It’s a balancing act. I found that just a few minutes a day on different household chores generally keeps a handle on things. Better then spending a whole day Saturday or Sunday cleaning

I know it is so hard, I find even if it is only 15 minutes you spend it is still some time. Maybe the kids can help you cook or doe the housework which helps them spend time with you too. I find cleaning as I go really helps as well rather than doing everything in one go and then all the big stuff like bedsheets and vaccuming etc once a week.

Agree! It’s really hard – but try to do more family time on weekends to make up

There are some fantastic ideas here, I might take a few myself. Batch cooking and setting up lots of charts will be my way to go. You could also do online grocery shopping on the way to work (if you take public transport) and opt for click and collect.

Some excellent ideas and advice here that I can’t really add to – good luck!

These are really great tips and advice!

Thank you ladies!

Great takeaways!

I’m a solo mum and run my own businesses. I recently got a new client which means I’m commuting 3-4hrs a day 4 days a week. I use commute time to work or do things like online shopping, pay bills etc. I’m finding keeping to a routine is key. I’ve started getting lite n easy for myself to save time…my daughter is too fussy so I have a set range of meals to cook her when we get home…things that don’t take more than 20mins. I do barely any chores on weekdays just standard dishes, make beds. I do all clothes washing Fridays or Saturdays. I do sheets and towels washing Sundays. I grocery shop Sunday’s. I make my priority to spend time with my daughter of evening before she goes to bed. It’s a juggle for sure.

Also; we bulk buy, cook and freeze meals and I make big batches of biscuits, etc. We have a chores roster and to do lists. I also use planners. There are so many good tools to help with organisational needs.

The key for me is organisation and schedules. I plan every single day which includes time for my hobbies and interests. Sticking to a schedule is essential and ticking off lists keeps me accountable and things get done.

If you have a freezer you could cook extra for some meals and freeze some to use later in the week or even a few weeks later. It depends on the age of your children how practical that is. I know a Mum of a young baby who used to cook her vegetables etc., puree it and freeze it in small meal size containers. If you have a slow cooker you can prepare and cook your meal in it (it looks after itself – no constant stirring). You can spend a few minutes with your children then or do other chores or use an accumulation of time with the children. Many people put a load of washing on and do other essential chores during that time., Just a few minutes at a time each day is better than nothing.

I have worked full time since my children where quite young and the only way I could manage the housework and stay sane I have a cleaner. They come in once a fortnight to clean floors, bathrooms etc. Just enough to take the pressure off. Definitely well worth the expense.

I can imagine that to be hard ! I suppose it comes down to making breakfast and dinner time and maybe a hour after dinner a time to connect and spending quality time in the weekend.
I’m a SAHM myself so don’t experience that problem.