We all know how hard parenting can be, and by adding your career into the mix and some days can seem almost impossible. If you are a working mum with young children you are sure to know exactly how hard it can be. Life will seemingly close in on you till you go to bed and it will all start all over again in the morning. Here are a few tips to keep you going and hopefully get out of the door on time:

Get organised:
Organise your house to prepare for a quick get away. Ensure you always know where what you are looking for is. It is not as easy as it sounds and takes time and effort, but is completely worth it. Get a label maker and some boxes and get to work. Get rid of clutter, and keep a minimal amount of things around the house at least till your children grow up.

Schedule everything:
Make a time chart, stick to it. There are a number of things that you will have to put on charts from meals to shopping, write it down so that you are reminded at all times. Use analytical methods in everything you do, find the quickest route and the most efficient path to take you through the day.

If you need to pick up groceries, buy food, get your kids from school or daycare, meet the doctor and get the dry cleaning in one day, plan your appointments before hand. Don’t think you can wing it.

Use technology to your advantage:
Create an inbox for mails, sync it with your calendar, contacts and make sure they are all backed up in the cloud. Once you begin to explore all the features a simple smartphone can perform, it is sure to make life easier for you.

Housework:
It is one of the greatest energy drainers and if you have a toddler around the house, you have to make sure it is completely safe for them as well. So make sure it is. As a rule of thumb, keep in mind that the less things you have, the less things you have to clean.

Make sure there is no dirt and dust collecting on surfaces, keep the kitchen sink free of dirty pots and do laundry every second day. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with the housework. Get your spouse to help out and delegate housework including cooking and cleaning, a family that works together stays together.

Morning prep:
Before you hit the sack every night, review your morning. Ensure the kid’s school bags are ready, uniforms ironed and lunches made to save time during the early morning rush.

Meal prep:
Preparing meals ≠that can be frozen, is a lifesaver for those busy work evenings. Spending an afternoon over the weekend preparing meals for the week ahead can save you time and the hassle during the week, and can be a great way to spend the afternoon baking with your little ones.

The kids and I had a great time baking hot cross buns for my family over the weekend.

Even if you implement every single one of these tips in your life like it was the ten commandments, chances are, you will face a sharp curve ball every now and again, so be prepared for contingencies, especially ones that cost money. As you grow with your children, you will realise that parenting can be joyous and rewarding in more ways than one.

What tips can you share for keeping your busy household organised? 

Until the next rambling, Belinda.