We all know that managing a busy household with children, school runs, juggling meal times, workloads and a never ending to do list is a challenge for busy mums everywhere.
A survey by kitchen, bathroom and bedroom retailer Bohen reveals that more than half of mums feel that their partner could do more to help in sharing the workload at home. And mums are getting inventive by adopting the US trend of using so-called ‘homehacks’ to make life easier - 87% are using clever shortcuts to help keep all the plates spinning in a busy home.
Bohen spokesperson and psychologist Donna Dawson said: “Home-hacking – coming up with inventive ways around the home to cut down on the amount and variety of work that needs accomplishing – is the new trend that is emerging in the world of the frazzled mum.
“With mums desperate to accomplish everything that needs to be done over the hours of the day, and still occasionally have time for that cup of tea, it means that shortcuts need to be found.
“Without shortcuts, life can appear to be out of control with the days running away from you, leaving you feeling powerless and stressed. Shortcuts allow women to feel more in control of their lives, which in turn gives them more confidence and energy to tackle the challenges of their daily lives. And sharing shortcuts with other women is further empowering, as we feel better about ourselves when helping others.”
Bohen surveyed 2,000 mums about running the modern home in today’s time-poor society. A huge 93% of mums described themselves as busy, and as the hub of family life, a third felt an obligation to keep things running smoothly with one in ten saying that they do everything themselves. Over a third of Britain’s busy mums cited life as a juggling act and 80% struggle to keep up with the daily tasks.
To cope, the average mum relies on up to 25 shortcuts and clever 'cheats' to get through the working week, including laying out the kid’s clothes the night before to avoid ironing and the school mum’s favourite time saver - buying cakes, icing them and passing them off as their own. More inventive solutions include creating storage from leftover containers, using old coffee jars to store herbs and spices and other recycling methods.
Donna Dawson added: “The Bohen study reveals that mums are clearly coming up with their own homehacks on a daily basis with ingenious shortcuts, imaginative re-cycling, thinking ahead, and a good knowledge of human nature. It also involves a deep understanding of what makes their own children tick, and the ability to be slightly ahead of them when called for.
“For their multi-tasking and organisational skills, versatility, and sheer inventiveness, homehacking mums deserve to be celebrated - they serve as an inspiration to the rest of us!”
From a world of post-it notes, kitchen labels and colour coding, to menu plans, wall planners and calendars – the study revealed the full extent of mum’s organisation with three quarters sticking to the same systems and exact routines every day.
And a third of those studied regularly swap tips and time-saving techniques with friends and families…
Mum’s Top 20 Short-cuts
1. Freezing food to use later in the week
2. Use jarred sauces instead of home making everything
3. Laying out all clothes and school uniform the night before
4. Hang clothes up instead of ironing them
5. Use a pen to write their names on clothing and shoes, instead of sewing in name tags
6. Bribing the children with treats to get them to cooperate
7. Delegating household tasks to other family members
8. Shopping online for food instead of going to the supermarket
9. Using the 'three second rule' when dropping food on the kitchen floor
10. Using baby wipes to clean your children instead of always washing their face
11. Grating vegetables into food to ensure the children are eating their five a day
12. Using a bit of ketchup on foods they don't really like
13. Putting dry shampoo/putting a bit of talc on greasy hair to save you from washing it
14. Spray deodorant in smelly shoes instead of buying new ones
15. Spray furniture polish before guests arrive so they think that you have recently cleaned
16. Skipping bath time in favour of an extra bedtime story
17. Spray clothes freshener to get an extra day's wear out of them
18. Using convenience food for breakfast so children can eat in the car
19. Icing bought cakes and pretending you made them
20. Getting children to do their homework in the car
Bohen is sharing homehacks for busy mums up and down the country at www.bohen.co.uk/blogFind us on Twitter @bohenuk; Facebook/bohenuk.
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