great ideas ladies I appreciate it. somehow my household is spending like 1500 in groceries its due to me not meal planning. I need to do the sams club pick up i guess

My 13 year old and 5 year old go to school nextdoor to each other my 3 year old is in perK and my 2 year old goes to daycare in the same building as my 3 year old and I stay with my 10 month old. Hubby drops of 5 and 13 year old on the way to work. Packing lunch for my 5 and 2 year old (food allergies) happens at night so does ironing uniforms. Dinner is at 7 clean up is immediately afterwards then brush teeth wash hands and faces and off to bed. Every body is in bed by 8 and the rest of the night is mine and hubbys also currently expecting baby number6

I have 4 ages 6-1 and you get a routine after a while. We don't do after school activities or sports right now but will in the summer. We definitely budget and paying off all our debt minus the mortgage has done wonders for our stress level. Our groceries are $200/ month at sams club (including diapers, toilet paper, wipes etc) and $100-125/ week for regular groceries. Meals aren't fancy but they are different most days of the month. I do King Soopers Click list or Walmart grocery pick up and order everything from home after making a meal plan so I know I'm sticking to my budget and can shop the sales (plus not bringing the kids into the store saves me a big head ache!)

I just ask my husband to do it all. Try that. ???

@missya0002 we have a family of 9 and right now our grocery budget is about 150-175 a week for groceries. That's with paper products. I'm a stay at home mom so in order for me to be home you have to make sure you budget.

I now have 7, 4 of which is school age. I used to pack lunches when they were younger but as they get older they will take on more responsibility on getting their own stuff ready. You just have to find a routine that works best for you and stressing out is just gonna make everything harder (I know easier said than done)

My kids are 11, 9,6, 4 and 2. Grades: 6, 4, 1, pre-k and in home daycare. My 11 year old is in soccer with practice 2 nights a week and games on weekends, my 4 and 6 year girls both play tball on the same team, practice1 night a week and double header for games 1 night a week and 1 dance class each week, my 9 year girl is in competitive dance. 2 nights a week at 2.5 hours each night. The 2 year old just goes along for the ride. It will be his turn before I know it.

Honestly, yes. I get overwhelmed. I am a high school teacher as well, so working outside the home. I have the school menu pinned up on our chalkboard wall and every morning, they check the menu, if they need a lunch, they make it. I buy lunchables, mandarin oranges and diced peaches, pudding options, etc. My older 3 beat me home by like 15-20 minutes before I am home with the younger 2. They know the drill...they come home, get a snack and start their homework. My older 2 have phones and we have an app that we can block portions of their phone/everything on their phone. Thursday folders are crazy. I have a file folder hanging up in the hall where they put their agendas and anything else that I need to sign. My kids help with the laundry and dishes as well. They may hate me now but I am raising them to be responsible and independent citizens. I was raised that it takes a 'team' to keep up with the house, not just one person.

Calendar , reminders on phone and a set schedule i have a 8,6,3,2 year old and I’m now pregnant with #5 and it has helped me so much to always plan ahead

I have 3 and I'm expecting twins. I'm overwhelmed with just the thought of how life will change . All I can say is organize the best you can that's how I was able to manage . Organize toys , organize clothes , and prep meals when you can. It will make life much easier. It's gets better the older they get. Good luck to you :)

Me too

I homeschool. That's a whole set of other things to be organized about ?But at least the only lunch I have to pack is my husband's. Either way, it's a lot of things to do and i feel like I'm losing my mind and hair too.

Also how do you manage not to have 2000 worth of grocery store trips every month? I need some tips on that part too :( from a tired MAMA!

Do any of you work full time? I am finding it overwhelming to do all the mentioned above for school and work and have any sanity. Need some tips please before I lose my mind. I would love to put my kids in activities but don't even have time for that :(

I have 5 kids..3 are in school grades 4,3,1 and then 2 are at home. Ages 2 and 1. I basically run a tight ship like previous poster. I also do a lunch station. I fill it once a week. They grab what they want to eat every day. Works amazing and really takes a lot of pressure off

I have 5 kids, 9 years and under (due soon with #6). My oldest 4 are in activities. We have 2-3 games/practices/lessons a day, on a good day.. sometimes more.. I have a calendar that I put EVERYTHING on. We'd be lost without it. I empty backpacks/folders as soon as they get home and fill out forms right away so I don't forget. I wake up before them and get myself ready, then get them ready assembly line style. They are not to come to the breakfast table until they are totally dressed and ready to go to school (teeth brushed, hair brushed, shoes on, etc). It's hard when one kids has an off day because it can really set my routine off. I usually plan to give myself extra time for this reason because there always seems to be one kid who doesn't want to cooperate lol

I also clean up every night so we are ready to go every morning.. keep all jackets, shoes, back packs, sports gear in our mudroom... it's not allowed anywhere else

Absolutely I get overwhelmed! The main thing is schedule, schedule, schedule. I know what time I need to get up to do ABC before I get the kids to school. I have dinner ready at a certain time frame. I have chores I do certain days a week. Ex: Thursdays clean bathrooms. It's the only way I can keep the little sanity I have left.