Being a calm and organized parent can be tough. We can read “effective parenting techniques” until our eyes glaze over, when sometimes all it takes is a simple lifestyle change to help make life less chaotic.
Here are some simple tips to help create a calm and organized household
Get a Slow Cooker
If you don’t have one already then this purchase will be the best investment you’ve ever made.
Put aside some prep time in the morning. Leave it all day on slow cook. At the end of the day you have a tasty meal waiting for you.
Stockpile Essentials
Keep a loaf of bread in the freezer and a carton of long-life milk in the cupboard. There are lots of other basics you can keep on hand for those ‘oh no!’ moments.
If you haven’t had time to shop this is a great fall-back plan.
Shop Weekly and Plan Each Day’s Meal
Take some time to plan each day of the week, taking into account work commitments, school commitments, sporting activities and social activities. Plan around busy nights and cook good nutritious meals on nights when you have more time to dedicate to the kitchen.
Stockpile a Range of Birthday Cards
Buy a stack of cards at once and keep them stored for when a birthday pops up or escapes your attention. You could even go one step further and have a small box of gifts prepared. But, only if you have the space!
Wash Every Day
This helps keeps the loads small and manageable. You may need to purchase or dummy-up an indoor clothes line to suit the weather . It could be a rack (clothes airer) or retractable lines. You can hang them in your garage or in the bathroom or even just a larger room in the house. Perhaps you even have a clothes dryer?
Keeping on top of Mount Washmore will keep you sane.
Schedule Your Chores Into Small Tasks
Whether you do them yourself or have help from others living in the household, schedule tasks in small chunks. It will save that overwhelming feeling you get when you know you have 2-3 hours ahead of you cleaning and tidying. If you do a little bit everyday it will ease that burden.
Designate Responsibility To The Kids
If your children are old enough, allocate daily jobs to help you. Taking out the trash. Wiping down bathroom bench tops. Vacuuming their rooms. It all helps keep you sane & gives them a sense of household responsibility.
Learn To Say No
You can keep control of your life by saying No. And it’s ok! It’s a great time management strategy. Here are some nice ways to say no.
Grab A Bunch of School Supplies
Avoid that late night request informing you a glue stick, pencils, notepad, batteries etc are required for the next day. Kids don’t plan, that’s why you need to be on top of the game! During the sales at the start of the school season stockpile some stationery items that are commonly requested. If you have room, store them in a tub, drawer, or basket somewhere.
Keep Up To Date With Your Medicine Cabinet
There’s nothing worse than going to the first aid kit & finding it depleted. Keep up to date with things like:
- Kids medicines for fever, headache, aches & pains
- Headache tablets for yourself
- Vitamins (if you take them)
- Band aids
- Strapping
- Antiseptic cream
- Bacterial wipes
