Tomorrow I start working full time. It’s only temporary for 3 months but it’s going to be a big change from a three day working week. It’s also going to be a big adjustment for the men of the menagerie.
In preparation for being a full time mum/full time worker bee, I’ve been setting up a few little things to try to keep me organised. Or at least to minimize collateral damage when I inevitably lose the plot.
Inspired by my friend Stacey-Lee’s awesome Command centre/Launch pad, I’ve tried to create a similar set up at home (although much less attractive!) Our little command station includes our family calendar, shopping list, meal plan, bills due & general reminders. This has also cleared up our fridge door where alot of this stuff congregated. Halleluah!
The meal plan is definitely a work in progress. I got this cute meal plan pad from Typo thinking it was a month full of dinners. It’s actually 7 days of breaky through to dinner, but I’ve adapted it to achieve my vision.
I’m only doing a week at a time at the moment but will use it to plan the next month, and which will hopefully lead to more organised grocery shopping to avoid those last minute dashes to the supermarket (or to the fabulous Syrian pizza place down the road).
My meal plan also let’s The Man know what he needs to do, if anything, to get dinner happening at a reasonable hour. I’ve organised a drawer in the freezer specifically for the week’s meals so the night before I can easily grab out what needs to be defrosted. I’ve even brought some large containers to pre-cook a few meals to freeze as stand-bys for those times when things don’t quite work out. In fact, I have a beef strog in the slower cooker right now. Stacey-Lee would be proud!
Mt Foldmore has also been conquered (contrary to my husband’s suspicions, hell did not freeze over). This will avoid the frustration of urgent morning forages for Mickey undies or the only white bra I own that doesn’t have a hole in it.
In fact, I’ve organised clothes for the boys and I for the entire week!
The “days of the week” clothes hanger that’s been kicking about for ages is finally been put to use to sort the boy’s school/kindy clothes. I have planned what I’m wearing so I know exactly which day aforementioned white hole-less bra will be required.
I’ve also set up this little mini launch pad for the boys so that their bags can hang up and we can make sure we’ve got what we need!
So apart from making lunches, eating, sleeping and actually getting to work, I think I’m as organized as I can be.
Do you do paid work as well as working for pint sized employers? What are you best tips for keeping organised?
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19 Responses to Double time: Full time mum + full time work
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Proud she is! Good on you, now to survive the next three months, good luck xo
Stacey-Lee recently posted..Meal Planning – What’s for Dinner?
Thanks! Keep your fingers crossed for me
I dont work full time but hubby started a job last week that was 12 hour shifts….so I have had to take over the cooking of dinners.
I am now planning a weeks worth of menus so that I know what needs to be cooked every night…so much easier for our family – and like you say, we dont dash off to the shops for last minute things. I reckon its a great way to save money
All the best with your week ahead.
Lisa Wood recently posted..Would Love To Believe
Thanks Lisa. I dread to think what our groceries REALLY cost. So much more than the official weekly shop. Good luck with adapting to life with a shift worker. x
You go girl! I’m inpsired and envious x
lipglossmumma recently posted..Grateful for no pressure
Thanks hun but don’t be too envious, I’m not sure how long it will last before the wheels come off ;P
Some great tips there! I do 3 days a week, but sometimes even struggle with that. Best tips – make lunches and wash hair the night before. I always underestimate how long those things actually take and inevitably run late…!
Best of luck with it Nee – will be thinking of you xx
Renee | About a Bugg recently posted..The elevator pitch
Oh yes, definitely do lunches the night before! Last thing I could face first thing in the morning is making a ham sandwich! Ick!! Hair washing I have to do in the morning otherwise I look like a frizz ball – think I might invest in some dry shampoo for winter though. Or maybe just a fashionable beanie ;P x
I work part time as a teacher, I also do some writing for some free publications around the place, as well as running a playgroup and… oh yeah – full time mum and wife and cleaner… Even though I don’t work full time, I could get A LOT better at being organised. Good tips here by blogging friend! I have been inspired to make a ‘Command Station’ also – SUPER idea!
B recently posted..How do you spend your Sundays? Hand Drawn….
You are definitely a busy B(ee)! I love my command station – there are some great ones around & wish I had more space to include more elements to mine. Pottery Barn have some gorgeous things to make the command station of my dreams *drool*
Fab post – good luck – i love your idea to have a drawer set up in the freezer with everything you will need that week – off to share as that is brilliant. (wish i had a bigger freezer)
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..Simplify your life {Week 17: Decision Making}
Thanks so much for sharing with your readers Deb!
Well done! I love the launch pad idea…I think I’ll try it in the pantry door, then it is easy to access but not on my newly decorated wall
I have blogged about my meal planning and freezing (http://mypaperlessphd.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/planning-meals/) that helps me save time in the evenings (study full time, work part time and run family), so it is great to see how others work towards this complex balancing act. Other than beef strog, what other meals does your family like? There is a list of our favs on the blog link above.
I think deep freezers and online shopping are a godsend! Hope your the months go smoothly, all the best!
Fiona T recently posted..Conference Travel Planning: Organising what to pack.
Pantry door is a great idea but we (especially hubby) suffer from out of sight out of mind so ours had to be in a high traffic area. WIll definitely check out your meal planning post. We love curries or anything with pasta. The Man is a meat & 3 veg kinda guy but the kids & I like to mix it up
Thanks for the well wishes & for popping by to share your ideas x
Funny I started back full time today too.. staying until 5 almost killed me
Good luck xx
Me too! I didn’t get out until 5.30pm. Lucky Wednesday is a holiday so we get to ease back in
Good luck with the rest of your week xx
[...] have been working double time now for just over a month, and despite being gifted with a number of public holidays during this [...]
Wow – You’re not German are you?
Mumabulous recently posted..Bumabulous – The Bugalugs Bum Thief
haha! I may have a drop or two of german blood. Why do you ask?