The best of the Australian single mum Facebook support group
This article first appeared in our single mum support Facebook group and was published due to its popularity.
Spare time is something single mums rarely have, and time-saving tips can be a single mum saviour! One of our Facebook single mum support group members came up with a list of some fantastic time-savers that we thought really deserved to be shared so that all could benefit!
Read on…
Single mum savvy time-saver cheat sheet!
Hey mummas 🙂
I am a single mum of 3 and I work. I wanted to share some things that have gotten me through when I haven’t had the time to even scratch myself!
1. Buy longlife milk and keep in the cupboard at all times, just in-case
2. Have a spare loaf of bread in the freezer!
3. Keep money, even if just coins in the car, just in-case.
I’m forever getting caught out without cash on me!
4. Use a calendar!
I have a calendar on the inside of my pantry door for all events, birthdays etc.
5. Have a rewards chart for yourself!!
I know this sounds crazy, but it keeps me going and feeling like I’m still accomplishing things even the little everyday things.
My rewards chart has – school lunches, pack toddlers day care bag, preps reader, feed animals, dishes, etc and I tick it off every night.
6. Do a mid week wash!!
I used to wait for the weekend to do a mid week wash but now I smash it out through the week! When I get home from work I throw a load on. While dinner is cooking it’s washing and when I’ve put the kids to bed I hang it while watching tv… life saver in this house!
7. Get the kids bathed and showered before dinner!
I used to have dinner then do the bath/bedtime routine but now I put dinner on, bath and dress the kids, pack school lunches etc and then sit at the table for dinner. I’ve found this saves soooo much time! Once dinner is done it’s teeth, reader and bed.
8. Alternate kids bath and showersÂ
My kids find ways to argue even when in the shower so my 2 youngest bathe together one night and my eldest has a shower in privacy the next night. ( he’s 11 )
9. If dinner isn’t ready by the time the kids are bathed and in PJs, once their room is clean they have free time
🙂 since they’re checking their rooms every night now they’re actually staying clean! Crazy right?!
10. Have a white board with weekly meals on it each week that you stick to.
I have a white board with weekly meals on it that I stick to each week.
If it been a crazy day and I’m out of whack, tacos are my go to meal! Quick and easy and I just throw all the ingredients on the table and let the kids self serve. Cut up tomato, capsicum, cucumber, carrot, Canned corn, lettuce, a tub of Greek yoghurt with a spoon and bam! Dinner done 🙂
11. I’ve heard meal prepping is amazing!
But I am yet to do it. But I have found now that I’m doing a mid week load of washing 1 or 2 nights, and have my checklist, the kids have time to clean their rooms each night etc I’m now not wasting my weekend cleaning anymore so I could easily meal prep one day over the weekend.
12. Greek yoghurt!!!
Greek yoghurt has been a little gem in my household! It’s so versatile and you can buy the big tubs.
I use Greek yoghurt with fruit for the kids as a snack or in cooking as a healthy and cheaper alternative.
Meal ideas:
* quick spuds. Spuds in the oven in foil and served with cheese and Greek yoghurt.
* home made pizza with Greek yoghurt and flour as the base.
* instead of sour cream on nachos, tacos, burritos…
* cream pasta dishes, stroganoff etc…
1 tub can last me a few meals!
I hope some of these tips have helped someone as we all grow and learn/adapt. Please add something below in comments that you’ve found has helped get you through and changed your life for the better 🙂
AnneMaree Chapman
Single mum, and member of the Australian Single Mum Support Facebook Group.
