As a single parent it is hard to find time to do much of anything. You are doing the work of two, but don’t get any extra time to do it in. We run from one thing to the next all day long and then we wake up and do it again the next morning. It’s easy to get burned out, but there are some things that you can do to make life a little easier.
First things first, plan ahead! I can’t stress enough how important this is. Planning ahead may seem tedious at first, but the time you will save will be far worth it. Have a running calendar of doctor’s appointments, recitals, PTA meetings, etc. and throw it in your purse. This helps you to stay organized and prevents the stress of forgotten appointments and double bookings. There’s nothing worse than that feeling when you realize you’ve forgotten last week’s dentist appointment. Don’t forget to write things down!
Make a menu at the start of each week. Decide what you are going to make and write down any ingredients that you will need. Make sure you check the pantry to see what you need. This way you only have to make one trip to the grocery store. If you have a little extra time try throwing some freezer meals together. That way on nights that you are really short on time you have something that you can just throw in the oven. It may take a little extra time to prepare, but you’ll be thankful you did when you get home late from work and don’t have the energy to put together a whole gourmet meal for your kids. Your kids can even help you put them together.
Enlist the help of your children. Having your children help you with simple tasks can save you a lot of time. Have them lay out their clothes the night before, have them help you pick up their toys right before bed, have them load and unload the dishwasher, have them vacuum a room or two. There are so many things around the house that your kids can help with. It helps them feel responsible and it saves you a few extra minutes at the end of the day that you can use for something else.
Your time may be limited, but use these tips and I promise your day will go a little smoother. Who knows, you may even have a minute to breathe before your head hits the pillow tonight!