Simple Ways to Make Your Life Easier as a Busy Parent

Some days, it seems like the minute your feet hit the floor in the morning until you tuck them back under the covers at night, you never stop moving. That’s life as a mum, and it applies whether you have a paying job or not. Although you wouldn’t trade motherhood for anything, it sure can be exhausting. Thankfully, there are ways to make your life easier, no matter how busy you are or how packed your schedule is.

Create a Family Calendar

This seems like a no-brainer, but if you don’t have a family calendar, you’re missing out. There’s much more to it than scribbling appointments on sticky notes and putting them on the fridge, only to have them fall off and disappear forever. Iit doesn’t have to be high-tech, either.

Some families might prefer a physical calendar that can be written on — a dry-erase board is ideal for this since things can be easily removed or added. Plus, everyone can see everything at a glance, which is especially helpful for young children learning to read.

However, you might prefer an online option you can refer to on your phone. The most important thing is to find a system that works for you so you have your whole day planned out when you wake up — no more missed playdates.

Reward for Chores

Sometimes, it seems there are more things to do around the house than there are hours in the day. Make things easier on yourself by putting your kids to work in the form of chores. Assign them a daily task to do based on their ages. For example, have preschoolers put their toys away before getting ready for bed, and have older ones unload the dishwasher or run the vacuum.

Give them an allowance so they can learn the value of pay for a job well done. This will help them experience budgeting — plus, they’ll no longer bug you to buy them a candy bar at the grocery store. They can do it themselves.

Your children aren’t the only ones who should be rewarded. Say you tackle a massive project like cleaning the refrigerator or all the house’s baseboards. Give yourself something to look forward to, like an extra hour of sleep or time with friends. Your brain will begin associating cleaning with a dopamine boost, which will give you the motivation you need to push through.

Have Fun With Food

Break out of the food rut by planning fun-themed dinners instead. It’s common knowledge that meal planning makes your life easier, but it can also be fun to create different dishes on a schedule throughout the week.

For example, you could plan crockpot Mondays, taco Tuesdays and air-fryer Fridays. You might try something new each time, like fish tacos one week and soft chicken tacos the next. Have your little ones help you come up with fun and easy ideas to try.

Use tools to make your life easier. Air fryers make great chicken nuggets without having to use oil, and crockpots are especially helpful since they cook your dinner all day and are easy to clean up.

Set a Bedtime Routine for the Kids — and Yourself

Establishing a bedtime routine for your children will help them drift off to sleep easier and give you that alone time you crave at the end of a busy day. Get your little ones in the habit of taking a bath, brushing their teeth, getting cosy in their pyjamas and snuggling in bed for storytime. A schedule like this will signal to them that it’s time to wind down and get some rest.

Don’t forget about yourself, too. After the kids are asleep, watch a favourite TV show, share a glass of wine with your partner or indulge in a bubble bath. You can look forward to these things all day as a reward for a job well done.

Simplify Your Life as a Mum

Life can be challenging at times, especially when you’re a busy parent. Make things easier for yourself by using hacks that ease the burden. That way, when you hop out of bed in the morning, you’ll be ready for anything.