Running two businesses and raising a child can make life feel chaotic — you likely already know that. Since becoming parents, Jeff and I have focused on getting more productive and efficient so our days flow more smoothly. Through trial and error we’ve implemented five simple changes that have made a big difference. Today I’m sharing those adjustments in the hope that they help others who are feeling overwhelmed.
1. Simple Sunday Meal Prep
“Meal prep” can sound intimidating, like you need an entire day for it. I don’t have that kind of time either, but I can usually carve out an hour on Sunday. I start by prepping breakfasts for the week — Arlo and I eat eggs every morning, so I make egg cups or an egg bake. Quick method: whisk a dozen eggs with chopped vegetables, a handful of cheese and seasoning, pour into a brownie pan or muffin tins and bake (about 20–25 minutes for a pan, 10–15 for cups). I refrigerate a few portions for the week and freeze the rest. That alone removes morning cooking stress.
Next, I buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it into single-serving containers, storing some in the fridge and some in the freezer. These portions are versatile: they work for Arlo mixed with pasta or for dinners like tacos, salads, and bowls. These two steps take roughly an hour and save us time and decision fatigue during the week.
2. Streamline Products for the Whole Family
Bringing a baby into your home multiplies the amount of stuff you need: extra food, bath items, clothes, toys and more. To reduce clutter and simplify shopping, we switched many household products to ones that are safe for all three of us — laundry detergent, body wash and basic soaps. If a product is gentle enough for our baby, it’s a good default for the whole family.
When Ivory reached out, I evaluated whether their products could be used by everyone. The Ivory Original 3-bar and Ivory Original Body Wash are free of dyes and strong perfumes, while the Ivory Free & Gentle Body Wash with Pear & Sandalwood is dye-free, paraben-free and formulated with dermatologist-recommended moisturizing ingredients. Choosing a few multipurpose, gentle products has saved space, money and mental energy.
3. Shared To-Do Lists
We used to go to the store and come home having forgotten multiple things. To fix that, we share a digital to-do and shopping list. Whenever one of us notices we need something, we add it immediately. Then whoever is at the store checks the shared list and picks up what’s needed. This simple habit eliminates missed items and reduces back-and-forth. We currently use Todoist because it syncs with tools we use for work, but any shared list app works.
4. Use Meal and Grocery Delivery When Needed
I used to view grocery and meal delivery as indulgent, but now I see them as practical tools for managing busy periods. On hectic weeks we use meal delivery services so we don’t have to cook every evening; on packed weekends we order groceries to avoid an extra trip. The small cost for delivery often pays for itself by freeing up time to focus on work or be fully present with Arlo. Delegating these errands reduces stress and helps maintain balance.
5. Five-Minute Evening Clean-Up
Messes accumulate quickly when you have a toddler. Every night, while I put Arlo to bed, Jeff spends five minutes tidying: toys get put away, dishes go into the dishwasher, and clutter is cleared from common areas. That short routine means we wake up to a manageable, calm space instead of a chaotic house. Small, consistent effort makes a big difference.
These five adjustments — simple meal prep, streamlined family products, shared lists, strategic use of delivery services, and a nightly five-minute clean-up — have made our routines easier and reduced daily friction. We’re always learning better ways to simplify, and I’d love to hear what strategies help you manage your days. Share your tips in the comments so we can all benefit from each other’s ideas.
This post was created in partnership with Ivory. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep the Studio DIY party going.