Going back to work - how to make life easier

[Topsyloulou]

I'm going back to work soon after maternity leave and I'm looking for tips on how to make life easier and save time, particularly in the mornings as I'm not a morning person.

get stuff ready the night before. always. by the front door ready to go. always! do it just after dinner and before you sit down collapse in an exhauasted sweaty heap in the messy lounge on the sofa in your pristine lounge.

Bags packed (and possibly in the car) the night before, outfits chosen and laid out the night before, then get up earlier than your child so you are completely showered, dressed, hair dried, makeup on etc before you have to turn your attention to them. I am totally not a morning person, but actually getting up half an hour before them means I feel more like I am ready to face the morning by the time they get up.

For the evenings have a food plan, shop once a week (by delivery if you have the option) and stick to it. Choose things that work for a couple of nights so some nights are only re-heating to take the pressure off.

In general terms, get a cleaner if you can afford one as that makes life so much easier if you work and have young children.

Completely agree!

Bags / packed dinners ready the night before. (See Frozen sandwiches )
Clothes ready the night before.
A load of washing in before you go to bed.
Slow cooker meals! Batch cook and freeze. Always have in 4 min pasta and a stir in sauce. It's a life saver.

On the go breakfast you can grab and run with.

I used to wash my hair the night before some days just so I could have a bit of time in the morning.

If you can get a cleaner, get one. Even if just every 2 weeks. I couldn't afford it but it would have been great if I could.

Have a present box/card selection in the house for when you need one fast.

Get as much washing and ironing done over the weekend.

Oh and yes to food delivery. I would go to chose fresh stuff but basics were delivered every 2 weeks.

Always have as much of the "next step" done as possible in advance... So anything for mornings done the night before, any spare morning time towards preparing for the evening, etc.

We are buying a second freezer for the garage in preparation for dc3 arrival and mat leave, but also for being back to work FT with 3 DC! Batch cooking, quick meals and frozen bread/crumpets/potato cakes for breakfast are fab too.

Agreed. Up and ready before kids get up.
Don't change into your worktop until you're literally stepping out of the door.
Make lunch the night before.
Batch cook.
Cleaner!!!

Wash hair night before
Clothes left out - I get outfits sorted for a couple of days so not doing it every night.
Batch cooking, online food deliveries
Cleaner every 2 weeks (trying to source at minute!)
Quick mid week make up ie BB cream, blusher/ lippy combined

Also nothing wrong with a take away, dinner of scrambled eggs & toast etc some nights

Accept that you are not supermum and nobody is. Sometimes good enough is good.

Agree with preparing meals etc in advance.

Online grocery shopping is your friend.

I would agree with all the other advise such as preparing the night before, online shopping and a cleaner.

I would also make sure that your oh is aware that he will be expected to do his share too. I know when I am on mat leave dh gets a housework break because i am around more and I had to remind him of all the chores there were and that we needed to split it 50/50.

For ages I had baths at night instead of showers in the morning. Gross but saves loads of time.
Here's what we do (may or may not work with your life, but maybe some bits?). Times are approximate!

6.30 baby wakes us up, dad changes nappy, baby comes into our bed for cuddles
6.40 I jump out of bed, do last night's washing up, eat breakfast
6.50 baby and dad downstairs for baby's breakfast
7.00 I go back up to get dressed, hair, make-up, lay out baby's clothes (these days I shower in this time too)
7.30 dad and baby go upstairs to change baby's clothes, I go back down to pack bags and load the car
7.40 shoes on, mum and baby out the door!
dad gets ready for work

I have to work at home in the evenings too. I pick up baby at 4.30pm, home by 5pm, dad home at 5.30pm. We all play and have dinner at 6pm. Bath and bed for baby. Dad makes tea, I do work, get a bit of housework done and collapse! It's busy but it works.

Thanks for all the replies. To make life more complicated DP works away a lot so I'm going to be doing a lot of it on my own but we've already had the chat about him doing more when he is home. He'll be doing the drop off in the mornings he is here so one less thing for me to do.

I've been a batch cooker for years so we always have something in the freezer good to go. DS normally has what we had the night before so hopefully that will continue to work well.

I'd love a cleaner but sadly the budget doesn't stretch that far. I am going to treat myself to the Oven Fairy before I go back to work though, that's one job I'm refusing to do.

I shop mainly at Aldi so online shopping is out but as work are insisting I take an hour's lunch every day & it's only a 5 minute drive away I can go at lunch & then stock the fridge up at the weekend. DS currently loves sitting in the trolley so he won't mind popping in.

I think being prepared the night before will be key for me. I always underestimate how long it takes to leave the house, even before DS it took me ages. Love the idea of picking outfits out the night before, you'd think I have a huge selection to pick from the amount of time it takes me!

Thanks for all the replies. To make life more complicated DP works away a lot so I'm going to be doing a lot of it on my own but we've already had the chat about him doing more when he is home. He'll be doing the drop off in the mornings he is here so one less thing for me to do.

I've been a batch cooker for years so we always have something in the freezer good to go. DS normally has what we had the night before so hopefully that will continue to work well.

I'd love a cleaner but sadly the budget doesn't stretch that far. I am going to treat myself to the Oven Fairy before I go back to work though, that's one job I'm refusing to do.

I shop mainly at Aldi so online shopping is out but as work are insisting I take an hour's lunch every day & it's only a 5 minute drive away I can go at lunch & then stock the fridge up at the weekend. DS currently loves sitting in the trolley so he won't mind popping in.

I think being prepared the night before will be key for me. I always underestimate how long it takes to leave the house, even before DS it took me ages. Love the idea of picking outfits out the night before, you'd think I have a huge selection to pick from the amount of time it takes me!

My dh often works away to and I honestly find it easier when he's away it's 1 less person to sort out/consider/clean up after. I'm more organised because I have to be sorting 3 dc on my own. Also accept offers of help from parents or in laws for pick ups /drop offs, the odd bit of ironing or cooking your tea for you.