As a single mum, juggling work, parenting, and household chores can feel overwhelming. The key to managing it all lies in streamlining household chores to save time and reduce stress. Here are some effective strategies and time-saving tips to help you manage household chores efficiently, along with the benefits of delegation and involving your children in age-appropriate tasks.
Time-Saving Tips and Hacks for Managing Household Chores
1. Create a Cleaning Schedule
A cleaning schedule helps break down tasks into manageable chunks so you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Assign specific chores to different days of the week. For example, Mondays can be dedicated to laundry, Tuesdays to dusting, and so on. This approach keeps your home consistently clean without overwhelming you.
2. Prioritise Tasks
Not all chores are equally urgent. Focus on high-priority tasks that impact your daily life the most, such as cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, and leave less critical tasks for later. This helps you maintain a functional living space even when time is limited.
3. Use Multitasking Wisely
Combine chores with other activities to save time. I’m all about efficiency! For instance, you can fold laundry while watching TV, wipe down kitchen surfaces while cooking, or listen to a podcast while vacuuming. This way, you can accomplish more in less time without feeling like you’re dedicating extra hours to chores.
4. Declutter Regularly
A clutter-free home is easier and quicker to clean. Regularly declutter your living spaces by getting rid of items you no longer need. Donate, recycle, sell, or dispose of unnecessary items. This helps to maintain a tidy home and reduces the time spent on cleaning. In addition, physical decluttering leads to mental decluttering, so it’s a win-win!
5. Invest in Time-Saving Tools
Modern appliances and tools can majorly reduce the time spent on household chores. Consider investing in a robotic vacuum cleaner (this is on my list), a dishwasher, or a washer-dryer combo. These tools handle tasks automatically, freeing up your time for other important activities.
6. Hire Professional Help
If your budget allows, consider hiring professional cleaning services for deep cleaning tasks. Even having a cleaner come in once a month or every few months can alleviate some of your stress and maintain a cleaner home.
Involving Children in Age-Appropriate Tasks
Involving your children in household chores not only eases your burden but also teaches them responsibility and life skills. You can also transform chores into a fun activity to motivate your children. For example, play upbeat music, create a chore chart with rewards for completed tasks, or make it a game by timing how quickly they can finish a task. This approach makes chores less of a burden and more of an enjoyable family activity.
Here are some age-appropriate tasks for children:
1. Toddlers (2-3 years)
- Putting away toys
- Helping to make their bed
- Wiping up small spills
2. Preschoolers (4-5 years)
- Setting the table
- Watering plants
- Sorting laundry
3. Primary School Kids (6-9 years)
- Emptying and loading the dishwasher
- Folding laundry
- Taking out the rubbish
4. Tweens (10-12 years)
- Vacuuming or sweeping floors
- Cleaning their room
- Helping with meal preparation
5. Teenagers (13+ years)
- Mowing the lawn
- Washing the car
- Cooking simple meals
Streamlining your household chores with these time-saving tips and strategies can help you manage your home more efficiently and reduce stress. And remember that by involving your children in age-appropriate chores, you can share the workload and also teach them valuable life skills.
P.S. DID YOU KNOW?
Thrive Tribe – the global membership experience for single mothers – will be opening again very soon! Join the waitlist here.
PLUS You can book one-on-one coaching with Julia Hasche from wherever you are in the world!
- Do you need clarity on whether you should leave your partner or not?
- Have you just parted ways with your partner, and feeling lost?
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