How to organise everything in my life OS?

mum2one

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate, I def agree with the lists, i have them everywhere, also house cleaning, go room by room, then set yourself a time limit, 5 mins - 15mins for the jobs then set yourself a max time limit.

Is there any way you could maybe drop a day at work for now while you get things sorted.

Cooking go for simple things, bulk of mince - ready for mince beef and onion pie, shephered pie, spag bol.

I have fallback winter recipie
Sausage and Tomato casserole.

8 sausages - sometimes skin them and make them into ball shapes, or chop in half
1 x tin toms (chopped if you can - if not mash down with a fork)
1 x tin baked beans
1 x onion chopped
Pepper (any colour)
Frozen or tinned Veg

---

1. Cook the sausages under grill till there brown
2. fry onions in bit of oil till soft and golden
3. Put these both into casserole dish
4. Add chopped pepper, vegetables
5. Add tomatoes baked beans
6. Bake for 45mins to 1 hour - Gas 5 (check elec)

--
Can be cooked in casserole dish, or in slow cooker
Double up the portions and freeze - tend to freeze mine in individual portions

xx

Fruball

Being a single parent is hard - it's damned hard. I am a single parent of twins aged 6 and I am finding it no easier than I did 3 years ago even though they are at school now!

I only work part time and my house is like a bomb site.

So... Don't beat yourself up! Life is doing a good job of that all by itself at the moment so don't be hard on yourself.

Does your ex pull his weight where the children are concerned? I know mine doesn't. When he did (a couple of years ago) life was considerably better than it is now so if you are able to get him to help out more with the kids, then take advantage whenever possible.

Things will get better

pinkypig

You must be exhausted so don't be too hard on yourself.

I am not a single Mum but I do work full time in a demanding job with long, inflexible hours and it can be tough. I too live my life by lists - meal plans, shopping lists, things to do lists, Christmas and birthday present lists and a wish list (in my head but it is nice to dream!!)

I find that meal planning has transformed our household and our food budget. It really takes the stress out of your evenings just knowing what you are making and having all the stuff you need. It also gives a bit of variety (my kids used to groan when the pasta pot came out 5 nights out of 7 because I could't think what else to do!).:D:D

My kids are older than yours but they have had their jobs for as long as I can remember. Just having someone to clear the table and unload the dishwasher helps. :j Also, they do stop moaning after a while honest!

Best of luck and enjoy those kids because the rest of really doesn't matter.

PP xxx

scaredy_cat

get a slow cooker, you can put the ingredients in it in the morning and it will be ready by the time you get home!

bupster

I never have any time to prep the slow cooker in the morning - but I find that if I do it the night before, switch it off in the morning, I can come home and scoop it out in the evening - I have an old fashioned crock pot so I don't mind leaving it to cool down slowly during the day.

Betty_Crumble

defo meal planning and use the fridge, I mean the front of it! magnets are your friend.
Meal plan for a week the day before you go food shopping and write/type it up and put it on the fridge.

Work out what the kids can do for themselves the night before and write a tick chart up and put it on the fridge.
(ours goes something like;
empty and wipe out lunch bag
letters to mum
football/swimming/p.e. kit ready for morning
homework/read
bag ready
shower/teeth brushed
kisses and cuddles
really works in our house and gives younger ones a sense of achievment when theyve ticked things off, also will help with independance)

Cleaning routine/rota/chores; split jobs fairly so everyone knows whats expected and put it on the fridge

make lunches, iron clothes, put bags near front door night before and that way you'll just about get away with an extra ten in bed in the morning and if your lucky like me you'll get a coffee made for you first thing, thats rule no.1 one in my house, non negotiable lol, one in the morning and one when i get home from work. Sounds like boot camp i know but also on the fridge is what night is movie/craft/pamper night. We are also going to have a baking day on sat afternoons soon. Gosh i can waffle, hope you work something out, good luck.

VfM4meplse

heavenleigh wrote: »

I found having a movie night with the kids (Friday so no school in the morning) with a home made pizza and some popcorn worked really well at relieving the stress of everyone in the house (kids memories aren't built on money spent, they are built on quality time)

Ain't that the truth.

I bet you're an amazing mum :T

monnagran

My salvation is the kitchen timer. It's amazing what you can do in 10 or 15 minutes if you are trying to beat the timer. It makes it fun for the children too - "All toys/books/colouring/things etc. in the box/basket/cupboard before the bell goes."

When you are surveying a complete tip the dot-to-dot method is good. Choose one thing -a table - chair- sofa - corner, set your timer and clear it. Then when you have another 10 minutes spare clear and clean another place. eventually the room is (fairly) organised.

I endorse what bess said about fly lady. Never go to bed without clearing and polishing your kichen sink. Goodness knows how, but it works.

Good luck.

x

ragz_2

You've had some great advice here. Regarding cooking I would really recommend a book called 'How to feed your family a healthy balanced diet...' subtitled something like 'when you have little money, time, a rubbish kitchen and only a few pans...'
It has easy basic recipes and tips - I have a copy lying around that I don't use any more, if you want I will gladly post it to you for nothing. It's got everything you could need in it, advice on budgeting and meal planning as well as the recipes. PM me if you want the book

Good luck with the sorting, it really is all down to 'a little at a time' - you CAN do it.

MrsLK

Thank you for all the responses everyone... I really do appreciate all the tips and advice and have started to create some lists

I have dug out my family planner diary that I bought a month ago and started jotting tasks down, little ones to start with

I sorted through my wardrobe last night so have an ebay pile and a charity shop pile so deal with at the weekend

I have started to write up a little chore list for my DD's and a picture one for my DS so they will be produced and explained shortly lol!

My best mate came over last night and wrote down her recipes for shepherds pie/spag bol/beef casserole etc. so I have a shopping list out of those!

Can't thank you all enough... keep em coming as it really is the motivation I need.

XXX