With the school year back in full swing, parents across the country are dealing with hectic mornings, activity-packed afternoons, and exhausting nights.
But there are some simple tips and tricks that can help calm the first term of school so you feel less stressed.
Mum-of-three Katrina Springer, better known as The Organised Housewife, believes that an orderly home all starts with a routine.
Mum-of-three Katrina Springer, better known as The Organised Housewife, has offered her tips and tricks for getting back into routine this school year
And that should always include a to-do list, which Katrina said will help keep your many tasks from feeling overwhelming.
‘Actually seeing your tasks will help you prioritise, focus your attention, and help you remember what you need to do,’ she told Mamamia.
Katrina recommends making the lists more exciting with bright colours and graphics that can make it fun for the whole family – including the youngest members.
The Organised Housewife said a to-do list can be everything from reminders for you and your partner to a chore list for the kids.
She even suggests turning them into a spelling list or times’ table to make the lists more interactive and educational.
Katrina also recommends placing a monthly calendar on the fridge, so everyone can keep track of any upcoming events.
Katrina said to-do lists are essential from keeping the week’s tasks from feeling overwhelming, and suggests always making a weekly shopping list to save time and money
Katrina also makes a meal plan along with her grocery list so that she only needs to visit the store once a week and can buy everything in one go
A grocery list is another great way to organise everything you need in one place, saving you time and money when you hit the supermarket.
Katrina makes a meal plan along with her grocery list so that she only needs to visit the store once a week and can buy everything in one go.
‘When planning my meals I consider use-by dates for fresh meat, use meat from the freezer, or canned fish to see me through to the following week,’ she added.
After everything for the week has been decided, Katrina recommends writing the dinner menu on a display in the kitchen.
The busy mum placed one of her printable lists behind glass so that she can use a whiteboard marker to change the menu each week.
Katrina also recommends placing a monthly calendar on the fridge, so everyone can keep track of the week’s upcoming events
Katrina said this stops her children from constantly asking ‘What’s for dinner?’, and allows her husband to start cooking the night’s meal whenever she’s running late.
‘Being organised and knowing that everything has a place helps my mindset and reduces my stress level,’ she told the site.
Katrina also recommends keeping school notes in a separate file or clipped to the fridge, and keeping all homework supplies in one place for the kids.
She always places her children’s school bags in the same place so they never forget where to find them, and stores all the lunchbox supplies in the same cupboard.
Along with her to-do list, grocery list, and meal plan, Katrina also has a lunchbox plan for the week and a laundry schedule to save her from washing everything during the weekend.
While it may sound like a lot, Katrina said there are a variety of resources online that offer printable lists for free or little cost.