Power Hour is the best time management/self control/disciplined action I’ve taken for myself since becoming a mom. I love it because I don’t feel guilty for having to take time away from my children to get the stuff I need done.
Power Hour in our house goes as follows: After everyone (including me) has eaten breakfast, showered and gotten ready for the day, the kitchen timer gets set for one hour. My children have the choice to do what they wish–watch a movie, play quietly in their room–anything that will keep them happy and self-entertained to allow me to do what I need to do.
I get things done that are on my to-do list during power hour–everything from responding to emails, making phone calls, laundry, cleaning a bathroom, organizing a closet, dusting, blogging–anything that needs my undivided attention. You’d be surprised at how much you can get done when the timer is ticking. When the timer goes off I stop whatever it is I’m doing and spend the rest of the day with my kids. The timer works great for kids like mine that need a countdown for changing activities.
My kids have gotten so good at it that my little 3 year old turns the TV off by herself and lets me know that power hour is over and it’s time to play. I get done what I need and the kids get to watch a movie or some other activity that they don’t get to do very often. This also lets me limit the amount of time my kids spend in front of the TV. It’s a win-win situation. My kids love it and sometimes have to remind me to do Power Hour so that they can do their thing.
A tip for kids that are too young to entertain themselves: when my one-year-old was smaller and was pulling at my legs, she got put in my backpack kid carrier so I could use both hands, burn extra calories, and still get my stuff done. She loved it up there and it gave her some hangout time with mommy. After getting all my stuff done during Power Hour, it freed up nap time for me as well. When the kids go down for a nap I am free to take a nap as well or read a book and not have to worry about cleaning or getting my to-do list done.
QUESTION: How do you accomplish your To-Do list and still spend time with the kids?
CHALLENGE: Try establishing your own Power Hour. You’ll love it, and it will empower you!
Image by digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Submitted on 7-8-2010 at 03:51pm
Miken, this was one of those “ah moments” of the retreat for me. For some reason, I couldn’t quite remember the details of it (was it just computer time or clean up time or what am I supposed to do in the Power Hour) so thank you, thank you, thank you for writing it down. You are an amazing Mom and it was so fun to get to know you. I’m starting Power Hour tomorrow! Whoo-hoo!!!
Submitted on 7-2-2010 at 11:46am
This is similar to what I do but you have some variations I plan to adopt into my method. Thanks so much for sharing.
Submitted on 7-2-2010 at 10:12am
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
Submitted on 7-2-2010 at 09:26am
Loved the idea when I first heard you tell us! Love, love, LOVE learning from each other. Thanks Miken!