Better Time Management in the Kitchen Can be Yours

Tips for better time management in the kitchen abound. But, in this post I’ll share some that have personally worked extremely well in my own life (and kitchen). These tips took a lot of stress and aggravation out of anything I needed to do in that small-but-all-important room.

I’ve been a single parent since 1994 and even had number 4 as a single parent. Having four children meant a lot of cooking and a lot of cleaning. Fortunately, the following tips for better time management in the kitchen covers both of those time-intensive tasks.

Have a play basket for little ones

One of the biggest challenges is keeping little ones entertained while we’re trying to cook. Enter what I could only classify as a true sanity saver. Behold the key to your sanity which is the play basket.

Decades ago, child number 3 absolutely HAD to be in the kitchen with me while I was doing anything. To keep him occupied I would give him a pot or pan or soft colander and a couple of utensils. He would happily play for as long as I needed.

Your child’s basket may have more traditional toys such as Legos or blocks. Anything to keep them playing. A tip though, make sure they ONLY play with those toys at that time, place, and activity. Otherwise, they may tire of them, and they’ll lose effectiveness and purpose.

Train little ones to help and then let them help

Most kids I’ve ever encountered love, love, love to help. I have 4 kids (now grown) and 10 grand kids. Also, in 2020, I took in my 2-year-old great-niece to raise to adulthood. She wants to help with EVERYTHING.

I treat her the same as I did the kids and grandkids. When she shows interest in something I try to show her right then and there. Or I may put it in my to-do list to show her how to do that task. At 6 years-old now, she has her own chores and chore list. I even let her help create that chore list in Canva. Because she was involved in creating it, she really loves HER chore list. In other words, she takes ownership of that baby.

Kids love to help with better time management in the kitchen

She doesn’t do all of these every day. For instance, she sweeps so that I can mop. I’ll have her do that chore every couple of days. Early in the morning (if not the evening before), we plan what to do that day. Then we decide how she can help. Her chore list for the day is then determined although there are some tasks she does every day.

Before anyone accuses me of turning her into a Cinderella, understand that she wants to help. And since she knows how why NOT let her. I’ve already taken the time, patience, and energy to train her. Also, I’m getting older, and her help keeps me from needlessly wearing myself out.

Gradually give little ones more responsibility

As kids mature, it is not only smart, it’s your parental duty to give them increasingly more responsibility.

Better time management in the kitchen becomes a way of life

The more they do these tasks, the faster they’ll get. Pretty soon it becomes something they can do in their sleep. I noticed just this morning that Railynn unloaded the dishwasher much faster than she had been doing. She proudly showed me that she can take the utensil holder out and walk around with it putting stuff up.

Saturday night she helped me grate a block of stinky cheese (Asiago). We were making a casserole to take to family dinner the next day after church. She only helped that evening but soon she’ll be able to handle it all by herself.

Concerning time management and cooking, I think kids helping in the kitchen is one of my top recommendations. They can help gather ingredients and then put those same ingredients back where they belong. When cleaning the refrigerator, they can be responsible for the lower shelves within their reach. They can even (believe it or not) cut and chop foods.

Have a place for everything and put everything in its place

You will save massive amounts of time if everything has its own place. That way, no matter who is helping everyone is on the same page.

Additionally, you won’t waste time, energy, or patience waiting or searching.

Store things where little helpers can easily access them

Railynn loves to help so much that all I have to do is say I’m going to make something. Many times, she’ll go right to the pantry and get this. Then, she’ll run to this drawer and pull out that. I made the conscious choice to put things down where she can easily grab and go.

I never have to ask for help as I’ve cultivated that helpful trait.

Tips for better time management in the kitchen can include placement of items

For instance, some of my pans are in a drawer like the picture above. Measuring spoons are too. What she can’t easily reach, she is not afraid to grab a step ladder to help her out. She can run around like a spinning top because she knows where everything goes.

Have a sink for hand washing or rinsing to put in the dishwasher

This is a big help and sure beats the alternative. You can slip dishes into the soapy water, and they start the soaking process which makes cleaning so much easier. I can have Railynn start on them and wash them a little here and there. Or, more likely, I’ll wash them as I go or as I have a minute or two.

That way you won’t be staring at a sink full of dishes when you’re already tired and ready to rest.

I wanted to share with you my favorite tips for better time management in the kitchen. My hope is that they help, and I’d love to hear some of your own. I may even pass yours along (with credit, of course). Above all, find what works for YOU.

Til next time…

Mary Alice Hogue BS; MSW
Home Time Management Expert, Coach, and Speaker
Helping Christian Nontraditional Students Survive, Thrive, and Grow

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