Importance of Time Management to Keep Your Family Sane

I learned about the importance of time management for my family the hard way, which is actually how I learn most of my lessons. :-) Whether you're a stay-at-home-mom, work-at-home-mom, or you're a mom who works outside the home, your time has real value and is precious to your family.

Being frugal with your family's time can really help keep harmony in your household and will enable everyone to do the things they need to do as well as provide your family time to do the things they want to do.

You don't need charts, spreadsheets or fancy software to get your family's time organized. All you really need is a notepad, a good calendar, and to follow a few simple tips.

Mornings can be hectic (probably the most hectic time in our house) , but there are some things you can do to make the start of the day flow nicely for your family.

Do Stuff the Night Before

• Something as simple as setting the table for breakfast can save precious morning minutes. And by setting the table I mean putting out a stack of clean bowls, spoons and the boxes of cereal so everything is handy and everyone can serve themselves. The importance of time management is even more apparent if you're going to be cooking breakfast for your family -You're awesome! Gather together everything you'll need and leave it ready for quick prep in the morning.
• Pick out your clothes for the next day, and have your kids do the same.
• Pack up briefcases, backpacks, tote bags or anything else that anyone has to take with them in the morning and leave near the door where it won't be forgotten.

Be the first one up!

• If I get up before everyone else and get myself ready for the day it's easier to help everyone else get ready for theirs. I also have plenty of time to get breakfast out and pack lunches. Giving yourself a head start also means that unexpected things like a lost shoe, or misplaced homework can be resolved without making anyone late or throwing the family off schedule.

Get a Nice Big Calendar...


• ...and hang it where everyone can see it everyday. The fridge is usually a good place for this or anywhere in your kitchen as most families congregate there. Make sure it's big enough to note everyones daily activities and appointments. My calendar has a built in pocket for each month. This is great for school permission slips, cards and notes that I need to read and return, sign or mail by a certain date. This prevents wasting time searching for misplaced papers.


• Make note of important dates as soon as you find out about them. This will enable you to plan around them, and it ensures you won't accidentally miss something.Yes, it happened to me. I missed my son's kindergarten holiday program, and I felt awful, so ever since then I make note of school programs and events on my calendar as soon as the memos come home. This really made me understand the importance of time management.

Keep to a Routine

• We all love spontaneity, but life runs a lot smoother if there is structure and routine in your day. Schedule tasks like housework, shopping, and homework to happen around the same times each day or each week.

  Weekend chores are less painful if everyone is assigned tasks and chores are all done at the same time. Assign a block of time when everyone is to be working on their tasks. Once your task is done you go help someone else finish theirs.

  Working together like this means you get more done in less time. Your kids will learn about the importance of time management and cooperation. My kids are also less resistant to chores when we approach them more like a family activity.

Only Touch Your Mail Once

• Lots of clutter comes into your home by way of your mail. Throw junk mail away as soon as you get it. This doesn't seem relevant when it comes to the importance of time management but this will save you tons of time later when it's time to de-clutter your home. Trying to stay on top of clutter consumes a lot of my time so I do all I can to nip it in the bud.

Make Lists


• Have you ever gone to the store for that one thing, then when you got home you realized you bought everything except that one thing? Sometimes you end up driving right back to the store! That makes me crazy. Not only does it waste time, but it also wastes gas, so now I always take a shopping list whether I go to the grocery store or to a discount store.
• "To Do" lists are essential when considering the importance of time management. Remember, you're a mom managing multiple schedules, so to make sure you don't miss a beat make a list of your daily tasks. Prioritize them putting things that must be done "today" at the top of the list. Don't beat yourself up if you don't finish your list each day. Most people don't, but it's a very useful tool to keep you from wasting time going from one unfinished task to the next.

Give Everyone their Fair Share....That means you too.

• There are only 24 hours in a day so try to budget the time wisely. It's very easy to over schedule after school activities, meetings and outside interests, so make a plan that works for the family and doesn't leave you frazzled at the end of each day.

  I have three very active children. I encourage their interests but I can't be in three places at once. As a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) I know I can manage one weekly after school activity for each of them in addition to our other commitments. That schedule still allows me to attend PTA meetings and their school functions, as well as occasionally pursue my own interests.

Run Errands the Smart Way

• If you need to run errands lump as many tasks together into one outing as you can. Map it out in your mind so that you go out to the furthest point from your home then make all your stops without needing to double back for anything. Again, make a list of everything you need to accomplish in that round of errands if it will help you stay on task and not forget anything.

Call Ahead

• If you need to go out for a specific item call ahead and verify that the merchant has what you're looking for.

  Ask them to hold it for you then just go pick it up. Not every place will hold an item but it's worth a call to at least find out if they have what you're looking for.

• If you're going out to pick up dinner call ahead and place your order so it's ready when you get there. This way you eliminate the wait.

Learn When to Say "No"
• Moms are inherent nurturers and at times it's hard for us to say "no" when we're approached by others wanting some of our time. Don't be afraid to say "no" to something that you really don't have time or energy for or, that will cause you or your family unnecessary stress. At no time will the importance of time management be more apparent to you than when you start feeling like you're being pulled in too many different directions.

Once you're really great at managing your time, be willing to remain flexible because no matter how much you prepare some days just don't go as planned. Those are the days that you find your most fun moments are spent just going with the flow.