Parent's Guide to Scheduling

Feeling stressed and over scheduled?!  What parent doesn't feel this way???  Not having enough time is one of the most common sources of stress parents report to me.  Recently, I presented a Parent's Survival Guide to the Grosse Pointe MOPs Club.  The information focused on scheduling, effective discipline and self care.  All of which will help decrease stress and create happy, healthy relationships in your home.  

We can't create more time but we can be more effective with it.  Here are 10 things you can do to decrease stress with your schedule while still getting things done:

1) Plan ahead- write daily schedule the night before
By planning ahead, you can group tasks and create a schedule for the day.  This also will help to not forget an important task. 
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2) Identify your most productive times of the day
Some of us are night owls, some are early birds.  Whichever you are schedule tasks during those times.  You will be more motivated and energized to complete your tasks.
  
3) Be realistic
By over scheduling, you can create frustration and procrastination.  Be realistic with what you can get done in a day which will increase feelings accomplishment.  

4) Identify Time Wasters
Hello social media!  We all have time wasters.  Whether its social media or something else, identify it.  Then schedule time in your day to indulge rather then being distracted several times throughout the day.  

5) Identify Gap Time & add appropriate task
Is there time in your day when you just sitting around?  Maybe when your waiting to pick up your kids from school or in a doctor's waiting room.  This is a great time to schedule things like online shopping or answering emails.  

6) Triage- focus on what's important and ignore the rest
Focusing on one thing at a time is critical to task completion.  We all think we are great at multi tasking but time is wasted switching back and forth between tasks.  

7) Tag Team with another adult
Use other parents to help watch your kids so you can run errands or complete housework more efficiently.  Then swap with that parent to watch their kids another day.  

8) Take care of small tasks first
Crossing off tasks on your 'To-Do List' feels amazing!  So if you have several small tasks for the day, complete them first.  As you cross them off, you will feel great and be motivated to keep going. 

9) Get the most bang for your buck- focus on tasks that will achieve a greater sense of well being
What task on your list would give you the greatest sense of calm.  Do those first, then if you have time do the others.  You can always close the door to that hallway closet if you can't get to it! 

10) Learn to say "NO!"
Say "no" and LET GO!  Saying no is one thing but you also have to let go of the guilt that goes along with it. 

Try one or all of these to become more effective with your time and decrease stress.