Family Time Management Toolkit

Is there a greater catalyst for renewal than the beginning of the school year? As children select their outfits for the first day back in class and you begin planning their autumn schedules, the upcoming months of the school year brim with possibility. This is why many people refer to September 1st as “the true New Year.”

However, if we aren’t careful about structuring our routines for the school year, our aspirations for a well-organized family life can quickly unravel, much like a poorly made sweater. When our schedules fill up too quickly, weeknights can turn into frantic races to get kids to swimming or hockey practices on time, often resulting in hasty dinners of snack crackers and chicken nuggets in the car.

Resolutions for Time Management

It’s impossible to perfectly orchestrate your life so every detail flows seamlessly. Parenting often presents unforeseen challenges—like pink eye, tantrums, or that professional development day you overlooked.

Nevertheless, there are fundamental principles and proven strategies you can employ to enhance your chances of smooth sailing.

Moderate Extracurricular Activities

Dedicate some time to thoughtfully consider how many sports, lessons, and other engagements you enroll your children in. This facet is critical for curating a family life that feels workable. No planning tool, app, or calendar can rectify an overburdened schedule.

Clare Kumar, a productivity expert and mother of two, highlights how we often overload our calendars. “We continuously add new commitments without assessing what we can afford to drop,” she states. This tendency can be particularly pronounced as children become more invested in particular sports, leading to increased commitments. The challenge arises when we fail to acknowledge whether there’s still room for other interests, like piano lessons. “The broader experience can easily get overlooked.”

Include Yourself in the Planning

As you organize your family calendar, remember to incorporate your own activities—such as soccer, yoga, running sessions, or painting classes. “In discussions about work-life balance, we emphasize adult play—people have forgotten how to unwind due to their packed agendas,” Kumar notes.

Think back to your parents or grandparents enjoying leisure activities like cards, tennis, or golf, or engaging in hobbies like knitting or woodworking. Reconnect with the passions you once enjoyed. This practice is essential for maintaining your happiness and well-being.

Demonstrating a lifestyle that balances personal interests alongside family responsibilities can be beneficial for children. So, don’t hesitate to sign up for that spin class, schedule regular outings with friends, or prioritize date nights. It’s not an act of selfishness; rather, by showing children the importance of self-care amidst busy lives, they may be inspired to also prioritize their own well-being and relationships in the future.

Establish a Meal Plan

You may have heard it before, but preparing a dinner plan in advance is one of the most effective ways to alleviate stress throughout the week. Standing in line at the grocery store with cranky kids while they eye the candy bars is something we all want to avoid. A nightly rush to feed the family only adds to a sense of chaos.

Devote some time to outline dinners from Monday to Friday before doing your weekend grocery shopping. You won’t regret it—not just for the time you’ll save at checkout or drive-thrus, but also for the invaluable moments that family dinners create.

“My children are now 13 and 15, and we’ve mostly shared dinner together as a family,” Kumar reflects. “It serves as a platform for conversation and connection.” However, a friend of hers opted to prioritize breakfast as the main family meal, cooking a hot meal each morning since evenings with three children were too hectic.

Encourage Responsibility in Your Kids

In the rush of driving children around, some of us forget to teach them essential household skills that they need to thrive independently. This not only prepares them for the future but can also ease your workload at home. For instance, even young kids can learn to pick healthy snacks from a low cupboard, while preteens should be capable of assembling a complete lunch.

In her book Family Whispering (Atria Books, 2014), author Melinda Blau highlights that children as young as three can toss dirty clothes into a hamper and wipe small spills, while preschoolers can sort laundry and set tables. Children aged five to seven are capable of making sandwiches and folding clothes, and tweens can chop ingredients for cooking and do laundry themselves.

“We must foster a team spirit when it comes to preparing meals, organizing lunch bags and backpacks, and prepping for the next day,” Kumar advises. “Involve kids as early as possible.”