Working outside the home is a juggling act. It requires moms to split themselves in a million directions.
Between homework, dinner and bedtime, it’s enough to make the stress levels of moms raise 100%.
Check out this list of 4 hacks to make school nights easier for working moms.
Pack lunches the night before or early in the morning
Before I started prepping everyone’s lunches the night before, I wasted several minutes in the morning packing lunches and making messes.
Then if some unexpected event happened (like it often does with children) I was thrown off.
I started pre-packing my kids snacks in snack boxes and bags, so in the morning I could easily throw one in the diaper bag or lunch box.
On occasion, I am too tired to get it all done in the evenings, so I rise early to finish whatever I didn’t get to the night before. Most of the time, this includes my husband’s lunch. His usually gets fixed in the morning!
Meal prep for the week during the weekend
This is one of the best ways I’ve found to make my life easier while I’m working during the week.
How many times have you come home after a long day of work and discovered that you’ve forgotten to take out something to cook, or you simply have no idea what you are going to feed your family?
Making a menu (weekly or monthly) helps you plan what you will cook during the week and helps remove the stress during the week.
After you cook 2-3 meals, you will be prepared for the week without having to scramble every evening! Then when you pack your lunch the next day, use Reynolds™ Disposable Heat & Eat Containers. They are a great alternative to plastic, so you won’t have to worry about hunting down those plastic tops.
For those of you that are environmentally conscious, you will love that they are made with plant fibers and are perfect for the microwave!
Prepare a week’s worth of your children’s school clothes at a time
For my oldest, this is easy because she wears uniforms, so essentially she’s wearing the same combination of clothes daily.
I still practice washing clothes a few nights a week and on the weekends, then hanging all of my girls clothes on their closet door for the week.
This adds at least 10 minutes to my morning because I’m not hunting for clothes. Try it!
Wake up at least 30 minutes before your family
I commute 40 miles one way to work, so I have to rise early to make sure I get my kindergartener to school on time and I get myself to work on time.
After everyone is asleep at night, I usually have minimal energy to get anything done. I started waking up at hour (5:00 AM) before I wake up my daughter, and it has changed my life.
Anything that I didn’t get done the night (folding laundry, lunches, etc) I have time to squeeze it in before the chaos of the day begins.
What other hacks have you found to make school nights easier? I can’t wait to hear about them!
Oh, and share this post with another working mom–she’ll thank you!
sunloveraliciareg says
October 9, 2016 at 9:21 amGreat post! I haven’t got kids and some of those work for me too! Especially planning /cooking meals on the Sunday and packing them in the fridge. I’ve done that a couple of times and it made my life so much easier! I can’t believe you work so far away! That’s one hec of a commute girl! Hope you’re weekend has been a good one. Catch up on your next post xx
Alicia xx
Melissa says
October 11, 2016 at 11:01 pmGreat tips! I do all of these. I find that getting as much done the night before is most crucial.
Diedre says
October 11, 2016 at 11:28 pmThanks Melissa! I totally agree…I catch up on the weekends too because most nights I am beat!
Julie says
October 12, 2016 at 5:08 amMeal prepping on the weekend has made my life soooo much easier!! And I try to take 10 minutes in the evening to prepare for the next day…makes the morning smoother!
Diedre says
October 12, 2016 at 5:12 pmYes it does! And less dishes to deal with during the week too!
Emma @Kids, Cash and Chaos says
October 12, 2016 at 1:29 pmGreat post! I hate packing lunches for school, but maybe it will go better if I do it when I am making dinner the night before, gonna have to try that!
Diedre says
October 12, 2016 at 5:12 pmIt’s definitely not fun for me either. I bet preparing at night will make your life easier.
Holly says
October 12, 2016 at 11:56 pmOne of our best hacks is having the kids make tbeir own breakfasts. They do it every morning (2nd, 4th and a 7th grader). Of course they will only prepare cereal with milk, toast or a breakfast bar but that’s fine. They do all of it on their own and my time is free for lunches, the dog, my own breakfast, etc.
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:40 amI look forward to when my kids can do more on their own.
Gretchen Solomon says
October 12, 2016 at 11:58 pmLife is sure easier when you stay on top of things…great ideas!
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:37 amIt sure is. Thanks Gretchen!
Jessica says
October 13, 2016 at 12:15 amHow do you do it? I’m amazed by full time working mothers. I was on the verge of a breakdown a few months ago juggling a full time job and home life with a toddler so I resigned and now work [very] part time. I’m hopeful that it gets smoother because professionally [and financially] I’d like to work more hours. Sounds like you’ve got a great system down that’s working for you. Thanks for sharing.
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:36 amJessica, some days are easier than others, I’m not going to lie. I pick certain days to do housework and do a bulk of it on the weekends.
Jasmine Hewitt says
October 13, 2016 at 12:18 amYes I’ve used all these tips and they really do help!
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:31 amThey sure do! Thanks for stopping by Jasmine!
The How-to Guru says
October 13, 2016 at 12:58 amGREAT Hacks! Any meal planning is a lifesaver and these tips are awesome.
The How-to Guru
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:29 amThanks Mama!
Alece says
October 13, 2016 at 12:59 amTotally agree on all of your tips! Packing lunches the night before is crucial! I also find that having at least one or 2 crock pot dinners a week helps me a ton too!
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:28 amHail to the crockpot!!
Ashley says
October 13, 2016 at 2:09 amThese are great! One that I’ve learned that helps my kids is to let them sit in the bath in the morning. They normally will fall back asleep for about 5 minutes. (I’m always close by) when it’s time to get out, they are normally good and ready to go for the day. Cuts back on the morning fights and tears from them being slow and dragging.
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:28 amNice tip! Sometimes I like my 5 year old snuggle with her daddy for about 10 minutes. It makes her think she’s getting more sleep than she actually is 🙂
Marla says
October 13, 2016 at 2:16 amThis product looks like it would be super helpful for meal prep!
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 9:27 amI hate waking up early, but it sure does help!
Lauren says
October 13, 2016 at 3:08 amGreat tips mama! Waking up before everyone else is key!
Ayanna says
October 13, 2016 at 10:26 amGreat tips! Every time I forget to plan the night before, the next morning is always crazy and stressful. And waking up before everyone allows me to enjoy the quiet in my house before the crazy starts. 😉
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 7:40 pmYes, I love my quiet time!
Stacy says
October 13, 2016 at 3:55 pmGreat tips Diedre! Thanks!
Diedre says
October 13, 2016 at 7:40 pmThanks Stacy!
Allison says
November 11, 2016 at 2:01 pmI feel very motivated right now. 🙂 Although I don’t work outside the home, I do some (very) part-time work, as well as having my three littles with me 24/7, so these will definitely make my life easier as well. Love your website. 🙂
Diedre says
November 12, 2016 at 1:13 amThank you Allison! I commend you as a stay at home mom. I’d love to do that one day.