Share your tips & shortcuts for moms/students!

skislalom · Aug 17, 2004

First, I have a huge dry erase calendar on the kitchen door...everyone's activities, appointments, whereabouts are posted on that calendar. I have 4 kids (12, 10, 7, 3.5) so we have alot going on here to keep track of. At the beginning of each term I write IN RED what my class hours and days are so there are no- "oh I didn't realize you had class tonight" excuses. I also have all of our cell#'s and emergency contacts on it-for babysitters (or dad :chuckle )

Easy breakfasts here - I make loads of zucchini bread, banana bread, muffins, pancakes, applesauce etc and freeze them and we are always stocked with LOADS of fresh fruit - the kids are responsible for feeding themselves in the morning (except the 3 yr old). Pack the lunches the night before and place them in the fridge.

I do laundry every day - have to around here - I lay out each kids' laundry on thier bed or on the couch for them to take up to thier rooms and it is thier responsibility to put it away. We all wear white socks...I buy the same for everyone (you'd be amazed how much time is wasted pairing socks!) I usually put a load of laundry in before bed, switch in the morning while coffee is brewing..etc. I get up 1 or 2 hours before the kids (for my sanity and MY coffee)

We do homework before dinner (and sometimes after also) together - the kids and mom. I keep in touch with thier teachers weekly so they don't have a chance to fall behind.

I grocery shop 2x a month-stock up on lots of necessities...I make 2x or more as much as I need when I make meals...freeze half-heat and eat, be it taco meat, enchiladas, chicken, pancakes...whatever-I make more and freeze it for quick meals. I keep lots of grillables on hand...take them out of the freezer in the morning-marinate in ziplocs in the fridge or salmon I just toss on a cedar plank on the grill. I also keep diet shakes (slimfast or atkins..whatever) in the fridge because in the rush to get everyone out to thier destinations, I often forget to feed me...granola bar and a shake for the commute.

I too have separate backpacks for classes and/or days on campus-makes a big difference-each is stocked with the necessities (pens, pencils, gloves, highlighters, stapler etc) Separate notebooks and binders for each class also-very clearly marked and always "try" to keep them in at least the same pile...LOL. :rotfl: Also..the kid's things are color coded...Marina = Purple, Rachel = Blue, Becky = Magenta, Ryan = Green...backpacks, coats, hats, gloves, lunchboxes, binders, hampers, towels, toothbrushes...you name it - it works great

great ideas you've all got-keep em coming!

~T

snuggy · Aug 17, 2004

For those who have older kids, let them do some of the work! Our kids are 4, 7, 10, 11, & 14. Even the littlest one helps out by doing things like making her own bed, picking up toys etc...and the others all do dishes, help with laundry, etc.

I totally agree with this. My kids are ages 4, 5, 9 and 11, and they help out tremendously with the regular "upkeep" housework. BIG timesaver!

I like keeping a laundry basket or box with everyone's name on it. When the house gets cluttered, toss the items in the appropriate basket and place in the person's room. It is then their responsibility to put it away and the clutter is out of the main areas. This is very beneficial for our bar in the kitchen, everything ends up there.

That is one of the greatest ideas I've ever heard... thank you so much for sharing it with us!!! I am going to utilize this plan and see how it works. It will be so nice if it eliminates the whole "you forgot such-and-such on the stairs..." or "don't forget to get your xxxx off of the table..."

Also, I cannot stress how much of a lifesaver crockpot cooking can be. Everyone thinks that crockpot dinners are things like chili or chicken cooked with canned condensed soups. :chuckle However, that's just not true! Just to give you an idea, last night I made a delicious pork roast made with honey, ground cloves, nutmeg and cranberries. It was fantastic, and definitely didn't taste like something that you'd think came out of a crockpot! Here's how we do it...

I make a two-week meal menu and go shopping for all of the items necessary for those meals every other weekend. (If two weeks is too far in advance, just do it weekly instead!) Then each night, I pull whatever meat I'm going to use out of the freezer and let it start to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. (that way the meat isn't a frozen block of ice and it doesn't lengthen the cooking time as much) The next morning I put all of my ingredients in the crockpot and turn it on. That's it! Sometimes I just cook the meat in the crockpot, so I (or my husband) still have to make the side dishes. If that's the case, it's usually something really simple... steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, even Stove Top. :chuckle Most of the time, however, I cook the veggies right along with the meat so all we have to do is just serve it. Just keep it simple... that's the whole idea here!

Here's a great site with more crockpot recipes... http://www.cookingcache.com/crockpot.html

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Aug 17, 2004

I'm just starting next week- but I agree with the crock pot idea! Mine has a removable ceramic insert, so I can put everything in it the night before, then refrigerate. The next morning, I just throw it in the pot and turn it on. Or the best roast is so easy- salt and pepper it and turn it on low, no liquid or anything is needed. That's if you're really in a hurry and no time to put in veggies or anything.

MiaLyse, APRN · Aug 17, 2004

Here's a great site with more crockpot recipes... http://www.cookingcache.com/crockpot.html>>

Thanks. I'll definitely have to check this site out. :)

Kelly

dave1117 · Aug 17, 2004

who is a Head Nurse Manager of an ICU stepdown unit...

