Busy Mum School Pick up Ideas to do while waiting in the car to Stay Productive.
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Ever wondered what to do while waiting at school pick up for the kids?
Well, I have come up with some ideas below from my experiences to stay productive and not waste precious time. As a busy mum, I know how limited time is.
That dreaded time of the day as a busy mum at school pick up each day can sometimes seem like a waste of time just sitting in the car waiting for the time to pass until the school bell rings.
But there are things you to do to make the most of your precious time while waiting at school for the kids.
If you are like me, getting to school 30-40 mins early to get a guaranteed parking spot, can seem like a real waste of time and very unproductive.
There are a few things that I have started incorporating into my school pick up to pass the time and still manage to be productive with my precious time since time is such a valuable thing as a busy mum.
If you find yourself scrolling endlessly through social media to pass the time, try one of the meaningful activities below to help with organising your day and become more productive without even trying while simply waiting in the car at school pick up for the kids.
Meal Planning
Meal Planning is such an important part of my week.
Without it, I would be lost. Not only can Meal Planning help save you a lot of time in the long run, but it can also help you stay on track with your health and wellness goals.
Try implementing a meal plan into your week while simply waiting at school pick up for the kids. It’s Easy!
If you haven’t tried meal planning, I highly recommend you try it out and implement it into your weekly planning.
Having a meal to come home to, or at least prepped ready to cook, will help you to get a nutritious meal on the table without the added stress or the last-minute decision to order takeaway.
Meal planning not only helps with the family budget but can help with your health and well-being.
Grocery List
From planning the weekly meals, I can now make a list of my groceries for the week in the time whilst waiting for the kids.
Online apps have made this process a lot easier and a quicker process, but creating a handwritten shopping list can still be time effective also.
I am currently on the Healthy Mummy program which helps me to pick my weekly meals from thousands of healthy recipe choices.
Once my weekly meals have been chosen the program will then generate a shopping list based on my chosen meals.
This cuts out the need for then going through each recipe for the ingredients.
I can then use this list to go grocery shopping or order online with my app on Woolworths for example. Online shopping is my preference which is my favourite time saver.
Sitting at school pick up and adding my items into the app and then opting for either pick up or delivery cuts out the time for going into the supermarket to shop.
I love now that they also have a category for half-price items, this makes budgeting even easier!
Daily and Weekly Diary
Some other busy mum school pick up ideas to easily incorporate into your school pick up is using a Diary or Planner to help organise your week.
This can be a written diary or a digital version based on your preference.
I have the worst memory and when I think I am on top of things another thing pops up.
Although I am a highly organised person, sometimes things can seem impossible to keep track of.
Taking a few minutes each day to plan for the next day, week or month can take a lot of stress or the potential to forget what you have on away.
This can be anything from appointments, birthdays, daily cleaning, bills, schedule of tasks, appointments, and before or after school activities.
The list is endless, and each week is different.
A diary or journal can also help to de-stress and write about your feelings and emotions. Getting your worries or questions that you prefer to keep to yourself off your chest by writing them down in a secure diary or journal can help to relieve any stress or pressure building up.
To Do List
If you are not into the diary or planner thing, a simple to-do list can work just as well.
Writing down a summary of things you have on or would like to accomplish can work wonders also.
A simple process but a well-worth tool to implement into your day.
Make Calls
While you have a quiet minute, before the kids are home for the afternoon, make those important calls in peace and quiet.
Why not ring a friend and have a catch-up on the phone to fill in some quality time together and check in on them.
Motivational Podcast
Podcasts are a great way to destress or find some extra motivation to keep your mood positive or to find some inspiration.
There are some great apps now, some that offer free trials too! This Forbes article has some great recommendations!
Read a Book
Pack in your favourite book or find a book at your local library to read while you have spare time at school pick up.
I often read a book while waiting. I quite enjoy the relaxing time in the car. I find I have no excuse that I have no time. Sitting in the car waiting is a perfect time.
Clean the Inside of Your Car
We all know how hard it is to keep the car clean while the kids are in the back seat.
Packing a plastic bag before leaving for school pick up and taking a few minutes to clean the empty wrappers or bits and pieces over the seats or floor can be an easy way to clean the car without even trying.
Bills
Another no-brainer is with online banking these days from our mobile phones, it’s the perfect time to pay bills while filling in time at school pick up.
This is where a diary or planner can simplify the process but ticking off tasks that have been completed for the day including ensuring bills have been paid.
Budget
Budgeting is another task I like to keep track of.
A simple excel spreadsheet or a page in my weekly diary can help this process.
Writing down my weekly expenditure and income can help keep track of my finances and budget.
While waiting at school pick up this can be easily achieved without feeling like a chore or a task.
There are so many useful things that can make a difference for the better while waiting at school pick.
Using your time wisely can make all the difference without even realising.
Using the time you have while waiting at school pick up can help keep you organised and reduce unwanted stress and overwhelm.
Amy xx
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