Life can be erratic, especially with a busy family. Although there may be a lot of moving pieces, there are ways to help you make your household operate more effectively and efficiently. Below are 6 tips to help you make the most of you and your family’s valued time.
- Keep a To Do List and a Calendar
- Don’t be Afraid to Multi-Task
- Make and Keep Routines
- Delegate
- Keep an Organized Home
- Don’t Take On Too Many Activities
1. Keep a To-Do List and a Calendar
Keep a To-Do list in a noticeable place such as on the fridge so that you are not prone to writing lists upon lists. Schedule time to get the items on the list done and check the items off as you go. Creating and maintaining a To-Do list allows for you to keep all of your thoughts and whirling To-Do’s in one place. Writing down times to complete the items on the list and then checking the items off as you go, can help you to complete the items and gain a sense of accomplishment as you check them off. While some people prefer keeping a calendar on their phone, it is also recommended to carry a paper calendar along with you. It is quite helpful to be seeing your entire month at a glance at a moments notice.
2. Don’t be Afraid to Multi-Task
Learn to consolidate and get things done during down time or during in between times. Perhaps, instead of scrolling the Internet while waiting for your appointment at the doctor’s office, check and respond to work-emails. Instead of impatiently waiting for your kids on the carpool line, get on the phone and pay some bills as you sit and wait solo.
3. Make and Keep Routines
If you have a daily schedule that is consistent you will often find that your household runs more smoothly. This will help you and your family manage time expectations. Bedtimes should have a consistent time except for maybe some weekend flexibility as a reward. Mornings should also be consistent as to avoid getting to school late and dawdling.
4. Delegate
You can’t possibly do everything on your own and its okay to ask for help. If you are able to delegate household responsibilities, everybody learns how to be a team player. This will help you to prepare your family members for a variety of team settings and future work environments that rely on community in order to function.
- Keep an Organized Home
One of the biggest time wastes is looking for lost objects. Have places in the home set aside for different items and ask everyone in your household to maintain the placement of these items: keep woven baskets in the playroom designated for toys, have hangars by the door available for outerwear, keep loose change and keys also in a tray beside the front door.
6. Don’t Take on Too Many Activities
In a day in age where everyone wants their children to be top achievers, we are often prone to overbook our children with too many activities. Instead of running around to 5 extra curricular activities a week why not explore what your child really wants to learn and grow from. This process of consolidation will leave you more time to focus in on what your child truly wants to develop as well as help to allow you to have more quality time to spend with your child.
Marilee Hartling RN, MFT | Infant & Child Development Specialist | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
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