Find Time to Make Dinner as a Single Parent

With so much to do, many single parents struggle with finding the time for everyday tasks like making dinner. And no wonder—by the time you pick the kids up and get home, everyone's exhausted. The quick fix for most is ordering take-out, but that gets expensive very quickly. Here are some simple tips for finding the time to make dinner:

• Use a crock-pot at least once or twice a week.
• Whenever you make a meal that would freeze easily (such as a casserole), double it and place one in the freezer.

• Whenever you cook ground beef or brown chicken for a recipe, prepare twice as much as you need, and freeze half.
• Cut all your vegetables for the week ahead of time (for example, on Sunday nights).
• Designate one night of the week as "sandwich night," "soup and salad night," or "make your own pizza" night.

Find Time to Clean Your House as a Single Parent

Finding the time to clean your house can be nearly impossible for single parents who work full time or balance multiple jobs to make ends meet. Apply these tips to simplify the task of cleaning your house so that you can get it done in less time:

• Make a list of the chores that need to be completed on a weekly basis, and tackle just one or two tasks each day.
• Get your kids to help!
• Buddy up with a friend. Swap child care duties for a night and take turns cleaning each other's houses. (Sometimes it's easier to clean someone else's house than it is to clean your own!)

• Designate one night a week as your chore night. Do what you can, and then let the rest go. (Sometimes "good enough" really is good enough!)
• Lower your expectations. Your home doesn't have to be perfect to be tidy.

Making time to attend your kids' sports and activities can feel overwhelming. Apply these tips to help you support your kids' active involvement in sports and other fun activities while also keeping up with work and other commitments: 

• Carpool with other families, so that you can cut your driving time in half.
• Talk to your children about what activities are most important to them. Then, try to make at least one game or practice per week.

• Ask other family members, friends, and neighbors to attend games now and then so that your child feels supported.
• Help the team in other ways, such as providing snacks or offering to collect money for the coach's end-of-the-season gift.

Sometimes it's hard just to get a moment to yourself—even to take a shower or brush your teeth when your kids are little. Here are some tips for figuring out the logistics so you can spend more than three minutes in the shower at a time:

Options for Single Moms and Dads of Infants:

• Give your child time to play independently in his crib.
• Within the crib, provide teething rings, cloth books, and a mobile for entertainment.

• Once your child becomes accustomed to this time, use it to take a shower.
• Always use a baby monitor to alert you if your child becomes distressed.
• Alternatively, place a baby swing, exersaucer, or—for babies who aren't crawling yet—even just a baby blanket and toys (on the floor within sight of the shower).
• Finally, be creative and look for solutions that work for you. Remember, too, that as your child grows, you will find it easier to do things like take a shower or step into the bathroom for a few minutes.

Options for Single Moms and Dads of Preschoolers:

• Set your child up with coloring books, Play-doh, or another simple craft while you take a shower.
• Allow your child to watch an age appropriate TV show nearby.