressing gratitude to the Lord for his provision. This instantly makes me feel blessed. Some foods that I enjoy making are scrambled eggs with avocado toast, a greek salad with grilled chicken, tortilla wraps, (root) vegetable soup, smoothies and grilled or roasted vegetables. These tend to be my quick go-to’s which leave me feeling happy because I have nourished my body.

Tip 5: Write down 3 things that you are thankful for

I love this one because

It can encourage you to pause.

To think through things.

To breathe.

Journaling and writing down encourages us to always come to God with a heart of true, sincere gratitude- which is so life transforming. It helps us to be very intentional about our thanksgiving to God. With very busy days, it can be easy to forget about the things that you are grateful for but choosing to carve out 5-10 minutes in your day to express gratitude helps you to stay focused on the things that truly matter in your life.

Have you tried any of these tips? I would love to hear in the comments below! There are so many other things that we can do to refresh and recharge ourselves as mothers. Feel free to comment on more to encourage another mum.

Morning get ready hack with 3 boys!

Published on by Alethea Awuku2 Comments

Getting children ready in the mornings can be a pretty stressful and daunting task, especially when you have more than one! The tantrums, protests and distractions can send you over the edge at 6.30am before the day has even started.

With my three boys, there can be several things happening all at one time, not to mention rummaging around their room looking for clothes for them to wear. One morning I thought to myself ” there has got to be a slightly better way to get a handle on getting ready in the morning”.

I decided to start with the night before and prep the clothes that they would wear for the next day, so that at least that would run smoothly for me. I was hopeful and my effort paid off. In the morning when they awoke, each one went to their pile of clothes, and got on with trying to get dressed by themselves. I injected a little bit of fun into the process by initiating a competition -which they of course loved.

That’s when I realised that this system would really work and in addition to making it easier for myself I could use this as a teaching and character nurturing moment- each and every day. So the next day we took a trip to Poundland and picked up 3 boxes, labelled them and had fun filling it with clothes that they helped pick for the next day.

Most mornings, they wake up between 5.30-6.00am when I am exercising. They have a lot of demands at that time (ha!) so I direct them to their box, and they now know that when they wake up, they need to go straight to their box and change into their clothes for the day.

This hack has worked so well in encouraging each boy in the area of independence, routine and responsibility so I thought I’d share as it is a small but big shift that has unexpectedly changed the flow of our mornings!

If you try it, let me know how you get on and if it improves the chaos of the mornings!