Timesaving tips for busy parents

gibson123

Never go anywhere with empty hands and teach the kids the same.

Place items in strategic places for carrying around, items for upstairs we pop on the stairs for the next time someone goes to the loo. Items for downstairs we pop on a dresser for carrying downstairs.

kingfisherblue

krustylouise wrote: »

I like idea of a coffee in bed and putting washing in dryer first thing.

Thanks

It's bliss Louise, especially when my daughter gets up for an early shift and brings my coffee without me getting out of bed . She also puts the washer and/or dryer on as well.

Another tip, for those with younger children. Providng they are old enough to sit in the bath, supervised, you can whip the cloth around the bathroom when they are in there. Obviously it means having your cleaning stuff ready before putting the little one into the bath, and you still need to supervise them at all times, but I found it worked well when mine were little. To make sure they still had my attention, I would chat and sing to them whilst they played with their bath toys. The cleaning was done very quickly, and didn't seem like a chore at all.

kingfisherblue

kittiej wrote: »

Like kfb - On the day I collect the boys from school I get there early to both get parked and read my Open Uni books. I've just started taking my little flask as well.

This thread is showing where I'm going wrong lol.

I've taken my son to his helicopter group today - he flies remote control models as a hobby. It never seems worth driving eight miles home, then back again, so I take a flask with me. This afternoon I've had a 45 minute nap, read some of my book, and spent half an hour sewing .

The dishwasher was on before I went out, so as soon as we came home I emptied it - the kids have to put all their dishes in there themselves. It's so much better then having a sink full of dishes!

Tonight I'm sorting and cleaning the fridge. I find it useful to make this a two person job. I empty everything and pass to my daughter. Whilst she's checking dates, I clean the shelving. A five minute job together, and a chance for a quick chat.

ERICS_MUM

I've got one of those wicker baskets on 2 levels that sits on the stairs. Anything for upstairs goes in it then when I go up to bed I take it up and put the contents away.

I don't over-fill the washing machine and tumble dryer so clothes come out relatively uncreased. I put shirts etc on hangers straight away and just smooth them out a bit with my hands - collars, cuffs, button placket.

When I worked I sorted out undies, tights and clothes for the whole week on a Sunday evening and put each day's on one hanger in the wardrobe ready for mornings. I decided which shoes I would wear each day and give them a good clean so they just needed a quick dusting in the week. Decided on handbag, jewellery, accessories etc and put them out. Tidied purse (got rid of all those bits of paper and receipts that hide inside), withdrew enough cash from the atm.

Then I'd check the bathroom to make sure there was enough shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste for the week so I wasn't dashing around at 5.30am.

Brighton_belle

We have a strict rule that nothing is ever ever left on the stairs, as that's an accident waiting to happen.

mwa

Every few weeks get a load of change to use for school dinners/clubs/snack cash etc, enough to last a month and either envelope up into the weeks worth or keep loose in a pot somewhere.

Use a stair basket to save all those trips upstairs during the day (unless you are on a diet!)

Get yourself a fridge notepad and when your shopping is delivered make a note of meals for the week, whether the food is fresh (if so what is best before date) or if it's in the freezer - easy to see at a glance what needs using up and eat accordingly.

Batch cook flapjacks/banana bread etc, portion up and wrap separately in the freezer for packed lunches.

Wash the bathroom floor after the kids have had a bath- get an old towel and wipe around in all the nooks and crannies taking advantage of the wet floor!

Carry tweezers and a nail file with you, take advantage of any waiting in car times to do those beauty jobs you never get around to.

Mwa

fluffnutter

Just lower your expectations. Most of the stuff that keeps people busy is totally unimportant.

sweetme

Buy only one colour of socks/gloves. Saves time pairing them and when one glove/sock is lost it will always pair with another.

kingfisherblue

sweetme wrote: »

Buy only one colour of socks/gloves. Saves time pairing them and when one glove/sock is lost it will always pair with another.

My older son loves wearing odd socks at the moment - it drives me mad :rotfl:. Red and black stripes with Ben 10 anyone?

fluffnutter

sweetme wrote: »

Buy only one colour of socks/gloves. Saves time pairing them and when one glove/sock is lost it will always pair with another.

I get the second point - it's one of life's inevitabilities that your washing machine will eat a couple of socks - if they're all the same colour your chances of having usable pairs will be greater.

But I'm not really feeling the first point.. if you've not got time to pair matching socks then you need to slow down! Life's not so busy busy busy that you can't spend three seconds looking for the other sock.