The National Parent Survey is an amazing tool when it comes to understanding parenting trends and needs. When asked about their parenting abilities, 83% of parents said that good parenting can be learned while 69% said that they would use more positive parenting strategies if they could learn them. While eager for this knowledge, 54% of parents today wish that they had more information on how to be a good parent.
Regardless of your own skill set, organization and scheduling is a key component of being a parent, especially with multiple children. If you need some help in this area, then you’re not alone. There are a few scheduling tips that can help parents keep their schedule and sanity.
Use Scheduling Apps
One great tool that parents can use today is an app or calendar that will mark any notable events on the calendar. If you’re afraid of missing events, you can even set up notifications so that you’re aware of what’s happening a few days ahead of time. Doctor’s appointments? Add it to the calendar and you’re much less likely to miss it. This is a great way to avoid forgetting important events and also avoid double-booking yourself. What often works best is to have an individual calendar for each member of the household and then using a shared one where all events are present. This helps to avoid missing important events, such as birthdays. For busy parents with multiple children or family members, you may want to use a date of birth calculator. This is a great tool that allows moms to check how many days are left until your child’s birthday. It can be used to plan birthday parties and other special events.
Schedule Weekly Planning Sessions
If you’re able to set aside just half an hour to plan each week, this will pay off in the long run. For every minute that you spend planning, you’ll actually save 10 minutes. Sundays are often a good day but you can choose whichever day works best. Look at your calendar, carpool, cooking, chores, and children. This will help you to structure the week ahead and avoid missing any essential things that need to get done.
Trade Errands with Friends
When it comes to scheduling, you may not be able to fit in everything that you want to do. Instead of trying to manage it all on your own, consider trading off tasks with another parent. For example, you could offer to watch the kids one day a week so the other mom can run errands and you can switch off the next week. This is often fun for the kids and more productive for you as well. You can also do the errands for both of you to save time in the process.
Keep in mind that even the most organized mom is going to run into problems at some point. However, by following these guidelines, you can set up a schedule that works for you and your family. You’ll be amazed at your efficiency when you start using these tools.
Add Your Comment