Mar 31 2007
Time Management for the Juggling Mum
Does this scenario sound familiar to you?.
You are stirring the bubbling dinner on the stove, while you are bouncing your crying baby on your hip. Your 3 year old has just run out the back door and is now outside playing naked in the pouring rain, he forgot to shut the door after him and the dog has run in leaving muddy foot prints all over your freshly mopped floor. Your 5 and 7 year olds are fighting over who’s turn it is to play on the computer. And you have the telephone resting between your ear and your shoulder straining to hear your husband (who is telling you that he has to work back tonight) over all the noise.
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Whether you are a working mum, a stay at home mum, a work at home mum or a single mum we are all faced with the same thing, to many tasks and not enough time. We can’t, unfortunately add more hours to the day but we can strive for a little less chaos and a little more organization.
Whether you are a working mum, a stay at home mum, a work at home mum or a single mum we are all faced with the same thing, to many tasks and not enough time. We can’t, unfortunately add more hours to the day but we can strive for a little less chaos and a little more organization.
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In order to create this chaos free life we crave we need to manage our time more effectively. Most people feel like they don’t have enough time, but if you were to unplug your TV you’d find at least 2 extra hours in your day. If you got off your computer when you were finished instead of mindlessly surfing the net you’d probably have an extra hour in your day.
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A very effective tool for managing your time is to make a list of all the things you would like to do or need to do. This will be your To-Do list. I have made myself a To-Do list in Microsoft Word on my computer. It lists everything that I would like to do whether it is something to do with my house, something to do or buy for the kids or something to do on my web page or pod cast. Anytime I think of anything else I just add it to the list. Once I complete a task I just delete it. I also give some tasks a dead line and I type the dead line date next to the task and change the font colour to red. Each day when I turn on my computer I go straight to my To Do List. If there is something there that needs urgent attention I do it then and there.
A very effective tool for managing your time is to make a list of all the things you would like to do or need to do. This will be your To-Do list. I have made myself a To-Do list in Microsoft Word on my computer. It lists everything that I would like to do whether it is something to do with my house, something to do or buy for the kids or something to do on my web page or pod cast. Anytime I think of anything else I just add it to the list. Once I complete a task I just delete it. I also give some tasks a dead line and I type the dead line date next to the task and change the font colour to red. Each day when I turn on my computer I go straight to my To Do List. If there is something there that needs urgent attention I do it then and there.
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If you feel like you can never get on top of your dirty laundry you might want to try doing a load of washing in the evening so it can be hung out in the morning. That way you can still get another load washed and dried during the day. This is especially useful in autumn and winter when the daylight hours and therefore your drying time is shorter.
If you feel like you can never get on top of your dirty laundry you might want to try doing a load of washing in the evening so it can be hung out in the morning. That way you can still get another load washed and dried during the day. This is especially useful in autumn and winter when the daylight hours and therefore your drying time is shorter.
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Multi-tasking is not always a good idea, but in some instances it can save you valuable time. Clean your bathroom sink while you are cleaning your teeth and give the shower a quick clean while you are in there. Keep some disinfectant spray near the toilet and while you are in there give the toilet seat a spray and wipe over with some toilet paper. Grab the brush and give it a quick swipe around the bowl. It takes a couple of seconds and if you do it once a day your toilet will stay clean and sparkly.
Multi-tasking is not always a good idea, but in some instances it can save you valuable time. Clean your bathroom sink while you are cleaning your teeth and give the shower a quick clean while you are in there. Keep some disinfectant spray near the toilet and while you are in there give the toilet seat a spray and wipe over with some toilet paper. Grab the brush and give it a quick swipe around the bowl. It takes a couple of seconds and if you do it once a day your toilet will stay clean and sparkly.
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Write all appointments on a calendar that the whole family can use. This is especially useful if you have a couple of children with different sporting commitments. It’s also a good idea to write your children’s sports days, news days and any other important school days. Check your calender each night to see what is happening the following day, and check again in the morning to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Write all appointments on a calendar that the whole family can use. This is especially useful if you have a couple of children with different sporting commitments. It’s also a good idea to write your children’s sports days, news days and any other important school days. Check your calender each night to see what is happening the following day, and check again in the morning to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
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If you find it difficult to prepare dinner, consider preparing as much as possible earlier in the day while your children are occupied or having a nap. Then when it is time to make dinner you can set the kids up with some pencils and colouring books and let them colour in while you finish it off. Another good idea is to cook a double batch when you are cooking meals like spaghetti or casseroles. That way you can put half in the freezer ready for another night. Crock pots are also a fantastic tool for busy mums. Throw your ingredients into the pot when you have the time and it will cook away by itself all day and be ready for you to serve up to the family for dinner.
If you find it difficult to prepare dinner, consider preparing as much as possible earlier in the day while your children are occupied or having a nap. Then when it is time to make dinner you can set the kids up with some pencils and colouring books and let them colour in while you finish it off. Another good idea is to cook a double batch when you are cooking meals like spaghetti or casseroles. That way you can put half in the freezer ready for another night. Crock pots are also a fantastic tool for busy mums. Throw your ingredients into the pot when you have the time and it will cook away by itself all day and be ready for you to serve up to the family for dinner.
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If your mornings are chaotic try to arrange your clothes the night before. This includes your children’s clothes too. Make sure that everything you need is clean and ironed and find any underwear you will need. This will help to eliminate the last minute hunt through the ironing basket looking for that lost sock.
If your mornings are chaotic try to arrange your clothes the night before. This includes your children’s clothes too. Make sure that everything you need is clean and ironed and find any underwear you will need. This will help to eliminate the last minute hunt through the ironing basket looking for that lost sock.
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Prepare any lunches you will need the night before. You can also freeze sandwiches, so that you can just pull them out in the morning and put them into your kids lunchboxes.
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Learn to say ‘no’. Don’t feel obligated to say yes to everybody else’s requests. Don’t agree to go to your childrens school P and C meeting if you don’t have the time. Remember that your family comes first. Spending time with your children is more valuable than attending every committee meeting.
Learn to say ‘no’. Don’t feel obligated to say yes to everybody else’s requests. Don’t agree to go to your childrens school P and C meeting if you don’t have the time. Remember that your family comes first. Spending time with your children is more valuable than attending every committee meeting.
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Time management is a crucial part of a peaceful, chaos free household. Get these few little tips under your belt and your household will run smoother and you will be a happier Mummy.
Time management is a crucial part of a peaceful, chaos free household. Get these few little tips under your belt and your household will run smoother and you will be a happier Mummy.
