From LKJ ~Ok experienced moms, give me some tips on being organized once i return to work... on how to get out of the house on time, stuff i need, anything that makes this all easier.
From emmas_mom ~ My biggest tip would be to have everything packed and ready to go before going to bed at night. Then the next morning, you can grab it on the way out the door. It eliminates the last minute rush to get everything and then forgetting something important. I also found that laying out everyone's clothes the night before saves time too. Okay, so maybe just laying out my clothes since it takes me forever to pick the one that needs to be ironed! I also got up and got completely ready for work before waking Emma, but that was only after she started sleeping pretty well. Good luck going back to work!!
From Laura_008 ~ Being prepared ahead of time is key. I used to (and should start again, shame on me!) get all of dd's clothes ready for the entire week on the weekend. I'd put her complete outfit on one hanger, and hang all five on the knobs of her dresser. I also put a pair of matching socks in a pocket so there was no digging for socks at the last minute. This also makes it easier for dh to help in the morning. Not only is he male, and has that genetic lack of fashion sense, he's also color blind, and can't even match two socks, bless his heart.
Also see if you can leave diapers, extra clothes, etc. in bulk at the day care. That way you're not packing diapers, wipes, and all that stuff day after day.
Make sure everything is clearly labeled - I can't tell you how many cups we've lost because they weren't labeled, or it had worn off. (My dd also likes to peel the labels off, ha ha...)
Good luck going back to work! I hope this helps some!
From E's Mommy Also, once you get home, things are crazy trying to get dinner ready, etc. Find some good crockpot recipes that you can dump everything in the night before, stick in the refrigerator, and turn on the crock pot in the morning. (I use a light timer on mine to turn it on when it's time).
I used to make a menu for the week ahead of time, since for me thinking of something to make is the hard part. I should start doing this, but telling someone to do it is easier than doing it myself, KWIM
Hope this helps!
From TimsMom I find the evenings more hectic than the mornings and I've found one thing that helps a bit. On Sunday I always cook a pound of hamburger and several boneless chicken breasts (or roast a chicken) and put them in the fridge. Then, when I come in from work and need to get supper started, I can do a Hamburger Helper or a skillet dinner or something really fast. A couple of times I've also cooked up some pasta ahead of time on the weekend (spaghetti doesn't do well in the fridge but shells or macaroni do) and then I can just throw some sauce on it and dinner is served!
From Sarahsmom ~ Well, I am surprised to find myself posting a reply here since it seems like just yesterday I was the one needing the advice! But having a child sure forced me to get organized and become more efficient. My tips:
1) If you can get your DH to do the morning dropoffs, it can be a lifesaver. I knew I would get too sad dropping my DD off, especially in the beginning, so I worked out an early shift so that I get to be the one to pick her up in the afternoon and spend some fun time with her before the dinner rush. Also, it saves me from having to get her ready and myself at the same time! Let's face it, men don't have to do the hair and makeup routine and so I think it is easier for them. My DH has also told me several times how grateful he is to have his special time with her in the morning before going to work.
2) Take advantage of your lunch hour. I usually go to the grocery store or other errands 1-2 times a week during lunch and I store the food in the fridge at work until it is time to go home. I work out on the other days so it gives me time for my fitness as well.
3) Like the others said, get the clothes, bottles etc ready the night before.
4) I packed away all my clothes that need dry cleaning or ironing. I now wear easy to clean mix/match outfits so I don't have to think much about what to wear the next day. I also have a lot of dark clothes to hide stains!
5) Making dinner every night is perhaps the most stressful thing to me. Sometimes I just buy the chicken pre-marinated, the salad in the bag, etc. I have collected a bunch of easy-to-make recipes for lasagna, casseroles etc. They are good for at least two nights of dinners. I also usually have one "breakfast" night a week with just omelets or pancakes and Friday is definitely take-out night.
The main thing is to not put unrealistic expectations on yourself that you have to be this supermom that has everything in perfect running order. If you are tired, order pizza! If the house is dirty, turn down the lights!
