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By Mary Frederick You may feel as though your family is constantly running in different directions at all times. Many families feel the pinch of chaotic schedules, and not enough hours in the day to get everything done. With more and more parents working and kids getting involved in an increasing number of activities, it feels as though you are constantly working in “fast forward”. While it’s helpful to know that you’re not alone in your quest to get some order out of things, you need to work on getting ahead of things if you hope to regain some sort of order. Family time management isn’t easy and it requires some concerted effort if you want to really make it work. If you want to stay organized, be effective in managing your time, and teach your kids how to do the same then you need to practice some fundamental lessons. Kids learn best by example, so here are some excellent ways to work through family time management. Get Everyone InvolvedIf you try to handle family time management for the whole family, you will surely go crazy. Not only that, but you aren’t teaching your kids anything in the process.If you get the whole family involved in family time management, then it makes the process much easier. It allows even the kids to play an active role. This takes the burden off of one person to handle things alone, and allows you to teach your kids some valuable time management lessons. Establish a SystemIt can start off with something as simple as a spreadsheet or a huge calendar, but create a system that the entire family can work off of.This can start off small by being in a place where each of you can list out the activities that you have coming up. Then build up your family time management system from there. You have to have a baseline to work with. If you establish a system to keep all of the activities organized, that’s a great starting point. Then you can adjust according to what works, and what further needs are required for family time management. Teach Important LessonsIf you want your kids to learn time management skills that they can carry with them their whole life, then teach them early on.The most important thing you can do as a parent is to lead by example. If the kids see you always running around like a chicken with your head cut off, then this will be your norm. If they see you always running late for appointments or being late to pick them up, then you can bet that this is what they will carry with them for time management. Take a step back and figure out how to lead your kids through a good working example. Establish AccountabilityProvide everyone in the family with the tools that they need to be successful with time management.Give them their very own calendars and alarm clocks so that they can start to take accountability for things. Make the kids responsible for getting up on their own, make them responsible for penciling in new activities, and make them an active part of their success in family time management. Start small and cater this to the age of all members of the family, but start early on with accountability so that they know what they have to do to finish a task. Plan AheadThough this sounds obvious, it’s the first lesson that most families fail at.If your child knows that they have a big test coming up, work with them on ensuring they set aside ample time to study. If the holidays are coming up, plan ahead for what you will need to do and what that means in the way of family involvement. Plan for even the most seemingly insignificant task because if you see it, you will be more likely to do it. Think through what you have coming up as a family and then plan for it. Create an Established Organization TimeAllot time each day, each week, and each month to get organized. Finish each day with you and your kids sitting down to plan for the day ahead.Make lunches the night before, get the clothes laid out, and do anything that can help you to manage your time the next day. Do this once a week with your meal planning and budgeting. Then once a month sit down as a family and discuss what you have coming up and how you can manage your time to accomplish all of your goals. Keep Them InterestedLet’s face it, time management isn’t always a glamorous topic, but it’s essential for families.Keep it interesting so that everyone stays engaged. Reward the kids for meeting established deadlines. Switch up the system from time to time to accommodate varying needs. Plan for fun and be sure that in your time management system, you allot plenty of time for family fun along with all of the necessities. Establish a RoutineKids and adults alike thrive on some sort of structure. If you establish a routine for the family early on, then they are likely to stick with it.Determine what time everyone needs to get up to have ample time to get ready for the day. Establish bedtimes and any routines that are required before they head to bed. Create a day for organization each week, and of course schedule in time for the family to have meals together and catch up on what’s going on. Routine is essential to time management, but be sure to change it as necessary. « Return to Time Management Tips from Family Time Management Family Time Management: Related ResourcesPersonal Time Management Skills Keep a to-do list Prioritizing Skills Getting Organized Financial Goal Setting
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