The number of things you have to do every night just to end the day feels like a Herculean task by 8 PM. Clean dishes, clean a high chair, pick up the tiny pieces of food that were flung, wash bottles / pump parts, prep items for tomorrow…
The best way to conquer this time of night and reclaim a little “you time” is with a timer.
Step 1: Time Yourself
The first night after you read this article, start the stopwatch on your phone and see how long it takes you to complete everything. Say it’s 12 minutes. Tomorrow set a timer for 11 minutes and try to complete your evening checklist in a slightly smaller window. See if with some practice you can get yourself down to 9 minutes. I suggest using a timer on your oven or microwave that is always visible and not one on your phone. The ability to glance at the timer as you work will speed up your pace. Throw as much into the dishwasher as you can. Suddenly the mom from The Fabelmans who served every meal on disposable plates and cups seems like a genius, albeit a non-environmentally friendly one.
Step 2: Find a Basket
You can spend all night picking up and feeling the resentment and anger pile up as your few minutes to yourself flutter away or you can put a cap on this activity too. When it comes to picking up my best tip is to again set a timer, but this time only for 3 or 5 minutes.
During these 3-5 minutes go from room to room and move toys, hats, shoes, etc. into the right room if it’s on the same floor. If the item needs to go upstairs or downstairs put it in a basket and keep moving. You can use any basket for this, just choose one that’s small and easy to carry and can easily be stored out of the way in a coat closet.
The last step is to take the basket upstairs and empty it out. If items belong in the room of sleeping children just leave them outside the door for the morning.
Not having the visual clutter will relieve 80% of the anxiety you feel that your house isn’t clean. It is clean enough, you’re doing great.
Step 3: Truly Relax with a Gameplan
Now that that’s over you can truly relax and do something you want to do. Whether it’s watching a show, calling a friend, or relaxing with your partner it’s time to let the mental clutter of the day go. If you look around while you’re watching tv and see a baby sleepsack on the floor that reminds you that it needs to be washed before Monday’s daycare drop off just write it down and let it go. Don’t get up – you’ve done enough today. The best option is to write it down on a notepad or physical piece of paper. It lets your mind release the thought without taking you out of the moment with messages and scrolling at your fingertips.
By using timers, organizing tasks, and minimizing distractions, you can reduce chore time and reclaim "you time." A clean home is important, but it shouldn’t stress you out. So, take a deep breath, set your timer, and enjoy the newfound peace and productivity in your life.
Article: Evening Time Management Tips for Busy Parents by Mary Ellen Knauff
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