A lot of work goes into running a household. The good news is that a little planning can go a long way towards reducing household stress and arguments.
Chore Charts
Every member of the family over the age of two should participate in household chores. Small children can place their clothes in the laundry hamper, pick up their toys, make their bed, set the table, and feed pets. Older children can help prepare meals (particularly if it’s an easy chore like mixing up a salad kit), walk the dog, and load the dishwasher.
It can also be helpful to identify who wants to do what. We all have chores that we don’t mind doing, and chores that we don’t like, so if you can find some overlap, life will be easier on everyone.
Another option, particularly if you live alone or have a small family, is to hire out some of the chores, such as mowing the lawn. Just make sure you’re not trading chore stress for financial stress!
Meal Planning
Sitting down on the weekend and planning your meals for the next week, and then going grocery shopping with a list, accomplishes several things.
- During the week, you don’t have to worry about what to cook or if you have the supplies in the house. They’re already there!
- When you get home from work, you shouldn’t have to rush back out to the grocery store for supplies.
- You will be more likely to eat healthy food and less likely to stop at your local restaurant or for a takeout meal.
- Cooking at home is better for your wallet and your waistline.
- Sitting down as a family and eating supper together is a great activity and opportunity to share time together.
Here are some tips for meal planning:
- Choose recipes that are quick and easy to make.
- Purchase foods that reduce preparation time, such as pre-cooked chicken pieces or salad kits.
- Involve everyone in meal preparation. It can be fun and shares the workload to have a different family member cook every night, or to have someone responsible for the salad, another person responsible for the main part of the meal, and someone setting the table.
- Theme nights are a lot of fun. Meals like pizza and tacos can be easily customized by each member of the family.
- Cook ahead, either by preparing enough extra food that you can freeze one meal, or by cooking ahead on a day off.