Ashley Davies' Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier

Ashley Davies, Mom & Food Entrepreneur, shares her time-saving and sanity-preserving shortcuts for busy moms. As a mom and business owner, Ashley understands the unique challenges of juggling household and business responsibilities while giving her kids her best. We'll explore her hacks on meal planning, kitchen organization, involving kids in household tasks, navigating conflicts, and effective time management. Let's dive in!

Meal Planning: Using Available Technology

Meal planning can be a real game-changer for busy moms. Ashley swears by Instacart. This convenient service saves her time and energy by delivering groceries straight to her doorstep. It's like having a personal assistant in the form of a grocery shopper! When takeout isn’t an option, having pantry staples and ingredients on hand allows for quick and stress-free meal preparation.

Also, in a mom’s kitchen, efficiency and using the best and latest kitchenware is key. She recommends buying utensils, bowls, and cookware that are dishwasher and microwave safe. This makes cleanup a breeze, saving precious time and effort. Check out Ashley’s favorite, revolutionary hybrid HexClad pans, which are not only durable and versatile but also safe to use in the dishwasher and microwave.

Takeaways:

Meal Prepping for Families

• Plan and prepare meals that can be repurposed into new dishes, minimizing the need for cooking from scratch every day.
• Prep ingredients in advance, such as chopping vegetables or marinating meat, to reduce cooking time during the week.
• Cook larger batches of any given meal and freeze individual portions for quick and easy meals on busy days.
• Utilize slow cookers or Instant Pots for hands-off and time-saving cooking.

Organize a Kitchen for Efficiency

• Use a meal planning app or website to streamline the process and save time on recipe selection and grocery list creation.
• Keep a notepad on the fridge to jot down grocery needs as soon as you run out of something.
• Use clear and labeled food storage containers to easily identify leftovers and reduce food waste.
• Create a designated spot for frequently used items, like spices or cooking utensils, to avoid wasting time searching for them.

Delegate: Involve Kids in Household Tasks  

Getting the kids involved in household chores lightens the load for moms and teaches them valuable life skills. Ashley assigns specific job duties to her kids, such as playing with and feeding the dogs, watering plants, and even cleaning the bathroom. Both of her children help with the dishes and loading the dishwasher, making it a fun activity with bubbles and water play. Ashley believes in starting early, introducing chores to children as young as four. She uses a chore chart and rewards system to motivate and recognize their efforts, with activities like visiting the kids' museum or going on hikes as incentives.

Takeaways:

• Teach kids basic cooking skills so they can help with meal preparation, such as measuring ingredients or stirring. A great way to get started is using Happy Grub Squeezable Instant Pancake Mix!
• Establish a rotating chore schedule to distribute tasks evenly among family members and encourage teamwork.
• Turn chores into games or competitions to make them more engaging and enjoyable for kids.
• Use a competition format or timing for tasks to create a sense of urgency and help kids stay focused.

Additionally, Ashley also emphasizes the importance of using technology that is available to you to delegate tasks and make your life easier. It could be food or laundry takeout services during a hectic week, or even shopping for the best robotic vacuum. 

Navigating Conflict: Diffuse and Distract

Conflict resolution can be challenging, especially with young kids, but Ashley has a few tricks up her sleeve. When her daughter is upset, she distracts her by suggesting a hair play session. For her son, she invites him to dig a hole in the yard as a way to redirect his attention and emotions (he loves it!). These simple yet effective strategies maintain a more harmonious household.

Takeaways:

• Encourage open communication and understand each family member's perspective and motivations to either redirect or diffuse tension during conflicts.
• As a family, you can practice taking deep breaths and encouraging mindfulness to help everyone calm down and regain composure.
• Create designated strategies or a space for each kid to retreat into their own personal worlds when they need a moment to themselves.
• For bigger conflicts for the whole family to find a solution, encourage kids to do the same by taking a breath and some time to reconvene for a family compromise when emotions have died down.

Time Management: Organizing Your Day and Establishing Routines

Efficiently managing time is crucial for every mom. Ashley recommends establishing a schedule for both you and your kids. She starts her day at 5 a.m. by laying out the kids' clothes for school on designated days, ensuring a smooth morning routine. Breakfast is prepared at a specific time, and she relies on Happy Grub squeezable instant pancakes for a quick and mess-free hot breakfast. Ashley also prepares their lunch before the kids wake up, eliminating the morning rush and stress. To manage time effectively, Ashley advises choosing two habits to be consistent about each week, and gradually adding a third habit the following week. This incremental approach helps establish routines without overwhelming yourself.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize tasks by using a to-do list or task management app to stay organized and focused.
• Set specific time blocks for different activities throughout the day to create a structured routine.
• Use available technology, such as calendar apps, reminders, and delivery services or subscriptions to staple household items (don’t forget Happy Grub!) to keep track of appointments, deadlines, household needs, and important events.
• Remember to overfill your mom cup when you have a self-care day or activity by immersing yourself as fully as possible to ensure time for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Incorporating Ashley's Mom Hacks Into Your Life

With Ashley Davies' mom shortcuts and hacks, you can simplify your daily routine and reclaim precious time for yourself and your family. From meal planning to involving kids in household tasks, using technologies to help, navigating conflicts, and managing time, Ashley's practical advice hopefully offers a few fresh ideas to help improve mom life. Remember, finding what works for you and your family is key. Start implementing these strategies, and watch as your life becomes more organized, efficient, and enjoyable.

Shop Ashley's mealtime solution, the only Squeezable Instant Pancake Mix!