January is a weird month. The holidays are over, it’s dark early (SO early), everyone is back to work and school, and everything you put off at the end of the year is coming back to haunt you. (I’m going to use that as an excuse for why I am barely sneaking in this post at the end of January.)
I am not here to romanticize this season. I am here to share what’s getting me through it.
Welcome to Mom Hacks of the Month. This series offers small shortcuts, questionable decisions, and “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?” moments that are carrying me through January.
1. Buy Matching Socks
I buy about 20 matching socks that are all the same size, color, and style so that I do not spend any time trying to find the matching one when folding laundry. Inevitably, socks get lost, but it matters less when they’re all matching because the single one you have goes with ALL the other ones you have.
2. Never Fold Baby Clothes
I do NOT fold baby clothes. They’re so small that I just lay them flat in the dresser by category; onesies, pajamas, real looking clothes, and matching sets (I try to keep these next to each other). Baby clothes don’t wrinkle in any meaningful way, and I’d rather spend my time in other places.
3. Cook Once, Eat Twice
To give credit where credit is due, this is a Caro Chambers concept, and it’s too good not to share. The idea is that you make one protein and turn it into two different meals. A few examples are
Roast chicken → tacos one day, grain bowls the next.
Ground turkey → pasta sauce one night, stuffed peppers another.
This saves time on cooking and cleaning up, and doesn’t feel like you’re constantly eating leftovers.
4. Stock the Freezer with Healthy Nuggets
There are nights when dinner needs to be ready FAST. I always keep a bag of healthier chicken nuggets in the freezer as a backup dinner. The healthier version removes some of my guilt for feeding my kids a microwave dinner.
5. Audiobooks in the Car
Audiobooks are a great alternative to screens in the car. They keep kids entertained while also being educational. You can often get them for free online through your local library and many have great selections for kids of all ages. Queue it up and drive in peace.
6. FaceTime Grandparents for 10–20 Minutes of Freedom
When the weekend day is dragging on or I need to redirect my child, I FaceTime grandparents and hand over the phone. The kids are entertained, grandparents feel included, and I get a few minutes to myself.
7. The To-Go Bag
Even post the diaper bag phase, I keep a fully stocked to-go bag near the door to make it easier to get out of the house. The contents change based on age and season, but the utility stays constant. If something gets used, I restock it when we get home so that it’s always ready to go.
Leave a Reply