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I've seen a lot of scattered threads asking people how they manage to keep clean, or make dinner, or do crafty things. I was wondering if there was a thread where it was all compiled or if we should start one? We all know it's a heck of a hard job and I love hearing tips to keep me sane, and thinking maybe others do too?<br><br>
Anyhow, I thought I might start.<br><br>
Food<br><br>
Make enough for leftovers. On the weekends I'll often make waffles and I'll make a batch for 16 people (we're a family of 4) and throw the rest in the freezer. Same goes for anything that freezes well.<br><br>
I will often come home from shopping and chop up enough fruits or veggies for a few days. However much I think will keep before my kids can demolish them. I will pluck and wash some grapes. Unfortunately I go through a lot of zip loc type baggies, but I do rinse and reuse them as much as possible.<br><br>
I try to look for health snack foods that are easily taken out of the fridge and given to said child, like crackers, yogurts, heck even dried cereal. They know to go to the cupboard where I keep my tupperware knock offs and grab a bowl and I will fill it for them.<br><br>
I will often start dinner in the morning. Even if it's just chopping up a bunch of food to cook for later. I have more energy at the start of the day and I find by the end I'm lagging so having my onions/garlic/peppers already done helps immensely.<br><br>
I also turn on music while I cook. I have my ipod dock/radio in the kitchen and turn on some dance music. We usually listen to relaxing music while I eat.<br><br>
I hate doing lunch, truly! I will often just grab a bunch of my pre-chopped items with dried fruit, throw in some leftover cooked meat or grilled chicken, put it all on a tray and sit the guys down to a buffet.<br><br>
I will often grill up a bunch of chicken for situations just like that. Chop it up, throw it in the freezer. I nuke it, but I imagine it can be warmed up in a safe container in some hot water too.<br><br>
I love to bake, and so do my guys, but it's REALLY important to find easy recipes to do this. I find muffins and low maintenance cookies the best. If I'm sick, I'll often buy some cookie dough, pat it out onto a pizza pan, and let the kids go nuts with decorating it with coloured sugars and sprinkles before it goes into the oven and icing afterwards. Not healthy, but a time killer.<br><br>
Cleaning<br><br>
I have no system. lol I try to keep things as organized as possible, I use lots of bins and baskets I get on sale on bookshelves. I have file folders for the kids work, I'd actually like to get another filing cabinet to devote a drawer just to their stuff.<br><br>
Laundry is done as needed, would love to hear some tips on that. Other than listening to music while putting clothes away, I have nothing and try to pawn it off on DH as much as possible.<br><br>
I get the kids to help tidy up as much as possible. I will often bribe with a movie, craft or outside time for them to tidy up their playroom.<br><br>
They LOVE gardening, so I get them to dig holes, water plants, pull weeds, clean up leaves whatever they can manage.<br><br>
I have a spray bottle with a vinegar/water solution, I spray the floors and then go around with a wide fabric floor duster. Homemade Swiffer with less chemicals.<br><br>
I don't make beds in the spring/summer/fall. We have duvets which are folded, at put at the bottom of the bed. In the winter though, I'm stuck.<br><br>
Craft/play time<br><br>
I have a bookcase full of bins with craft stuff. Those bins have bins of all the small rolly things that like to spread. I totally take advantage of kits at craft stores or department stores. Perler beads and sticker mosaics are a Godsend!<br><br>
I have a cheap table cloth which they do everything on. I can throw it in the wash and then let it dry.<br><br>
I don't like playing much, but we do do puzzles, games, we'll do bubbles and I do baking with them.<br><br>
We go to the park, or in our yard a lot. They can make an unholy mess out there and it doesn't matter. I look for cheap yard toys at garage or end of season sales. We use a lot of chalk and bubbles, we also garden a lot.<br><br>
I often buy polished stones or seashells and bury them in the digging area of our yard and the boys will spend an hour looking for treasure.<br><br>
I want to get a cheap plastic drawer to put by the back door with sunscreen, hats, and some crocs, so I don't have to chase them all over the house.<br><br>
Does anyone have any tips for getting out of the house without losing their sanity, or doing a shopping?
