Tips for Working Parents: Managing Your Time

These days, finding enough time to do everything is a hurdle for everyone. For working parents, it’s even more of a problem. Try these basic time management techniques to help you make the most efficient use of your time at home and on the job, so you can feel more relaxed and in control.

Set Your Priorities

Every evening make a ‘‘to do’’ list of the four to six most important tasks for the next day. Sometimes you’ll need to compromise: if the school wants you to bake cookies, you might buy them instead. And don’t forget to try to set aside relaxation time for yourself!

Divide and Conquer

Divide an overwhelming job, such as a complex report, into smaller, more manageable chunks. List the main components and the time they’ll require. Then plan specific blocks of time in your schedule for each—for example, 2 hours each day for the next 2 weeks.

Double Up

Sometimes it is possible to do two things at once. For instance, you might have a business discussion while exercising on a stationary bicycle, or during a relaxing walk. Or you can socialize with family or friends while doing chores and errands together.

Delegate

Everything doesn’t have to be done your way. Good time management includes lightening your load by handing over responsibility to someone else. Your partner can pitch in, and so can your kids, as long as their tasks are appropriate for their age and abilities.