I am a mom of 4 young kids looking for mom hacks to save time for a big family. The time it takes to get all 4 of my kids ready for the day, eat 3 meals and then ready for bed feels like it is all-consuming! Here area few mom hacks I use to cut corners to make our life a little simpler. Please comment with how you manage a houseful of kids!
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How to get away without flossing {sometimes}
Mouthwatchers toothbrushes (click on link to buy)
These toothbrushes are developed by a dentist. They have Flossing Bristles (as thin as a human hair) to get hard to reach places. The first time I used it I had to brush twice with all the food it found hiding! As a bonus, the antimicrobial bristles eliminate 99% of bacteria between uses so it is clean before the next use. Plus, this toothbrush is rated to last 4 months instead of most toothbrushes 3 months. Which means when I inevitably forget to buy toothbrushes for a few months, we are still effectively brushing!
2. How to get silky hair without your daughters screaming
My girl’s hair is usually a mess only an hour after brushing it. But this magical brush makes it look smooth and shiny for hours! Plus my girls don’t scream (as much) when I use this brush. Win-win!
3. How to get away bathing or showering the kids 2-3X a week
I loved this article that proves that 2-3 times a week is sufficient for kids baths! Bathing can be such an ordeal with wet towels and dirty clothes all over the house. Now, I don’t have to worry about doing this routine nightly and I feel great about it! How often do your kids bathe?
4. How to save time while driving
Carpool group! Find a friend with kids who go to school or activities with your kids. Have a schedule for pick up and drop off and save each other time every day in the car.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help in our motherhood community. It takes a village to raise a child. Let’s help each other out!
5. How to do 2 things at once.
If you have to be in your car, make sure you use this mom hack to save time. Listen to podcasts, scriptures, webinars or training in the car or during your work out. Cross something off your to-do list as you play mom-taxi.
I also use chore time to get some listening in. If its nap time, earphones are amazing!
6. How to organize afterschool activities
Store all the sports clothing and uniforms in a separate place together. Put it right where the kids need to change. When it comes time to change into workout clothes for practice or a uniform, it’s all easy to find.
When my girls were in soccer and my boy in baseball all their cleats and uniforms, waterbottles and balls went in the same box in the closet for easy access. This mom hack to save time also saves your sanity!
Store all swimsuits together, in of one per person plus cover-ups or towels and sunscreen all in the same bag. I have 2 bags always packed with a swimsuit for everyone in the family. They are ready to go in case we have several days in a row playing in the water.
7. How to make meals quickly
Cook on a griddle instead of in a frying pan. Cook multiple eggs, hamburgers, quesadillas or pancakes at the same time.
Instant pot my friends! Google it, use it!
When you make a meal, double it. Freeze one. Use it for a future meal when you’re running short on time.
Save time on healthy lunches for Mom with the Ultimate Mom Lunch!
9. How to stay on top of the laundry
One kid a day gets their clothes washed. All colors all whites together in cold water. Start the load right when you wake up. Switch to the dryer right after breakfast. You now have all day to fold and put them away. (I usually do this with the reward of watching a show while I fold). I only have to put away one person’s clothes each day. If your kids are older, assign them a day to do their own laundry.
10. How to stay on top of cleaning
Preparing for a clean house may take several hours to organize, but it will be worth it in the end.
Write out every single chore that needed to be done in the entire house. Divide them into Yearly, Monthly, Weekly and Daily chores. Write each chore on color-coordinated 3×5 cards.
Divide the weekly card out through the days of the week. Assign the monthly tasks to a day in the month.
Pull out the daily, weekly and monthly task cards for that day each morning. The cards stay out until the chore is completed.
Doing a little cleaning every day and week makes each job easier and quicker. You won’t get distracted by other jobs because you know that card will come up later in the week.
As a bonus, you could ask your child {or husband} to complete a card task.
This book outlines how to complete this task. Its written in the 70’s so the stories are pretty ancient and hilarious, yet I was still able to relate completely.
Following this cleaning schedule has radically changed my habits and the cleanliness and order in my home!
Mom Hacks to Save Time for a Big Family
Many people ask me how I get it all done. The short answer is that I cut corners where I can so I squeeze out more time for travel and fun. What do you do to save time?
Please comment with your best time-saving mom hacks!
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