What I Prep On Sundays To Make Weekdays Easier As A Busy Mum

Sunday prep has become one of the biggest things that helps our week run more smoothly.

Not because I enjoy spending hours preparing everything in advance, but because I've learned that a couple of hours on Sunday can save me a huge amount of mental load during the week.

As a working mum with young children, my goal isn't to have everything perfectly organised. It's simply to make weekdays easier.

My Sunday Prep Usually Takes About Two Hours

I normally do my prep in the afternoon.

If possible, I'll have someone play with the kids, but that's not always realistic. More often, I'll pull out some activities I don't use every day, like puzzles, drawing or learning activities. And sometimes, a movie helps me get everything done.

I've found that using my Instant Pot and oven as much as possible has dramatically reduced how long prep takes.

The First Thing I Do

Before I cook anything, I make a plan.

I check what we already have in the pantry, fridge and freezer, then use ChatGPT to help create a weekly meal plan based on:

• who is home that week

• what ingredients I already have

• how much time and energy I have

• what appliances I want to use

Once I'm happy with the plan, I place a Click & Collect grocery order and then get ChatGPT to create a meal prep schedule.

This takes a huge amount of decision-making off my plate.

The Breakfasts That Save Me The Most Time

If I could only prep one thing every week, it would be breakfast.

Mornings can be chaotic, especially with young children, daycare drop-offs and getting myself ready for work.

I usually prep breakfasts in glass containers and bake them ready to grab from the fridge.

Some favourites include:

• Protein pancake bakes

• Baked oats

• Deconstructed breakfast burrito bakes

• Breakfast muffins

Knowing breakfast is already done removes one of the biggest stress points from my mornings.

My Work Lunches Are Surprisingly Easy

I batch-cook most of my lunches in the Instant Pot.

Some of my favourites are:

• Curries

• Risotto

• Mexican chicken

• Creamy pesto chicken

I'll then cook rice or pasta separately and portion everything into glass meal prep containers.

The actual hands-on time is usually only about five to ten minutes because the Instant Pot does most of the work.

The Snack System That Works For Us

My children have snack sections in both the pantry and fridge.

I portion snacks into small containers so they're ready to go for the week.

Some examples include:

• Dried fruit

• Crackers

• Muesli bars

• Other easy grab-and-go options

The kids know where the snacks are and can ask for them when they're hungry.

It's a simple system, but it saves me constantly preparing snacks throughout the week.

I Prep Most Of Dinner Too

For dinners, I'll often cook almost everything ahead of time.

The only things I usually leave until the day are:

• Rice

• Pasta

• Some fresh vegetables

Depending on when we're eating a meal, I might even grate vegetables or prep fresh ingredients ahead of time.

The goal isn't to make dinner completely finished. It's to make it quick and easy when I get home after work.

The Daycare Outfit System That Saves My Mornings

One of the simplest things I do is organise all five daycare outfits for the week.

I use a hanging clothing organiser and put together:

• Outfit

• Socks

• Everything needed for daycare

In the morning, the kids choose which outfit they want to wear.

They get some independence, and I don't have to think about clothes when we're trying to get out the door.

What Happens When I Skip Sunday Prep

The difference is noticeable.

If I haven't prepped, I often feel like I'm fighting for my life trying to get food into myself during the week.

Sometimes I won't eat for hours because I'm too busy.

Sometimes dinner becomes toast or porridge.

And honestly, that's okay too.

There are weeks where survival is enough.

But when I do have the capacity to prep, I notice a huge difference in how I feel.

The Biggest Benefit Isn't The Food

The biggest benefit isn't actually the meals.

It's the mental load.

I have more energy during the week because I've already made so many decisions.

I don't have to constantly think about:

• What's for breakfast?

• What am I taking for lunch?

• What are the kids eating?

• What am I cooking tonight?

Those decisions have already been made.

My Goal Isn't Perfection

Sunday prep isn't about being organised.

It's about reducing mental pressure during the week so I can spend more time being present with my children.

Some weeks I prep everything.

Some weeks I only manage breakfasts and lunches.

And some weeks I do nothing at all.

But when I can give my future self a little help on Sunday, I'm always grateful I did.