Organisation is essential if you’re a busy single Dad. In fact let’s face it, it’s important if you are a parent full stop! It’s so hard to get the children everywhere they need to be, with everything they need. There’s only one way to approach this, and that is with military efficiency! Here are our top four organising tips for single Dads.
1. Get the kids involved too
The earlier you get the kids involved in helping the better it will be for you. Even if it’s only small jobs like putting the right pair of shoes by the front door or finding their bag ready for school. You can have a drawer of snacks so that they can put one in their bag. You can encourage them to put their rubbish in the bin, paper or cardboard in the recycling and their clothes into the washing bin. Honestly, it’s worth starting this from a young age. Once they get older you can change up their jobs to things that require more skill such as emptying the dishwasher.
2. Everything in its place
The easiest way to have an organised home is to have a place for everything. Make use of clever storage solutions such as under bed storage or clothes storage for your out of season clothes. Here are some brilliant drawer organisers to help you get to grips with those tricky places which so often can become a bit of a dumping ground.
3. Lists
Check lists are so useful. Keep one near the door to make sure you’ve not forgotten anything as you get the children out for school. Keep a ‘family organiser’ style calendar on the wall which has space for each family member and make sure it’s always up to date. As soon as party invitations or confirmation of football matches etc. come in, respond and put the details on the appropriate space on the calendar. Keep a list on the fridge of shopping needed and update it as and when something has run out.
4. Get ready the night before
This is the biggest game changer for me. Everything is so much easier if I’ve found the children’s clothes – or asked them to get them ready – the night before and I’ve put out their bags, PE kits, coats etc out all ready for the morning.
It’s also worth tidying up the kitchen before you go to bed as this makes the next day feel more organised. Laying out the breakfast cereal and bowls will save time and encourage the children to help themselves, if they are old enough to be trusted not to pour the whole lot into their bowl!
I hope you found these tips useful? Please know that you are doing an amazing job! Being a parent can be hard at the best of times and when you are doing it alone, the challenges can be immense. Remember to go easy on yourself and don’t expect things to go swimmingly or you’ll set yourself up for disappointment. The fact that you are reading this post shows that you care! Take care and good luck with it all. Feel free to get in contact if I can help with anything too…
