3 Time Management Tips for Stay at Home Moms
For many moms, it’s easy to get sucked into the day-to-day and lose track of time. It’s no surprise when you’ve got kids demanding your full attention, housework to be done, appointments and errands to run, as well as responsibilities like cooking dinner or tending to the garden. The struggle with staying on top of your many responsibilities is real! But don't worry: we have a few tips that will help you see what's important and get you back on track.
1. Keep a Systematic Schedule
Most moms have a hard time staying on task because they aren't getting the bulk of their tasks out of the way early in the morning. You don't want to be rushed at the end of the day, when you're tired and everyone is hungry to boot. Instead, try getting up a bit earlier to do your chores and errands before everyone else gets up for the day. Putting in a bit of prep work at night for tomorrow's activities will also help you stay organized and on schedule.
For example, if you have three kids, give yourself 15 minutes to make lunches (if you're not packing lunchboxes). If you're not sure what you should pack for the kids, then plan a mid-morning shopping trip to pick up the basics, like yogurt and fruit snacks. If you're not sure what to pack for your own lunch, try writing out an itemized budget for each meal in case you run out of money later on in the week.
2. Prioritize
The older your kids get, the more important it is to introduce them to proper time management and task prioritization. Your 4 year old is just as capable as his 5 year old sister when it comes to keeping track of their tasks and getting things done. You can still be a role model! You can give your kids cues like "I can't do two things at once," or "I'll need to finish this task first," so that they understand what's important and what isn't.
3. Identify Important Tasks
To help mom get back on track, consider writing down on a daily or weekly basis what tasks really matter to you, and then start prioritizing them from there. When you have a schedule of tasks with particular timeframes for each activity in mind, it becomes easier to stay on top of everything.
You can also delegate certain tasks to your kids, like setting the dinner table, making the beds and taking out the trash. They might not be able to tackle bigger projects like washing windows or painting the house, but there are plenty of things for them to do around the house that will help you keep things in order.
By staying on top of your daily tasks and responsibilities, you'll have more free time in between. Try to get a bit of exercise in while you're waiting for dinner to cook, or take some time to catch up with a friend on the phone while your kids are napping. Small breaks like these will help keep you focused, so that you can remain productive throughout the week.
Remember, this is your time! You don't want to waste it away on things that don't matter. You're not only setting an example for your kids, but also teaching them what's important and how they can be successful in their lives. And when you're a role model and a good role model, you'll find yourself more fulfilled, even if you're not the "most" organized mom in the neighborhood.
Click here to view our 3 Time Management Tips for Stay at Home Moms.
Click here to read our article on How to Become a Better Mom When You Have All the Responsibilities on Your Hands.
Click here to read our article on How to Set Priorities When You Have Many Responsibilities.
About the Author: Editor, Jessica Wilson, is an expert author and creative content writer who has been writing professionally since 2008. Her areas of expertise include parenting and education. She is a core contributor to several blogs, websites and writes for children in different educational stages.
Article Source: EzineArticles.
Conclusion
When you have too many responsibilities to even think about, the temptation to check Facebook or an email can be irresistible. And, while not necessarily a good idea, there are ways to fight back against the temptation. For example, if it's a reality that you can't check your email every 15 minutes or so, consider setting up some kind of software blocker. You could also call yourself on it when there's no reason for you to check Facebook: "I just remembered I have something important for this afternoon!"
There are ways to keep yourself organized and on task no matter what the demands.