I partnered with Meijer for this sponsored post.
Being a parent of three children can be overwhelming at times, heck parenting just one child isn’t easy. Now though that my oldest is 8 years old I have come up with some timesaving parenting tips and tricks that have given me a few extra minutes here and there. There are days when just 5 more minutes would make all the difference and create a lot less stressful situation.
Here are my timesaving parenting tips and tricks:
Use mornings efficiently. While waiting for kids to go off to school I get dishes done, laundry thrown in, items picked up from around the house.
Pack lunches and backpacks the night before. Or at least have everything ready for the morning. This is great especially if something happens in the morning that is un-expected and your running behind.
Cook more meals at home. Heading out to dinner is great once in awhile but takes up time a lot of time that could be used for other tasks. We go out to eat once a week as a family and it usually takes about two hours which on a school night is precious time.
Read a bedtime story to more than one kid at a time. My boys share a room so this works for us but sometimes we have my daughter come in and read one story to all three kids. We still tuck each one in and have a bedtime talk with each, but it is a lot quicker than trying to read three seperate stories, especially if one of us is parenting alone that night.
Keep a box or bag ready for donations. By cleaning up and ridding your house of non-essentials it will make finding whatever you need a lot easier and therefore less time is wasted. I keep a bag in my front coat closet and drop it off whenever its full.
Run errands wisely. I try to run my errands while I’m out in the area and only when I absolutely need to. I actually try to limit my errands to one day a week when I can do them all in one shot.
Shop online for as much as I can. Buy shopping online I not only spend less money since I can’t really browse aisles like I would at a store, but I also save time by not driving to the various stores.
Shop where you can do one-stop shopping like at Meijer. Meijer has basically a little of everything, from housewares to clothes to groceries and if I need lightbulbs, socks and milk I can buy them all from one store. One-stop shopping means less stress of rushing through stores and wasting time driving to them. Meijer also has affordable prices so its not like you are paying more for the connivence of everything under one roof.
Like sweepstakes? Meijer’s is hosting a “Make More Time for Mom” sweepstakes where users will submit photos via Instagram using the hashtag #MMT4M. Everyone who participates has the opportunity to win a $250 Meijer gift card.
Want to see how I “Make More Time for Mom”?
WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive a $25 Meijer Gift Card and P&G Prize Pack
- $25 Meijer gift card
- Tide to Go Stain Stick
- Tide PODS
- Pantene 2-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner
- Bounty with Dawn
- Pampers Wipes
Need help entering a giveaway? Check out my blog post for some help!
GIVEAWAY ENTRY:
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This Giveaway Ends November 23, 2015.
Lily Kwan says
My tip is to make preparations the night before.
Leah Shumack says
Snacks, lunch, bookbags and everything is packed the night before. Clothes are also picked out. That way in the mornings things are all ready!
Catherine Cameron says
Have your coupons cut and ready to go before going shopping!
Karen Drake says
My time saving tip is to pack book bags, lay out clothing the night before, that way in the morning everything is ready to go.
Julie Hawkins says
My tip is get everything organized the day before.
Jerry Marquardt says
My time-saving tip is to have everything that you need to do tomorrow ready and waiting to go before you go to bed the night before.
carl says
wow
marie Cantelli says
I too prepare our school lunches the night before.
Buddy Garrett says
Prepare everything you can for school the night before.
Nicole Lancaster says
My time saving tip is prepare everything on Sunday for the week like meals (cook and frozen), clothing picked out etc to save lot of time during the busy week.
Mike S. says
I pretty much keep a storeroom in our basement so that when we run out of something we “shop” for it by going downstairs instead of to the store. I’m not going to go into detail on how I accomplish something like that, but you should really see our basement!
laurie murley says
my tip is I shop for Christmas all year long, that saves me a lot of money
Melissa Fisher-Brown says
We shop all year round and have a present closet. It’s where we keep all gifts for all occasions so we know where it’s all kept and nothing is forgotten about. We get good deals and don’t have to wait. I also keep notes on my phone and listen for what people mention for what they want and need and look for the sales on those things. ?
Jackie Burns says
I shop year round for Christmas and birthdays. That way I can get the best deal, and I don’t feel rushed.
brittani adams says
Get organized and make schedules. Works so well for us saving time.
Lesley F says
I keep a list of things that have to get done and make sure that I do them
Brenda Elsner says
I plan ahead. I get things ready for meals early if I can, use the crockpot alot, go shopping without the kids makes shopping go faster.
dawn says
honest compact try’s to give you baby products n face book then wants credit card information. is this really free. I do sweepstakes any wanting credit information stay away.
Charity Cram says
Crockpots on a busy day are a big life saver! And there are a lot of great recipes readily available online!
Kim Crawford says
Crockpot meals, schedule board, and routines help us.
Seyma Shabbir says
My timesaving tip is to cook for the next 2 days. Always get food prepped for when you need to rush!
Gina says
Waking early and having an established routine helps to calm the occasional chaos.
