Time. Don’t you wish you sometimes had just a little more of this valuable commodity? Most of us feel that we have more tasks to achieve than there are hours is a day. Taking care of our own responsibilities is one thing but the demand on our time is multiplied when we are a parent to one, two or more children. With all the balls there are to juggle there are times when it may feel like everything could come crashing down at any moment. Giving enough focus to all the things that are required of you can be challenging but there are ways to make life easier and help you keep your head above water.
Make a list
When there is a lot to do it can be overwhelming. Feeling like you have a mountain to climb every day just to function can be demoralising. Being able to see exactly what you need to achieve can help you see the task ahead and gives you something to work towards. Lists also help you avoid the panic that happens when you forget to do something vital. So, take a moment to sit down (with a coffee) and make a list of the things you have to do.
Prioritise
Yes you want to be able to ‘do it all’ but the truth is that sometimes you just have to let go of a few things in order to cope with the workload. You already have your list (or you should do!), now mark of the items that are urgent, the ones that are necessary and those that you can get around to at a later date. Breaking down the list and deciding what is most pressing can help you to gain perspective and also gives you a game plan as to where to begin with your to-do’s.
Delegate
You don’t have to be a superhero and manage everything single-handedly. Recruit back up, call in the cavalry and delegate where you can. There is a well-used saying that tells us
‘It takes a village to raise a child’
but we tend to forget this and try to go it alone. You will be a better parent when you learn how much to keep on your own plate and when you should share the load. You will also be teaching your child how to ask for help and work alongside others if you actively demonstrate this in your own life.
Family first
With everything that you feel you need to do, it can be easy to lose sight of what is really important. Before everything remember your children. Don’t get so caught up in doing everything that you forget to be. Sometimes it’s best to leave the housework, delay a social engagement, reschedule an appointment and instead read a story, do a puzzle or play a game. While many other things can normally wait, your child has a limited amount of time to be a child, so don’t miss it. There will be time for the other stuff, so make sure your family is getting enough of you before anything else.