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Article 8 organisational tips for busy mums

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Sometimes, when we spend all of our free time herding a bunch of small humans into the car to go to school, or chasing around a toddler to get them to put on pants, we don’t have much time left to do the little housekeeping things we used to dedicate those few minutes to. Instead, those few minutes are spent with our feet up, drinking some tea, or just using the toilet by ourselves.

We took the time to list eight tips that will help you get those small things done, and leave more time to stop your baby from hunting down the family cat.

Cook twice as much, half as often

Double batch family meals, especially wintery ones that freeze well. You have many options here, soups, curries, stews and pies all work well in the freezer, and are easy to microwave. It’s a saviour when things are going pear-shaped.

Storing the “artworks”

Some of your kids’ artwork really is wonderful. Frame it. But, you can’t keep everything. I have an A3 box for each child to put the special things in, class photos, paint foot prints etc. For the other artworks or huge ones, I take a photo with my phone and add it to the digital photo album for that year.

Tape record the doctor

I become a space cadet as soon as I take my kid into the doctor. They rattle off a whole lot of instructions and my brain turns to mushy peas. So, with the doctor’s permission, I tape her advice and I also write the instructions on my phone. When family members quiz me at home, I can listen again.

File everything in categories

Everywhere, by child, by dream destination, by anything – everything goes into a file – pictures, notes, files etc. Computer, drawers, phone, file and label EVERYTHING.

Use Facebook

Closed Facebook groups are as invaluable as Google when looking for answers. Closed mums groups post allow one to get instant advice from women about issues varying from “where can I get a geisha costume by tonight” to “what can I get my 85 year old father in law from the gang?”

Ordering online

Anything that I can organise from my phone/computer (ideally in bed after everyone else has stopped asking to have a glass of water) – online groceries, online fruit and veg , online kids clothes, anything is possible.

To-do lists

Let’s be honest, no to-do list is perfect (it doesn’t pick up the dry cleaning for you), but it’s a start to stop the sleep-preventing panic attack at 4am. There are super-techy ones that remind you when you’re near the place it relates to (Remember the Milk), but I find the simpler, the better.

Signing and scanning via phone

I take of everything on my phone. It’s my brain’s external memory. Recipes in waiting rooms, forms signed and emailed back. You name it. There are apps which can make scan grade versions of forms and let you fill out forms and add your signature.

These things might not save you a bunch of time, but you won’t miss your toddler trying to eat sand while you’re hunting through a pile of documents for their immunisation record!

Got any other tips to save time? Share with us below!

Image source Shutterstock.

This article has been provided by Ali Linz and Julie Tylman from GroupTogether. These busy Mumpreneurs have a total of 7 kids and run a group collection website that takes the hassle out of gift collections. 

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Comments

  • Its always awesome to over cook so that you can have meals to freeze. These are really important on those days when you are sick or your child is sick and needing more attention.

    Reply

  • Something that I have been meaning to do is make a generic supermarket list of everything that I buy then tick or highlight what is required that week – also home delivery helps.

    • What a wonderful Idea. I just need to take it with me……and read it. I would write it in aisle order but they keep moving things around. if you go to a different shop of the same banner they may be in a different aisle. Frustrating.

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  • I find ordering online a great time saver.

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  • There are some great tips here. I’m all about To Do lists to keep me and my family organised. I’ve always used them for work and introduced them to home since I worked from home 12 years ago. Funnily enough, my hubby and son have now embraced these and are often seen looking through the diary on the bench to track their stuff.

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  • Lots of great tips

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  • Love these tips and agree with mum who said make your bed when you get up so you don’t have to go back and do it. I try to put everything back in its place as I use it and always put clothes away or in the washer straight a way.

    Reply

  • I was given advice such as .. Make your bed as soon as you get out of it, so you don’t have to go back and do it later. Encourage your kids to do the same.
    Also, always put things back as soon as you are finished with them. This can be as simple as glad wrap, kids bags, books, or DVDs. A little effort at the time saves you from an overwhelming mess or a massive clean up.

    Reply

  • i have a list on the fridge and that helps. A calendar helps keep schedules in view

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  • Yep! I love my many lists – they work!

    • I have a notepad beside the bed for those things that pop into the head. I write them down and then they are gone and back to sleep!

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  • I love to do lists – they help.

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  • Great tips !
    Yes, I also like to cook double and store /freeze, store art works, put things in files, make notes at the doctor and make to do lists. I’m not such a fan of ordering groceries and clothing online as I like to see what I buy, but other items I sure do buy online. And I do also lots of multi-tasking 🙂

    Reply

  • Yes I love cooking in bulk.
    Would love to know the app that adds signatures

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  • My favourite tip is the first one – cook twice as much, half as often – makes so much sense.

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  • A great list to be organized!

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  • When the kids are school age, lay their clothes and shoes out the night before, including extra clothes (eg for sport, swimming, art etc) And I make their lunches the night before. Some sandwiches freeze well, so you can bulk make some sandwiches and freeze in zip lock bags

    • This was the best advice I was ever given too; clothes, lunches and bags the night before!

    Reply

  • oh I love the idea of tape recordering the doctor – such a genius idea that I have never thought of! thanks for such a great list of tips to help other mums out.

    Reply
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