It’s a neverending battle. You work your butt off from the moment you wake up until the moment your child goes to bed, and then at least a little bit more afterward. The laundry is done (or, at least clean…), something to eat for dinner has been provided (thank you slow cooker), and now you’re thinking longingly of your bed. Yes, bed, that unattainable paradise where you may get a few hours rest before cries for your attention ring through the house at some hour of the morning which allows for less, and sometimes significantly less, than eight hours of sleep.

Where could time for your partner ever fit in? There aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done as it is. I propose you don’t do chores while your spouse is awake and home. That’s right, if it takes more than a minute or two, then just skip it. For example, switch laundry over but don’t fold it (if you ever had time to fold it in the first place). Cook in the slow cooker instead of slaving over the stove (or microwave). Clean up that puddle of vomit on the floor, but don’t break out the carpet cleaner because you see several other spots just like it scattered across the room.

The point is save the big stuff for when your partner isn’t there. If it’s not completely necessary, let it go, and find efficiencies where you can. Here are some examples of where you might be able to save time:

1. Buy pre-cut frozen vegetables instead of raw vegetables. They’re generally not more expensive, and can sometimes cost less depending on the season.
2. Skip folding laundry. It does help you find things, but it can take a significant chunk of your day if you have a vomiter like we do.
3. Cook your meats in a slow cooker and throw sauce on top of them for flavor. Add your frozen vegetables in the last 30-60 minutes.
4. Buy frozen meals if financially practical as an emergency back-up. There are some things like frozen lasagna and pizza which don’t taste a whole lot different from fresh. You can toss them in the oven to cook and you don’t need to keep a close eye on them. Just follow the instructions on the package.

Pro tip: If you’d like to spend less time with your spouse, do the opposite! 😉