How to save time and reduce stress as single parents

It seems that there aren't enough hours in the day. Between work and cooking, shopping, cleaning and the kids, there never seems to be enough time to do everything and there is certainly no time for yourself, right? Well, if this is the case for you, read on to find out how to save time, and maybe even grab a few precious moments for yourself.

1-Everything in its place, including bikes, hoola hoops on hooks in garage, tools,(even cd's or dvd's in case or on rack). The kids can take out monopoly on the living room floor, but it goes back on the shelf in their room, not beside the sofa, when they're through. Shoes and booksacks in the room when they come in the front door not on the living room floor or dining table.

2-Make a list, each day or each week. What needs to be done, what is most important? Do you have to pay the bills more than the deck needs mending? Or do you have to bake a cake by Friday before bringing back rented videos on Saturday?

3-Always make a grocery list and make it in the order in which you will find it in the store. KNOW your supermarket. Don't change supermarkets or you won't know where anything is.

4-Cook meals for the week all at one time if possible. This will save preparation, cooking and clean up time, too.

5-Label things you wrap and freeze so it can be identified easily

6-Delegate chores

7-Have everyone rinse their own dishes and put in dishwasher

8-Stock up on things you use often and run out of often, such as toilet tissue, bread (freeze it), hot dog weiners, juice (frozen concentrate) dish detergent etc.

9-Shoe rack in every bedroom and clothes hamper in every bathroom

10-Hooks in every room of the house for coats, hats, book bags, umbrellas, purses, towels, robes, clothes

11-each child should have their own brush and hair accessories in a special organizer in their rooms. No more running around in the morning looking for a brush or a pony tail holder.

12-Get out clothes and things such as underwear, socks, shoes night before and set it out

13-Preset coffe maker

14-Everyone bathe or shower night before, well before bedtime

15-Set your clock fifteen to thirty minutes earlier to give you quiet time for yourself to pray or stretch or just drink your coffee

16-For an outdoor tip- use lots of groundcover such as mulch or rocks to cut out weeding time

17-Rewind movies as soon as you're finished watching them

18-Organize bills in a bill holder near your desk or pc, organize in order of due dates

19-Keep good checking account records, document all checks and debit card uses so there's no guess work

20-Put all photos in albums and date them

21-If you have left over meatballs from spagetti, pot roast or chicken, use for sandwiches the next few days

22-File all clipped recipes together in file

23-Keep an address book and one on pc if you like, of all friends, family and associates names, phone numbers, physical and email addresses. Also keep numbers of professionals you may use or need such as the plumber, the electric company, firestation, exterminator, library, court house, office of motor vehicles, your internet service providers tech support number(keep this one on or near the pc), video store, pizza delivery, doctor, dentist, and movie theatre. Preset important numbers into phone. Put a big 911 sticker on phone for children and practice with them without dialing it.