ADHD Mum Hacks: One-Minute Systems That Actually Work
ADHD Mum Hacks: One-Minute Systems That Actually Work
You know that thing where you walk into a room and immediately forget why you’re there? Or that moment when you swear you packed the school bag... but it’s still sitting on the kitchen bench?
ADHD + parenting is a wild combo and traditional systems? They just don’t cut it. That’s why we’re talking one-minute hacks. Tiny, doable systems that don’t require a full personality overhaul.
Let’s go.
1. The 60-Second Reset: Micro Routines for Sanity
You don’t need a full routine. You need tiny rituals that anchor you in chaos. Try these:
🧘 Deep breath, quick stretch, drink of water = reset
📱 “End of school run” alarm = mental shift from chaos to calm
📦 Dumping bag contents into a “re-sort bin” instead of losing keys (again)
These micro-routines signal to your brain that it’s safe to pause.
2. Visual Zones for Instant Clarity
ADHD brains love visible systems. If it’s not in front of you, it might as well not exist.
🧲 Use a magnetic fridge planner for the week’s layout
📅 Add a “This Week” zone on your wall planner for focus
📌 Sticky notes in zones: lunch station, school bag spot, fridge
Forget fancy apps. If it’s visible, it’s usable.
3. Set-and-Forget Tools for the Win
The less you have to remember, the more brain space you’ll have for everything else (like locating that rogue library book).
🔔 Alarms for medication, school pickup, bin night
📲 Recurring calendar events for everything
📩 Use labels or post-its to “delegate to your future self”
Remember: systems aren’t cheating. They’re scaffolding.
4. Pre-Pack & Prep Bins = Morning Lifesavers
Tired of yelling “Where are your shoes?!” while juggling lunchboxes and missing notes? Welcome to the prep bin life.
🍱 Create a school lunch station with bento boxes & shelf snacks
🎒 Pack school bags the night before and drop them in a “launch zone”
🧦 Have a basket for clean socks. No sorting. Just socks.
Your future self will want to hug you. Or at least high-five you.
5. The “Good Enough” System
Perfection is exhausting. ADHD mums thrive on “done is better than perfect.”
🧠 Write the meal plan on the fridge, not in a fancy app
🧠 Rotate the same 3 lunch box combos. Your kid won’t notice
🧠 Forget colour coding. Use what’s easy and repeatable
Give yourself permission to lower the bar and watch how much easier life gets.
You’re Not Lazy, You’re Overloaded And These Tools Help
If you’ve ever been told “just get organised,” we’d like to gently scream on your behalf.
You’re not failing. You’re functioning in a world that wasn’t designed for ADHD brains or parenting. But these one-minute systems? They help.
Try one. Tweak it. Repeat what works. And know that Mikki & Me has your back with tools made to reduce the chaos.