Her comment regarding finding more time to get it all done...

"We should all spend less time on the internet searching for solutions and spend more time reading and studying..." :imbar

That's the last time I share with her...:chuckle

have a great day all, dave:)

enfermeraSG · Aug 17, 2004

who is a Head Nurse Manager of an ICU stepdown unit...
Her comment regarding finding more time to get it all done...
"We should all spend less time on the internet searching for solutions and spend more time reading and studying..." :imbar
That's the last time I share with her...:chuckle
have a great day all, dave:)

Ya, but if we lay out a fantastic plan to succeed..........we are more likely to HAVE adequate quality time to study and read more!!

And to the brilliant poster who takes the ceramic insert out of the crockpot and prepares the meal in it the night before by placing in fridge, GREAT IDEA! I have one like that, and never thought of doing that. Thanks! SG

NewEnglandRN, RN · Aug 17, 2004

Funny, I have a similar crockpot, too and never figured that out :imbar

enfermeraSG · Aug 24, 2004

I don't know about the other new nursing students, but this is how I feel......

:rotfl: :eek: , oh and a little of :bluecry1: mixed with

Am I alone in my mixed feelings???

So I am bumping this back up to get more tips! The work load is pretty hard, and I must reorganize my time for studying. That was more difficult than I figured on with the kids and all. Not like pre-reqs! SG

dollama · Aug 25, 2004

Can't remember if anyone mentioned flylady - now don't roll your eyes at me....- she has some good tips and ideas. I bought the book Sink Reflections instead of subscribing to her emails since screwing around on the computer is a huge time waster for me and I need one fewer reason to be on this thing.

Anyway, having a one and two year old in addition to my 5 yo, I have discovered that the less stuff/clutter around, the less mess potential. You know, when the baby pulls the stereo speaker over, if there is nothing piled on top of it, then there is nothing to pick up but the speaker. Start by walking through your house with a garbage bag. Be brave and just start tossing. I cannot wait to attack my kids playroom tomorrow - so much stuff is going to charity, the consignment shop or the trash. Just do it a little bit at a time, as long as you stay ahead of the incoming clutter, eventually it will disappear.

enfermeraSG · Aug 25, 2004

Can't remember if anyone mentioned flylady - now don't roll your eyes at me....- she has some good tips and ideas. I bought the book Sink Reflections instead of subscribing to her emails since screwing around on the computer is a huge time waster for me and I need one fewer reason to be on this thing.
Anyway, having a one and two year old in addition to my 5 yo, I have discovered that the less stuff/clutter around, the less mess potential. You know, when the baby pulls the stereo speaker over, if there is nothing piled on top of it, then there is nothing to pick up but the speaker. Start by walking through your house with a garbage bag. Be brave and just start tossing. I cannot wait to attack my kids playroom tomorrow - so much stuff is going to charity, the consignment shop or the trash. Just do it a little bit at a time, as long as you stay ahead of the incoming clutter, eventually it will disappear.

I definately hear you on that one! I am anti-clutter, can't stand every surface being covered with stuff. I go through everything at least annually, especially toys and junk. Another organizing genius says if you have too much stuff, go through your house and look at each individual item (knick knacks etc) and ask yourself if you love it. If not, bye-bye! SG

WAstudent · Aug 25, 2004

I posted these on another thread, but they are my best tips for coping with school, fmaily and all the chaos;) :

Simplify everything to allow the maximum amount of study time for yourself.

I rely on my crockpot. Meals can be put in it in the morning, and are hot and ready when you get home. The newer models are even programmable and can switch to warm automatically. Using a crockpot will save you at least an hour of time each evening. You can find a wealth of crockpot recipes doing a search on the web and some only take merely minutes to throw together.

As far as housework, I do minshots of picking things up when I need a study breaks. I take 10 minute study breaks and focus on one room at a time. To make it simple, I keep a stash of plastic bags in each room for collecting garbage. In each of the bathrooms and kitchen I keep a stcoked caddy of cleaning supplies to cut down on time. Laundry can be thrown in the wash during a study break and on the next, put in the dryer.

Do what you can do, and some household messes just have to wait for the weekend!:)

kahumai, RN · Aug 26, 2004

I, too, keep garbage bags and supplies both upstairs and downstairs. It's amazing how much time gets wasted just by walking up and down the stairs 15 times because you keep forgetting to grab the toliet bowl cleaner or paper towels!

I agree..laundry needs to be done everyday. Do I do it everyday? Usually no. I have before, and it does help. (And yes...I HATE folding the socks too! :chuckle )

The "15-minute power clean" through a room works wonders. Sometimes this is the only kind of cleaning I can get done all day. And if all I'm doing is making the bed and picking up clothes from the floor, at least it's something.

Now, does anyone have any suggestions for someone who hates to cook? I really did try to use my crock-pot on more than one occasion last semester, and after following all recipes exactly, I ~STILL~ managed to burn the dinners. How does this happen?!?!? Am I doomed to a life of Subway sandwiches and frozen pizzas?

Two words: daily planner :saint: :saint: