Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Working Parents – Time-Saving Tips for the School Year
As a working parent, I know all too well how hectic it can get for working parents during the school year. Evenings and weekends get sucked up by math homework, parent meetings and shuttling the kids to various activities. Then there’s the morning rush with lunches, lost book reports and missing the bus – you end up exhausted before you even leave the house!Here are five time-saving tips for working parents that will help you simplify:
1. Hold Weekly Family Meetings
Meetings will help your family feel more like a team because everyone has a say in running the family. At these meetings you can plan family activities and recreation, choose meals for the next week, come up with a list of chores and resolve any problems. Even the little ones can participate! Throw in dessert and a game after the meeting to keep it fun.
2. Schedule in Homework
Instead of fighting over homework every night, establish a routine. It may even be helpful to establish a generous deadline for completing homework to make sure that homework comes before other activities.
3. End the Morning Rush
It seems almost every family has a dawdler – you know the one that just can’t get out of bed, dressed, eat their breakfast and get to the bus on time (in my family, it's my 6 year old). The dawdler not only makes you crazy, sometimes it means they’re late for school and you’re late for work. Preparation the night before makes all the difference. Make sure your child has their clothes picked out ahead of time with their backpack ready to go by the door.
4. Give Yourself a Break and Get a Little Help
I've always believed that a well-rested parent with some down time functions more efficiently than a parent who is frazzled. Find a sitter or trade nights with other parents to get an occasional night out for yourself. If you still feel like you have way too much to do, consider hiring help with the laundry, house-cleaning, and household work. You’ll enjoy more time with your kids so consider it money well-spent.
5. Avoid Over-scheduling
Avoid cramming too many extracurricular activities into your already-busy life. Pick a couple activities your children really enjoy but don’t feel like they have to have an activity scheduled for every day. If life gets too frantic and hectic it’s not fun for parents or children.
Hopefully these tips will help you feel a little more in control and a lot more relaxed during the school year. Please share any time-saving strategies that work for your family. Finally, remember that you really don’t need to do it all. Concentrate on what's important and enjoy your kids!
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