Being a busy mom can be difficult. If you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, you’re not alone! With never-ending to-do lists and packed schedules, it can be hard to accomplish everything you need to do in a day. Although you can’t add hours to your day, you can make the most of the time you have. And with these 10 time saving tips, you may just end up with a few extra minutes to yourself each day!
Prep the Night Before
One of the most hectic parts of most family’s mornings is getting everyone ready and out the door on time each day. By doing a little prep work each evening before bed, you’ll be able to save yourself some time and stress the next morning. There are a variety of tasks you can tackle in the evening, including laying out outfits, packing up backpacks and briefcases, making lunches, and setting the table for breakfast. Think about how much time you’ll have in the morning if you handle these simple tasks each night before you lay down to go to sleep.
Wake Up Before Your Kids
Let’s face it – once your kids’ feet hit the floor in the morning, the chaos begins. But waking up just 15 to 20 minutes before your children can make a world of difference in your day. In addition to getting a few minutes of peace and quiet before the kids wake up, these few extra minutes can give you a chance to grab a quick workout or catch up on chores or work before the day even starts.
Take Advantage of Tech
Today, technology is everywhere. Let these technological advances work in your favor to save you time each day. Since you already have your phone with you all the time, use a few of the millions of apps available to simplify your day. Skip the trip to the bank and deposit your check on your phone, create a grocery list online and pick up the order on your way home from school, or keep track of your family’s appointments using your phone’s calendar.
Cook Once, Eat Twice
While some days you have a few extra minutes to create a delicious meal for your family, there are other days you struggle to find the time to cook a frozen pizza! Make sure your family has a homecooked meal on the table no matter how busy you are by doubling your recipe on those slower nights. Most cooked meals freeze well, which means you’ll have an extra homecooked meal you can toss in the freezer for use on a busy night.
Get Organized
Having an organized home is a simple way to save time and energy each day. That’s because in an organized home, everything has a place, and you’ll know exactly where everything is when you need it. That means you won’t waste 10 minutes every morning searching for your keys or your son’s backpack as you head out the door.
Don’t Go Anywhere Empty Handed
Do you struggle with clutter in your home? If you feel like you spend too much time picking up your house, make those tasks part of your everyday routine, instead. As you move through your home each day, keep an eye out for things that are misplaced. When you leave the room, grab the misplaced item and put it where it belongs on your way to your destination. In addition to keeping your home clean, this method will also help you cut down on the time you spend cleaning each day.
Let Your Dishes Soak
How much time do you waste scrubbing dishes each day? Instead of tackling the dirty dishes right away, place them in the sink to soak for a little while. When you wash the dishes, the stuck-on food will slide right off – saving your tons of time on this dirty chore.
Be Prepared on the Go
As you run errands with your kids, being prepared will save you tons of times. One great way to always be prepared while on the go is to pack a travel bag with everything you’ll need for a day out with the kids, including diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, snacks, sunscreen, books, and toys. Keep the bag in your car in so it’s ready when you need it.
Have a Routine
A routine is one of the best ways to save time each day because things done in routine are accomplished faster. Whether you arrange a morning routine or a weekly routine, scheduling your time will help you accomplish more in a shorter amount of time.
Just Say No
If you’re over-booked and stressed out, adding another task to your to-do list is never the answer. Sometimes you just have to say no to save your sanity! If you’re having trouble prioritizing things on your growing to-do list, take a few minutes one evening to decide which items are most important to you and your family. Then, work your way down the list to figure out some things that can be cut. Saying no to unneeded tasks is one of the simplest ways to free up time in your day and decrease your stress levels at the same time.
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