Got a job/help me get organized

[cherish]

I have recently been offered a job- which is good I guess, though it wasn't really something I was hoping to do this soon. However, being a single mother wasn't also on the agenda...

It's a good job, working in a community centre as the co-ordinator of their child care and family services- so the focus is on families, early intervention and prevention of abuse etc etc.. spending time running/writing programs for families (mainly mothers) amoung other things. There is a big focus on attachment at this centre- they even have a free sling for mothers in the catchment, baby massage and funding for volunteer doula support.. (which I think is amazing). So, it will be good to see how much further I can develop practices around attachment/good communication within families (if only I could learn the same for myself!!).

The sad thing is that my youngest is going to have to go to childcare 2 days a week, only one close to full day.. and a school hour day. Mum wants to have him the other day- which is lovely- I'm so grateful! I know he'll be fine- he's really social and is quite familiar with the centre and the staff.. so I know he should be ok- also his siblings are there- and they are flexible about letting them comfort if need be.. but I'm sad- this wasn't in my plan.. and I feel quite a loss around my year at home with one child.. anyway.. compared to what the rest of the world endures, it's not a huge deal really.

Anyway- my huge worry is how I"m going to get organized :ohmy... this is something I really struggle with, my house falls apart when I'm busy, I find it hard to get food organized, all that stuff- so I need your help with some tips on what I can realistically do to make my life easier- and not all about running around to get to work/be organised for work..

I know a TMX would help- but money is kind of the issue for me atm..

so help me.....

[Mercurious]

Congratulations! I think if there is one important lesson in life it is that we don't always get what we want, when we want it, sometimes we are given a little shove, sometimes we are made to sit and wait when we really want to charge ahead.

Cooking in bulk and freezing sounds like a good idea. I'm sure it will be fine once your in the swing. I guess expressing will now be on the agenda?

I know you will be mighty fine.

[Eilleen]

Congratulations! I can relate to being busy when you're by yourself. Like any change, I think it's a matter of deciding what to let go and what to keep.

My biggest adjustment was to let go of the notion that my children should be in bed by 7pm-8pm. I found that by the time I've finished work, picked them up from whoever is looking after them, then got home, its already 6pm and I hadn't made dinner yet!

So now my kids get to bed at around 8:30-9pm. There are days when I'm organised (ie have food already made and only needs to be heated up) and they do still get to bed at around 7:30 but those days are the exception rather than the rule.

And you know what? My kids adjusted.

You will find that some things will just fall into place because they have to. I have to admit I'm finding it a lot easier than I thought it would be.

[michelle_j_r]

congrats, but i can see how you might be feeling overwhelmed and a little uncertain.

If you are not already a list maker then i would have lots of lists on the fridge for things that HAVE to be done and try to get a routine so you are not backtracking.

And menu plan!!!!

[Merlion]

how about a slow cooker they can come on special for about $50. i originally had my mum's old one and found it too small so bought a huge one. what i used to do when i was working is bulk buy all my meats etc and cut it up including veggies (put these in zip lock bags or even containers) and freeze in portions suitable for everyday meal. then in the morning i would put up all my cut up meats and veggies in the slow cooker with whatever mix i want and then it on and out the door i go. so when i get home all i have to do is eat as is or even cook some pasta or rice.

another thing is make double batch of everything so freeze the 2nd portion and all you have to do is re-heat. My mum and dad used to both work full-time so mum cooked extra on the weekend and freeze the extras and all she do when she came home was cook the veggie (mum always cooked veggie even if there were veggies in the frozen meal) and rice/pasta.

list making was my saviour and still is. i prepare all my stuff the night before so all i have to do is grab the bags and out the door we go (and just put our lunches in).

[Savannah]

Congrats on the job. It sounds great.

Menu planning helps for sure. And cooking and freezing.

It is coming up to Summer which is good for salads. They are so easy to put together, nutritious and not a lot of clean up.

I get up and put a load of washing on first thing. It goes through it's cycle while I am getting breakfast for the kids or getting showered and dressed. I also make sure breakfast stuff is already organised, as it allows for a quick start.

When I worked FT, I would run hot water for dishes and do them as I was doing breakfast and making lunch. It means you come home to a clean kitchen.

You will find your routine before you know it.

[Karena]

Wow Cherish, you're job sounds like my dream job, congrats Hon.

I've found that I have everything organised as much as possible on the weekend. I have Brock's nappies washed/dried and in the wet bag ready to go, bags packed I even tried to organise what I'm going to cook on the days that I'm working. I also lost the notion that we have to have a cooked meal every night. So 1 night a week we have take away, usually Tues or Wed.

When I am working (I'm working casually atm) I have a cleaner come in fortnightly to clean the house. I make sure I do the dishes every night and before bath get the boys to help clean up the lounge room.

I also make sure that on my days off I spend heaps of time with the boys. We usually meet up with friends one day and the other we have as a home day where we just chill out at home.

What a great opportunity for you Cherish, and I know you'll balance it all perfectly.

[mamma]

great suggestions above, oops and congrats!!

could your mum help out with some meals for the freezer?
could you get a cleaner once a fortnight for the big stuff?

[emd]

Congratulations on the job offer! I'm sure you'll be great at it.

