We very often hear mums complaining about lack of time to do all they want and need to do in only one day. Ghada Salem brings some ideas to help you optimise your time.
Being a Mum can sometimes feel like taking on a dozen or more jobs all at the same time. This includes being a carer, driver, cleaner, chef, entertainer, nurse, bank, artist, teacher and not to mention be on call 24 hours a day!
It can be a real challenge to give our kids the time and attention they deserve, as well as fit in all the other demands of day-to-day life. To help make the most of your time, follow our tips on how to have good time Management skills.
Be organised
Plan what you need to do in a day or a week. Make sure that you know what tasks you have to get completed, and by when, and make a list either on paper or on your handheld. Keep the list with you and tick tasks off as you complete them. Be realistic about what you can achieve on any given day – you are not a Super Hero!
Prioritise
Work out what are the most important things that you need to do this week, and highlight them on your list. Make sure that you give these tasks enough time and attention, don’t leave them until the end of the week.
Get into a routine
Having a daily/weekly routine can free up extra time for you. If you set aside a whole morning, for example, to do household paperwork/emails/bill payments etc, every week, then you don’t need to worry about addressing these things for the rest of the time. You probably know your children’s routine very well (school/clubs/hobbies), so build your own routine around that.
Learn to say ‘No’
There is a limit to the amount of things that you can do. Learn what your limit is and then have the strength to say ‘No’ to any extra demands on your time. Decide whether if what is being asked of you is more or less important than other things that you have on your plate? If it is less important, then say ‘No’.
Make time for your kids
No matter how busy you are, try to make space for some uninterrupted fun time with your kids. Set aside time to play, read and talk with them. This is, after all, the joy of being a mum!
Take care of yourself
You are important too! Try to have some time set aside each week where you can do what YOU want – have a relaxing bath, take a yoga class, go for a run, read a book. Recharge your own batteries to be a more effective and happier mum.
