Actionable Time-Saving Tips for Single Parents
Single parenthood is not a mean feat. For most parents, it means juggling multiple roles simultaneously—parent, worker, household manager, and more.
Millions of American families are headed by single moms and dads. According to Statista, 15.09 million children live with single moms and 3.05 million with single dads. These numbers are for 2023, and they are likely to be more in 2025.
If you are in this role, you will probably feel good that you are not alone. Another fact is that you can survive and thrive while raising a family alone, provided you master time management. With the right approach, you can save time and give your best to your kids. That sounds daunting, but it is absolutely doable.
In this article, we will share some practical tips for single parents to save time without falling short of their responsibilities.
Have Realistic Expectations and Schedules
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that women spent 2.7 hours on household activities on designated days. Likewise, their male counterparts worked for 2.1 hours on these chores. Managing things alone can take even more time if you work without a partner sharing the workload.
As a single mom or dad, you must understand your limitations and accept that you can’t do everything perfectly. Setting realistic goals helps in creating achievable schedules and reducing stress. When setting goals, focus on what matters most. For example, think about your child’s well-being and your work obligations.
A family calendar can be utilized to organize everyone’s schedules. This will help you manage work commitments, school events, and personal appointments. A physical calendar or a digital tool like Google Calendar can be good options. You can color-code different activities and share them with your kids.
Prioritize Tasks
No matter how much you try, you will probably fall short of time when parenting alone. A work meeting may take precedence over a school event or a dental appointment. In such cases, prioritizing tasks can help you maximize the available time.
The Eisenhower Matrix can be helpful when trying to set priorities. Forbes explains how you can use this tool to get stuff done. Categorize tasks into four elements, focusing primarily on urgent and important tasks. The less urgent or less important tasks can wait for later when you have time for them.
Also, create daily checklists to organize your tasks and stay on track. These lists can help you feel more accomplished and less stressed at the end of the day.
Manage Cooking Time
Even the busiest people cannot afford to order out every day, particularly when they have kids to feed. Besides the hefty bills, you don’t want to compromise the health of your family by eating out often. Single parents must learn to manage cooking time so that they can serve fresh food daily.
Plan your meals for the week and prep them in advance during weekends. You can cook large batches or cut, chop, and freeze. A pressure cooker can be your best friend as it cooks fast and preserves nutrition. However, several cases of malfunction and recalls have been reported due to burn hazards. TorHoerman Law names brands like Instant Pot, Crock Pot, Faberware, and Breville being recalled.
The next big question is: can a pressure cooker explode? Unfortunately, yes because faulty design, overfilling, and improper cooking techniques can lead to an explosion. If a design defect is the reason, you can file a compensation claim against the manufacturer. The better option is to check your cooker frequently and thoroughly and follow the guidelines.
You can consider meal delivery services during extra-busy days. Alternatively, look for a meal co-op where you cook for other families one day and receive meals from them on others. This can reduce cooking time and provide healthy variety in your meals.
Outsource What You Can
You may want to do everything for your family, but being single makes even the most dedicated parents helpless. Between school runs, work meetings, and appointments, you are unable to close tasks. Don’t feel guilty and ask for help when you need it, even if you have to pay for it.
If financially feasible, consider outsourcing tasks like laundry or housekeeping. Care.com reports that the average hourly rate for house cleaning services is $19.73. Location can impact the price, but it can be a wise investment for solo parents loaded with work. Even small services like grocery delivery can free up time and reduce stress.
You can use virtual assistants or apps to manage tasks such as scheduling appointments or reminders. Alexa can keep track of grocery lists and other household needs and give you reminders from time to time.
Divide Household Duties
Solo parenting is tough, but you don’t have to do everything alone. If your kids are old enough, encourage them to participate in household chores. Assign age-appropriate chores such as loading the dishwasher or taking out the trash. Besides sharing the workload, you will teach them valuable life skills.
A chore system keeps things fair in homes with many children as you don’t want them to feel that others are favored. You can use charts and apps to organize and track chores. Rotate duties every week to ensure everyone does everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can single parents seek help from their children?
Children can be a good source of help for single parents. They can be given tasks like cleaning their rooms and helping with laundry. Parents must teach them the significance of contributing to the household and how it helps the family as a whole. They must also appreciate and reward good work.
How can single parents make time for themselves?
Single parents must do their bit to make time for themselves. Not doing so can lead to burnout down the road. They can set aside time for self-care during weekends, and adopt daily relaxing activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies. A yearly solo trip without the kids can be refreshing. They can do it by leaving the kids with the other parent or grandparents.
What do single parents need the most?
Single parents need a solid support system the most because they are often overburdened with responsibilities. They can rely on friends, family, or support groups for emotional support and practical help. Time management tools can be helpful for saving time, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity.
Being a single parent is hard, but effective time management and strategic planning can make the ride smooth. At the same time, you should be open to seeking help when needed. Avoid pushing yourself too hard and stay realistic. You may fail on some days, but the love for your kids will keep you going.
