Time saving tips

[muriel76]

Posted this in chat but no replies.....thought I would give it a go here....

Well the title says it all really.

I'd love to hear how others save themselves time and/or manage to keep on top of any type of boring chores...

Any tips however obscure would be welcomed!

Briefly, I started a new job a few months ago doing every day but school hours only. I imagined I would have so much more time with my two DSs (6 and 8) but I don't!! Life seems to be a never ending cycle of jobs that never get finished. My oldest son said to me that I never spend any time with them the other day. It wasn't supposed to be like this....

Thanks in advance.

Well its not time saving but what I do is give myslef an hour when both kids have gone to bed, during that time I load the dishwasher/washing machine/tumble dryer, fold any piles of washing and wipe the bathroom and kitchen sides over.

Then in the morning while im waiting for the kettle to boil for morning cuppa i go around and swith on all the appliences and put away pre folded laundry ect.

I find its all about organization.

Having systems in place, routine and habits. Also getting your dH to do a share too

Make yourself available to do something together for about 30 mins when you pick them up from school before you start the jobs. On some days they'll be too busy amusing themselves so have list of non urgent easily interruptible jobs you can do at these times.

And then ignore said list and go on mn

Oh and I often say 'well if you help me with this, it'll be done quicker and then we'll be able to do what you want to do'

Not really time saving, but it helps me get more done - I listen to audio books or Radio 7 listen again episodes while doing boring jobs like ironing or cleaning the kitchen. I really get into the story and find I can carry on for much longer.

If I need to get stuff done in the kitchen when kids come home, I put some paper, scissors, glue etc. out on the kitchen table, meaning dd spends a bit of time where I can keep an eye on her, while ds can have some telly time. If they were in the same room and I wasn't with them, they'd soon be arguing and I'd have to keep interrupting what I'm doing, dry my hands etc.(why is it they always kick off when I've got wet hands..)

Also, put a load of washing in before breakfast each morning, usually ready to take out by time school run is done. A bit like Titsalina - just getting into the habit of doing set jobs at set times without thinking about it.

hope I don't sound totally mad. .. I have all identical socks in black and white so I never have to pair them up and never have an odd sock issue. I just grab 2 black or 2 white ones out the draw. Life is too short!

Don't iron anything, and place one set of sheet, duvet cover and pillowcase inside the matching pillowcase so you do not have to hunt round for them. Make kids put dirty clothes in wash basket.

I do this it seems quicker to me, if I'm cooking something in the oven and I'm doing veg or beans I put the veg in a Pyrex jug with boiling water to cover.

Then you can leave it all to cook for however long and nothing boils over on the Hob.

Obv never done this with potatoes or pasta.

Steam generator irons save loads of time btw.

I love the sock tip, why have i never thought of that?

swish and swipe of the toilet each morning when you do your first pee. or you could do what i have done and taught my son to wipe round the rim each time he pees with a toilet wipe (the asda ones are flushable).

clean the shower when you are in it

clean the basin when you brush your teeth

put dishes away when the kettle is boiling

never go up or down the stairs without taking something with you and putting it where it belongs.

have the dcs help you. and i don't mean telling them to go put washing away, i mean give them each a few items and you al go and do it together. have a race and a chat/giggle while you do it. same with cooking, cleaning etc. when cleaning each room, oen does windows, one does dusting and one does the floors but all at the same tiem so you are still cahtting with them.

dont iron. wash tumble and then fold straight away and put away.

set all clothes out the night before to save time scarbbling for a sock in the mornings

cook in batches and freeze so you have a selection of meals that just have to be stuck in the oven giving you more time with dcs.