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Being a working mum is a juggling act. You've got your job, the school run, housework, cooking, and somehow finding time for yourself too. It's enough to make your head spin! Getting organised can help make managing everything easier and reduce stress levels. Here are some tips to help you become a more organised working mum.

1. Use a Calendar

The first step to getting organised is having an overview of everything you need to do. Get a calendar, whether a physical wall calendar or an online one like Google Calendar and put all your family commitments on it - work schedules, kids' activities, school events, appointments, etc. Seeing it visually in one place will help ensure nothing gets missed.

You know, calendar apps are pretty handy when it comes to keeping track of events. It might be a good idea to share your calendar with your partner or co-parent so you both know what’s going on. Also, I find that having a weekly to-do list can be super useful. Just jot down your top tasks for the week, print them out, and stick them on the fridge as a little reminder. It really helps to keep everything in check!

2. Meal Plan

Planning a weekly menu will save you time and reduce the daily decision-making regarding what to cook. Look at your calendar for the week - will you have time to cook from scratch every night, or will you need some quicker options like leftovers or freezer meals? Make a grocery list from the planned meals so you only need to shop once a week. Preparing double batches of things like Bolognese sauce or chilli to freeze for future meals is a great time saver, too.

3. Get Ready the Night Before

Mornings with kids can be hectic, so get organised the night before. Lay out clothes, pack lunches and backpacks, and get bags ready by the door. Prepping breakfasts like overnight oats or muffins on your weekend cookout can help, too. Having everything ready to grab and go makes getting out the door much smoother.

4. Designate Spaces

Have set places to keep things you need daily, like keys, packed lunches, signed permission forms for school, etc. Use hooks by the door, baskets on shelves or a hall table so items have a designated home. No more frantically searching for lost items every morning! Labels or photos can help kids put things in the right spot, too.

5. Declutter Regularly

Clutter quickly builds up with a family, leaving your home disorganised. Set time aside each week to tidy and declutter - even 15 minutes makes a difference. Sort through paperwork and deal with it or file it. Don't let dishes pile up in the kitchen or laundry in baskets. Regularly decluttering prevents your home environment from feeling chaotic and stressful.

6. Be Ruthless About Routines

Routines and consistency are essential when juggling a family—set mealtimes, home time, homework, and bedtime times. Sticking to routines helps kids know what to expect and makes days calmer. Routines also help adults remember tasks and stay on top of everything. Build habits around the parts of your day to ingrain routines.

7. Batch Cleaning

Do you lack time for deep cleaning? Break cleaning into manageable chunks with batch cleans. Assign a task per room on certain days, like 'bathroom Mondays.' Or zone clean by spending 15 minutes each evening in a different zone - Monday kitchen, Tuesday living room, etc. Batching keeps cleaning from taking over weekends. Enlist older kids to help, too.

8. Say No to Extra Commitments

The temptation can be high to volunteer for extra things at your kids' school or take on additional work projects, but too many commitments lead to chaos. Be realistic about what you can handle, given your current schedule. Don't be afraid to say no if your plate is full politely. Protecting your time maintains balance and organisation.

9. Outsource When You Can

See if there are areas like grocery shopping, cleaning, or childcare pickups that you can outsource, even if just temporarily during busy periods. Using online grocery shopping delivery slots can be a huge time saver. Grandparents or a mother's helper may help with childcare. Even ordering prepped meals occasionally can ease the cooking burden. Outsourcing relieves pressure when you need it.

To conclude

The key to being an organised working mum is having helpful systems to keep everything on track. Take some time to set up routines and schedules that work for your family. Don't be afraid to tweak things as needs change! Staying organised reduces stress and helps you enjoy family time more.

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