Family Life Hacks from an Experienced Woman

I love to read “life hacks” as ways to simplify my ordinary experiences.

Of course, getting into the simple part sometimes takes more than I’m willing to do!

But here are some life hacks I’ve used effectively in my life.

Since I don’t like to spend extra money unless I have to, well, here are my simple suggestions.

Kitchen Life Hacks

Since I have many children, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Even since they grew up and left home.

But, the best life hack for the kitchen is teaching/sharing the job with other family members!

Otherwise, here are several ideas that worked for me:

• Clean the kitchen as you cook–don’t pile up everything in the sink.
• Keep a tub of soapy water in the sink for dishes, etc. as you cook and during the day.
• Load and run the dishwasher every night. (I always waited until full, but Kathi Lipp changed my life with this suggestion. Turns out, it didn’t waste much water.)
• Put plastics in low cupboards–and let toddlers play if needed.
• Put plastic plates, cups, bowls in cupboard where children can reach them.
• Alphabetize your spices.
• Put everything to do with coffee/tea/whatever together in one cupboard.

What about food?

Once upon a time, my family went through 8 gallons of milk a week.

Three teenagers required a lot of food. I needed life hacks for meals!

• Figure out what your family’s staples are–and keep track you have enough.
• Make a list when grocery shopping.
• Simplify meals whenever possible.
• Repurpose leftovers into new meals.
• Grow vegetables if you have room. Consider recycling some of them, too!

Laundry Life Hacks

I realized one day that I would be spending the rest of my life doing laundry.

I don’t know what I thought would happen–would Mom come back to life to do it?

Alas, that did not happen, so I was stuck trying to find a way to make it simpler.

• If you have a bunch of kids–or athletes–just expect to do at least one or two loads a day.
• Someone should collect all the laundry at night and leave the basket by the washer.
• Start a load of laundry the first thing in the morning. (It should be ready for the dryer by the time you’ve finished your coffee).
• If you have a total mountain, consider taking everything to the laundromat. (Expensive, yes, but done in 90 minutes).
• Decide who (or if anyone) should fold and sort.
• Consider dumping clean laundry on the sofa or your bed so you finish folding and putting away.
• One friend used sock matching as punishment . . .

Family Organizational Ideas

Having a family is pure joy–but also requires a lot of work, togetherness, and life hacks, or organization at the least!

• If you have a large family, assign family members their own colors. (That would be plate, cup, glass, toothbrush, towel). This means the guilt offender (not putting it away, etc.) can’t escape notice.
• Rotate “prize locations” by date. (If you have two children, even days are for one kid, odd for the other).
• Everyone has their own library card.
• Everyone makes their own bed first thing in the morning. Period.
• Teach them to do their laundry early and give them their own laundry basket.
• Consider a “job jar,” for Saturday morning chores. Let them trade assignments.
• Don’t let the sun go down on unresolved anger.
• Everyone should learn to daily apologize and own up to their own . . . whatever.
• Forgiveness is the second half of an apology.
• Ask yourself, “did he really mean to offend you?”

Seems to work for me!

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