the 26th hr of the day... when do u get things done?????

Bitachon101

Thu, Nov 27 2014, 10:20 pm

I just don't get it.
I work and dh works. Both full time.
How and when am I supposed to take care of all the stuff I need to get done?
I'm terrible with time management to begin with.
I need to set up doctor appointments, etc, need to be on top of shopping (no baby food left in house again no babysitter watch the kids for the hour my husband out by chavrusa at night....
Its just beyond me how ppl manage to get things done!
Dh tries to chip in but barely has his own minute to breathe which he dearly needs.
He has been asking me to take care of something we needed done before this coming motzai shabbos and I just haven't been able to do it... Only can be done during 9-5 and I just can't. He not happy about it but its just beyond my comprehension of how to take care of being a working woman and a household manager and mother and wife.....
So all you geshikte mamas when do u have that 26th hour that you get everything taken care of???

rachel6543

Thu, Nov 27 2014, 10:53 pm

I work fulltime and so does my husband. Tips I use to save time and get things done:

When I go to the store, I tend to stock up on A LOT of stuff at one time (non perishables) so I have to make less trips. Esp when there are good sales, I stock up a lot.

Extra freezer!! When you cook/bake make extra and freeze. Saves time for busy nights when I don't want or have time to cook. I also make and freeze a bunch of sandwiches and muffins at one time for school/work. Takes me one minute to throw lunch together for me or my child. Also, super easy fast dinners for week nights, we love breakfast for dinner.

Order what you can online. We have Amazon prime and if price is comparable, we order online instead of going to the store.

With my dr's office you are often able to request appt's or send messages online. Much faster than calling and can be done from my smart phone when I take a break at work. Also, I have a hands free phone set and will make certain calls when driving to or home from work.

When really stressed for time (ie pesach) I'll use a fluff n fold laundry service to do my laundry.

Paid cleaning help. Both hubby and I work fulltime. Have cleaning help 2 hrs/wk. otherwise my house would be a disaster.

I send myself email reminders so I don't forget to do certain things after work.

I find it's faster to take a pic of things like business cards, appt lists, or a pic of something I need to remember to buy. I tend to loose paper stuff, so taking a pic on my smart phone really helps. I also make grocery & to do lists on my cell phone.

Ask for help. I don't abuse this. But say I want one item from a kosher store across town. I'll ask my friends/family members if they can pick up for me when they go. Saves me time and gas. I also make sure to offer my help back to friends/family.

Once kid(s) are old enough, have them help with chores and errands. My son is 6 now and he has age apporiate chores. He folds (sort of) and puts away his laundry. Helps unload the car. He puts silverware away. He sweeps under the table. Puts his own toys away... Etc. sometimes it's a fight, but most of the time things get done faster because he is old and independent enough to help.

rachel6543

Thu, Nov 27 2014, 11:15 pm

Some other ideas... If you're able, go to the store before work. For instance, there is 24 hr walmart on my way to school/work. There have been times I needed to get some certain item and I found it easier to go early in the morning, 6:30-7am. The store is usually empty then and no lines; able to get in and out very quickly. Just leave item in car trunk out of sight until I can get home that night to put away.

Ask husband to help more. I've started speaking up and ask my husband to help. My husband is not a mind reader. Give specific requests. I'm able to get more done because he's helping more.

Try not to let clutter and stuff pile up. I find it helps to go through mail right away and throw all junk mail and misc paper in the recycling right away. Helps keep the mess down and don't have to worry about it later.

Spread large tasks over several days into smaller tasks. For instance, for thanksgiving I go to my relatives who don't keep kosher. I have to bring and cook my own food. I broke down the cooking over a week so didn't have to stress the night before. Made a sweet potato pie last week and froze. Peeled and cooked potatotes on tues night. Last night (wed) made mashed potatoes out of potatos I cooked the night before. I think this is the first year I was the least stressed about thanksgivings because I had spread out the cooking more and made the menu simple and easy. Same for Yom tov this year. I make easier, quick things to bake/cook and spread the cooking over several days.

Bitachon101

Thu, Nov 27 2014, 11:16 pm

Yes I need a freezer.... Currently no place to put it. Will get that one day.
But what about family errands and appointments?
A lot of errand stuff is 9-5 places and appointments too.
Delivery, I should start doing that!
(Tho I'm on WIC and they refuse to deliver WIC foods.... Which I often miss my checks cuz I can't make make it to the store by the date!)

I'm at a stage where I need to evaluate my ds and may need to start taking him to specialisy appointments... When ??????? When do ppl take care of their kids special needs when both parents work?
I just don't get how to work it out.

Laughing Bag!

Fri, Nov 28 2014, 12:17 am

I aactually don't work out of the house but find it very difficult with the same stuff you mention. Technically, appointments should be easier for me but then I need to find a babysitter so that it hard. I shop a lot online, I do grocery order in the evening once kids go to bed and dh is home already. Therapy for my Dc is difficult I'm thinking of stopping as I cant manage to shlep out in the afternoon and still serve supper and bedtime on a decent time.
I do lots of stuff oncethe kids are sleeping and that can get really late like up to 2am even. Phone calls and stuff is not much of an issue unless they make me hold for forever. But like the other poster said to try at lunch break or during your commute to and from work. If you have a smartphone keeping a list on there is great.
I feel for you because as difficult as it is for me it must be so much harder for full time working mom.
Good luck!
P.s. maybe you can get some high school girls to come as a chessed once a week to help out.
Maybe your DH can pick up wic and try picking up as much as you can at one time so u don't have to remember individual checks. I do have a big extra freezer and freeze the extra milk, bread, cheese, juice... that I cant all use at once. the non perishable items I just stock until I use them, I do sometimes share with a Neighbor as well.