I've been doing this single mum gig for almost 3 years now, and it sure has not been a walk in the park! Even Jurassic Park would be easier.... Over the last 2 months (yep, it has actually only been that long) I've had to readjust to doing things for myself since my sister-wife went back home. I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. I've even managed to clean my house twice this month!! Well I say house, I mean the lounge and dining area. Pretty much everything else can have the door closed and bam the mess is gone! (not endorsed or approved by bam, please don't sue me)
This brings me to life hack number 1.
Don't be pedantic about keeping your house clean! Kids live here, it's meant to be messy. Accept that the little monsters will trash the joint in a tenth of the time it takes you to make it picture perfect.
Alternatively, you could probably not let the mess pile up for weeks on end.... if you do a quick pick up and sweep every night after they go to bed, you'll get a chance to admire your handiwork. Make sure to instagram that!
Life hack number 2.
Reuse your dishes during the day! Don't get a new cup every time you make coffee, rinse it out in the morning and it's good to go again for the afternoon. Same goes for plates. I use Norwex (I also sell it if you're interested in more info...) so I know a quick wipe over with my kitchen cloth is all I need. You could also ditch the use of crockery and cutlery, especially if your kids are like mine and just use their hands anyway.
Life hack number 3.
Wash the dishes while you bath the kids. Obviously not in the same water... Mine are 5 & 7 and cannot be quiet in the bath, so I know they're alive. Usually the whole neighbourhood knows when they're in the bath.... We generally have dinner, bath, bed so I like to make the most of my evening by not spending it at the sink! I could probably save even more time by just feeding the kids in the tub then hosing them off....
Life hack number 4.
Do the washing at night. Every night. Or at least every second. Don't let it pile up!! This is usually done after getting the kids in the bath and before washing the dishes. I have a highset house with a washing line underneath so there's no tripping over airing racks or going outside in the dark.
My super efficient laundry hack is hanging each person's clothes together on the line. Then when I take it down I fold as I go and distribute the piles to their owners.
Life hack number 5.
Make lunches at night. This is one I haven't been doing lately, but I need to start again. Not that my kids can decide on what they want for lunch that far in advance anyway. I do my meal prep on weekends and have a freezer full of containers I can choose from. Makes lunch and dinner so much easier!
Life hack number 6.
Online grocery shopping!! This one is my biggest life saver. I've never liked doing the groceries. I always get way too much that isn't necessary (the 2 for $5 offers always get me! I don't need any Tim Tams, but I'll take 2 for $5) Dragging 2 uncooperative kids around the supermarket is painful and I lose my shit at least once very trip. So now I do my order online Thursday night and pick it up on the way home Friday night. Then I have the whole weekend free! I still end up at the supermarket once or twice a week for extra milk or fruit, but I can usually manage to duck in after work before picking up the kids. I don't really know if it's saving me any money, but it's definitely saving my sanity.
These are just some of the things that have been helping me survive life at the moment. They may not work for everyone else, you might have better systems in place to make things work for you. But if you think my ideas could help you out, give it a crack! Feel free to share any of your own life hacks too :)
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