Tips for Single Parenting snkpack: I've been a single parent for quite a while now. Crushy's decree advice thread gave me the idea to start a thread on something I have a little expertise in.
Here are some ideas that I've implemented that make my life much easier. Mind you my kids are 6 and 9 so some of these may not be so helpful for kids younger or substantially older than that.
1. After grocery shopping, I package fruit and other snacks into sandwich bags in small portion sizes before putting them away. This helps the kids become more independent in getting their own snacks and it helps them from eating too much. It also shaves several minutes off of lunch prep time if you make their school lunch at home.
2. I only buy juice and other beverages in individual containers. It's a bit more expensive to do so, but the independence it gives my kids and the spared burden of having to pour 10 glasses of juice a day, for me, is priceless. For those of you with younger kids, pre-pouring juice into sippy cups and leaving them in the fridge might be a better idea.
3. I buy in bulk. I always have one extra of everything so that we never have a crisis when we run out. Always.
4. Flushable wipes. Once they outgrow diapers, flushable wipes are priceless. They have so many uses. We have a dispenser in each bathroom and the kids use it for nearly everything.
5. Have hand sanitizer dispensers at each sink. These are great when you don't have time to do a thorough hand washing, but have to put a bandaid on or make a quick snack.
6. Have a spare television just for the kids if you can afford it. Nothing is nicer than being able to pop in a movie for your kids while you relax and watch something you enjoy on the family television. This was a godsend for me when the kids were really young.
7. Step stools. Have as many as you can afford. It enables the kids a bit more freedom and independence in getting items and doing other things. My kids each have one in their closet so they can reach their own clothes. We have one in the upstairs bathroom and one in the kitchen.
8. Give the children age appropriate chores. When they contribute to the overall cleanliness and order of your home, not only you but they also benefit. I started my kids with straightening up the living room, clearing toys from the floor, cleaning their own rooms. My daughter (9) now empties the dishwasher and starts it at the end of every night after I load it. She also mops. Both of my kids take turns vacuuming the living room floor every night with a very lightweight broomvac. My kids help fold the laundry and they are responsible for putting away their own clothes. They are responsible for emptying all the wastebaskets in the bedrooms and bathrooms and I take out the trash. It works very well for us.
9. If your kids are young enough and of the same sex, have them take a bath together. My children now bathe on their own and it frees up a substantial bit of my time. They do however, waste a lot of shampoo and body wash playing in the tub. Have a container with bath toys conveniently located somewhere near the tub and make sure there is a towel within reach for when they are done.
10. Place the children's snacks on the lower shelves of the pantry so that they will not need your assistance to grab a quick snack.
Re: Tips for Single Parenting snkpack: 11. Have a box or container for all your cleaning supplies. It is so much easier to clean the house and carry around the box then to run back and forth grabbing what you need to clean a room.
12. Keep a container of Clorox wipes handy. I love these things. They are a godsend. I also keep a can of Oust airfreshener, a bottle of Windex, and a bottle of Febreeze next to the wipes. Of course if your kids are younger, you will not want to leave these within reach. We also leave a set of these same items on the upstairs railing for quick fixes upstairs.
13. If you still have a baby, dryer sheets in your diaper pail help to kill the odor between disposals.
14. Paper towels are your best friend. I keep a roll in each bathroom and one in the kitchen. When you have kids, something is always being dumped or spilled.
15. I like to have the Dixie cup dispensers in each bathroom. This is so great for those middle of the night "I want some water" requests. It's also great for rinsing teeth after brushing.
16. Battery powered toothbrushes. Bottom line, it helps them clean their teeth better than they would on their own.
17. Storage containers. They're fairly inexpensive and they keep things so organized. My son has these for his toys. They conveniently store under his bed so he can slide them in and out to access his toys but still have plenty of open space for play. I also use this to store all their art supplies. They have a box in the living room which they pull in and out when they feeling like coloring, drawing, etc.
18. Have a shoe rack and coat rack somewhere near the front door. If there is a place for them to put their things away, they will. It also helps keep the carpets cleaner longer when no one is wearing shoes in the house.
19. We have a rule that anything that needs to go upstairs is placed on the bottom stair so that when someone goes up, it will be taken up.
20. Keep a toilet scrub brush near each toilet. All of us who have kids know that the bathroom gets pretty gross after while. Ensure they have all the tools to help them keep the bathroom clean. Also keep a plunger in each bathroom - just in case!
I'm sure I have a million more, but I'm having difficulty thinking of them at the moment. I will post if I think of anymore. Please feel free to share your ideas as well!
Re: Tips for Single Parenting yella: Instead of juice, buy "juices" that are actually flavored water. Like Capri Sun. Yes, more expensive, but I'd rather do that then spend extra money on dental fillings. Plus it gives them something more interesting than water.
Re: Tips for Single Parenting tara: Those are excellent even for non-single parents...or non-parents (specifically the stuff-that-needs-to-go-upstairs, stuff about cleaning supplies, plungers, etc.).
One more toy organizing tip, especially if your child has a small room:
An over-the-door shoe hanger (the type with the pockets) can go over the bedroom or closet door, and can hold a ton of the teeny Polly Pockets, Matchbox cars, hair clips, crayons and yes, shoes. Keeps the stuff off the floor and out of the vacuum cleaner. The clear vinyl ones allow your child to see through the pockets and find their stuff easily, too.
(We got one for Kiddo -- and her mom liked the idea so much she's got one there, too.)
Re: Tips for Single Parenting Topaz: [quote author=Smiley link=topic=47603.msg570044#msg570044 date=1187371179">
Instead of juice, buy "juices" that are actually flavored water. Like Capri Sun. Yes, more expensive, but I'd rather do that then spend extra money on dental fillings. Plus it gives them something more interesting than water.
[/quote">
I don't know why there has to be something more "interesting" than water. It's just fine by itself. Have you noticed what's the second ingredient in Capri Sun? High fructose corn syrup...SOOO bad for you, and probably one of the leading causes of obesity in children.
