can we have a definitive thread of what we all do to make going to out to work managable?

[overthemill]

eg get cleaner, online shopping etc
it would really help I think!!

i have got a cleaner
set up online shopping
got home based childcare

[Cappuccino]

get out of bed

put clothes on

eat breakfast

[overthemill]

apart from the bleedin obvious perhaps capp???

[indiechick]

I work locally which helps, took a pay cut to do so, but it definately helps. DH commutes hour each way and it was so much harder when I was too.

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

arrange my shifts so that dh can look after the children.

try not to end up with two jobs after months of not being able to find one job

dh has agreed to take over the ironing

[Tortington]

hang up uniform.

only do washing on a saturday.

want a cleaner but feel terrible about it

[trixymalixy]

All clothes laid out and bags packed the nught before.

[SixSpotBurnet]

Only iron your own work clothes (if necessary). School uniform does not need ironing. DH can do his own.

Getting out of the house in the mornings: Work out what time you need to leave, then work back from that time, making a list of everything you need to do for yourself and the DCs and yes it does include getting up, showering/dressing/make-up, getting DCs dressed, breakfast, clearing up, packed lunches - just write down EVERYTHING with a time beside it by which it must be done. Sounds anal but it really works.

If you can, get up before your DCs.

Sit down on Sunday nights with DH/DP and work through everything that is in the diary for the coming week. Get him to make notes too of everything that is his responsibility (mine, today, is to go to Robert Dyas and buy fox repellent, pepper dust and a humane mousetrap - oh the glamour!).

[Tortington]

there is such a thing as fox repellent....hmmmmmmm i think i need some

[WideWebWitch]

have a housekeeper

work from home as often as you can so you can 'steal' time and do things that need doing

pay bills by direct debit

bank online, manage it from work if you can

lay out EVERYTHING the night before, your clothes, their clothes, book bags, sweatshirts, coats, shoes, the LOT

Make sure children have to get dressed before they do ANYTHING else

have toothbrush sets downstairs so they don't have to go back up to do teeth before leaving for school

don't do anytihng you don't have to do

[WideWebWitch]

Have a dh who pulls his weight

Make lists, like some mad compulsive madlady list maker

[PrimulaVeris]

Lots of lists and spreadsheets

Have one period each week when you plough through school newsletters/money reqeusts/party invites etc and action them

Do everything night before

Accept some things have got to 'go' - whatever you choose. Could be less housework, less cooking, less ironing - whatever.

[Sunshine78]

Be organised and write dates on a calendar which is in a place you can easily look at.

Bulk cook meals at a weekend and freeze for quick healthy meals in the week.

[annh]

Mobile charged at all times with EVERY number you can possibly ever need in relation to children - schools, after-school activities, relatives, parents in dc's class, hospital, doctor,etc, etc

NO TV in the mornings!

[bossykate]

i really don't get why you have to lay out uniform the night before - it takes literally seconds to get it out surely?

[WideWebWitch]

bk, my children can make getting dressed into a production of epic proportions.

[WideWebWitch]

"But I didn't WANT THAT skirt, I want the other one and I can't find it and I want YOU to find it" ad nauseum

[MadreInglese]

ROFL @ WWW

I fear I am becoming a mad compulsive madlady list maker

[bossykate]

admit to total ignorance re teens!

oh mine are champion footdraggers too - but it's not the actual removal of the garments from wardrobes/drawers that takes the time...

btw, www, do you have a housekeeper?

[WideWebWitch]

Bk, in my dreams I have a housekeeper!

My sister is talking about getting one. I am like this ---> .

I do usually have a cleaner who tidies AND puts things away, inc clothes. And I have a woman who collects the children after school and brings them home and feeds them and tidies up after them. And a dh who pulls his weight.

but no housekeeper

[Cloudhopper]

online shopping
cleaner
understanding and flexible employer
supreme nagging skills?

helpful priceless dh - he cleans, cooks and now even does the school uniform.

am honestly tempted by housekeeper, but would it be a bit silly living in a flat with one?

I often toy with the idea of giving up work, despite all the above.

[tonton]

weight-pulling dh (cooks, shops, does childcare)

No ironing at all

clothes out night before

Kind neighbours for emergencies!

[overthemill]

weight pulling dh? hmm. p**s taking dh, maybe