Let’s be honest, single mum life can feel like you’re juggling balls while riding a unicycle. Between school runs, work deadlines, bills, childcare arrangements, figuring out who has the kids when, and making sure everyone has clean socks, it’s no wonder organisation can feel impossible.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a colour-coded Pinterest queen to stay on top of things. A few simple systems can save your sanity and help life flow more smoothly (even when things get messy). Throughout my eight years of single parenting, I quickly learned ways to save time and energy, and organisation was key to avoid overwhelm, burnout, and breakdowns.
Here are 10 ways to stay organised as a single mum:
1. Master the Family Calendar
Your calendar is your best friend. Whether you love a physical wall planner, an app like Google Calendar, or even just the default calendar on your phone, get everything in one place. Include school events, sports, parenting handovers, bills, birthdays, and even your own plans (yes, you get to have those too!). Share it with older kids if possible, so everyone knows what’s happening.
2. Plan the Week Ahead on Sundays
A quick “check-in” on Sunday sets you up for the week. Look at what’s coming up the following week, prep school uniforms, pack lunchbox snacks, note any important dates, pre-cook some dinners for busy nights, etc. Even 30 minutes of planning can prevent those chaotic “Mum, I need a costume today!” mornings.
3. To-Do Lists Are Your Best Friend
Whether you’re a pen-and-paper kind of mum or love apps like Trello or Notes, keeping a running to-do list helps clear your head. Write everything down (big and small) so you don’t waste energy trying to remember it all. When you write it down, it’s out of your head. Trust me, the less mental clutter, the better you feel!
4. Meal Planning Saves the Day
Instead of staring into the fridge at 6 pm, plan meals for the week. It doesn’t have to be complicated; even a rough list of dinners helps. Then, see point 5 below. Bonus: it saves money, reduces waste, and cuts down on takeaway nights.
5. Embrace Online Shopping
Save yourself the stress of dragging kids through the supermarket (and the inevitable “Mum, can I have this?” battles). Online grocery shopping (and even setting up repeat orders for staples) can save time, energy, and impulse spending.
6. Have a Budget (and Stick to It)
Money stress is real for single mums, but a simple budget can give you peace of mind. Track your expenses, plan for bills, and set aside a little for fun when possible. Knowing where your money’s going means fewer nasty surprises and more financial control. You can include a quick budget review with your Sunday night “check-in”. I know for a lot of people, this is an aspect that is often ignored (I don’t want to know!) or pushed down the priority list, but I promise – once you know what you’re working with, that’s when you can start to make changes and set yourself up for the future.
7. Automate Where You Can
Set up automatic payments for bills, automate savings transfers, and even use subscription services for essentials like nappies or pet food. The less you have to remember, the lighter your mental load becomes.
8. Prep the Night Before
Mornings are a lot less stressful when tomorrow is already half-done. Lay out uniforms, pack lunches, sign forms, and have bags ready by the door. Future-you will be so grateful when the morning chaos hits. Look after your future self!
9. Declutter Your Spaces
Clutter = chaos. You don’t need a minimalist home, but the less “stuff” you have to manage, the easier life feels. Tackle one area at a time – like the kids’ toy box or the kitchen bench – and create systems (e.g., labelled baskets or drawers) so everything has a place.
10. Batch What You Can
Batching is a game-changer. Cook double (or even triple) portions and freeze, set aside one evening to pay bills, or do a laundry marathon instead of endless small loads. Grouping tasks saves energy and mental bandwidth.
Being a single mum doesn’t mean living in constant chaos. By staying organised as a single mother and with a few smart systems, you can create more space for calm, control over your life, fun, and maybe even a hot cup of tea while it’s still warm 💛
P.S. DID YOU KNOW?
Thrive Tribe – the global membership experience for single mothers – will be opening again very soon! Join the waitlist here.
PLUS You can book one-on-one coaching with Julia Hasche from wherever you are in the world!
- Do you need clarity on whether you should leave your partner or not?
- Have you just parted ways with your partner, and feeling lost?
- Have you been single for a little while now and need assistance with getting your life back on track and feeling empowered?
Click HERE to read about coaching and to hear from some others who have gone through coaching programs with Julia, and book in here for your 30-minute complimentary Clarity Call.
The purpose of the Clarity Call is:
- For me to get to know you and understand an overview of your current situation and where you are at.
- For us to establish what you need assistance with to move forward.
- To see if we are both comfortable working together.
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