Struggling to balance everything

MaddyWaddy

I am looking for a bit of help from people in similar situations to myself. I work 3 days a week and my DD is 18 months, before she was born I was really organised and meal planned however I have never been good at keeping on top of the housework.

I have been reading previous threads but I am still struggling to find the right starting place

My hubby works nights so co-ordinating is harder at the moment although it is practical for everything else - we are trying to get into a routine but it seems to fall flat with in a week or two.

I just don't know where to start and it is becoming increasingly easier to have meals from the freezer. I don't want to bring my daughter up like this but cost of my shopping is spiralling and trying to get back to basics as well as on top of everything else is wearing me down.

I have tried the grocery challenge but I always assume I know what I spend when in reality it is often a lot more ... I am tracking this month already. I don't always have access to a computer so I am printing last weeks fly thread out to try doing that

Any tips on finding the right balance?

grandmasam

Hi maddywaddy I put all my spends in a notebook daily, then check what i have food wise in the house weekly.This goes in the notebook as well.From this I can see where the money is going, and more importantly, it gives me ideas for meals to make that are easy and quick also healthy.
This i did for a month and now its a habit.
Don't stress yourself out at being 'perfect mum'! after 40 odd years of trying, i've accepted i'm not!! Weezls website is great for cheap family meals that are nutritionally balanced.
Remember, your'e doing great!
Caz

Edit, google cheap family meals

karenccs67

I use a spreadsheet to monitor our spending, on the left hand side I list the total income for the month and then list all the essential outgoings and subtract, mortgage, council tax, gas/elec etc, this leaves a balance for the rest of the month that has to pay for food, petrol etc, when you see the balance getting smaller and smaller it really makes you think about needing something.

As for housework, make a list of jobs that need doing, daily, weekly, monthly and just cross them off as you do them, dont stress out it, enjoy your baby too.

MaddyWaddy

Thank you - I already use a spreadsheet but at the moment I seem to be constantly re-jigging it

Thank you for the tips - I will try the daily, weekly and monthly tasks ... every little helps making life easier

ETA - I have Weezles meal planning and organising. Will be making some kind of list over this week to try and get myself sorted.

Little_Vics

When I was struggling for time I block booked a day in the kitchen and made loads of meals for the freezer - I don't know if that will work for you?

pickle54

I work 30 hours a week, 3 days a very long commute. So on the days I'm home I'll cook double and freeze, or make something for the freezer- pasta bake, spag Bol, lasagne, shepherds pie, fish pie, sausage pie. Only problem I have is that the meals that freeze are of the stodgy variety....but we have lighter meals on other days. I often do a roast chicken on Mondays so on tues we have cold chicken, salad and microwave rice.

MaddyWaddy

Thank you for your replies. I now have a second freezer so I am planning on doing some bulk buying and cooking on Saturday

I've start a bit of a timetable to try and get the house back in order so we shall see how that goes

Will nip over to the grocery challenge for ideas for meals that can be frozen

Thanks again!