Tips for getting organised and saving time!

[Ilovetomodell]

I am recently widowed, and have 2 DCs. I am returning to full time work, and although I am really looking forward to it, as I love my job, and I am worried about the practicalities of having time to do everything! I would like a tidi-ish and clean house, and still have time to do fun things with the kids at the weekends, is this possible?

Any tips for saving time, and keeping organised would be gratefully received .

I am sorry to hear you have been widowed.

Unfortunately I am the worst person to give advice about being organised. There was a fantastic thread years ago, it was actually the thread that introduced me to MN, about little things to get organised. It was pages long.

I'm sure there is a wise MNer who can find it for you.

Good luck with your return to full time.

Oh and

Meal plan
Batch cook
Get a cleaner if you can afford it
Diary everything

And my personal favourite

Lower standards

Never go up or down the stairs with your hands empty.

Make sure that you have a lovely (ie popular) meal for everyone on a Sunday night, even if it is sausages & chips but the key to getting it is that everyone in the family spends 20 mins or so tidying up & organising stuff for the week to come.

When things are feeling bad have a 10/11 day meal plan that you can keep on rolling out for sometime. The beauty of this is, is that no one thinks that it is Tuesday & cottage pie again as it obv doesn't work like that.

Am so sorry to hear you lost your DH and you sound as if you are half way there on the sorting stuff out front, just by posting this question.

Get everything ready the night before.

I know this goes against minimalist principles but I always have plenty of vests, pants, socks and school uniform. That way if I have a run of bad days it's not the end of the world if the washing or ironing isn't up to date. Takes the pressure off.

Sorry to hear you have been widowed.

The things that work for me

I meal plan and online food shop. On a week to week basis I tend to order the same basics, so can just add (but also do check offers, best value)

On a Sunday, I prep as much of the meals I can up until Wednesday. So I will either cook up for reheating, or peel and chop, even getting the spices together in little containers. I try to use a slow cooker (I use mine with a timer to come on at 12pm) as much as possible or do quick meals but knowing it's done and is a case of throwing together either in the morning or after work means we all eat better.

Think about how you want to do the washing. We don't have a tumble so I prefer to spread it out. I have to change 4 beds, so change on Monday/Friday on a fortnightly basis. I wash towels and bathroom stuff on a Wed. Some people find it easier to work on a washing day (or two).

If your kids are young, clean most of the bathroom whilst you're doing bath time. If they are a bit older, delegate some tasks to them- bins, loading the dishwasher etc.

We have a magnetic fridge organiser which really helps.

I also get up 1 hour earlier to get ironing done- have some head space time before work. Takes a few days to get used to it but that is the biggest thing which helps me.

Here it is I think - started by me

Oh Starrychime, I feel like I'm meeting royalty.

Years ago I was somewhat frazzled and googled 'getting organized' which led me to your thread which led me to Mumsnet. I have been hooked ever since and therefore even less organized than I was before, but no longer care

I am very pleased to meet you.

OP have a look at the thread, there are some great ideas on there.

Thanks Unfortunately I am still pretty unorganised and house a real mess but I've been devouring the Kondo threads and am finally starting to see some improvement!

I'm sorry for your loss. I would say be kind to yourself, and focus on what bothers you most. I have a tiny lounge so can tidy it quickly and it's somewhere relaxing even if the rest of the place isn't!

An extravagance but I have a robot hoover and LOVE it. Plus the DC are enthusiastic about tidying 'for Wall-E' so he doesn't eat lego.