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We are all looking for more time in parenthood. And while I felt insanely busy when my kids were little (birth to 4 years old), it seems the older they get, the busier we are and the less time I have. I am an organizational freak, so I try to hack everything to make my life with work and kids more streamlined. I want to have more quality time to spend with whom I love, doing what I love. In a perfectly organized world, here are the items I can’t live without while managing my household.
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Online Grocery Shopping
One of the biggest time savers for me as a parent is switching from grocery shopping (something I don’t love doing in the first place) to Online Grocery Shopping. I am a personal fan of Instacart, because I can easily add things to my cart when I run out, quickly re-order items I typically buy, and even keep a standing grocery order for my essentials. I love how Instacart tallies how many hours I’ve saved ordering my groceries online, so I can see how worth it is to free up some of my precious time. Worried about picking out your own produce or afraid things may not be as you would choose? Do not worry. Instacart has a very lenient policy for unsatisfactory items, and refunds money instantly for items you are unhappy with. I can’t think of a better way to save time in parenthood than online food shopping!
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Smart Home Assistant
Having a smart home assistant can streamline your life in so many ways. Whether it’s managing a shared family calendar (to keep everyone on the same page) or task & reminder management to help keep the never-ending to-do list organized, the Google Nest Hub Max has got you covered. With it’s 10-inch smart display with built-in Google Assistant, you can’t go wrong. Not only will it keep your family organized, but it can also act as entertainment for your family by playing music (& dancing) or watching videos.
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Ready Made (Healthy) Food
Cooking does not come naturally to me, and even if it did, I typically struggle to find the time (& patience) to prepare every single meal for my family. Getting ready made, (healthy) foods for kids, big and small, is a great time saver in parenthood. Little Spoon is a great option, offering organic baby food, organic baby cereal, organic pouches, organic baby snacks, early finger food (pre-cut!!!!!), + lunchers, snacks, and plates. The best part is that Little Spoon is kid-approved, which is no easy feat. They taste delicious and you can rest easy knowing you are giving your little people healthy foods.
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These are my absolute musts if you are looking to save time in parenthood. If you are looking for other ways to make parenthood feel more manageable, I also recommend things like robot vacuums, educational subscription boxes, and homework help apps to help lighten the load. Asking for help (even if it’s paid help) is also a must. While sometimes I feel like I can do it all as a single-mom of 3, it can leave me feeling depleted. Having your curated “village” can really help save time in parenthood and give you the bandwidth to keep all of your plates spinning.
