Positive time management essentially provides an effective balance between work and quality family time. At Kids Play, we understand the importance of time management when balancing a busy work schedule with spending time with your little ones.
Time management and routine are not only effective for you as a parent, but they set a great example for your children, as they allow them to understand different times of the day and build forward-moving habits due to a sense of structure.
We have put together our top tips for how you as a busy parent can manage your time efficiently to make the most out of each day.
Why is time management important?
Effectively managing your time is extremely beneficial both for you as an individual and for those around you. By being in control of your time, it allows you to be more productive, as you can set amounts of time for certain tasks to ensure they are completed. Time management is important as it also reduces long-term stress, as it gives you direction and puts you in control of where you are going.
Being time efficient also creates more opportunity for you to do things that matter, whether that be a work priority or spending time with your family. Time management is also important when being observed by your little one, as it provides a positive role model structure which is reflected upon them.
Our top tips
Organisation
Organisation encourages you to feel happier and more relaxed, while demonstrating reliability and control. One way you can remain organised is by taking control of your time in preparation for the busy morning ahead. By getting things ready for nursery the evening before, it will help you manage your time better in the morning, giving you less to worry about and more time to focus on your children.
You can also use organisational skills to manage your time by using a diary or calendar to document key upcoming events or tasks, to avoid becoming overwhelmed or forgetting what is coming up. This will also help you plan your time around any key events, such as one of our yearly events like Sparklers & Scarecrows or important meetings at work. Setting reminders will also be beneficial in remaining organised and under control.
Planning ahead is also a great way to manage your time effectively. This could be as simple as writing a ‘to-do’ list for the day, or by planning your weeks structure of what needs doing. Meal planning and having a structure for your evenings will free up more time to spend with your children.
Routine
Routine is key to managing your time effectively, as it sets non-negotiables for the day that you can then prioritise your time around. Having a set routine of dinner time and bedtime for your children is not only beneficial for you, but also for your children too, as they learn the structure of the day and begin to recognise the order of daily events. This routine will allow you to use your time efficiently as you can work around the set parts of the day when factoring in your busy schedule.
Routine also directly impacts your health, as it assists in you getting a good nights sleep, and having ‘me-time’ to yourself when they children are put to bed each evening.
Prioritising
Prioritising your time is an effective form of management. By filling your day with the most important tasks on your agenda, you will help yourself focus on what is most important and reduce distraction and stress. You can prioritise by setting yourself achievable daily goals, as this gives you something to work towards within a specific time frame. On a larger scale, you can set yourself goals for the week or even month of what you wish to accomplish. By doing so, it will help you to complete your most important career-focused tasks, while still making time for the children and for yourself.
Something to consider when prioritising your time is to know it is ok to sometimes say no. Not only does this help you to look after your wellbeing, but it also allows you to decide what is most important and say no from time to time so your schedule doesn’t become overcrowded. Saying no may sometimes sound like a punishment, but it will actually benefit your children in the long run, as they will begin to understand not always having everything as you please.
By starting to organise, prioritise, and structure your days through routine, you will be able to manage your time much more successfully, allowing you to achieve your weekly deadlines and spending as much quality time with your children as possible when they are home from nursery.
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