When you’re parenting alone, there’s rarely spare time or spare energy. Most single parents become experts in efficiency, finding small shortcuts that make everyday life run more smoothly.

These aren’t glamorous “life hacks” or unrealistic routines – they’re practical ways to make things a little easier when there’s only one adult holding everything together.

Here are some of the shortcuts that many single parents find genuinely helpful.

Keep Three Emergency Meals in the House

Every household has evenings when everything goes wrong. Work runs late, a child is tired or unwell, or you simply run out of energy.

Having a few reliable emergency meals ready can make those days much less stressful.

This might include:

• A frozen pasta dish or chilli
• Something quick like eggs on toast or wraps
• A freezer meal you can cook straight from frozen
• A cupboard meal like pasta and sauce

Knowing that you always have something easy available removes the pressure to cook from scratch every night.

Many single parents find it helpful to keep two or three meals that require almost no effort, just for difficult days.

Use One Calendar for Everything

Trying to remember school events, clubs, appointments and deadlines in your head is exhausting.

Using a single calendar – either digital or on paper – can make a big difference.

It helps to include:

• School events
• Clubs and activities
• Appointments
• Work commitments
• Payment dates
• Reminders for forms and deadlines

Some parents set up reminders a few days in advance so nothing comes as a surprise.

Even if you’re the only person using it, having one place where everything lives can reduce a lot of mental load.

Make Admin as Automatic as Possible

Admin tasks often pile up because they require time and attention that’s hard to find.

Anything you can automate saves energy later.

Examples include:

• Direct debits for regular bills
• Repeat prescription reminders
• Supermarket “favourites” lists
• Standing grocery lists
• Automatic savings transfers if possible

Spending a little time setting systems up can make everyday life feel more manageable.

Keep a Running Shopping List

Running out of essentials creates unnecessary stress.

A running shopping list – either on paper or in a notes app – means you can add things as soon as you notice they’re running low.

Some parents keep a list divided into sections like:

• Packed lunches
• Toiletries
• Cleaning supplies
• School items
• Freezer meals

This saves time when you come to shop and helps avoid forgotten items.

Create a Laundry Routine That Works for You

Laundry can easily feel endless, especially with children.

Many single parents find it easier to set simple rules such as:

• One regular laundry day
• One extra “catch-up” wash if needed
• Everyone has enough socks and underwear to last a full week

Owning slightly more everyday essentials than you strictly need can take the pressure off if you miss a wash.

Simple routines often work better than trying to keep everything perfectly up to date.

Build a Small Backup Network

Single parents often don’t have a built-in backup adult, so having even a small support network can make a big difference.

This might include:

• Another parent from school
• A neighbour
• A relative
• A trusted babysitter

Even knowing who you could call in an emergency can reduce stress.

Some single parents keep a short list of people who might be able to help with:

• School pick-ups
• Childcare emergencies
• Last-minute changes

You may not need to use it often, but having options helps.

Accept That “Good Enough” Is Good Enough

One of the most useful shortcuts is letting go of unrealistic expectations.

Single parent households often run differently from two-adult households, and that’s okay.

Shortcuts like:

• Buying pre-prepared food
• Doing quick tidy-ups instead of deep cleans
• Repeating simple meals
• Saying no to extra commitments

can make life more sustainable.

Making things manageable is more important than making them perfect.

Small Changes Add Up

None of these shortcuts are dramatic on their own, but together they can make everyday life run more smoothly.

Single parents often develop their own systems over time, finding what works for their family and routines.

Sharing ideas and learning from other single parents can make that process much easier.

If you’d like to connect with other single parents to share tips, ask questions and find support, you can join the Frolo community. The Frolo app brings single parents together through group chats, meetups and expert sessions – a place to find advice from people who understand the realities of parenting alone.

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