What do you do/have to make your life easier?

[Fitforforty]

As a family we are struggling a bit. I’m a
SAHM to a toddler who doesn’t sleep well and a 5 yr old. DH is currently working from home. Both sets of parents are in poor health and require support. I’m exhausted after shielding/home schooling. I’m over weight and need to see my friends. I’m fed up with meal planning but due to allergies, a veggie and a picky child I’m struggling how to make this easier. I looked into gusto style boxes and I couldn’t find even one company who had even 3 suitable meal for us.

We are going to get a cleaner again and a get in a handy man to do all the DIY jobs which have been building up. What things do you do to make your life easier/better?

Cleaner, housekeeper/nanny, lawnmower guy and handyman when needed. Window Online shopping and meal plan each week. Weekends I do simple meals like sausage and chips and beans for us all even though DH and I are not fans. Sat night always get take away. I tidy as I go constantly. 2 of the kids get school lunches. Uniforms out the night before. Have taught the kids (3, 5, 6, 8) to get up, dressed, breakfast and teeth with no input from me (just no screens till they do). I try to teach my kids to do stuff rather than do it for them (getting drinks and snacks, tidying up after themselves, emptying dishwasher etc). I don't beat myself up about them watching TV/devices. I did myself a big favour and got strict about bedtimes.

I use a lot of the ideas that PPs have posted. I’m a single mum with two kids and I work full time...so anything that makes life easier is a winner with me!
My stuff?
Robot vacuum - best thing ever! Also encourages us to keep the floors/room tidy.
Instant Pot - multifunctional bit of kit.
Thermomix - my friend was given one by her MIL about a decade back. I always wondered how she had the time to make restaurant quality meals from scratch when she had two kids and worked FT like me. It was because of her thermomix machine. I finally bit the bullet and got mine last month and it’s been a game changer for me/the kids. Loads of fab meals and things to cook, a great meal planning and recipe app and it saves so much time and hassle. It’s stupidly expensive but there was an option to pay monthly for it.

I’m tempted to get a robot mop as well. But I’m just researching things at the mo.

I rope the kids in to do chores around the house and other than that, it’s been a case of learning to say no to things if I can’t do them. I figured early in that if I don’t look after myself/my home, I won’t be able to look after anyone else!!!

Routines help, I tidy as I go and get a load of washing on every day.
Having less stuff, it's much easier to clean.
Easy meals, mine are fussy and I've lowered my standards to what they will actually eat.
I know your parent don't want more outside help, but if you are struggling, they are going to have to accept it as if you break yourself you will not be able to help at all.

It's the sleep deprivation, have you thought of stopping breastfeeding? I know I'm going to get slated, but I found extended feeding very draining and I wasn't doing it at night. Hellish on the hormones too, I felt much more back to my old self when I stopped.