From amym ~ I love Angela's hint about cooking meat on the weekend to serve during the week!For me, the best organizing tip I have is to make lists. I make lists about everything because it's so satisfying to get to mark things off! Plus I'm terribly absentminded, so I'll forget something if I don't.
From Licagita ~ With a family of 5, laundry is a big one for me. I throw a load in the washer when I get up, when I get home I throw it in the dryer, then I fold it after the kids go to bed. It has just become part of the routine.
From Kris10 ~ Oh my gosh, laundry! Thank you Licagita! Your tip is so easy and yet.... why haven't I been doing that? I am under a mountain of laundry and I can't get out! I'll spend an entire weekend doing as many as 20 loads of laundry! I'll finally be caught up come Monday but after 20 loads over the weekend am totally burned out! Then it piles up again because I refuse to do it! Even though I know 1 a day is a great idea! I will have to try your schedule!
Another tip is to have a diaper bag pre-packed. We always have wipes, several diapers, a spare outfit, toys they only play with on outings, spoons and bibs in a diaper bag.
Here's a tip for traveling. We have a travel bag that is always packed with bathroom essentials. We have travel size shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cologne, etc. We also have extra deodorant, and extra brush and pick, an extra hair dryer, etc. That way, we never have to pack bathroom essentials. I always hated the bathroom essentials because you can't pack it until the last minute. You might also consider packing a pair of underwear for each family member just in case you find you've forgotten it when you arrive.
Check out the food board at SN for crockpot recipes. I can't remember the exact name of the board, but it has great ideas.
From daksmum ~ #1: This may be an unrealistic request for some of you but I have a great boss!
I work from home for a half day on Tuesday (yep, that's today and look at what I'm doing. I can get 4 or 5 loads of laundry done, the dishwasher switched out, bills paid, etc. I get up one hour later than usual . . . I normally get up at 5, on Tuesdays I take an extra hour of sleep until 6 . . . and do the usual routine with the exception of wearing sweats in the morning and driving back home instead of driving to the office after taking the kids to daycare (only 5 miles each way). In a dream world my DH would take the kids for me on Tuesdays but I haven't convinced him to do that yet. It is amazing how much you can get done if you apply yourself for 1/2 day and it makes a great difference in the laundry.
#2: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN AT A YOUNG AGE! My DS puts away his own laundry and he just turned 4. Everyone is in charge of their own stuff and it doesn't belong in the living room!
#3: This one may be another stretch but get a GOOD washer and dryer. We moved into a new house last May which my DH and I built ourselves. I wanted a laundry sorting system in my laundry room and I got it (four high stack of shelves that hold laundry baskets) . . . the only problem is my DH didn't think to measure the washer and dryer to make sure there was room! The day we moved in he realized the space was too small. MEN!
We had to get a new washer and dryer to fit in the space we had so we got Fisher-Paykel's. How many of you wait for the dryer to finish drying 15, 20, 30 minutes after the washer has finished? This manufacturer guarantees the dryer will be finished when the washer is and the washer cycle takes less than 30 minutes. (Something about how fast it spins and how much water it gets out.) Can you imagine how much laundry I get done in my 1/2 day at home on Tuesdays!?
OK, so the set was $1300 but think how much electricity we are saving AND you can set the washer to sense the water level you need. With the twins I think that this was money well spent . . . even if I was mad at my DH, it didn't last long!
Sorry, I was rambling again! After adding these three items I agree with everything else here!
From Lenore ~ You have been given some great advice. I'll just add that don't take the first couple of weeks as any indicator of what combining work and baby is like! I remember feeling SO overwhelmed -- all I did in the evening was to prepare for the next day. So just remember that gets better. At first, you need all those lists for what to pack and take. After awhile, it's second nature. Honest.
From LauraL ~ I'll say an "amen" to what the other ladies have advised so far. One thing that I learned after awhile is what I DIDN'T have to worry about. I packed too much to take to daycare everyday. No big deal, I just didn't know that my daycare lady had her own butt cream, oragel, etc. And I learned that a few nights a week SANDWICHES were okay to have. Most of all, remember to take the time to enjoy Luke!
