*None of the products or the brands in this post are affiliates, sponsors, partners, etc. I’m mentioning them because I genuinely use and love them.
If you know me – or have followed my blog for a while – you know that life as a working mother to two very active boys (ages 6 [almost 7] and 4) is a delicate balancing act. The chaos never seems to end, and even though I wouldn’t trade it for the world, it often feels like I’m running on fumes, juggling my work responsibilities while trying to be a present, engaged mom. Working from home adds its own layer of complexity, as the boundaries between “work life” and “home life” blur faster than I can say, “who dropped this play-doh?!?”
My days generally start early, and once the boys are off to school (and honestly, sometimes even before), I dive headfirst into work, checking off as many tasks as possible. When school ends, I make it a point to be present. Mostly because they both run straight into my office to tell me about their days and I don’t really have a choice – they’re excited to see me and tell me everything, and I want them to hold on to that excitement for as long as possible. I know in a few years, telling me about their day will be like pulling teeth. I log off from my work, set aside my deadlines, and try to fully engage in quality time with my kids…. while also cleaning up, making dinner, trying to put things away that I’ve been ignoring while working… ya know, typical Mom stuff.
But the catch? When bedtime rolls around and the house is finally quiet, I find myself logging back in to wrap up whatever didn’t get finished during the day. Or running to the store to pick up something we need for school the next day. It’s not the most sustainable model (although I’ve been managing it for quite a while now), and I’m always on the lookout for ways to streamline my life.
It often feels like I’m burning the candle at both ends. While I’m doing so much, it can feel like I’m never doing anything quite “right.” Something always falls through the cracks, whether it’s a work deadline that creeps into family time or an important family moment that gets interrupted by work. And let’s not forget those days when the kids have a day off from school, or someone is home sick. As any mom knows, there’s no such thing as a “sick day” for us when we inevitably catch the kiddos germs.
It’s a constant game of trying to be everything to everyone, and the exhaustion is real.
Meal Services & Meal Planning To The Rescue
One of the most significant ways I’m trying to simplify my responsibilities and reduce the stress of day-to-day life is by leaning on meal services. Over the past six years, EveryPlate has been my go-to. It provides three meals each week for my husband and me (the kids refuse to budge from their diet of mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and plain pasta, so they don’t partake in our EveryPlate dinners). It’s a lifesaver because meal planning isn’t just stressful – it’s a time drain. With EveryPlate, I don’t have to agonize over what to make for dinner or whether I have the right ingredients. Everything arrives pre-portioned, with easy recipes that typically don’t take more than 30 minutes to make. This simplicity gives me back precious time I can spend with my family or on my work.
And then there’s DoorDash, our guilty pleasure for days when I just can’t muster the energy to cook. Sometimes, the thought of cooking – even with the help of meal kits – is too much after a long day of balancing work and family. Knowing my husband and I can order one of our favorite meals (to enjoy after the kids are in bed!) with the click of a button is a sanity-saver on those days when I’m feeling utterly depleted.
As my eldest son has gotten older, we’ve run into some new challenges, especially with his ADHD. The constant, buzzing energy can be a lot to manage, and it’s hard to keep up (or, let’s be real, even come close). This has prompted me to take a closer look at what we’re feeding our family. While I don’t think diet is a magic cure, there is some research to suggest that certain foods and additives can impact hyperactivity in kids with ADHD (note: there is no correlation to additives or dyes “causing” ADHD – just that for kids who have it, it may exacerbate some symptoms for those who are sensitive to it — and some kids with ADHD aren’t sensitive to them, so it makes no difference!). It has sparked a new chapter in my life: trying to move toward organic, additive-free foods. I fully realize that this may not make an iota of difference, but it certainly can’t hurt – so why not give it a try?
Enter HungryRoot. This new-to-me service is all about making nutritious, whole-food meals easier. Not only do they deliver meal kits like EveryPlate, but you can also order other groceries from them – all of which are in the “better for you” category. What really sold me on giving HungryRoot a try is the level of customization it offers. The app has a quiz that learns your preferences and limitations (for example, one of my kids has severe food allergies so recipes or items with those allergens are never automatically added to my cart – although I can choose to add them if I want [and they are very clearly marked in the app as containing the allergen]), and each week, it pre-loads your cart with meal kits and grocery items tailored to your needs. You can either let it work its magic or customize your order fully.
I’m excited about the possibility of simplifying my meal planning even further while focusing on healthier choices. If HungryRoot works out, it could eliminate a few steps from my usual grocery routine, taking the guesswork out of what’s best for my family. And if it has any positive impact on my son’s energy levels? Well, that would be the ultimate bonus.
But I don’t stop there. I’m a big fan of subscription services, especially Amazon Subscriptions, which I use to keep the house stocked with essentials like paper towels, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, and even things like printer paper and vitamins. It’s one less thing for me to think about, and with how much we go through these items (especially paper towel and printer paper – I’m ashamed at how much paper waste in this house!), I genuinely appreciate the convenience. It’s almost like magic – poof, there’s a new box of paper towels on my doorstep right when I need it.
Store Pickup and Delivery have also become my saving grace. I even splurge on the $99/year Target Circle membership to get free, same day delivery of groceries (or arts and crafts supplies, or clothes that the kids need for the endless “wear something XYZ color” days at school). It’s well worth the investment. Whether I’m ordering last-minute birthday presents or just refilling pantry staples, the convenience is unbeatable. I can add items to my cart throughout the week, and when I’m ready, everything is delivered right to my door. Or, I add items to my cart in an absolute panic and thank the Target technology Gods that they have same-day, 2-hour delivery. It saves me the headache of dragging two energetic boys through the store and keeps my focus where it matters most.
In the end, at this phase of my life I’m all about creating systems that make life a little easier and being okay with the fact that I can’t do everything perfectly (even though I really, really want to). Simplifying isn’t about having it all under control – it’s about reducing friction and finding ways to prioritize what really matters. And for now, if that means relying on a few subscription services, delivery apps, and grocery hacks – and yes, paying a premium for them – I’m more than okay with that.