Time Management

[Heathercreynolds]

I have my M.O.M. system almost totally up and “processed” and I LOVE it, but I am still really struggling with fitting everything I need to do in the day and still getting enough rest. Does anyone have resources on time management that have been helpful for them? Thanks!!

[Kristine Jones]

April Perry wrote a great article about having too much on her plate and the process she went through to evaluate her time. This may not be what you had in mind but I hope it helps.
http://powerofmoms.com/2011/05/planning-a-beautiful-life-that-fits-on-one-plate/
It can be very, very hard to do fewer good things with our time but I find that I get pretty cranky when there isn’t enough time to just “be.”

[Heathercreynolds]

Actually, that is really helpful. Thanks! Now how do I find the time for that planning session….lol. 🙂 I think I would also like to read GTD to get to really look at the nitty gritty of some of the planning and goal-setting pieces.

My issue is really how do I do everything even at a decent level. For example, in the mornings, my goal is to do the dishes, prep dinner, and do a load of laundry. Today, between cooking and cleaning up after breakfast and lunch, getting my 3 littles dressed and keeping them happy, swimming lessons, one errand, and doing some summer schoolwork with my 7 yo, I only got to the prepping dinner part by 4 PM. No laundry at all. And that’s typical – you should see my laundry pile! So….I’m wondering how other moms get to the basics without cutting out any of the fun or child-focused stuff, let alone the myriad extras. I WILL figure this out. 🙂

Thanks for your help!

[April Perry]

I think a lot of it has to do with simplifying our lives and involving our children in the work. Right now I have my four children home for the summer, and our house is HOPPING. We’re exercising together, going on day trips, reading, playing, etc.–plus there are a lot of extra things in our schedule. When the house/schedule starts to get out of control, I start saying no to as much as possible, I simplify my meals, I let the house get a little dirtier than usual, and I try to put my priorities in the right places. Today we have lots of laundry (Monday is our laundry day), so our activity as a family is to do laundry and de-junk the kitchen. It’s such a process, but it’s a lot of trial and error–and things get a LOT easier once the children are old enough to dress and feed themselves. Good luck! You can do this. You are obviously carrying a lot of responsibilities, but you sound like you have the perfect perspective.

[Heathercreynolds]

Well then, my Someday/Maybe list is going to be SO ready for when my little ones can feed and dress themselves! 🙂 I do know that once they are 3 or so, the load starts to lighten, but I can’t help thinking there must be some secret I’m missing…

Thank you April, for everything you are putting out there into the world to help other moms. It is making a big difference for our family. 🙂

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