Time Management

Time is precious to everyone especially in a parent’s hectic schedule.  Cleaning, cooking, caring for children, doing laundry, having time for  family and friends,  family fun time, attending courses and of course taking time for yourself is almost impossible to build into your schedule, but not impossible.

When our time runs away on us, this can add a lot of stress to our lives. The one good thing about it though is we can learn to manage our time better to remove this stressor from our lives.

Benefits of Good Time Management  
  • Improves Quality of Life

Good time management improves our quality of life, as a whole. By managing our time better we can give time to the things we would really like to do and the things that make us happy. This in turn will reduce stress.

  • Reduces Frustration

Lack of time as you try to create a balance between all areas of responsibility in your hectic and tiresome routine can cause frustration and panic. By managing your time, you can get rid of much of this frustration.

  • Gives Peace of Mind

Peace of mind is required to lead a healthy and disease-free life. Restlessness and stress are the root causes for the lack of peace. By managing time wisely, you will be able to give yourself and your loved ones more time and attention.

  • Increases Energy Level

When you don’t feel exhausted with your routine, you will have more energy. Effective time management can increase energy levels because it gets your cluttered and busy mind more organised.

  • Gives More Quality of Time

Effective time management gives you more time to enjoy life to the fullest. This is because, there are many things that you might ignore, but still have to do for your survival. Good time management allows you time to do the things you really enjoy.

  • Confidence

Proper time management gives you confidence. This is partly because you have taken back control of your life. Checking things off a to-do-list will cause your confidence to soar as you realise that you can finish what you start. As your accomplishments grow so will your confidence.

Some tips around getting starting with routines in your home
  • Be patient it takes time to get it right.
  • Start with the simpler areas – bedtimes, mealtimes – these events happen every day regardless of what is going on, but ask yourself how you can become more consistent in your approach to them.
  • Plan ahead – especially if you are sharing parenting, think of the what needs to get done that would potentially be easier to do alone; while also would support things to run smoother when the children are with you. Groceries for example!
  • Quality Time – making time for play and family time is often bottom of the list. Getting quality time closer to the top of the list of priorities will allow you create time to get other things done. When children feel you have focused on them, given some good attention they are often more happy to play alone for short periods allowing you to move on with another task.
  • Communicate well – as much as you might like to make the plan yourself, if it includes the cooperation of others then they need to be part of making it. Talk to the other parent about what works well for your child in their experience, especially around bedtimes and meals. Talk with children about what you might like the structure to look like, ask for input and ideas. Then agree a plan and stick it on the fridge – add in the clocks and give children permission to keep you on target.
  • Finally, take time to reflect and take stock. If the routine is working well keep going however as children grow and life changes, seasons turn over so also may the routine need some tweaking. Flexibility is the cornerstone to life and happiness.