School supplies, clothes, schedules… all on top of your
normal busy life! Don’t pull your hair
out, there are ways to save time and manage the stress that goes along with
preparing the kiddos to go back to school.
Time Savers
Don’t you wish there were just a few more hours in the day? Until we find that magic formula to make it happen, we just need to find better more organized ways of managing the time we have each day.
Don’t you wish there were just a few more hours in the day? Until we find that magic formula to make it happen, we just need to find better more organized ways of managing the time we have each day.
1.
Get Organized. Misplaced phones, shoes, keys… make sure
everything is put in its place and if you do this and teach the kids, those
chaotic mornings will be a thing of the past!
Prepare by putting items in their place before bed each night and on the
weekends.
2.
Identify
Timewasters. Write down what you do
each day and how much time you spend doing each activity. For example, if you spend 10 minutes looking
for keys, hang a key hook by the door and use it. If you spend 20 minutes finding something to wear,
pick out your outfit the night before.
If you find yourself making multiple trips to the grocery throughout the
week, be diligent about keeping a grocery list on the refrigerator and add to
it each day or as needed.
3.
Take
Notes. Write things down, because
trust us; you are NOT going to remember EVERYTHING. Use old-fashioned pen and paper (just always
do so in the same place so they are not lost) or type a memo on your phone or
computer that can alert you of the task or notes.
4.
Follow a
Calendar. If you have a calendar, use
it and refer to it each day. Make sure
ALL events are recorded on this calendar.
5.
Assign
Days. Choose a day of the week to go
to the grocery, mow the lawn, clean the house, etc… Sticking to this schedule will ensure the
tasks get done.
Less Stress
Find
ways to make life a little easier and take care of yourself!
1.
Plan
Ahead. This will allow you to
prepare and know exactly what you are doing each day while making good use of
your time. For example, if you have time
on Sundays, make a few weekday meals ahead of time.
2.
Schedule
for Kids. Create a routine and schedule
for you and the kids. This will allow
them to know what they are supposed to do each day without having to be
told. You can make a task chart to make
it easy for them to follow visually, and reward systems will keep them
motivated (e.g., stickers, snacks, etc).
3.
Take a
Break! Yes, everyone needs a break
every now and then. So don’t sweat the
small stuff and take care of yourself by allowing time to relax, unwind, and de-stress. :)
