Time Management tips

[AmyLeigh]

I've been a little overwhelmed lately with all that I have to do and then I think about some of you here have a larger daycare, and/or more children in more activities, and/or going to school and/or are single parents, well you get the idea.
So, SuperProviders/Moms/Dads/Grandparents....what are some time management tips you have found to help you get it all done and stay sane?? Is it possible?

[permanentvacation]

I find it helpful to create a schedule, make lists, and leave a little room for the unexpected. You could make a 'To Do List' each day in order of importance. At the end of the day, whatever you didn't get done that day, put on your list for the following day. Also, keep in mind that even though you create a schedule, if you find that your schedule isn't working for you, you might need to tweak it a bit as you go along. Some people can multi-task, others find it easier to focus on one thing at a time. You have to know your abilities. Sometimes it really is that you are making things harder on yourself by overdoing things or trying to get everything done perfectly.

I suggest that you first monitor yourself for a couple of days. Basically be your own boss/manager looking over your shoulders and evaluating everything you do. Take notes as to whether you are overdoing things, doing extra steps that are really not needed, taking too many breaks, not taking enough breaks, getting yourself worked up and stressing out over things that aren't that important, wasting time by coming and going to the same place multiple times ( a simple example would be: you go upstairs to go to the bathroom, come downstairs, then 10 minutes later realize you need to take an item from the main floor up to a bedroom, so you are now walking back upstairs. When if you had a place to put all the items that need to go from one floor to the other, you could take things upstairs with you when you go upstairs to go to the bathroom) The same thing applies to how often you drive to the store. Do you make lists and wait until you truly need to go to the store for everything, or do you constantly make daily runs for bread/milk/things you forgot to buy?

After you monitor yourself and evaluate yourself, make a list of everything that you want to do each day list each day - Monday and list what you want to do on Mondays; make a list for each day of the week. List every activity from wake up, shower, get dressed, take the dog out, each activity you do with and for daycare such as fill up 8 cups with milk and cook breakfast for daycare kids as well as daily activities you do with the children.

Then look at your lists. Are you overdoing it? Do you expect too much of yourself? If you really want to do all the things you listed, but are not able to do them all by yourself, then you might want to consider hiring an assistant at least part-time.

Once you decide on what you can truly accomplish each day, make your daily schedule. Each day, have your 'To Do List' of specific or special things that need to be done that day such as take you child to the dentist, call the doctor to schedule an appointment, place a daycare ad, etc.

Give yourself a couple of weeks to get used to your new schedule and then monitor yourself again to see if you really believe your schedule works for you or if you need to tweak it.

Remember that you are not perfect and don't expect yourself to be. You are doing the best that you can each day.

[craftymissbeth]

One thing I did was to make a 3 week rotating menu. Then I went through that menu and simplified it. I have ages 0-3 usually, so I stopped making foods that require me to do a lot of cooking. And Wednesdays are always PB&J's (I even take it a step further and use Uncrustables which are way more extensible, but save so much time), cottage cheese, peaches, and corn. That way I can get extra stuff done on Wednesdays because I don't spend more than 10 minutes making lunch. Actually, that's what I've been basing my lunches on... if it takes more than 10-15 minutes to prepare start to finish then it's way too fancy

With my rotating menu, I created a shopping list for each week. I include everything I could possibly need to stock up on including cleaning supplies. It's laminated and I use a sharpie to cross things off. I quickly go through the house and cross off what I don't need to buy that week.

Also, I do one load of laundry each day. Right now it's just ds and me, but we somehow use a ton of laundry. I get very overwhelmed if I see too many clothes in the hamper so as soon as I have enough for a small load, I get it done.


I was feeling VERY burnt out recently. I was just a mess. My days felt so jumbled and they were starting to run together. I got rid of two trouble kids, started holding my 7yo accountable for certain things (he takes out and feeds the dog, takes out the trashes, and tidies his room daily. No exceptions).

[BrooklynM]

One thing I have felt helpful is to try to get as much done during daycare hours as possible. My first kids come at 6:15am and I work until 5:30pm. I try to squeeze in laundry when I can and cleaning as I can. My goal is to not have any housework to do over the weekends or a night. I load my dishwasher up as the day goes on, then I run it after I go to bed (I set it for a couple of hours after I go to bed). I unload it after the first babies come when they are eating breakfast.

I do feel like I let the day constantly slip by though and wonder what the heck I did all day besides feed the kids and change their diapers! Hopefully everyone can add some more tips on here because I'm sure it's something everyone is struggling with! Unless you are Martha Stewart... Seriously I don't know how she does it!

Great topic!

[TwinKristi]

I have been meal planning for daycare lately but need to carry it over to my home life too! LOL I have grand ideas on Sunday when I go shopping and then (like today...) I fizzle out at about 5:45 come weekdays. Add baseball practice, games, interviews... Ugh!
I have noticed some time savings by planning my meals and making them easy 10-15min prep stuff. I have 4-6 kids 3 and under so they're toddler friendly stuff and fresh fruit and frozen veggies. Today I made brunch for lunch and put the sausage in the microwave while I toasted the waffles while I plated the fruit I just cut up. The longest task was peeling and slicing apples and oranges. I try and have quick go-to meals I know they'll eat.

I have my phone as my master calendar and then 2 white board calendars I do every 6wks, 1 for daycare and 1 for home. The daycare one has who's here that day, who's payment is due, when someone is sick, our baseball games, closed days, etc. Our home one has baseball practices, games, parties, birthdays, appointments, school activities, social stuff.

I do daycare laundry first thing Friday after closing. I strip the PNP and mat covers, bath mat, hand towels and throw them in the wash as soon as I can after nap Friday.

[Lucy]

I've been a little overwhelmed lately with all that I have to do and then I think about some of you here have a larger daycare, and/or more children in more activities, and/or going to school and/or are single parents, well you get the idea.
So, SuperProviders/Moms/Dads/Grandparents....what are some time management tips you have found to help you get it all done and stay sane?? Is it possible?

This is such a small thing, but I wouldn't survive without the ALARM feature on my smart phone. I have 2 standing alarms I use 5 days a week, and then if there's anything else, I will set an alarm for just that day.

You can do it by voice (Siri, or whatever your phone has), or in the settings manually.

If you don't know how, Google "setting alarm on ...." and then your make & model of phone. It might be called a "reminder" or "event" on some phones.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

This is such a small thing, but I wouldn't survive without the ALARM feature on my smart phone. I have 2 standing alarms I use 5 days a week, and then if there's anything else, I will set an alarm for just that day.

You can do it by voice (Siri, or whatever your phone has), or in the settings manually.

If you don't know how, Google "setting alarm on ...." and then your make & model of phone. It might be called a "reminder" or "event" on some phones.

This greatly helps me.

[TwinKristi]

Me too!! Everything has an alert on mine!