Tips for Busy Moms Getting Through a Hectic Work Week
School has been back in session for weeks now and the days have gotten more hectic. From work deadlines and Zoom meetings, school commutes to doctor’s appointments, shopping, PTA meetings, getting your kids to dance practice, football practice, theater rehearsals and everything else, things are bound to get hectic. Stay organized and power through it! Check out some of these hacks to help you handle it all.
Use Dry Erase Boards & Planning Tools
Develop a planning system for your family and lay it out visually. Dry erase boards, highlighters, post it notes and markers are a smart way to layout the family’s schedules, grocery lists, chore charts and more. Pick up planning supplies like markers, dry erase boards, post it notes, erasers, stickers and more; make it visually appealing and eye-catching so that everyone stays alert and on the same page. Have daily or weekly check-ins to make sure everyone is looking at the charts and keeping up with all the duties on there. Using incentives and encouraging a little competition goes a long way to keep everyone using the system, so try giving away little ‘prizes’ like being exempt from doing dishes one day or getting a little extra allowance booster for good grades on their homework, for consecutive on-time work and more.
Lay Out the Next Day’s Clothes
How many times have you found yourself fighting with your kids to get going? Kids (and adults!) waste a lot of time choosing their outfits in the mornings if they go to a school that doesn't require uniforms. Have them lay out their outfits the night before. Have them pick out which pants or leggings they’re going to wear, the matching tops and the shoes along with all their socks and underwear so they’re not digging around in dressers and drawers or trying on a million combinations of things in the morning. It will save you time and sanity in the end to help your whole family have smoother mornings!
Meal Planning & Prepping
Imagine not having to spend time thinking about what to make everyday. Planning out your meals ahead of time can be a huge time saver! Just planning your meals can help, but if you can go as far as prepping them out and having your meals ready to go in tupperware, you'll be amazed at how much time you’ll free up. Stock up tupperware and get to meal planning!
Choose Delivery Whenever Possible
You don't always have to do it all yourself! When it comes to errands like laundry, dry cleaning and groceries, using apps and delivery services can help you save a tremendous amount of time every week. If it’s something you can work into your budget, services like these will save you gas and valuable time in the long run.
Treat Yourself to Take-Out
Some nights you just need a break from cooking or eating meal prepped food. Choose a night out of the week when you can make it a pizza night - or if your family likes Mexican, Thai, Chinese or other cuisines; wings or whatever your favorite meals are - and spend the night playing board games or video games with your kids instead of worrying about cooking! It’s a great way to bond and spend time together while giving you a break from cooking and enjoying a well-deserved break from a long week.
