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Share with Intel how you juggle modern family life - £300 Argos voucher to be won!

450 replies

EllieMumsnet · 29/05/2018 09:11

A big part of being a parent is being flexible and spinning several plates at the same time... there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do every task individually! Have you always been someone who can juggle multiple things at once or has parenting taught you the art of being flexible, Intel® would love to hear your best multi-tasking moments, as well as any tips and tricks for managing modern family life.

Here’s what Intel® have to say: “A thin and light Modern PC with an Intel® processor has great features that make it more flexible to use, so you can be more creative, productive and entertained. Cortana lets you use your voice instead of the keyboard and Windows Hello* lets you log in with your face not a password – perfect for when you already have your hands full with the children.”

Did you manage to book a holiday while you fed and bathed your children? Perhaps you helped one child with homework while breastfeeding your baby, being on Skype to your mum and eating your dinner all at the same time?

Whatever your tips or your best multi-tasking moment, share it on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher from Argos.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

* Cortana available in select markets; experience may vary by region and device.
** Requires specialized hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors and capable devices.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Share with Intel how you juggle modern family life - £300 Argos voucher to be won!
OP posts:
Childrenofthesun · 10/06/2018 18:06

Cooking dinner while supervising homework.
Online shopping.
Doing homework with one child while waiting for the other to do an extra-curricular activity, eg swimming lesson. Juggling swimming lesson times for more than one child is a problem in itself!

However, nothing compares what you have to juggle with a newborn. At least I no longer have to sit on the toilet holding a crying baby while I do a wee.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 10/06/2018 19:11

I get to school pick up fairly early so I can park easily and then use the time to catch up on work emails while I wait. More relaxing then getting there later and struggling to park.

JemIsMyNameNooneElseIsTheSame · 10/06/2018 19:37

I always clean the shower while I'm in it and clean the rest of the bathroom while DS is in the bath.

Itscurtainsforyou · 11/06/2018 00:19

Meal plans and internet shopping with my favourites to hand. Quick to do on my smartphone at work/commuting - thanks Sainsbury's!
Handsfree phone conversations at home while doing other jobs, multi-tasking at its best.
Using a price-comparison website for everything from energy supplier & insurance to laundry detergent - saves money & stops me going through a number of suppliers individually.
Using parental controls (including timers) for screen time limits & apps for practising spellings etc (kids happy to use apps so less time nagging encouraging them to do it!
Timers on ovens, washing machines, etc to make sure that things are ready for action when you get in from work.

Lists! I have packing lists for holidays/weekends away, meal plans, to-do lists, add-as-you-go shopping lists, etc etc. All on my phone so I don't leave home without them.

Enigma222 · 11/06/2018 04:03

With 4 kids ages 5years and under I have to plan way ahead for things like shopping, going out as a family, meal times. Does not always go to plan but my husband supports and steps in when I’m running behind my chores or even takes over to give me a break! 9/10 I’m always multi tasking to get things done on time.

TracyKNixon · 11/06/2018 06:21

I plan ahead, keep a diary and we have a family planner on our kitchen wall!

barbsbarbs · 11/06/2018 06:32

i use the internet alot to buy shopping, save time and research things to9 do and buy. I think I have a good balance of work and leisure where my weekends are for the kids totally.

mave · 11/06/2018 06:35

I feel like I'm on a treadmill some days! Luckily I'm off on Tuesdays and do food shopping, cleaning and any chores that need doing, if I wasn't off I'd struggle!

Spices001 · 11/06/2018 06:50

I think I’m a pretty good multitasker. I’ll be cooking tea, making lunch sandwiches for the next day, putting a load of washing on the line & making chore phone calls at same time...just call me super mom 🤣

Clairecricket1 · 11/06/2018 06:55

multi tasking is what i have to do with baby twins.

caralianne · 11/06/2018 07:05

modern family life can be hard. i stick to basic routines so we know where we all stand. I encourage the children to help me, little things that they do can really help. I do meal plans for the week before the weekly shop which means i know exactly what I'm cooking each night and makes the food shop much quicker and cheaper as I stick to a list

maryandbuzz1 · 11/06/2018 07:09

Make full use of he calendar as I can’t trust my memory and remember to ransack my child’s book bag on a regular basis to find letters from school which end up hiding there.
Chat to other parents to see if on some occasions we can double up on school runs, trips to the swimming pool or clubs.
Make endless lists of things to do and cross off when done....very satisfying.
Assign days to certain jobs otherwise they just don’t get done.

Narnianescape · 11/06/2018 07:10

Very badly but i attempt to multitask and create to do lists.

amyhalliday1 · 11/06/2018 07:24

It’s really hard as we are a step family too so lots of delegation of chores and biting of tongues

hiddenmichelle · 11/06/2018 07:26

just play it by ear and always make time for the all kids

Sleavercole123 · 11/06/2018 07:29

I’m fortunate that I can work from home two days a week. This saves me about 5 hours a week meaning I can take my daughter to school and pick her up and catch up on a few jobs round the house

renas · 11/06/2018 07:50

Have a routine and stick to it and then you can’t go wrong

Bellaboo1234 · 11/06/2018 07:53

I try and print off a meal planner to help with the shopping and kno what I need to get out for the tea the night before instead of us both getting in from work and deciding what to cool.

bevmichelle47 · 11/06/2018 08:12

Definitely plan everything the night before or sooner if going on days out/holidays.
It helps to have a slow cooker too, it saves so much time when you get home from work, making more time to spend with the family.This is a bit military lol, but i make sure that there are set times for using the bathroom in the morning, that way we get on the school run on time! lol

vonniebab2 · 11/06/2018 08:12

Teamwork
Organisation
Internet Shopping
Multi Tasking

xcxcsophiexcxc · 11/06/2018 08:13

Everyday chores I'll try do all together, like doing the washing up whilst the dinner is cooking

hdh747 · 11/06/2018 08:15

In all honesty I just muddle through and try not to be too uptight about it

happysouls · 11/06/2018 08:18

Any efficiency I might have is down to complete planning and repetition. So shopping and cooking tend to be the same quite often and it makes things alot easier. Huge batch cooking to fill the freezer also plays a part! If you're lucky enough to be part of a couple that work together in everything then that helps too. No time wasted arguing who does what, if something needs doing someone does it!

phillie1 · 11/06/2018 08:22

everything on calendar, and accept all offers of help

shellywkd · 11/06/2018 08:32

I batch cook meals at the weekend, shop online for groceries and always write everything on the calendar so I can keep track of who has what.