Multi-tasking may be a constant way of doing things for the average single parent, but it does not have to be stressful. I’ve learned over the years that by pairing tasks in a practical and creative way, I can multi-task without getting overwhelmed. It all comes down to finding tasks that fit well together.
I have a few friends who have no children at all and I notice that they way they do chores is completely different from how I have evolved my chores and errand-running—they tend to do one thing at a time: they will save up all their laundry to do on the weekend, change the litter box once a week, go grocery shopping whenever they need food or feel an inkling. This style just doesn’t work for the multi-tasking single parent. Instead, I have learned to lump my errands together based on location and time estimates (for example, a dentist or doctor’s appointment can take so long that I can’t really run other errands, but I can pay bills, work on paperwork, or do other in-hand tasks). I keep my grocery shopping trips to a minimum—two big trips a month, with quick milk and necessity stops in between.
What are some other tasks that go well together? Throw in a load of laundry when you get home from work and let it wash while you are making dinner. Toss in the dryer before bed and they will be ready to fold in the morning. I also start my full dishwasher in the morning as I am leaving for work (and after everyone has taken their showers), then I unload the clean dishes while I am making dinner after work.
Instead of thinking of your unending list of things to do one thing at a time, think of ways that you can lump things together easily (helping kids with homework and trying to make the beds just doesn’t go well together) and multi-tasking will be efficient without being stressful.
Also: Single Parent Tips–Holds, Reserves and Call-Aheads
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Single Parents and Chores and Errands