You can Delegate

Life as a mom can be a wild rollercoaster, with a never-ending to-do list, that can leave you feeling exhausted. But guess what? You can let go and the world won’t end. Actually, learning to delegate and let go is often the best way to feel more in control. In this post, we’ll explore the art of delegation and learn how letting go of outcomes can bring peace, balance, and a little extra sparkle to your life.

For more on how I learned to delegate and let go, read my blog Out of Control.

Ask for volunteers

We’ve all been there. You’re juggling work, household chores, and the never-ending demands of family life. It can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. So let’s start by asking for help.

I know. Often it’s just easier to do it all yourself. But, what if you let go of the outcome? What if the thing you delegate, at the end, doesn’t match your vision or the way you’ve always done it? Ask yourself why that matters and if it’s about you. If it is, let it go.

What is the objective?

Delegating tasks to your spouse, kids, or trusted friends can lighten the load and give you the breathing space you need. But remember, if you try to control every aspect of what you’ve delegated, your family will be less willing to play along. Be clear on the objective and focus on that instead of the method of execution.

Consider these examples:

• Your sixteen year driving carpool for his younger sibling. You’ve given him the address of the younger kids homes and the final destination. Does it matter if he picks up James before Madison? Or which route he takes? Sure, it may cost him a few extra minutes of drive time, but so what? The kids got to their destination safely and you didn’t have to do it.
• You spouse is cooking dinner a few nights a week. He pulls out whatever he can find in the kitchen and cobbles together a meal. It’s not what you would have done but everyone is full and happy. And you didn’t have to cook. (Growing up, we called these “Dad dinners.”) Of course, you can talk about parameters and ideally which food groups each meal should contain, but let go of the rest.
• Your ten year old is doing her own laundry. After helping her a few times, the clothes don’t get folded perfectly and they don’t get put in the drawers right away (or ever). Who is that harming? Sure, we would like things to be nice and orderly, but you’re not living in her room so let it go.

Amy Morin, LCSW has some more ideas and tactics on what and how to delegate to older kids and teens.

Allow vs. Control

It’s natural to want things done your way. But loosening your grip on control can bring unexpected joy and harmony into your life. Allow your spouse to plan a surprise family outing or let your kids prepare a meal. When you relinquish control, you not only empower others, but you also give yourself the freedom to enjoy the delightful surprises and unique experiences that come with it.

Remember, it’s not about being bossy. Delegating is about sharing responsibilities, allowing others to learn, and creating a supportive family dynamic.

Delegate for harmony

The goal with all of this is to create a nurturing and balanced environment for yourself and your loved ones. When you’re balanced, you can better nourish everyone and create more positive and meaningful connections. You no longer think about being out of control, but about how you want to feel.

Delegate and empower your family to rise as a team. Then embrace the freedom, joy, and harmony that comes with trusting others and focusing on what truly matters—love, laughter, and precious moments together.

If you’re looking for more ways to Create More Time in your Day, Download my Free Guide.