If you’re a single, working mom, who lives alone with your kid(s), you know how busy life can get. Sometimes it seems almost impossible to stay on top of things when you have little to no help on the home-front. I’ve been doing this for five years now, and throughout the years, I’ve managed to find ways to make my work week easier and more efficient.
#1 :: Walmart Grocery Pickup
This is a total game changer. Simply order your groceries online, choose a day and time to pick them up, and voila- you’ve saved yourself from an hour of grocery shopping with your kid! Because who really wants to do that? Not to mention, it allows me to see prices of all items at once, save my list and come back to it later, and to not have the urge to impulse shop.
#2 :: Amazon
Almost anything I need that would require me running into a store can be found on Amazon. Batteries, light bulbs, makeup, office supplies, clothes, odds and ends. You name it, I order it. If I can save a trip from having to go inside a store, it will be ordered!
#3 :: Trader Joe’s
The frozen food section is my savior for weeknight meals. On the weekends, I make a trip and stock up! I get a few bags of meat, a few bags of veggies, and any other side that strikes my eye. On weeknights, I throw them in the skillet to heat up and within 10 minutes dinner is ready. It’s always so delicious and cost effective, too.
#4 :: Prepare
Meal prep every Sunday. Write down what you’ll be eating each night of the week and prepare for it. Organize your fridge or pantry to make your work week flow effortlessly. On school nights, I pack our lunches and set the coffee pot timer before I go to bed to avoid a few less things I have to do each morning. Also, pick your outfits out on Sundays and hang them up in its own section of the closet. The goal is to have the least amount of tasks for your mornings before each work day.
#5 :: Early to bed, early to rise
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier and wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual. It works WONDERS for the production of my day. I start my day with something I enjoy doing like drinking coffee and reading my devotional, doing a quick exercise, or simply taking my time getting dressed for the day. Sometimes I’ll catch up on a load of laundry or pick up my mess from the day before. Days that start like this usually end up being good, productive days.
#6 :: Dedicate at least one day for someone to pick up your kid(s) for the evening
It takes a village! Do you have relatives, friends, or neighbors that you trust? My parents pick up my daughter after school every Tuesday. This is a “win-win” because I get an afternoon free to run errands, exercise, or have some “me” time while the grandparents get their bonding time in for the week. This allows me to get caught up or to reset for the rest of the week. I don’t know what I would do without them!
#7 :: Come up with a cleaning schedule
Sundays are for laundry. Mondays are for the floors. Tuesdays are for bathrooms. Wednesdays are for putting everything in its place. Thursdays are for cleaning out the fridge. Fridays are for…nothing, who are we kidding? Have your kids help out with household chores. Come up with a cleaning plan that works for you, but don’t let it all pile up because you will become overwhelmed and defeated.
#8 :: Stay connected
Taking on the week alone can be tiresome and daunting, but just know you’re not really alone. Call your friends and family and remember to stay connected. You can even join the Red Stick Mom Neighborhood Group for extra community support. Also, allow people to help you when they offer. You don’t have to do it all by yourself, and chances are, they will WANT to help.
Even if you aren’t a single-working mother, these tips are useful for ALL moms. With school in full swing, it’s best to be prepared and stay proactive to ensure a productive work week.
