Collaborative post
Taking care of your kids sometimes feels like you need to be a superhero. It’s not enough to go to work and provide an income. You also have to do everything else, like supporting their emotions and meeting your partner’s needs at the same time (if you have one).
The trick is to develop a superpower routine that lets you put all the boring and repetitive stuff on autopilot. Getting more done in less time frees up energy for the things that really matter.
Prep Breakfast The Night Before
Our first tip is to prepare breakfast the night before. Getting everything ready for the morning means you can get up and go out of the house with plenty of time to space.
It can also be a money-saver. Instead of reaching for expensive and convenient options outside of the home, you can have your overnight oats ready to go in the morning.
Get Everyone To Chip In During The Morning Rush
Another piece of advice is to get everyone to do their part during the morning rush. If you’re trying to do it all yourself, you’ll feel stressed and run out of time.
Giving everyone a role in the morning can reduce the amount of chaos significantly. For instance, you might give your children tasks like setting the breakfast table or washing the dishes. You could also get them packing their bags if they are a little older and understand what they need to include in them.
Power Down At Midday
You can also enhance your routine by powering down a little at midday – typically a quieter time. Lunchtime can be an excellent place to stop for fifteen minutes and take a nap that will recharge and refresh you for the afternoon onslaught.
Share Childcare Responsibilities
If you have a partner, you can also try sharing childcare responsibilities with them. Getting them to do stuff around their work can help you better manage your time and get more done.
For example, if your husband comes home from work after dinner, you might get him to wash up the dishes and vacuum the carpets while you tuck the kids into bed. You could also get him to sweep the driveway or do other non-essential housework you’ve been putting off because you are too busy.
Arrange Care Remotely
Another strategy for developing a superpower routine is to arrange care for your kids remotely on sites like Care.com. These provide access to people like babysitters who can look after your children while you’re out of the home.
Getting out of the house away from your kids is essential for your relationship. You need time alone to plan and think about the future. You also need to decide on a shared direction of travel – where you are trying to get to as a family.
Get Other People Involved
Finally, having a squad of people nearby who can help you is also a great way to take care of yourself (and your kids). Bringing everyone together reduces the workload and ensures that you can enjoy your life more.