Full time working mum. Time management tips needed

amalis

Mornings are the worst for me. The baby wakes up at 5am and would not let me do anything else

Top_Girl

Batch cook or get up a bit earlier and utilise a slow cooker.

At least once a week, buy a ready cooked chicken and some salad and a baguette or similar. It might not be quite MSE but if you shop well, the difference isn't huge and tea is sorted then.

Wash up as you go, invest in a dishwasher. Be a less messy cook!

Plan your days. When I finished my degree, I was a working single mum studying for an exam. I got up at 5, studied for 90 minutes, got ready for work and put tea in the slow cooker, got LO up and to school, went to work, picked LO up, home, washer on if needed, LO reading book and homework, tea, LO bath, an hour together, him in bed by 8 at the absolute latest, an hour to myself, 2.5 hours more studying, made sandwiches and salads for the next day, bed by midnight and so on and so forth.

LO doesn't need a playmate, LO wants a playmate. If I was making something complicated, I'd sit LO on the opposite work top and he'd read his school book to me as I cooked. When he was younger, I'd pop him in his baby walker and let him skid up and down the kitchen as he couldn't reach anything dangerous, and couldn't get out himself.

thriftylass

amalis wrote: »

Mornings are the worst for me. The baby wakes up at 5am and would not let me do anything else

When do you leave for work and what do you two do till then. Maybe we can give some tips how to try and adjust your routine and incorporate your sons needs and yours. There is no right or wrong, just try a few little changes. It will get easier

amalis

I wake up at 5am becausemy son wakes up at this ungodly hour. I feed him and then usually he watches a cartoon or he wants to play with me. Either way i have to be in same room because he need to ve watched and he would cry immediately if i leave. I also try to have a nap and manage sometimes. Make breakfast for oh and i. At 7 the childminder comes. My oh leaves home at 7am amd i have 45 min left to prepare myself to work.

thriftylass

Do you have an ipad? He could watch his cartoon in the kitchen. Let him cry. He'll adjust or follow you. I get up at 6 or 7, depending on when kids are up. Feed me and the kids (5,2) and then they play in the kitchen while i do dishes or washing etc. OH gets up 5 min before we leave at 8, so not much help either. Luckily i only need 5-10 min to get ready. Try and get DS a cloth or brush to play and copy you while you wipe or sweep. Could you steal 15 min from your 45 while the childminder is in to prep dinner? I also highly recommend a slow cooker.

I dont enjoy weekdays much either but live for the weekend and have lowered my tidyness standards. Look into "flylady", it works for some.

amalis

I can probably find 15 min in the morning ,but what can I cook in 15 min?

missbiggles1

amalis wrote: »

OH works even longer hours. I leave home at 8 and return at 6;30, and he leaves earlier and comes back a bit later.. He cant cook by the way .


My cleaner comes every 2 weeks, but daily tidying up takes a lot of time

I don't really understand why as you both work such long hours, the baby's in the nursery and must go to bed soon after you get in. What do you do in the few evening hours that messes the place up so much?

(I'm a particularly untidy person myself so this isn't as critical as it sounds, just puzzling.:))

AylesburyDuck

amalis wrote: »

I can probably find 15 min in the morning ,but what can I cook in 15 min?

She didnt say cook, she said prep.
Maybe sort your vegetables out, find which spices you need and pre measure them, grab the pans you'll be useing. That kind of thing. You'll be amazed how much that shaves off cooking time.

cyantist

I know it's not ideal as it increases shopping costs, but with pre-prepared veg and already diced meat you could easily sort a slow cooker meal in 15 mins.
That would save 30-40 mins on the evening and another advantage is there's much less washing up to do afterwards

missbiggles1

cyantist wrote: »

I know it's not ideal as it increases shopping costs, but with pre-prepared veg and already diced meat you could easily sort a slow cooker meal in 15 mins.
That would save 30-40 mins on the evening and another advantage is there's much less washing up to do afterwards

It takes about 10 minutes to put a couple of jacket potatoes in the oven, grill/fry some chops/sausages/etc and cook some frozen veg.

Family evening cooking doesn't have to be a round of making elaborate curry/pasta/casserole dishes to avoid serving ready meals.