Single parent working full time mums how are you keeping on top of everything?

[Frazzledfranny]

I’m failing massively!

Split up with ex last year and started up my own business after being a SAHM.

Things started to go to pot in the last lockdown as I was working from home and trying to homeschool and it’s never recovered.

I work one day of the weekend so try and do something with the kids on the other weekend day which leaves me less time to sort the house out. I’m shattered all the time! I’ve taken my eye of the ball with dc homework so they are getting told off in school because I’m spinning plates all the time.

What are your routines for keeping on top of the house work, work and kids?

Help!

I am not a single mum any more, but I was for five years or so. During this time I worked in a senior, stressful job. I just made a conscious choice not to worry about the state of my house. I was a lot happier and more sane for it!

I went food shopping today as I forgot to book a delivery slot... it took more than an hour and a half, probably 2 hours by the time it was put away. Online shop (once you’ve done 3-4 and it has your favourites) takes me 5 minutes. I do this on my break at work.

Give dc jobs to do and when doing a clear out, don’t get overwhelmed - one room or section at a time.

Wipes for bathroom and kitchen. Give dc wipes for skirting boards and a duster to wipe stuff. It won’t be perfect but better than nothing.

Book a one off spring clean but set job as helping tidy too.

One morning a week I drop my kids to before school club a bit early and do a 20 minute tidy blitz before the cleaner comes/I start work. I never cancel the cleaner - I just apologise if the house is super untidy.
I try and get the dishwasher and washing machine on each morning before school.
I try and not stress about the mess!

Be kind to yourself and celebrate the wins!!

I find doing quick bursts of tidying / cleaning to a timer helps me get it done quickly
Start and finish times strict for work
Meal prepping is a big one for me

Exercise and chill out time for me really help me mentally

We are not super hero's - just do what you can xx

One of my biggest problem and I don’t realise how much it affected me, is the shear amount of crap in my house.
Toys, papers, clothes. Boot full of stuff for the charity that sits in the boot for months because I don’t have time. Baskets full of bits picked up from the floor.

But I’ve started to just throw it away, not saving stuff for the nonexistent car boot sale, or eBay. Just throw it out.

It means we have more space for the stuff we need and I won’t spend wasted time Looking through piles for the stuff we need .

Cleaning was the first thing to go. I keep the house very tidy but not clean. Just wipe surfaces as I go.

Chuck washing in the machine every day
Do the kids' lunches as their dinner cooks
Get older child to do homework on her own every morning during the week (she's 10)
Have a big burst of "getting things done" and then every evening chill out and do what I like so I'm not stressed
Online shopping
Buy lots of their clothes and shoes etc in eBay bundles or from Amazon

It does get easier as they get older and don't need the same level of physical intervention and plastic crap in every room.

The day they could get themselves back to the house from school independently for the first time really changed things. Before that I used to sprint around getting things done at work so I could get away to pick them up. It was awful.

Re housework I do little and often. I also charity shop stuff virtually every week. Once it's outgrown, it's out the door.

When DS was younger I worked full time and studied for a degree and I honestly dont know how I did it! I juggled things constantly and slept very little. My DF used to say that as long as everyone is fed and no one dead I'd done a good job.

But I wasnt doing it in the middle of a global pandemic. I would try and eat one good meal a day rather than junk food and just do what you can.