Share your best parenting time-saving hacks - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Let’s face it, parenting can be hectic so we welcome anything that helps us save time (and energy)! As the end of term approaches, Moonpig’s Group Card feature is here to take the stress out of teacher thank you cards, and to celebrate this we’d like to know your favourite time-saving tips and hacks.

• Whether it’s setting your watch 10 mins fast or packing the after school snacks the night before, post your tips and advice in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Here’s what Moonpig has to say:

“At Moonpig, we’re on a mission to spread joy to everyone from everyone! Our Group Cards are as easy as 1,2,3. Up to 50 people can add their own message to any Moonpig card. Anyone can sign anywhere in the world via a simple link and when all messages are collected their card will be sent. It’s perfect for sending your kid’s favourite teacher a ‘thank you’ from the whole class.”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ
Insight T&Cs apply

Take talcum powder and a yellow t shirt to the beach - you can keep an eye on them if they wander off (at an appropriate age of course) and talc for feet to help get rid of sandy feet.

When packing - roll your clothing, t-shirts, dresses, trousers, you can pack more clothes, and they come out less creased - also put socks in your shoes for more room.

Put the washing machine/ dishwasher on a timer so the cycle finishes in the morning when you wake up. No more waiting around for them to finish before you can hang clothes or put dishes away.

If I've got a busy week, I can save quite a bit of time ordering shopping to be collected from the supermarket. The basket can be applied from past orders so I have a basic list that can just be adapted and don't have to spend lots of time putting it together. If you collect, you don't need to wait for home deliveries (if you have a long time slot) and you're only at the supermarket a few minutes to load up the car.

Shop on-line, use a notice board for party invites, OOSH clubs, parents evenings and washing bags for smalls and name tapes ironed on to everything - no more routing around the lost property for PE kit.

We pre-bake the oat and honey flapjack snacks at the weekend and cut them up into rectangles for the packed lunch, and if they are having an oosh club. Saves money and I know they are having a filling desert after their sandwich (which I make the night before and put in the fridge in a sandwich bag.

A trip to Ikea and a FUNLAX Cube storage unit for reading books, book bags, sandwich bags, folded uniform, school shoes and any awards and sports trophies - it's made our mornings so much easier -

A family calendar bought every January for the return to school - EVERYTHING goes on there - so I am organised and don't forget school trip money, parents evenings, term dates, training days and appointments.

A sticker chart to reward good manners, being kind, sharing and going to bed nicely - made a difference when you dangle the 'carrot' and of course rewards earned taste nicer !

Using my outlook calendar - it repeats every year - no birthdays are forgotten, and I add the term dates, training days, school trip money (paid and owed) - It's my way of trying to keep on top of the big things - then everything else can get done. 👪

Another hands up 🙌 for iron on name tapes on almost everything, non iron school uniforms - a real timesaver, a frozen yoghurt in with the packed lunch to keep things cooler in summer, and a family planner in the kitchen with EVERYTHING on. 👊

Best hack is to have a strong routine. Then everyone knows what's happening.

All school uniform is kept in an Ikea trofast, t shirts in one drawer, skirts or shorts in another, jumpers in another etc. Just grab one item out of each drawer in the morning and we’re good to go!

Set the breakfast table the night before you go to bed with the cereal and bowls, and place the uniform over the dining chairs - saves me loada time

Thanks to everyone who shared their time-saving parenting tips! The winner of the prize draw is @JustbemoreMargo - congratulations 🎉

Congrats winner ! love this thread !

Shared calender, batch cook & pack bags the night before for whichever activity.. swimming/zoo etc.

'Don't put it down, put it away ' - words of wisdom

I've discovered a fantastic time-saving strategy in life, and it's all about significantly reducing my standards. It really does wonders. By setting more realistic expectations and not aiming for perfection, I find that I can accomplish tasks more efficiently and with less stress. This approach allows me to focus on what truly matters and helps streamline my daily routine. Embracing a more laid-back perspective has proven to be a successful time-management technique for me.

I recommend making double portions of meals and freezing half...that way you get a "free " dinner one night. Less washing up too.

Notice board and Calender by the front door. Checked every evening