Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Efficiency, Or Lack Thereof (See Also, Laziness)

The morning routine. For some, probably those of you who work outside the home or who have school-aged children, there are certain things that MUST be done at certain times in order that everyone is where they're supposed to be at a designated time. I find this sort of amazing, that people manage to get so much done SO EARLY. Yet, I do not envy you, even though you are probably smugly blow-dried and reading blogs by nine o' clock, while I am still dealing with Pop Tart crumbs and coffee breath.
I am Bad at Mornings. Even on my good days, it's still prettty dismal, frankly. We usually get up between eight and nine in the morning (I KNOW, you hate me now) and even when I'm functioning at my peak, the whole morning routine usually isn't complete until around eleven. In theory, it doesn't seem SO bad- change two diapers, nurse one baby, feed one toddler, feed self, let dog out, dress baby, dress toddler, dress and groom self...
I think my problem is estimation. I always underestimate the time it's going to require to do certain things. Just as I generally underestimate how much it's going to cost to grocery shop per week. This is another of my pitfalls- shopping. Not even unnecessary shopping. I'm really not a big clothes or shoes person; as long as I have what I reasonably need, I'm not too tempted to buy ANOTHER pair of shoes or ANOTHER bag just because it's cute. No, my problem is just in not budget shopping for necessities very well. I never remember to use coupons, and invariably forget to buy enough of something at the cheaper big box stores (like DIAPERS) and end up having to run to CVS down the road and buy it at twice the price.
So my goal this week has been More Efficiency! Less Laziness! For example, I used to do showers in the morning, and that was usually okay, but I had to set Addy up with a movie in order to accomplish it. Lately I've been trying to shower at night to cut down on time in the mornings, and to avoid having Addy start her day with TV constantly. I mean, it still happens, but I've been trying to at least DELAY resorting to movies to entertain her.
Also, I made a list of the things we ALWAYS need, and split it up into two categories: one for produce, meat, dairy, things which are really better purchased at the local grocery store or at Meijer. The other is for hygiene stuff, paper products, baby care, cleaning products, dog food, cereal, crackers, etc. This stuff is ALWAYS cheaper at ye olde Wal-Mart (gag cough hate.) This is doubly true for diapers. I have had time to experiment WIDELY with diaper brands since having Addy, and have found that the best brand for non-leakage is... Parent's Choice! Who knew. I did a diaper run to Rite Aid the other day, forked over ten bucks for thirty Huggies, and the frickin' things leaked all over the place every.single.night. I don't know if my kids have weirdly shaped butts or what, but the cheapies work better (and also have less dye in them, I've noticed, which for some reason comforts me.)
So there you have it. Belated New Year's Resolutions, if you will (Lenten Resolutions?) to be more efficient in time/money management. May the force be with me.

14 comments:

Jess said...

My estimations are always, always wrong when it comes to transportation. I was late everywhere for the first year I lived in DC because I always, always thought the Metro would be quicker than it was. I have finally learned to just add at least 15 minutes onto public transportation estimates. It has helped a lot.

LoriD said...

I like the Parents Choice diapers too. My kid is in cloth most of the time, but I've been using disposable at night and Parents Choice is the only one that doesn't leak.

You've made good progress with your resolution. I always underestimate how long it will take me to "dash out" to the grocery store which frustrates my husband to no end.

Flibberty said...

I am always underestimating expenses when I do a budget. It's stupid really, but I try to trick myself into thinking that we will live on $200 worth of groceries per month. We don't and then I'm off budget by week 2.

Tess said...

Groceries. I've been spending $100 or more EVERY SINGLE WEEK. HOW? Argg.

BR irritates me with the grocery list too. I'll ask him what he needs/wants and he'll ALWAYS say "nothing" and then during the week he's all pissy because we don't have x, y, or z. BAH.

artemisia said...

I suck at mornings, too. I always convince myself -- every morning -- that I can, indeed, get ready for work, make a lunch, feed the dogs, etc. etc., in 30 minutes. Right.

I don't think you are lazy. AT ALL.

Anonymous said...

At least you groom yourself and don't wallow in your own filth all day......

Saly said...

Before I had kids……I was so good!! Early for everything, clear headed when it came to shopping—those, apparently, were the days.

Now—I am routinely ½ hour late for work, I can’t get out of bed when I’m supposed to and end up buying pull-ups for $15 at Walgreens instead of in bulk! I need to join you in your Lenten resolution!! Before there are 3 kids here and even less time to get stuff done.

YAY!! You inspired me….at least for the next 5 minutes.

Don't beat yourself up though---I'm sure that if I were a SAHM I'd be lucky to even get a shower every day.

d e v a n said...

You're right. I do hate you. I get up between 5-7 every morning. And my kids don't sleep all night.

It does take SO LONG to get ready, and that's why I usually just stay in my PJ's, unless I have to go somewhere. heh

Mary O said...

Groceries are crazy expensive these days. It seems like most of our money goes to food these days... and we almost never eat out!
I hear you about mornings, too. It seems like I used to be able to get placed sort of early when I only had one kid. Now with two we need LOTS more time, for some reason. You wouldn't think such a small person would require so much, but yeah.

Mommy Daisy said...

We usually get up around 8-8:30. That's what I love about staying home...nowhere to be in the morning. Sometimes I feel guilty that I don't get up with Matt, but when I do I think I cramp his style. But Zachariah and I do have a pretty good morning rountine. I'm sure throwing another kid into will creat some trials.

SLynnRo said...

Hey, this doesn't sound so bad to me. I read about all these people who are up at 5:30 a.m. Whatever routine lets you stay in bed later is a winner in my book.

jen said...

I realize I have it easy because my husband does the food shopping and the dreaded morning routine for me while I lounge in bed. It started because I was nursing a newborn D and never stopped even after I stopped nursing him, and even J doesn't NEED to be nursed nonstop in the morning. He's quick. I can be done with him in 5 minutes and downstairs before T gets out of the shower, but I DON'T. I suck.

Also, I go through periods where nothing gets done.. ruts... I'm firmly entrenched in one now as a matter of fact.

email said...

I can't get my act together enough to do coupons either. Even if I do cut any out (rarely), I ALWAYS forget to take them with me OR, if by some miracle I DO remember to take them with me, I forget to actually USE them, because they're in my pocket or something. So I suck at the whole money management thing as well.

Anonymous said...

I have to say I no longer envy your late morning; except on weekends when my little monsters won't sleep past the sun rising in the East. I just get things ready the night before which usually makes the morning go a little smoother...though not always.

I really like Parents Choice diapers too...and the other cheapies they have at Walmart...which I don't think are Parents Choice; they were wrapped in yellow.