Tips to actively make my life easy with young kids

[Haloween]

I am looking for tips to actively make my life easier with young DC.
Few things I have done:

1. Cleaner on weekends
2. Cooking packed lunches at night same as dinner
3. Working compressed hours
4. Consistent bedtime routine

What else can I do to make our life easier and calmer with two young DC and both of us working full-time? Hoping this thread helps others.

Eufy robot hoover in the kitchen. Not a fancy one. The basic is fine.

fFresh tortellini and a bag of salad for tea one night. Jacket potatoes another night.

A dedicated basket for out grown clothes.

I settled for 'low standards' 😁 'Everybody fed, nobody dead' was my aim. Enjoy your time with the kids and don't stress about how tidy the house is.

I like tortellini, sometimes I plan for weekly meals and order things like tortellini, falafels etc which just need to go in oven or boiled and ready.

We are in the process of applying for DC1 starting school, confused between the school at walkable distance or the one better but 10 mins drive away.

Slow cooker and take left overs for lunch.

It helps me plan the week and use visual effects for child.

We plan job hours, groceries, laundry, cleaning, cooking, school activitiess, extra curriculum, doctor appointments, activities, playdates, homework, down time for parents/kids and family outings on a big board.

Works well for us.

Don't sign up for mid week clubs that they will not benefit from

Keep things simple

Not for this stage but one for in a few years - a huge whiteboard in the kitchen has been a game changer for us all feeling more in control. Weekly routine written where we can all see it, DS can check what he needs every day, much less nagging, and mornings feel calmer.

I've just discovered the batch lady and have been prepping things I can just pull out of the freezer.

A laundry basket in their room. A delicates bag for the socks.

Online ordering of groceries - have a basic list of what you know you need every week saved if possible.

The big one is make sure your husband is pulling his weight and doing 50% of the house and child stuff. Don’t get into the situation where only you do the school runs etc.

I use a list app (Todoist) on my phone and put everything on it - even daily routine stuff like brushing kids teeth / hair, it’s been a game changer for me to stay on track and have more time to spend time with the kids and keep on top of the washing / house.

I have little personal rules for myself too - a load of washing every morning without fail and at least 5-10 mins cleaning every morning and evening (sometimes more if I’m in the mood but at least something over and above the obligatory dishwasher etc).

I give the kids veggies to nibble while I’m making dinner - keeps them quiet and gets some nutrients in!

I don’t have a cleaner but do pay someone to iron and put away the kids clothes - saves so much time and means I can always find the clothes they need in seconds.

This basket idea is inspired

Plenty of uniform so you have no mad dashes in the evening to get things washed in time.

Pe kits always packed

Separate bags for different kits if your kids are doing several sports and swimming. Wash and put them straight back into the bag.
Pegs in their bedrooms for jumpers, sweatshirts and uniform they can wear for another day.
Get dc into the habit of tidying up at the end of the day
Write all school events, appointments and so on straight onto a calendar up on the wall and get the dc used to checking it so they can remind you

1. school dinners (I never did packed lunches when they were free and often opted to pay for ease, the hard part is when the school dinner is processed junk though!)
2. online food shopping
3. flexible working to get to apts etc.

Shared electronic calendar, everything goes straight in there. I also put in there what uniform/sports kit is needed on which days.

Primary school within walking distance does help a LOT. How much better is the other school…?

Delegate certain things to DH so they are completely off your list. If you are home with the DC more in the day, he should do bedtime/bathtime so you can have a break from the DC and catch up on peace and quiet admin while he does it.

Get the DC eating the same meals as you as soon as possible. This may mean a few years when you eat somewhat blander meals than you might prefer (depending on your preferences), but it will pay off.

Robot vac and mop every night

Dishwasher on and sides wiped every night without fail. Hunt down stray coffee cups and water bottles and WASH THEM.

Supermarket delivery pass and 2 deliveries a week - less mental load than working out a whole week’s of food

If still at nursery, give your children a uniform - 5 dark coloured jumpers/hoodies, 5 leggings, 7 ish tshirts. 3 outfits for weekends.

Don’t take in outgrown clothes from well meaning friends as past baby age this usually means 4 summer holiday outfits, a Christmas jumper, a uniform for a class your kid doesn’t attend and a few items inappropriately too long/short for their age label. It’s more work than it’s worth.

Labelled IKEA storage for toys and a commitment to putting it away every night.

Whoever doesn’t do bedtime does the kitchen and a quick tidy up of toys and clutter each night.

Keep kids socks downstairs beside their shoes.

Names baskets near the front door for rucksacks, wellies, hats, rain wear etc

Toothbrushes in the downstairs cloak room

Separate bags for different kits. Our swimming bag is permanently packed with towels, children’s swimsuits and adult swimsuits.

Plan your own outfits for the week on Sunday - put aside if possible!

Eufy robot hoover/mop to keep onto of floors during the week.