Here are some time-saving hacks that can buy you some extra time to spend with your family.
Have a daily schedule or routine
Especially if you’re a stay at home mom, you can let the time tick away and get away from you. Make and set a specific schedule for the day that you don’t let yourself deviate from. Set the alarm or stopwatch on your phone/microwave/Alexa, so you stick by these times for when to change tasks.
Outsources groceries + snacks
Everyone is running around from place to place during the school season, and sometimes you just don’t have time to make it to the store. Outsourcing snacks for those busy weeks ensure the pantry and fridge are stocked without having to spend an hour or more at the store.
Hello Fresh is a meal delivery service that comes weekly; you get to choose your meals, the amount of meal you get, and the portion sizes.
Thrive Market has healthy, top of the line organic products from groceries to supplements to clean supplies and beauty.
Place online grocery curb-side pick up orders so that you don’t have to go into the store. All you have to do is pull up while they load it all into your truck for you. The best part is you can add and edit your cart when the order is placed up until 24 hours before you go to pick it up.
When it doubt Amazon Prime has everything you’ll every need, from groceries to batteries and diapers.
Get Organized
I know this sounds simple for some, but the cleaner and more organized the house is, the easier it is for you to productive. Organizing your kitchen pantry with clear containers, bins and spice holders will make you feel superior when you’re trying to make breakfast, prepare lunches, and get that dinner preppier for after school. Bins with lids, storage units, and anything that allows a label is precisely what you need to feel put together. If you have all the items you need to use in organized bins or compartments and know where everything is, you will be more productive and less stressed.
Let technology take some of the mental load
You can automate just about anything with smart devices, and the tech is only getting better. Some of our favourites are Google Assistant and Google Home Hub- you can create reminders for everyone in your family, so you don’t have to. They can make phone calls for you, add items to your shopping list, read your instructions for a recipe, and numerous other things.
If you have an Amazon device instead, you can create morning routines for both you and the kids. With an Echo Dot Kids Edition, you can tell them breakfast is ready or customize alarms or checklists to guide them.
Meal Prep and Planning
Most people like use Sunday to do their meal planning and to prep. Make a schedule of your meals for the week with a list of ingredients. Prepare as much of these meals at the beginning of the week as you can so you’re not stuck in the kitchen for long. Try to make meals that overlap ingredients, so you’re buying less and enlisting the kids and husband to help out! This is an excellent time for your kids to start learning how to do chores and help out in the kitchen, and if you have toddlers, they just love imitating their momma.
Sync calendar with your partner
Sometimes life gets SO busy, and the best of people can forget essential tasks, or you have to switch up schedules last minute, so your partner needs to pick up kids from daycare when you usually do. Find a way to manage a calendar that works for you both and sync it up every Sunday, so everyone knows who is doing what and going where. Paper planners and whiteboards in the kitchen are great, but we like doubling up with the digital calendars because it’ll send an alert or reminder.
Saying NO
You don’t have to commit to everything asked of you! Whether it’s a PTA meeting, a birthday party, or a gathering. Saying no to the extras to use your spare time to be with your family is always the right answer.
Establish a command centre
If you’ve ever spent an extra 20 minutes searching for your kids homework folder at 7 am or looking for your keys, you’re not alone. Mornings are often the craziest time of the day for any family. Set aside an area in common space that serves as a command station. Maybe it’s a mudroom, or you have a designated space in the kitchen. This is where keys, phones, chargers, homework, notes that need to be signed, and anything else essential needs to go. Get the family in the routine of putting everything in the chosen spot when they get home, so you never waste time looking for things. If you’re limited on space, an on-the-wall organizer like this is a great solution.
House Cleaning Services
Cleaning is never on the list of things to-do, there just isn’t enough time to clean toilets or dust the top shelf in your living room. Most of the time, many moms only have time for quick tidy ups, but definitely no deep cleaning. This is when hiring someone to come in and do the nitty gritty detailing of the house every couple of weeks is a great thing to do to give yourself extra time to do other things.
Reduce Screen/Social Media/Phone Time
We’re all guilty of wasting too much time on our phones and falling down a rabbit hole of social media. The new iPhone update even has a way you can schedule downtime from the phone and apps. You can set times of the day where certain apps and services won’t be available based on what settings you choose.
