9 Hacks for Working Parents to Get Organised

Make sure you give yourself some ‘me’ time as well!

14 September 2023 | Hannah Rubery

Summer might be still clinging on, but Autumn is here to stay. And with the cooling temp we're reminded that a new school year is upon us. For many, this time of year signals a return to routine and structure. For working parents, it's a juggling act between work responsibilities, school schedules, and taking care of daily household chores. It's a daunting task, even for the experienced work-mums & work-dads who've been through it all. But the challenge of organising your life as the school year begins doesn't have to be an uphill battle.

With the right approach and a few helpful tips, you can streamline your routine, keep things organised, and make room for some quality 'me' time. Read on to discover helpful strategies to make this school year your most organised and stress-free yet. Already feeling burnout? Check out our previous article on how to beat burnout.

The Importance of Self-Care for Parents

It cannot be emphasized enough how vital 'me' time is for maintaining a balanced lifestyle, especially for working parents who are always on the go. Balancing work, school schedules, and household chores is a daunting task that can easily lead to burnout if not managed well. Taking care of everyone else's needs often leaves little room for self-care. However, it's critical to remember that you can only give from a filled cup.

Prioritising time to recharge, whether it's a quiet coffee break, a relaxing bath with your favourite CBD bath bomb, or even a peaceful walk outdoors, can significantly boost your mental and physical health. This not only makes you more capable of handling everyday stresses but also sets a positive example for your children about the importance of self-love and care. After all, happy parents foster happy homes.

9 Top Tips to Get More Organised for the School Year

Organising your life as a working parent can be quite a feat, but these nine tips have you covered:

1. Setup a Google Calendar

Start by setting up a Google Calendar for the family. It's an excellent tool for keeping track of your family's activities, appointments, school events and more. By colour-coding for each family member, you'll be able to see at a glance who is doing what and when. You can even send out invites to your partner so they know when they might need to do some solo parenting for an hour or two!

2. Write the Ultimate To-Do List

A comprehensive to-do list can be a game changer. List everything that needs to be done each day, from house chores to work assignments. Ticking off tasks will give you a sense of achievement and keep you on track.

3. Always Date Your Leftovers

This may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference. By dating your leftovers, you can plan meals more efficiently, and it helps reduce food waste as well. And honestly, who hasn't had leftovers in the fridge and completely forgotten when they actually made it?

4. Categorise Kids' Clothing

Having your children's clothing categorised by item type to help speed things up. It also helps let you know when they might be short on socks! Separate clothing into sections or even small tubs for each type of clothing that way there's no last minute run around for the school jumper. You can even involve them in the process which can be a fun and practical way to teach them organisation skills.

5. Delegate Tasks So It's Not Just You

Don't take everything on yourself. Delegate tasks among your family members. This helps lighten your load and teaches your children responsibility. Ask your school to include your partner's email address/phone number for updates so that you both get notifications. Have a parent or grandparent who helps out? Invite them to the family calendar to keep tabs on what's going on, maybe they'll even want to tag along!

6. Involve the Family in the Evening Pre-Brief

At the end of each day, gather your family around for a quick meeting. Discuss what's on the agenda for the next day to make sure everyone is prepared. This can be anything from what the plan for breakfast, dinner and tea is to what book they might want to read or what lessons might be on at school. Involving the kids will likely give you reminders for things you didn't even realise or forgot about.

7. Invest in Duplicates for Essentials

Having duplicates of items like school supplies, toiletries, or any other essentials can save you from last-minute stress when something runs out or gets misplaced. Let's face it, we all know it's going to happen and sometimes through no fault of anyone's. Accidents happen and things break/wear out.

8. 10-Minute Cleanup Before Bed

Make it a routine to do a quick 10-minute cleanup before bed. It's amazing how much you can get done in 10 minutes, and you'll wake up to a tidy house. You can even involve the kids and make it into a game by setting a timer to see who can tidy up the most before 10 minutes are up. It helps minimise the morning cleanup and makes tidying fun for your kids.

9. Make Your Morning Routine and Evening One

Find yourself always rushing about in the morning? Perhaps there are some tasks you can shift to the night before. Pre-pack lunches, go through with your kids in packing their school bags and even set out which shoes they're wearing. If it's PE day tomorrow then make sure it's ready the night before. The less you have to do in the morning, the better your day will be.

Remember, the key to getting organised is all about establishing systems that work for you and your family. Keep it simple, keep it efficient, and remember to take some time for yourself in the hustle and bustle of it all.