Hey, parents! It can feel like a run, a sprint, and an obstacle course all at the same time when you are raising little Aussies. Often, it starts before you even have your morning coffee. You might feel like you’re running on empty when you have to run to school, sports practice, and play dates and remember who needs what for crazy sock day. Are you burned out? Mate, it’s true. But what if we told you there were ways to get back some time and, more importantly, your sanity? Ten ways to save time have been put together to help you be a better parent with less “argh!”
1. The “Good Enough” Mantra is Something That Should Be Welcomed
To begin, let go of the need to be perfect. Of course. The carefully picked lunchboxes and homes that look good on Pinterest and Instagram? They don’t always tell the whole story. The goal of a one-way trip to Burnout City is to always be perfect.
Your kids will remember the love and fun you share with them more than the exact order of the colours in the playdough. A “good enough” dinner is still fed to a family. A clean house that is “good enough” is still a house. Getting rid of the pressure to be right away saves time and mental energy.
2. Mealtime Magic: How to Cook Like a Pro
The dreaded “What’s for dinner?” A question can send chills down any parent’s neck after a long day. It saves a lot of time to plan meals in a smart way. You don’t have to cook all day on Sunday, though.
Some simple things you could do are:
- chop extra veggies while you’re cutting them,
- make extra rice or pasta sauce to freeze, or
- plan your meals for the week to help you decide what to buy at the store.
Even putting together lunchbox snacks on Sunday night can make workday mornings a lot easier. Simple, healthy, and quick thoughts will help you in the long run.
3. Learn How to Politely Say “No” and Get Good at It
As parents, we often want to do everything: host every playdate, bake for the cake stand, and help out with the P&C. Your time and energy, on the other hand, are limited. Most importantly, you should learn how to politely decline extra tasks that will put too much stress on you.
It’s not about being useless; it’s about protecting your family’s and safety. One simple answer that makes perfect sense is “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t do that right now.” Be with your time; it is valuable.
4. Give Tasks to Other People; You Don’t Have to Do Them All Yourself
Remember that you are a parent, not a superhero, even though it feels like you should be! Spread the weight around. If you have a partner, split up the housework and childrearing. Get older kids involved with age-appropriate tasks – they’re more capable than you think!
Don’t be afraid to hire someone else to do it if your budget allows it. This could be:
- a service that brings you groceries,
- a cleaner who comes once every two weeks, or
- even events that your child can sign up for.
For instance, baby sensory classes are a way for your child to learn and make friends, and they also give you a planned activity and a chance to meet other parents.
5. Don’t Make Tight Routines; Instead, Make Rhythms
Even though strict, minute-by-minute schedules can feel limiting and cause stress when life throws a curveball—hello, sudden temper tantrum or sick day!—having regular rhythms can make a big difference.
A general flow for your mornings, after school, and bedtimes will let everyone know what to expect, which will cut down on decision tiredness and chaos. Awake, breakfast, getting ready, play, snack, trip, lunch, nap or quiet time, and so on. The key is to be able to change the beat often.
6. Smart Technological Shortcuts: Help
Use technology to make your life easier. Online grocery shopping can save you a trip to the supermarket with tired kids in tow. Use shared digital calendars with your partner to keep track of meetings and commitments. Your phone can help you remember everything, from when to return a library book to when to thaw something for dinner. Check out the many tools that can help parents make their lives easier!
7. Group Similar Projects to Get the Most Out of Them
Instead of switching between different types of work, try putting tasks that are similar together. Set aside a block of time every week to do things like housework and pay bills. Instead of making several trips, do all of your shopping in one trip.
In general, you work faster when you are “in the zone” for a certain type of work. This includes:
- areas to clean the house,
- plan meals, and
- even answer emails that aren’t pressing.
8. Put Your Health First; It’s Not Selfish to Do So
Even though this goes against what you want to hear when you’re looking for ways to save time, hear us out. Nothing gets done faster when you’re running on empty. You lose your patience, and stress is a big threat.
Setting aside time for health is an investment, whether it’s to make sure you get enough sleep, work out, or just relax with a cup of tea. If you’re having trouble with your mental health, getting mental health support shows that you are strong, not weak. To be a better parent, you need to take care of yourself first.
9. Get Your Village Back on Track
Especially in the early years, parenting can be lonely at times. Talk to other mums as much as possible.
A fun date idea would be:
- to go to the park,
- with parents at school pick-up, or
- join a playgroup in the area.
It can be very energising to share laughs, tears, and life events with people who get it. Your village can also help. For example, they could offer to watch the kids for an hour if needed.
10. Slip in Short Moments of Pleasure and Growth
It’s easy to feel like your parenting duties take up all of your time and leave you with no time for yourself. Still, you can use even small gaps in time to do things that fill your cup.
This could be:
- doing a ten-minute guided meditation before bed or
- sorting laundry while listening to an inspiring podcast.
You could also set aside some time each week to work on yourself by reading a chapter of a book you like or learning a new skill online for personal development. These small times can give you a mental break and a sense of accomplishment that you don’t get from being a parent.
Being Alive, Not Just Staying Alive
Being a parent is more of a journey than a goal, and it’s not even close to a competition. Instead of trying to reach an impossible goal, these ideas are meant to help you find ways to make your days a little easier, your load a little lighter, and your time as a parent more enjoyable. There needs to be room for you to breathe so that you can enjoy these rare years.
