Being a parent means barely ever having any time to get anything done, let alone having time to yourself. It can be a huge struggle to balance parenting and your other commitments in life, while still trying to find time to relax now and then. One of the best things parents can do is get more organized and start using techniques to help them save time here and then.
Some things could save you a few minutes a day, while others could mean you manage to get back hours every week. Keep reading to find out about some of the ways you can save time by being a little more organized.
Plan and Prep Food
Preparing food can be one of the most time-consuming things as a parent. Even if you take it in turns to cook, you can find it takes up a big chunk of your time. Not only do you have to do breakfast and dinner, but you may need to make lunches for school and work too. One of the ways to save time in this area is to get super prepared. Be more deliberate about planning your meals so that you know exactly what you need to buy each week. Prepare food in batches when you can, and freeze it or put it in the fridge for later. Get breakfasts and lunches for the next day ready the night before. Keep track of the frozen meals and leftovers that you have too.
Run Errands Together
A lot of things can be done online now. However, there are often still errands that you need to do in person, whether it’s going to the bank or picking up some groceries. When you have to go out and run errands, try to do several at the same time. It might feel like it’s taking up more of your time, but it’s likely to save you time. Instead of taking several separate trips, you can get everything done at once. You’ll save more time if you run errands that are close to each other, so you don’t have to spend so much time driving or sitting in traffic.
Shop Online
Sometimes you need to go to the store to get what you need. However, it’s not always necessary to take a trip just to pick up a few things. You can save a lot of time by shopping online, even if you end up having to send some things back. It’s even possible to reorder my contraceptive pill online, so there’s no need for a special trip. You can buy all sorts of things online, making it much easier to get everyday tasks done. If you’re really short on time, even ordering food to be delivered can help you.
Clean as You Go
Some parents spend a lot of time on the weekends cleaning up the chaos that has been created over the week. Instead of doing this, you might find it’s better to try and clean as you go. Use a little bit of time in the evenings to do some cleaning or try to clean up after finishing a task. You might wipe down the kitchen after cooking or clean the bathroom after giving the kids their baths, for example.
Decide What Matters
Everyone has different standards of tidiness and cleanliness. Your standards don’t have to be the same as the next persons, even if you feel the pressure to keep a perfect home. Maybe you have to have super clean floors at all times, but you don’t mind if the bed isn’t made. By setting your priorities and deciding what matters to you, you can save time by cutting out the things that you don’t really care about. Of course, how clean your home is when it’s just you and how clean it is when you have guests over might be different.
Give Everyone Tasks
The whole family can help around the house and with other things that need to be done. It’s important for everyone to play their part, and for it not to all fall to one or both parents. Everyone can do something to help you save time, whether it’s the kids keeping their own bedrooms tidy or making sure both parents are involved with organizing the family schedule. When you all have things to do, you can make sure you all have your own time too.
Parents can save time using lots of tips and tricks. You’ll get some of your personal time back so you can enjoy yourself more.
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