While I tend to be the sort of person who likes to get in and get a job done, I have learned over the years that it does not always have to be that way. In fact, it can add extra stress and pressure trying to tackle big jobs and fit them in to a busy schedule. Sometimes, the best thing for time management is to actually split chores up and do a little here and a little there, or even do half a chore now and half later…
I still prefer to get a chore or errand done all at once, but I also have discovered that time does not allow for that. Rather than leave things and let them pile up, there are some chores that lend themselves to being broken up into more do-able pieces. The best example, I think, is laundry. Many of us have already discovered that doing laundry in shifts may mean that we are always doing something with the laundry, but it can be more time efficient than trying to find time to wash, dry, fold and put away all of the dirty laundry at once.
Vacuuming is another chore that can be broken up by room or by floor. I LOVE to vacuum and in my dream world would vacuum my entire house every day. I just don’t have the time for that. Instead, I vacuum the high traffic areas–dining area, entry and living room every day and the upstairs gets done once a week. The stairs get done as needed since they are so cumbersome to vacuum.
I know that many of us have been taught that we should “do a job right the first time” or “only start a job if we can finish it” but life as a single parent may mean that we need to divide up our time and break up chores in order to get everything done and fit as much as we can into a typical busy day.
Also: Too Much Pressure to do Everything Right
Consider Restructuring Time Management