Anyhow, I thought I might start.<br><br>
Food<br><br>
Make enough for leftovers. On the weekends I'll often make waffles and I'll make a batch for 16 people (we're a family of 4) and throw the rest in the freezer. Same goes for anything that freezes well.<br><br>
I will often come home from shopping and chop up enough fruits or veggies for a few days. However much I think will keep before my kids can demolish them. I will pluck and wash some grapes. Unfortunately I go through a lot of zip loc type baggies, but I do rinse and reuse them as much as possible.<br><br>
I try to look for health snack foods that are easily taken out of the fridge and given to said child, like crackers, yogurts, heck even dried cereal. They know to go to the cupboard where I keep my tupperware knock offs and grab a bowl and I will fill it for them.<br><br>
I will often start dinner in the morning. Even if it's just chopping up a bunch of food to cook for later. I have more energy at the start of the day and I find by the end I'm lagging so having my onions/garlic/peppers already done helps immensely.<br><br>
I also turn on music while I cook. I have my ipod dock/radio in the kitchen and turn on some dance music. We usually listen to relaxing music while I eat.<br><br>
I hate doing lunch, truly! I will often just grab a bunch of my pre-chopped items with dried fruit, throw in some leftover cooked meat or grilled chicken, put it all on a tray and sit the guys down to a buffet.<br><br>
I will often grill up a bunch of chicken for situations just like that. Chop it up, throw it in the freezer. I nuke it, but I imagine it can be warmed up in a safe container in some hot water too.<br><br>
I love to bake, and so do my guys, but it's REALLY important to find easy recipes to do this. I find muffins and low maintenance cookies the best. If I'm sick, I'll often buy some cookie dough, pat it out onto a pizza pan, and let the kids go nuts with decorating it with coloured sugars and sprinkles before it goes into the oven and icing afterwards. Not healthy, but a time killer.<br><br>
Cleaning<br><br>
I have no system. lol I try to keep things as organized as possible, I use lots of bins and baskets I get on sale on bookshelves. I have file folders for the kids work, I'd actually like to get another filing cabinet to devote a drawer just to their stuff.<br><br>
Laundry is done as needed, would love to hear some tips on that. Other than listening to music while putting clothes away, I have nothing and try to pawn it off on DH as much as possible.<br><br>
I get the kids to help tidy up as much as possible. I will often bribe with a movie, craft or outside time for them to tidy up their playroom.<br><br>
They LOVE gardening, so I get them to dig holes, water plants, pull weeds, clean up leaves whatever they can manage.<br><br>
I have a spray bottle with a vinegar/water solution, I spray the floors and then go around with a wide fabric floor duster. Homemade Swiffer with less chemicals.<br><br>
I don't make beds in the spring/summer/fall. We have duvets which are folded, at put at the bottom of the bed. In the winter though, I'm stuck.<br><br>
Craft/play time<br><br>
I have a bookcase full of bins with craft stuff. Those bins have bins of all the small rolly things that like to spread. I totally take advantage of kits at craft stores or department stores. Perler beads and sticker mosaics are a Godsend!<br><br>
I have a cheap table cloth which they do everything on. I can throw it in the wash and then let it dry.<br><br>
I don't like playing much, but we do do puzzles, games, we'll do bubbles and I do baking with them.<br><br>
We go to the park, or in our yard a lot. They can make an unholy mess out there and it doesn't matter. I look for cheap yard toys at garage or end of season sales. We use a lot of chalk and bubbles, we also garden a lot.<br><br>
I often buy polished stones or seashells and bury them in the digging area of our yard and the boys will spend an hour looking for treasure.<br><br>
I want to get a cheap plastic drawer to put by the back door with sunscreen, hats, and some crocs, so I don't have to chase them all over the house.<br><br>
Does anyone have any tips for getting out of the house without losing their sanity, or doing a shopping?