Mum life can get pretty chaotic sometimes, especially if you have a big family or a full time job. At times it can seem like the to-do list is never-ending – but there are actually lots of cool hacks you can use to make life easier for you and your children.
Here are 10 of our favourite time saving hacks for organised mums.
1. Set Out Clothes (And More Importantly, Bags!) The Night Before
Make mornings less stressful by setting out clothes and packing bags before you go to bed. Make sure to include socks and shoes with the clothes, and pack homework and school books so you don’t have to rush around looking for things in the morning. You can also pack school lunches in advance – just make sure to store them in the fridge overnight, rather than in the backpack!
2. Make A Birthday List in January
Every January make a list of important birthdays throughout the year, and then buy all of the cards you need. This might feel expensive at the time, but it means that you don’t have to worry about birthdays for the rest of the year. You can even buy gifts during the January sales if you are feeling particularly organised!
3. Wash P.E. Kits Straight Away
Throw P.E kits and swimwear in the wash as soon as your children get home, and once they are dry put them right back into the kit bag. This means your children will never have to wear a stinky swimming costume – and you also don’t have to spend every morning hunting around the house for goggles or trainers.
4. Make A Family Emergency Kit For The Car
Make a small emergency kit that you can keep in the boot of your car. Include a basic first aid kit, a few bottles of water, lots of baby wipes (after all, you never know when someone will vomit or spill in the car!), an old towel and some granola bars. This means you will be prepared for most surprise situations, even if you are 100 miles away from your home.
5. Use A Coffee Maker With A Timer
Do you struggle with busy mornings every week? If so, it could be worth investing in a coffee maker with a timer, then set it to make coffee when your alarm goes off. This means you’ll always have a hot, ready-made beverage to help you start the day right!
6. Create A Family Wall Planner
It can also be useful to put a family wall planner in the kitchen (where everyone can see it). Make a column for every person in the house, and attach a pen with a string so people can easily add events or cross off chores. Include different chores for different family members, as well as important events (for instance, if you use virtual accounting services you may want to schedule monthly meetings with your accountant).
7. Do A Monthly Cheap Shop
Every four weeks head to a cheaper shop (such as Wilko’s or Pound Stretcher) and buy cheap items in bulk (such as washing up powder or coffee granules). This will save you a lot of money over time, and it also means you have a larger range of products to choose from.
8. Make A Bathroom Cleaning Caddy
Make a small bathroom cleaning caddy with all of the cleaning products you need (such as bleach, window cleaner and surface cleaner). Wipe down the bathroom every day after you shower to stop hair and debris building up – in fact, you can even clean the shower while you are in it if you are feeling super motivated!
9. Prepare Meals With A Slow Cooker
Do you own a slow cooker? If so, consider using it on busy days so you don’t have to cook (or spend money on takeaway!). There are lots of healthy, child-friendly slow cooker recipes out there; all you need to do is throw the ingredients in in the morning, and you will come home to a delicious meal!
10. Delegate Work
Finally you may want to delegate tasks around the house. Delegation is a great way to free up time (it’s why so many people hire us for our virtual accounting services!), and it also teaches your children about responsibility. So consider delegating small jobs to them; maybe your son could help with the washing up if you cook, or maybe he could tidy the living room when you tidy the kitchen.
Did you like this article? If so, click here to discover more of our favourite parenting hacks.
