You are right in focusing on things that will make the week easier (and not just, say, cleaning for the sake of it). There is always something more you can do. But don’t forget some chill time for you, maybe even with the kids (especially if Sunday is all you get). Amid all my efficiency I think spending just 5 minutes playing a stupid board game (or whatever) would have made a world of difference to some days (and certainly the memories made) .. Even as teenagers they think you’ve played all afternoon if you give up just 15 minutes! (it certainly feels like all afternoon to me some days!)

Meal prep and freeze and you could even do lunch prep and freeze !

Do bulk cooking. In about two hours, you can make five or six main dishes, and then all you have to do during the week is pull them out of the fridge, reheat, and maybe add vegies.

Definitely prep/cook food for the week ahead

If you have Saturday and Sunday off I would do some things on Saturday as well. Get the kids involved, make sure they have emptied school bags of drink bottles, containers, notes, etc. Make sure they have put all their clothes in to be washed. Stock up on food, get the kids to help even if they are little they can do things. Pay bills online, plan some meals so you won’t be scrambling for ideas in the week when you are busy. Maybe hire a cleaner if your budget allows and that will save you a heap of time as well.

Meal prep when possible, when you have a moment to do stuff try to get it done so there is more time for other things…. Prep the next day in advanced and plan

How old are your children? Do they go to school, daycare or alternative care.
If they go to Daycare have a pile of clothes etc. to swap with clothes in the bag that need to be taken out for washing. I used to put in an old bag for washing to be put in so it didn’t mess up clean clothing that was still in their backpacks. Unfortunately I found that was something I had to do every day was remove washing, No doubt you know the daycare rules if your child/children do go to one. One thing I would suggest if they do go to daycare or somebody else gives them lunch is to find out what they have eaten during the day. I found that some days they had eaten a lot and then didn’t want to eat much tea. Also I found that sometimes I was giving them the same food as they had eaten for lunch as well and it had happened a few times. Some daycare centres have a menu that each Monday they have the same day and that routine works for every day. Once they reach a certain age I was given a menu with a couple of choices. I would write down what I had chosen so I didn’t give the same meals that day. I have to admit I tend to shop partly for specials and do meals according to what I buy and what is already in the pantry. If you have the space maybe put out a couple of sets of clothes for the kids to wear and do the same again in a couple of days – provided you can rely on the weather. It’s not quite so difficult to choose if they are at school and wear uniforms. They are the only suggestions I have. They may or may not help you.

I prepare as much of my school lunches I can. 3 kids and prep allthere pantry and fruit items. I make some muffins, slices, quiches and pies to. I have a meal plan I stick that makes a huge difference just in itself! Just try with one and you will get the flow

Meal prep as much as possible lunch box snacks lunches and slow cook some meals for the freezer to save some time on busy nights

I always do a meal plan on a Sunday for the week ahead. I also do a grocery shop and stock the cupboards. That way I don’t have to think about it or take the time out to go supermarket. If anything can be prepared food wise in advance I do that also. Sunday’s are also my washing days. Another job I don’t have to do throughout the busy weeks

I have a spreadsheet with all my families favourite meals on it. I have a weekly overview up the top with a drop down menu. On a Saturday, I select my meals for the week, write my shopping list and do the groceries. On Sunday I prep all the meals, if it’s something I can cook ahead e.g spaghetti Bolognese, I make it on the Sunday. I also make extra servings to freeze so each week I don’t have to prep every single meal I just rotate.

Definitely a big cooking day and freeze meals for the next couple of weeks.