Juggling a family, a career and a relationship with our significant other can be a challenge for a family. With two children ourselves, a husband in a demanding career, and being a work at home mom, I know our lives can be very interesting to say the least. Here is a list of tips for daily living that can help manage your time and may help make things a little less hectic:
- Keep it simple, give two choices instead of asking “what do you want ____”
- Set limits on things like television, video games, and phone chatter … for everyone in the household. Eliminates arguing and gets everyone doing other things
- Make adjustments when you have to, you can’t be everywhere at once
- Don’t forget to consider your travel time, prep time, clean up time, waiting time
- Deal with things as they happen, (the mail came, sort it now instead of waiting until later – also eliminates clutter that you would have to clean up later)
- Get involved in a car pool to get kids where they need to go, school, soccer, baseball, football … sharing these tasks save you and someone else time and gas money!
- Follow routines and schedules, such as getting up at the same time and leaving at the same time daily…create a pattern/routine get home, do your homework, 30 minutes to watch tv/play game/read, dinner, get a bath, quiet time, bedtime
- Plan ahead for holidays and weekends with activities and things to do. These are the most chaotic times, even if you do something spontaneous instead at least you had a plan ready! You can always use the plan for the following weekend
- The goal is to get it done, not make it perfect
- Have a menu plan to save loads of kitchen and shopping time and leave more time for talking and enjoying the evening together
- Give everyone their own alarm clock instead of being the “mom clock” and explain the consequences of not being up and ready to leave on time
- Minimize distractions (putting video games and televisions in cabinets that close does wonders in a household)
- If you work at home make a schedule and stick to it! From x:xx to x:xx you are “at work”
- Set your priorities and adjust as needed, they can change monthly, weekly, daily
- Keep a to-do list, things that need to be done, including time for yourself
- Have a family/household meeting to communicate each others goals and needs for the current timeframe (once a month?)
- Likewise for the family time, set aside 30 minutes each day that everyone is focused on doing something together … anything at all
- Follow a daily pattern or routine so that everyone is on the same page and knows what to expect
- Multi-task, put away the dishes while you’re on the phone, or dust the electronics while you’re waiting for a file to download
- Make room in the family budget for small outings like a trip to the movies, or a day at the zoo once a month to get everyone out and about and having fun together
- Finally, remember that bedtime, and not just for the kids, set one for yourself too so you can get a good nights sleep
How can busy parents manage family time better?
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Start by keeping the day as simple and predictable as you can. The article recommends routines, clear priorities, a to-do list, menu planning, and dealing with small tasks right away instead of letting them pile up. It also helps to plan for travel time, prep time, cleanup time, and waiting time so the schedule reflects real family life.
What daily routines help a hectic family schedule?
A daily pattern helps everyone know what to expect. The article suggests consistent wake-up and leaving times, homework time, a short window for TV, games, or reading, dinner, baths, quiet time, and bedtime. The point is not a perfect schedule; it is a rhythm the family can follow and adjust when life changes.
How can parents reduce morning and household stress?
Give children simple choices, set limits on screens and phone chatter, and make responsibilities clear. One practical idea from the article is giving everyone their own alarm clock instead of making one parent the household alarm. Sorting mail right away, using carpools, and minimizing distractions can also keep small hassles from becoming bigger ones.
How do families make time for each other when life is busy?
Put family time on purpose. The article recommends setting aside even 30 focused minutes a day when everyone does something together. It also encourages planning small outings, family meetings, and simple shared routines like dinner so connection does not disappear under chores, work, and errands.
Thanks for contributing this post to this week’s Carnival of Family Life, hosted at A Child Chosen. The Carnival will be live on Monday, February 5, 2008, so I hope you and your readers will stop by and check out all of the fabulous entries included this week!