By Amy Blakeslee
Apr 23, 2010
Remember the days when dad went to work and mom stayed home to raise the babies? Those days are long gone. Most families are dual income now with the children racing off here, there and everywhere. There are so many things that need to be done that it is almost impossible to figure out whether people are coming or going. Even if you are the most organized person in the world, you are likely to miss something or the other. There are steps that you can take to streamline the calendar and keep track of who is going where, as well as still having a little time for yourself.
Work backwards
Most parents will schedule work, school and other kid events before they take time out for themselves. Instead of just keeping your fingers crossed that you might have some time for yourselves, take it first. That’s right. Pencil in a chunk of time for yourself: a yoga class, a book club meeting, anything other than a work, school or kid related activity. You will thank yourself at the end of the week. Add in a second chunk of time for date night for you and your spouse to reconnect as a couple because your marriage is important, too.
Limit the hours of activities
Yes, participating in sports is a great way for your children to learn valuable life lessons and to get some exercise; however if team sports are the only way that your children get either of these things, there is a problem, especially if it involves you constantly having to drive them to and from these places. Get your child to focus on one sport per season or find alternative ways to get to the practices and competitions. It is as easy as that. For the rest of the week he can venture out into the yard and play like kids did back in the olden days.
Alternate driving responsibilities with others
Whether you are teaming up with your spouse or putting an older sibling to work, share some of the driving and errands with others. Need a few things from the store? Give your older child the car keys and a twenty and you would be shocked at how happy they are to do it. (Your car will come back on empty and you will get zero change, but the errand is done).
Team up with team parents
Pose a question at the next team practice and see how many of the parents would be willing to form a car pool club so that no one is driving a single kid to a million activities. For one week, it is your turn to pick up four or five children, take them where you are going in the first place and then return them home.
Don’t sweat the silly things
So, you bought cookies to take to the school when it was your turn to bring treats and little Janie’s mom made a whole cake and brought punch when it was her turn. Before you mutter something about Janie’s mom being a drinker, bite your tongue and remind your little darling that not everyone is Betty Crocker and then wander away before they figure out what you mean. Everyone has different talents and priorities; it won’t scar the kid for life.
Take refuge in the little moments
If you truly are an organized person, you put dinner in the slow cooker before everyone left the house in the morning, and you know who is going where when they all start coming in for the night. You walked in at 3:15, the first of the children will arrive at 4:00… sounds like you just have time for a nice little nap!
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