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Being a parent is hard. So hard.
When I was younger, I felt like I had no empathy (or clue) about what it takes to be a mother. Let alone a working mom or parent. Now as a seasoned parent I want to pass on some of my favorite time-saving hacks.
Get Groceries Delivered or Pick-Up
The pandemic changed the game for me. Before I would dread going to the grocery store on my way home or on weekends. A mom is just trying to rush home to see her babies. Last thing I wanted to do was go through the store with my shopping list.
Not to mention I am starving. What a money trap that was! Did I need this roast or box of Oreos? Well, no, but it looked good! So here we are…
Now I schedule my groceries for pick up. What a novel idea?! I take off from work, swing by the store, they put my groceries in the back and off I go. Painless. My store of choice is Fred Meyers, but most places offer a pickup service or even delivery.
Additional bonus! I have staples I order often. Since I am consistent Freddies has coupons for me to use on the app and gas rewards. Saving time and money.
Other services out there are Amazon Prime, Postemates, Door Dash (in a pinch), etc.
Automatic Coffee Pot
This is for my coffee lovers out there. I know this may be an unpopular opinion but drip coffee with creamer is what makes my mornings work. I bought an affordable coffee maker from Target. Set a timer for it to brew before my husband leaves for work. It keeps it hot for 4 hours or until I get up whatever comes first.
There is nothing like having coffee ready to go. Many mornings in my house are rushed. I need that coffee. Having it automated shaves minutes and stress off my morning hustle.
Robo Vacuum
I remember when Robo Vacuums started to get popular. I was like there is NO WAY I am spending that kind of money on something I can do myself for free. Then I got pregnant with my second child. We had a smaller house with 2 dogs, 2 cats, hardwood floors and a 4-year-old. The hair and dirt had to pile up somewhere. I would sweep constantly. Sometimes 3 times a day.
I caved. I saw a eufy model on a Black Friday deal and thought it was worth a shot. If it breaks, I am not out much but if it works I will love my life forever.
Here is the one we have https://amzn.to/34nyXdo
I love this thing so much. It is slim enough it fits under my couch, kitchen cabinets and bed.
It is programmable. Replacement parts and filters are affordable and easy to find. I just don’t have much more to say except sweeping is not a twice a day chore anymore!
Fast Snacks & Breakfast
I am huge about working smarter not harder. I love to cook but only when I have time or want to. In the mornings when I am trying to get ready I don’t have time to cook a full on meal unless I want to wake up hours before everyone else. I know that works for some but not this mom. I love my sleep.
For breakfast: I will have pancakes or waffles I made before and froze. I pop them in the toaster and serve. Takes minutes and the kids LOVE it.
Another favorite is when I make smoothies on a Sunday. I will make extra and put them in popsicle molds. My son thinks he is getting a popsicle treat but I know he is getting a healthy breakfast.
Snacks: I love to have berries in mason jars, sliced bell peppers, oranges, baby bel or string cheese, salami, and Kids Clif bars (Zbars) for easy snacking. On days where I don’t have time to cook or just feel completely lazy its kids’ charcuterie plate for the win!
Shared Digital Calendar
The hardest thing about being a working parent is keeping up with EVERYTHING! Appointments, events, family gatherings, housework, the list goes on and on.
I love my Google calendar on my phone. I always joke if it doesn’t go on the calendar, it doesn’t get done. When my son started school, I synced the school’s calendar to mine. I had to know with accuracy what days in advance I needed to get off or those I needed to negotiate with my husband.
Finally, I found a way to share my calendar with my husband too! Game changer. He put it on his phone’s home screen, and now we can both stay informed. We put everything on there and nothing should fall through the cracks.
We are all human right?
Schedule Time
Scheduling things in advance is huge. If I get a haircut I have them schedule the next one, then and there. The invite gets sent to my email and I add it to my calendar. I do this with doctors’ appointments, dentist, haircuts, work out classes. Everything. Again, if it doesn’t go on there it doesn’t happen.
Car Detail
This sounds silly to put this on here but if you can afford it do this once a year. Kids are rough on cars, and it is usually a neglected area but also the most used. Think about how much you use your vehicle.
Stress is reduced big time when you have a clean car. Having it done for you just makes it that much better. Some detailers will even pick up and drop off your car while you are working. Check references of course but talk about winning my business.
Don’t underestimate the power of organization and cleaning and what it will do for your mentality.
This brings me to my next hack.
Declutter and Organize
I can feel your eyes rolling. This is something we all know we need to do but seems like a never-ending chore. I tell you what. Once it is done you can breathe. I got so fed up with all my clutter that I rolled our big trash bin right outside the window closest to the problem area and started tossing things. If it had not been used it in 6 months, it was out. If I didn’t like it but felt obliged to keep it, it was gone. No, I don’t miss it, feel guilty or even remember what I threw away.
Do it girl. Just do it. You’ll thank yourself later.
Buy a Shampooer
Trust me. You need it.
When I called around locally to see how much it would be to have someone shampoo our sectional and large area rug I was quoted at minimum $300! I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 kids and a husband. There is no way I was going to do this even twice a year for that price. Then I started to look at renting one.
First, you have to rent the machine which could be $35-40 a day. Then you have to buy their special formulated cleaner. Not to mention make sure it is available. Then pay a deposit… Yada, yada, yada. I told my husband I am making a cleaning investment decision for my sanity. I bought a small shampooer first which was a life saver during the potty training stage for the dogs and my son.
Then the big one a couple years later when I purchased a large white area rug. I have zero regrets. If you have pets or kids (or both) you need at least one of these in your life!
Click the link or pictures below to see what we use!
Staple Meals or Fast Meal
Always have easy staple meals or quick freezer meals. I know we all strive to be the healthy parent serving fresh, amazing food every day but be real to yourself. Sometimes frozen pizza, chicken nuggies or breakfast for dinner is what you need to do for your mental health.
Your kids will think it is awesome. The big picture is raising your littles, providing a loving environment, and keeping them safe. Last, I checked a chicken nuggie never hurt anyone.
Remember you can’t pour out of an empty cup. Stay grounded and sane. Don’t let invisible “rules” keep you working extra hard. No one is going to give you a trophy. Although I know you deserve one.
Audiobooks
I love to read. I really do but after kids, I would be lucky to get 15 minutes of quiet time. What do I do? I listen to audiobooks. I use Audible because I love to buy and relisten to books. I also share it with my husband who will listen to them after me.
Don’t have money to spend. Check out your local library. Many offer audiobook rentals. Typically, you can download their app and listen directly to your phone.