Families and ...
Respect
Families
and Time Management—
Additional Resources
Learning how to budget your time is important in all aspects of life, especially in a family. A lack of time can lead to conflict. You can learn to budget time so that everyone gets the most out of being an individual and a member of a family team.
By identifying your values or strong personal beliefs, you can gain balance in your life. Those beliefs will guide you as you make decisions around family time and personal time. Spontaneous family times can be just the pick-me-up everyone needs.
When children in the family are involved with activities outside the home, parents and other family members can share the load of "being there" for support. If there are young children, take them to the activities. This is a great role modeling opportunity and a wonderful reinforcement as well. Everyone sharing in this responsibility can build support in a family. If nobody can attend an outside event, letters tucked into lunch bags or notebooks can mean a lot.
Plan for special days such as holidays and birthdays. Make sure, though, to save some time to relax and just be together. Also, plan for ordinary days. If you keep a calendar of upcoming events and special school functions, you won't feel so pressured when they arrive.
Reading, Watching and Listening List
Consult your local library to find these resources:
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Culp, Stephanie. (1993). You Can Find More Time for Yourself Everyday. Cincinnati: Betterway Books.
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Eisenberg, Ronnie. (1994). Organize Your Home: Simple Routines to Managing Your Household. Crisp Publications.
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Otto, Donna. (1994). Get More Done in Less Time. Crisp Publications.
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Conway, Stephen. (1994). First Things First (audio cassette).
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Lee, John. (1993). How to Manage Time (video). Sommer Publications.
Family Works in Action
Here are some conditions that might mean time management is an issue in your family team:
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Overwhelming household chores
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Difficult work demands
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Strained relationships between family members
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A lack of personal self-care
Here are some strategies to help your family manage time:
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Look for ways to make chores easier
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Break down large projects into small tasks
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Set practical goals for all activities
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Follow your heart when making decisions
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Talk to family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
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Fit family needs into daily plans
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Take care of each other
Remember
Time management can be difficult for every family member. Poor time management can cause a person to feel sad, tired, or to become physically ill. Talking to others or writing your chores and ideas down on paper can be a good place to start.
Time management may get rid of stress in your life. If you use your time well, you may have more time to:
- Do what you want
- Try something new
- Spend with your family
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