Hello!

Single mum to three kids age 7, 5 and 4 100% care. Currently work mon-Fri and studying part time. What are some tips on getting motivated and being able to study, work, parent and even slightly have a clean house?


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  • I wonder how you’re going now ? That’s so much on your plate ! I think this can only work when you also take good care of yourself. Do you have any support around you ?


  • I would do it after they sleep! Peace and quiet


  • Break your day up and have a planner on what needs to be done, what times and what days. That helps me be motivated in what needs to be done and when.


  • you need to decide what is best for you and if you are going to do it all work out what things are a must to do and what things you can let go. good luck with it all!


  • Wow! That’s a big ask… you are only one person and you can only do so much before you burn yourself out. I think you need to go easy on yourself and understand that you can’t do everything. If the house is not always tidy, so what?… Try and get the kids to help where they can – maybe a chores chart will help? but they are still pretty young at this stage so there’s a lot they wont be able to do either. Work out what your priorities are and focus on those, the rest well if you get time thats great if not, try not to stress too much over it. I’m not sure if you have a lot of family/close friends but if you do, don’t be afraid to ask for help occasionally. I’m sure they’d prefer you asked than to see you run yourself into the ground.


  • Write down 3 things you want to achieve for the day – such as submit an assignment that’s almost finished, clean out the fridge, throw/donate 10 things. Once you have accomplished those 3 things, anything else is a bonus!


  • Try and get the kids to help out as much as they can. Even little things like putting their stuff away and washing their own plates and utensils are a big help
    Get a cheap robovac to do the vacuuming and mopping.
    In terms of study, maybe you can sit down altogether with the kids – while they do their homework you do your study.


  • Honestly? Lower your standards around the home! Single parent to 3 here, and when I need to hit the books I either do it when the kids are asleep and do one task a day /night as my study break – clean the basin/mop a floor. Or I get up 30-60 minutes earlier in the morning. (My youngest wakes me up at 5.30am so I dont love getting up earlier but it’s just a priority thing I do when I have to.) Itemise the tasks that you HAVE to do weekly versus the things that arent so pressing. And dont set the bar too high for yourself!


  • Go with the flow and do what feels right in the moment … whether that be work, study, playing with the kids, doing chores or whatever. If you never feel like doing anything then it may be that you are burnt out and over whelmed. Put something on the back burner for a while. Each one of the things you mention can be amazingly satisfying and rewarding and also amazingly demanding. If you have no problem finding something that you feel like doing then maybe that is your priority and can help you ‘feel’ your way forward if you do need to prune anything from your schedule.


  • Wow, you have set yourself to be very busy. I do remember when I worked fulltime, studied night time, ran a home with family, wish you well. Maybe to help that bit, could the children do some house chores to give you a hand? Always remember whey your are doing the studies, why working, with the end target in sight. Best of luck with it all.


  • Figure out your ‘why’, write it down, have it displayed as a reminder


  • Delegate age appropriate chores – you can find a plethora of charts and guides online (I use Pinterest).
    If schedules work for you, make one.
    Do any reading study when the kids are asleep.
    See if a family member can take the kids for a day on the weekend every couple of weeks to get a full day study in.
    Cut yourself some slack.


  • You first need to get organised and get the kids to help with doing things as they say every bit helps. If your not organised it will get out of hand and make sure you make me time even if it’s ten minutes it will be easier once the kids know the routine and no mucking around will be tolerated.


  • Write down your goals and the steps you are going to take to get you to each one.
    I am a visual person, so I use a vision board with photos cut from magazines of my goals as well as motivational sayings. I look at these when I need a reminder of my direction.


  • Oh man that’s a lot ! Best tip is probably to stay organised and plan your time, study at a set time, cook in bulk and store in the freezer


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