My family is basically in a long distance relationship. James travels for work during the week while the kids and I are here Texas. Without having him home during the week I quickly learned that I had to find ways to keep from running myself ragged; especially with being pregnant. I want to share a few tips on how I manage my time when he’s away:

1. Use a cleaning service.

Nothing makes me feel worse than telling the kids we can’t gooutside to play because I need to go home and clean up. Now, I don’t have to. We haveservice scheduled biweekly and I spot clean high traffic areas in-between. Yes, I stillhave to do every day cleaning like dishes, sweep/vacuum floors, clean toilets(#boymom) and wipe down mirrors but that’s easy to do after I’ve sent the kids off tobed. Maintaining 4000 sq feet of house is too much for one person to do alone. I AIN’TDOING IT and thank God we can afford my mood on this one. If your budget can affordit HIRE ONE! You’ll thank yourself later.

2. Prepare for the week.

We start by meal prepping. James usually takes this on for me by prepping 2-3 meals for the kids and I on Sundays. We also make sure to pack morning and lunch time snacks for this kids so they can just grab and go in the mornings.

We take prep a step further by pulling clothes for the week. On Sundays I pick the kids clothes, iron if necessary (hey lazy) and put them in my closet for easy access in the mornings. They both get dressed in my bathroom so it’s perfect. I have no interest in running up and down the stairs at 5:30 am because I forgot matching socks.

I also put both my and Zoes hair in low maintenance styles and we sleep in bonnets at night. I try not to comb our hair more than 1-2x a week.

3. Use Grocery Pick Up/Delivery Services.

I have been taking advantage of Amazon Primes same day delivery and Targets Drive Up services for a few weeks now. If we’re running low onsomething like toilet tissue or I need a new phone charger I just place a quick order whileat work. That way I can either pick it up on the way home or it’ll be at the door waitingwhen I get there.

When it comes to full on grocery shopping I am a little late to the party but Kroger Click-list is everything for a mom on a tight schedule. I typically just pick up because it’s 3 min from my house but you don’t have to get out of the car. They place the items inside the trunk for you. Like where have they been all my life? The kicker for me was that they made sure to ask if I had any paper coupons prior to them finalizing my order. Yall! That literally made my heart smile. #HeyCouponQueen

If Kroger isn’t your store of choice look into Target Drive up, Shipt (they deliver for Target and other grocery chains), InstaCart, Whole Foods Curbside or Walmart Pickup services near you. Actually just google search grocery pick up (or delivery) services and take your pick! LOL

4. Let the kids run the show.

Not really but somehow mine function better when I make themfeel “included” in their day to day tasks. So instead of telling Zoe to clean up her toys and having her give push back, I ask whether she wants to clean up her toys or help clear thekitchen table. That way she’s cleaning something and she feels like she made her ownchoice. #GirlBoss in training! LOL

Thankfully James (Pooh) is older, so he gives me very little push back about the things I ask him to do.

I have to use a similar tactic with Zoe around bath time. I ask if she wants to take a bath or a shower. If she says bath I run her water and I can usually fold a quick load of laundry on the bed while she plays with her bath toys (yes, I can see her from the bed). If she says shower we hop in the shower together and essentially kill two birds with one stone. I love my solo showers but not as much as I love getting the kids down at 8:30 pm on the dot. Yes or yes questions for the win!

5. Have more than one laundry day.

As much as I love clothes, there is nothing I hate more than folding laundry. I found that doing smaller loads a few times a weeks helps to keep the task from feeling so daunting. If I let dirty clothes for the 4 of us pile up for 7 days I’d be drowning in unmatched socks. No thanks!

6. Vitamins are your friend.

I take vitamins C, D and Collidal Silver daily to keep my immunesystem boosted. It’s enough that we have to play “Russian Roulette” with germs bysending our kids to school/daycare every day. I cannot afford to get sick on my own accord.

7. Power naps are life.

Some days I sneak away to the quiet room at work for a 30 min nap during lunch. Other times I catch a short nap on the couch during the kids screen time. Lately it has consisted of Zoe making us watch Jumanji or Rampage for the 1000th time. So I’m not missing anything… #JudgeYourMom
Of course what works for me won’t work for everyone but making these things a part of ourdaily/weekly routine has saved my sanity. What are some things you do to help save time during the week?

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