Ten time-saving tips to make your life as a busy mom easier

As a mom, I have a to-do list. Sometimes it gets done, most of the time, I do what I absolutely HAVE to and postpone the rest. Here are a few tips that save me time so I can make the most of my To-do list:

• Make a list- I enjoy making lists and this tip probably helps me the most. Whether it is a grocery list, a cleaning list, a packing list, or general to-do list, they seem to give me motivation. Crossing things off my list helps me feel like I am making progress. I even have started a binder full of different list papers (blank) so I can always have them available (blank paper isn’t as fun ).
• Map it out- If I have a lot of errands to run, I always try to do them all on the same day & I also ‘map-out’ my route.  I live in a pretty big city so I always decide which part of town I should go to by what stores are the closest together. To save time (and gas) I can’t drive all over trying to get my errands done. I try not to get picky about which stores I go to…..if I need to go to a craft store & the grocery store, I go to a part of town that has those type of stores close together. I don’t enjoy running errands with 3 kids, so this tip is important so I don’t spend all day trying to get things done.
• Cook Extra- I have just recently started doing this one. There are a lot of nights that I don’t get dinner done because I didn’t have time. There are also a lot of nights I don’t get dinner done because I just didn’t feel like cooking. This tip helps with both of those. I just make a double batch of dinner or breakfast & then I freeze the second batch. It’s so easy to pop it into the oven for a quick but still homemade meal.
• Wake up early-This one is not fun, but it can really make a difference. If I can drag myself out of bed before my kids wake up, there are a lot of things I can do uninterrupted. I
• Avoid peak hours-Hit the stores when they are least likely to be busy. I have found grocery stores to be pretty empty in the morning (before 10 am) so that is when I prefer to go. Ask your cashier when their slowest time is the next time you shop, you will be glad you did.
• Delegate- I know it’s sometimes easier to do things yourself, because it gets done right! However, your children can learn how to do things correctly. Give them a responsibility and let them save you some time.
• Avoid distractions- You know if you turn on the TV or check your email, you will be stuck there for longer than you expected.
• Trade-off- Do you have a friend who would trade-off with baby-sitting? Let them watch your kids while you run errands or clean your house. Your kids will thank you & you will get so much more done.
• Shop online-This will save you time & gas money. Just think about it…..no kids, no opening/closing hours, no walking…..it is such a great way to get things done!
• Don’t sweat it- I know some of you out there can do EVERYTHING, but I am not that person. I do my best, & I try not to worry about what I didn’t get to. There is always tomorrow and lucky for me, I don’t many unannounced visitors so it isn’t crucial for me to have my floors vacuumed every day!

Being a mom is time-consuming, but hopefully you can find ways to get everything done while still having a little ‘YOU-TIME’!!

*I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.