Things that help me with keeping my life running smoothly with running a shop and a family:
* Slow cookers. I have two, one is a 1970's crock pot for $10 at a garage sale. I prepare the ingredients the night before and just switch it on before I go to work.
* Timers. I can load up at a convenient time, but the machine doesn't start til later. I do this on my washing machine, bread maker, and oven.
* Freezer food, or containers of pre-chopped vegies for a quick stir-fry, are also good. But mostly I make sure the kids eat well at breakfast and lunch, so it doesn't matter what they eat at dinner - they're too tired to eat properly after 5:30pm. Cheese on toast, baked beans, dippy eggs, and fruit salad are fine for light dinners.
* Roomba does my vacuuming - he's a robot vacuum cleaner. I turn him on when we walk out the door, and when I get home he's cleaned one room. I would never get the vacuuming done if I had to push the machine around the room myself.
* The Foldmore Ranges. It used to be one mountain, but I got each of the kids a tub in a different colour. I sort the clean washing into each of their tubs, and it doesn't matter if it never gets folded - at least I know where to find their clean clothes.
* Routine, routine, routine. Every night after kids go to bed, I get ready for the next day.

You know what helps me the most? Lowering my standards and letting go. My priorities are still being met, and I accept that it's not possible to have everything look perfect unless I get a cleaner and an au pair (or a wife).

[Kathryn]

Yey! Congratulations! Yeah, menu plan (slow cooker or pre-cook in bulk, defrost during day and reheat for dinner, bags packed night before etc.)

I'm a list-maker, but I also make lists for the kids. They have things that they have to do in a morning and when they get home (with pictures). So I can just ask "have you checked your list" rather than "get dressed! do teeth! eat your breakfast!" etc etc.

You can do it hon. It might be a bit of an adjustment, but you will be amazing at that job! :D

[Harmony]

Congratulations!

make 2 lists as you find your way - this works and this doesn't work. That way if you're not sure if it's something you've tried before, you can check and see :) I forget things all the time and afterward say 'doh! That's right! That was a disaster last time LOL!

[Kali]

That sounds like the perfect job for you K! I am so happy for you. I am sure you will adapt quickly.

[cherish]

I know I"ll be fine.. I'm just pretty lazy when it comes to getting organized.

I did work two full days earlier in the year for six months.. so I kind of know what I"m in for. At least with this job it's quite close by (about a 10 min drive) and there's only really one full day..

the thing I hate the most is picking up the kids from kindy- they're usually hungary cause the last thing they have is around 2:30.. which is stupid.. I have spoken to the director about it, but she's not willing to introduce another eating time due to the complexities of hand washing, sitting down and staff numbers.. (don't worry that the kids are ratty as cause they're starving!) anyway- turning up with something for them to eat always helps- except that's me being organized..

I guess it's time I grew up!!

The job will be good I am hoping- if the place is a friendly place to work- which I"m sure it will be. I'm settling into being pleased about the role, and have started thinking through different areas/programs I would like to pursue..

when the kids are in school- if I"m still there (thinking of doing further study) it will be an awesome role- as it will be school hours..

ok- so I think I will meal plan,

I'm pretty good at letting go of the housework- my house hasn't been tidy since the twins came.

buy a slow cooker

and be good and get the clothes organized the night before- that always helps. Maybe on my saturdays without kids (every sat) I can get their clothes sorted in one of those hanging things.. that would work!

thanks guys!

[sweetchili]

Congratulations on the job Kylie!
I agree it would be hard to be putting your 'baby' in care, but as Bec said you cant always have life how you want it....and i think you are doing a great thing for yourself and the children's benifit doing some work.

I wonder if you will find like me when you get REALLY busy you get orgainised naturally? I have to keep myself busy to stay organised. I work best when i am busy and have barely anytime. My house is tidiest on weeks i am flatout. And messiest when i dont have much on...i end up not doing anything!

the slow cooker sounds like a great idea!

best of luck

[Hailstorm]

Firts thing congrats second ALWAYS have some snacks in the car for the kids to eat I always have some small things in my gigantic handbag for Ben little containers of biscuits or one or two of those cheese and cracker dippy things some fruit perhaps just somehting to nibble on til he gets to his proper meal

Prepare everything (or as much as you can)the night before, cereal in the bowl, clothes for all the kids set out (and yours too)

Good Luck hun

[cherish]

good idea about snacks in the car... will organize that..

my issue with the night before, is I often fall asleep with the kids- cause I'm so tired.. but I would like to get them getting their things organized, yk.. (in my dreams)

One thing I forgot to factor in, is that they go to their Dad's on Wednesday night- so he will be taking them to kindy etc on one morning.. which means I only really have top be organized for dinner that day- which is the day I was planning on having chips and a cooked chook- easy.. oh, and snacks in the car!

and yes, I have recently come to the conclusion that all my 'dreams' growing up- like a fairy tale marriage, perfect children, being a wonderful sahm- were just that- my dreams- the reality is very different.. working is good for me- I do feel good when I am helping other people..

unlike you Rée, when I'm busy my house is just terrible- but I'm working on it! lucky I'm relaxed!

[Ethereal]

Congrats! Sounds like an awesome job :D

Everyone has already made such wonderful suggestions, so nothing to add but to say that this -



You know what helps me the most? Lowering my standards and letting go. My priorities are still being met, and I accept that it's not possible to have everything look perfect unless I get a cleaner and an au pair (or a wife).

...is gold. Hang on that when you aren't keeping up with it all. (For me, that's pretty much every day lol).