Once the priorities and scheduling are done, there are few things that families need to do to make sure that they can handle their schedules and not waste their precious time.
Establish routines
If everyone follows a routine that works, life will run much smoother. Some areas where routines are a must are: before and after school, homework time, chores and meals.
Eliminate clutter
Looking for things wastes a lot of time. Have set places for the things you use daily -- keys, school items, library books, bags, purses, lunch kits, etc.
Deal with paper immediately
Read and recycle mail right at the mailbox, write all pertinent information off school papers, newsletters, mail, flyers, etc on your family calendar and recycle them.
Avoid perfectionism
Aim for completion and excellence. A little dust or a wrinkle won't hurt.
Limit details
We have so many choices available to us in life. Limit the decisions you offer your family. Ask questions like "Would you prefer a peanut butter or ham sandwich?" rather than "What do you want for lunch?"
Time wasters
Limit the amount of time family members do the following: watch TV, play video games, surf the Internet, or talk on the phone -- unless you are a teenage girl!
When we have children in school, we can't help but be busy. But being busy with things that are important to us is very different than being overwhelmed by disarray. If we take the time as a family to determine our priorities and work together to eliminate time wasters, we will be in control of our time!
Tracy Lyn Moland, B. Ed. is an internationally known Life Management expert and presenter. She is the author of the Amazon.ca bestselling Mom Management, Managing Mom Before Everybody Else (TGOT, 2003). For more information visit www.TracyLynMoland.com
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