Weekly thought
By the time the laptop snaps shut and the kids are home, you’re not looking for zen or bliss. You just want the next few hours to not feel like a relay race in a minefield. These evening hacks aren’t about doing more. They’re about doing less noise - and getting to bed without the feeling you’re already behind tomorrow.
How can you stop the post-work/kid chaos before it starts?
Switch scenes, not just tasks - if you can, change your shirt or put on slippers the moment you’re home.
Hand out a “first 10 minutes” activity so you can land (drawing, snack, Lego).
Play one specific “transition song” every evening - it’s a small cue that works like magic.
What’s the easiest way to halve your dinner stress?
Decide the next day’s dinner while tonight’s is cooking - you’re already in food mode.
Have a “Thursday dinner default” (omelettes, wraps, frozen dumplings) so you skip the decision entirely.
Keep a “15-minute meals” note on your phone for nights when energy is gone.
Got your own unbeatable hack?
Calm tips
How do you keep tomorrow from stealing tonight’s calm?
Use a 2-minute “dump and park” - jot tomorrow’s top 2 priorities, then close it.
Pre-pack one thing (bag, lunch, sports kit) and stop there.
If you must reply to something, set a 10-minute limit and stick to it.
Three steps at a time
How can you make chores feel less like chores at night?
Pair each task with something you enjoy (podcast, audio note to a friend).
Use the “half-pass” method - do the visible part now, skip the deep clean for later.
Make it a two-person job - kids or partner handle one bit while you do another.
Think logically
Which hack has the best sanity-to-effort ratio?
Thursday dinner default - Removes one weekly decision entirely
Transition song or clothing change - Signals “off-work” mode
Dump & park tomorrow’s top 2 - Keeps tomorrow out of your head tonight
“Even a 2-minute closure ritual can train your brain to switch off faster. Treat it like part of your job.”
That is for today.
Keep showing up, keep cheering each other on — and as always, be happy! 🏃♂️💛
Mums Like Me Team
P.S.
Share this with other working mums who could also benefit from it - you might make their day easier!