MaryAnne says
stop scheduling and just do what can be done in a day – it takes the stress out of parenting and you’ll find more things simply fall into place including TIME
Jacquelyn Cannon says
My best time and saving tip is to write out and place a weekly schedule of chores and appointments for the household on the refrigerator. This keeps me organized for the week.
Mary Beth Elderton says
The best time–and hassle–saving tip is to establish routine. Having a set way to do some things makes it easier to just run through things to get it done.
Amy Orvin says
Get up early. I find that when I get up early , I get so much more done.
amy guillaume linderman says
we try to set out a week’s work of outfits for school on sunday nite
angela smith says
my tips make a grocery list as you run out or low of things you need so you dont forget anything.and look for coupons on stuff you use..also make to do lists for household chores and check them off as you do them
ashley kirchner says
I save time by praising my daughter when she helps they like to please you!
ashley kirchner says
I save time by praising my daughter when she helps they like to please you!
Kara Kudro says
Write out a daily schedule it really does help.
Kristie says
I like to do as much as I can to prepare for things the night before…school/trips, etc.
Terri Irvin says
I have tons of ideas to get things going in the morning.I organize clothes and backpacks the night before. I set the coffee maker also the night before so everything is ready to go. I also make all snacks the night before for when they come home from school. I take care of my grandchildren.
Chalene Alic says
I spend 15-20 minutes at night preparing for the next day while my son is asleep. Check the dishwasher, washer, dryer, pick up toys, pre-prepare the dogs breakfast, get my coffee mug in the keurig, clean out one side of the sink. This makes my mornings so much quicker when I’m groggy and wrangling a 14 month old.
Lori Jackson says
When I cook, I cook for an army and freeze half so on those hectic days I can just open the freezer for a home cooked meal.
Sue E says
When my kids were little, I used to prepare for the week over the weekend.
Because I worked all week. I had a great hubby who helped me also.
mycraftingworld says
At night I make a list of everything that needs to be done the next day. I have everything laid out for breakfast and school. No one has to look for anything. Just eat, grab your stuff and go.
samantha wagner says
I get up before the kids, and try to get things done. That way when they wake up, I have less on my list to do while they are awake.
Sara Zielinski says
Try to do all your grocery shopping on one day this way you don’t have to do it in small time wasting spurts.
Wendy says
When my daughter was a baby, I use to put 3 fitted sheets on her crib so if it was in the middle of the night and we had an accident, I could strip the bed and have a fresh sheet already on the crib.
Kelly Greenwood says
Keep a to-do list handy to stay on top of things.
Liberty says
By keeping a written to do list and crossing tasks off as you do them- helps you to prioritze
Breanna Pollard says
I do a lot of night time prep.
chris z says
i try to get as much done ahead of time
chris johnson says
love this site
Jack B says
My tip is always do what you can ahead of time so that there’s no rush at the last minute and less time pressure. Lay out clothes the night before, pack suitcases the night before, get together dinner/breakfast ingredients ahead of time, etc. It helps.
Julie Matek says
My time saving parent top is laying out my daughter’s clothes the night b4 school;)
Steven weber says
I save time by making all my meals on Sunday and freezing the rest for the week.
shaunie says
I would have to say freeze meals in advance than warm up when ready to eat
Julie Lundstrom says
I try to make a list then forget it at home so it doesn’t do me any good. I like to try to save by cutting coupons and watching the ads for sales.
Cynthia R says
I make lists and assign chores, they even have to help me cut coupons.
kelly says
Lots of lists help.
Janice Cooper says
Stay organized, make a list, plan dinner for the week and shop sales,
Cynthia C says
I save time by cooking double batches and freezing half for later when I don’t have time to cook.
Kay says
When I had babies, I’d double make the crib up with a waterproof mattress cover, a quilted mattress cover, and a sheet. Then I’d do it again. If there were accidents during the night or at naptime, I only had to strip off one layer and – voila! – clean bed.
Charlene Underhill says
I use coupons as much as I can! I love meijer and P & G items!
crystal gibson says
I use coupons and price match when I can. I also shop at the salvage grocery for cheaper items.
vickie couturier says
I make a list and follow it,,use my coupons and watch for sales where I can stock up
rochelle haynes says
I try to use my coupons and buy things that is on sale
April says
Wait till things go on sale and then use coupons!
Karen says
Since I know that I’m just going to hit the snooze button in the morning, I just set my alarm for a little earlier in the morning!
Trisha Burgess says
We make sure everything is done the night before! Lunches, clothes, ect.
June S. says
My tip is to always have a list and keep it in your purse. I am always writing out lists for just about everything now days-
Jan Lee says
My tip would be to have a list of things I want to buy at the store before I go so I can save time getting the items I need, and not wandering around looking for items.
Nancy says
When I clean up from dinner, I pack leftovers into lunches for the next day. I’m multi-tasking and not wasting food!
Jessica Miller says
I like to shop online when I can…pack lunches day before.
Mia says
I try to shop online when I can.
sandra says
we’ve hired a maid so we no longer have to clean the bathrooms