The Busy Parent's Guide to Simplifying Life

5 Ways to Simplify Life at Home

If you’ve been a subscriber of A Playful Year since the beginning, you’ll know that I am a huge, huge fan of simplifying everything.

It’s my belief that no matter what your parenting status is, you deserve to have a simpler life because parenting can be intense. In the (almost) fourteen years that I’ve been a parent, I have been a stay at home mum or SAHM, work from home mum and a full-time working mum. I genuinely don’t think that one is harder - or easier - than the other because as we know, life with young children can throw many curve balls.

The latest curve ball for us? My 7 year-old daughter being off school for a few weeks with a perforated ear drum and strep throat. The first few days were particularly rough which meant our usual rhythms and routines went by the wayside.

Thankfully for us, we have a simple family rhythm that helps us to navigate the curve balls that life throws at us.

So with that being said, here are 5 Ways you can simplify life at Home

1.Simplify your schedule

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it's important to prioritise quality time with your family.

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Simplify your schedule by saying no to unnecessary commitments and setting boundaries around work and technology use.

If you find yourself in the role of a glorified taxi driver, shepherding your children to several different extra-curricular activities each week, it’s time for a review.

Ask: does your child genuinely love the activity or would time be better spent doing something simple as a family.

2. Address Those Minor Inconveniences

Do you ever walk around your house thinking, ‘someone should really fix that?’ Then it dawns on you that you are an adult and the responsibility is yours? I do this at least once a week, then realise I need to take action.

It could be something small that's slightly damaged, leading you to work around it, or an untidy space causing you to spend too much time locating items, or maybe not having a specific place for your keys, resulting in constant searching. These small inconveniences may be consuming more of your time and energy than you realize.

Whilst it might seem like you are adding more work to your plate by solving the problem (or arranging for something to be fixed), in the long run you’ll save yourself time.

3.Simplify mealtime

Meal planning and prep can take up a lot of time and energy - even if you do love to cook. Simplify your meals by sticking to easy, healthy recipes that can be prepared quickly. Consider batch cooking or using a slow cooker to save time.

Involve your children in meal planning and prep, which can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family.

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Consider including some themed meals during the week - a ‘Taco Tuesday’ or ‘Pizza Saturday - for example, to take some of the headache out of preparation and planning.

At our house, we do a regular ‘Slow Sunday’ where we host a movie and picnic in the late afternoon. Not having to cook something complicated is the perfect antidote to the Sunday night scaries.

4. Create a weekly Housework Rhythm and assign tasks

I’m not a natural homemaker and my previous default housework mode was to do everything on one day. This did not improve my attitude towards the tasks and was not the most effective way of going about things.

By establishing weekly rhythms for all of your household tasks, you can save yourself time and stress, and make life easier. Knowing exactly when you need to do things means you won't have to constantly think about them.

Start by creating a weekly cleaning rhythm, and consider setting up a laundry schedule as well.

And whilst you might be the one reading this, it doesn’t mean that you are solely responsible for all of the housework in your home. Get the children involved from an early age and make sure everyone in the family contributes.

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If this is a sticking point for you and your family, I recommend reading The Organised Mum Method by Gemma Bray. It’s currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

5. Establish Seasonal Declutter Sessions

Every season, we declutter as part of our regular seasonal family rhythm. Outgrown toys, books and clothing are donated to charity (when suitable) and we reassess our general living space.

Doing this started out of necessity - as expats who move internationally every 4-5 years, we cannot afford to let the clutter pile up. Quite literally actually since we have to pay extra if we go over our shipping container allowance. But now, seasonal decluttering brings with it a certain peace of mind.

Seasonal decluttering sessions can provide a range of benefits for your home and mental well-being. By taking the time to go through your belongings and get rid of items you no longer need or use, you can create a more organised and functional living space. This can reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm that can come with cluttered living spaces.

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Seasonal decluttering can also help you to take stock of your possessions and identify any patterns of excess or waste, leading to more mindful consumption habits. Additionally, donating or selling items that are still in good condition can provide a sense of fulfilment and purpose, as well as benefiting others in need.

Journal Prompts

1. What are the biggest sources of stress in my life right now? How can I simplify or eliminate these sources of stress?

2. What are my top priorities as a parent and as an individual? How can I simplify my schedule and daily routines to prioritise these things?

3. What areas of my home feel cluttered or disorganised? How can I simplify and declutter these spaces to create a more peaceful and functional home?

4. What are some daily habits or routines that I could implement to simplify my life and reduce decision fatigue?

5. How can I involve my family in simplifying our lives together? What are some practical steps we can take to prioritise quality time and connection as a family?

1. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that parents who reported feeling time pressure and work-family conflict had lower levels of family functioning and quality time with their children. The study also found that parents who simplified their schedules and reduced their work hours reported higher levels of family functioning and quality time with their children.

2. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that children who cooked at home with their families were more likely to eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

3. Involving children in age-appropriate household chores can also have positive effects on family connection. A study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that children who were involved in household chores reported higher levels of family connection and felt more responsible and capable.

4. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that individuals who described their homes as cluttered or chaotic had higher levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Conversely, those who described their homes as restorative or peaceful had lower levels of cortisol