As a busy mum, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day. Between work, school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurricular activities, and household chores, it can be a struggle to get everything done in a day, let alone find time for yourself! But what if we told you that you could save an hour or more every day? That’s right, by implementing a few simple changes to your cooking and cleaning routine, you can create more time for yourself. Here are some magic tricks to make time for you:
Plan Your Meals in Advance
One of the biggest time-wasters in the kitchen is not knowing what to cook for dinner. Instead of scrambling for ideas at the last minute, take some time each week to plan out your meals in advance. This will save you time, money, and stress. Plus, you can make a grocery list based on what you need, which means you won’t have to make multiple trips to the store. Supercharge this idea by involving the kids. By getting them invested in the meal choices and letting them be in control is a surefire way to avoid (or at least reduce!) mealtime fussiness and dinner table tensions!
Use a Slow Cooker and Embrace One-Pot Meals
Another way to save time in the kitchen is to use a slow cooker. These appliances are the BEST for busy mums because you can prep your meals in advance and let them cook while you’re at work or running errands. Plus, there are countless recipes available online that are quick and easy to make. Further to the slow cookers, any one-pot meal is your new best friend. They’re easy to make, require minimal cleanup, and can be customised to fit your family’s taste preferences. Some ideas include soups, stews, chili, and stir-fry dishes. Make a big enough batch and you might even get away with leftovers for lunch the next day – add a serve of rice, veggies or salad to bulk it up even more!
Get Everyone Involved
No matter the age, if your kids are old enough to follow basic instructions then enlist their help in the kitchen. They can help with meal prep, setting the table, and cleaning up after dinner. This will not only save you time, but it will also teach your kids valuable life skills. Plus, studies have shown that kids who are involved in cooking and meal prep are less likely to be fussy and more likely to taste new foods. Win win!
Do a Little Every Day
Cleaning the entire house in one day can be overwhelming. Instead, try doing a little bit every day. For example, you could vacuum one room per day, or wipe down the bathroom sink every morning. By breaking up your cleaning tasks into smaller chunks, you’ll save time and avoid burnout. To make this work even better, take ten minutes to write up a short weekly plan of what to do each day. Having the chores broken down into bite size pieces means that psychologically it seems easier, plus it reduces your mental load of having to decide what to tackle each day.
Declutter and Simplify
The less stuff you have, the less time you’ll spend cleaning and organising. This might take a little more of an investment up front, however by taking some time to declutter your home and simplify your belongings you will give yourself much more time in the long run. If you’re really struggling to even find time to declutter, try having a box or basket near the front door that you can use to throw in items for donation as and when you think of them. You could also consider implementing a “one in, one out” rule for every new purchase.
Outsource Where Possible
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of outsourcing some of your household tasks. By hiring a cleaning service to come in just once a week, or even once a fortnight, you will free up so much time for yourself. If you can’t commit to a recurring service, you could even consider just a one-off reset to give yourself a well-needed pause to catch your breath and focus on what really matters.
Saving time in the kitchen and with household chores doesn’t have to be difficult. By implementing these simple tips and tricks, you can carve out an hour or more every day for yourself. And remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your family. So go ahead and create some time for you!
