SAHMs how do you organise yourselves?

[SophyStantonLacy]

I've been a SAHM for about 10 years on & off, but have just moved back to the UK from a different lifestyle overseas and struggling to get back into the swing of things again. I have two kids in primary school and one preschooler (he will be going to pre school 2 days a week in the autumn)

Last time I was a SAHM here I had a napping child which was a key part of my day for getting my head straight & doing admin. Now there is no naptime! I find myself forgetting to do necessary admin tasks (lots at the moment as applying for a mortgage), only realising at 3pm that I don't have anything for supper etc. Would love to hear how other people cope...

I've been a sahm for 11 years. I have had periods of working from home with odd days at clients but basically I don't normally work.

I plan meals weekly ...based on how my day will go, what clubs etc are after school. So Wednesday I can cook something that takes longer. Tuesday is often homemade soup the kids can eat before swimming etc.

I am not massively house proud...which helps...I stayed home to do things with the kids - not to keep the house clean everyday.
Lol.Soo when they were little our schedule was revolved around play school, soft play,, park morning etc I would do a wash first thing, try to Hoover etc before going out. Life admin was often in the evening - although if you have calls to make then lunchtime would normally be good as child was tired from morning activities and would chill for a while (or sleep) and watch some TV.

As you can tell a schedule massively helps me - otherwise I don't get anything done. And I find the kids love schedules and routines.

School holidays it all goes to pot unless we have firm plans. So I do tend to try to plan a few things each week.

We moved last year....my husband did the mortgage application one Saturday afternoon. It took hours on the phone to the bank but that was it. The actual move, solicitors and sale was reasonably easy. We paid the moving company to pack for us - that was the best money ever spent.

You'll find your groove. Just find what works for you. We are all different. My cousin gets up at 6'30 to do her housework - her house is immaculate. Then has the whole day to herself. (But her kids can't have friends over to paint in the kitchen or make pizza etc Because of the mess). Some mum's are gym bunnies. Some spend lots of time with family members. I have a friend I've always seen once a week with her kids and to keep us sane!

I planned meals per week, bought a slow cooker and discovered children are hypnotised by people unwrapping plastic eggs on youtube. I used that if I wanted to clean something for ten minutes or so or a phone call to the bank or whatnot.
I also kept a loaf of bread in the freezer for emergencies.

Are you generally a very disorganised person?

Yes, I'm generally fairly disorganised, but I really notice it's worse at the moment - feel like I've really lost my mojo.

We moved back to the UK in March after 2 years of travelling, now in a new rural area 300 miles away from the city we used to be in. So it's a different lifestyle again to get used to.