Must try mommy hacks for a stress- free day

As a mother, the 24-hour day always feels like an epic marathon run on a treadmill –
continuously running, never ending. While I wouldn’t have it any other way, motherhood often seems to comprise a thousand mini-chores all rolled into one. And sometimes, the secret to saving your sanity lies in the smallest, simplest of hacks that you stumble upon, or craft on your own. So here, in this post, I'm excited to share some mommy hacks I've honed over time, in my journey of motherhood.

1. Wake Up an Hour Earlier Than the Kids:

As counter-intuitive as it may sound to snatch an hour from the holy grail of motherhood – sleep, it works like magic. It gives you quiet ‘me-time’ before the whirlwind of the day begins. I use this time for meditation, quick yoga, preparing breakfast, or simply to enjoy my coffee while it's hot.

2. Magnetic Bathroom Organizer:

Sick of losing bobby pins, hairbands, tweezers, and small bathroom items? Using a magnetic strip on the inside of your bathroom cabinet is a neat and quick solution. They instantly stick onto the magnet, avoiding clutter, and saving precious minutes you would spend looking for them.

3. Baskets, Baskets Everywhere:

Baskets can become a lifesaver for moms with a magic ability to keep clutter at bay. Use them for everything – toys, laundry, books, craft supplies. Baskets make cleaning a breeze as the kids can toss their stuff into them. Plus, they look aesthetically pleasing!

4. Planning Meals Ahead:

This is a game-changer. Each week, plan a menu for the upcoming week. Consider buying groceries according to your plan, which eliminates last-minute panic of "what to cook". Some moms even take a step further and meal prep for the entire week during the weekend.

5. Showering at Night:

Sometimes, it’s just impossible to find time for a peaceful shower during the day. I recommend switching your shower routine to night time. It's an ideal time to unwind from the daily stresses and prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep.

6. Mobile Shopping and Subscriptions:

These days, everything is available online. I have set up monthly subscriptions for things like diapers, cleaning supplies, even coffee. It takes off a huge mental load, not having to remember to replenish the stock, plus you save on gas and commuting time.

7. Laundry Hack:

Fold and sort laundry into designated bins for each family member. It eliminates the chore of putting clothes into the individual’s closets and lets them take responsibility for their clothing. If they're old enough, they can even put their laundry away themselves.

8. Teach Children Independence:

As soon as children are old enough to handle tasks like feeding or dressing themselves, let them do it. This teaches them independence, responsibility and, most importantly, takes a load off you.

9. Make Chores a Game:

Kids, particularly toddlers, love to copy their parents. Include them in the housework by making it seem like a fun game. Have them pick up their toys in a race against the clock or colour sort their laundry.

10. Colour-Code Your Kids:

When you have multiple kids, assigning them a color for things like towels, cups, or
toothbrushes, can save squabbles over which belongs to who.

11. Establishing Routines:

Children crave routines. They bring predictability and help kids understand their responsibilities better. Establishing morning, after-school, and bedtime routines can greatly simplify your life.

12. Snack Station:

Create a low pantry shelf, or a drawer in the fridge filled with healthy snacks for the kids to access easily. Pre-package them in grab-and-go sizes. You won’t have to drop everything every time a tiny tummy rumbles.

13. Wet Wipes – Mom’s Best Friend:

A pack of wet wipes can go a long way, from quick cleanups after meals, messy arts and crafts to instant stain removals on clothes or furniture.

14. Creating a Homework Station:

Having a dedicated space with all supplies in one place makes homework time a breeze. Less time searching for pencils, rulers or papers means more time actually working on the homework.

15. Remembering Medicines:

Track your child’s medication doses by simply writing them down directly on the bottle or making a note on your phone. 

Every mother has a collection of life-saving hacks.. Even though these tricks have made my daily struggles easier, keep in mind that not all tricks work the same way. Every mother, every family, and every child is different. If a trick that works brilliantly for your friend doesn't fit into your schedule, don't worry about it. Ultimately, becoming a mother is figuring out this thrilling maze one day at a time and coming up with our own customised life hacks for our own small universe.

About the Author:

Shruti Roy is from Bhagalpur and currently resides in Ghaziabad. She has a NET in public administration and holds two master's degrees in English literature and public administration.

She has a PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism from Tilkamanjhi Bhagalpur University and a BA (Hons) in English Journalism from Delhi University.She has also had a brief relationship with Hindustan Times, JT News, and Sportskeeda. Writing for her is a pleasant and calming activity.

She enjoys writing in both Hindi and English, including essays, short stories, articles, and poems. Currently she is a homemaker and likes spending quality time with her 6 year old son Parth.