Single Parent Time Management
Why is 'time management' important as a single parent?
Budgeting your time is very important as a single parent because you have work, self work, and everything else that you have to do with no one really helping you. Often, for me, I'll write notes. I put everything on paper regarding what I have to do and what I have to buy. I have a chart for my child for chores. They can then help, because it's important for them to also do chores and learn what it's like to be an adult as they grow up. Time management is a way of budgeting your time so that you're not overwhelmed and you're not exhausted, and so that you go to bed knowing that you have done a lot. You won't have to have sleepless nights thinking of all the things that you haven't done.
How do I manage my time as a single parent?
Managing your time as a single parent is like managing your money. It's important to take an inventory of the amount of time you have and make lists. Lists are our friends. Whether it's lists of what I do today. Lists of what I have to buy at the grocery store and therefore what coupons I need to cut out if you were doing coupons and also lists of chores you want your son or your daughter to do. It's really important that you give them that goal as well, that they have chores they have to do and teach them the art of time management as well.
How do I schedule time with each of my children if I'm a single parent?
I think it's important to schedule time with each of your children. You can set up play dates. Another really fun thing to do is create a menu with my child and create a meal with them. So if you have one child that loves to cook or loves to help you with something, create a whole play date around that with each child. Cook a meal with one, do a crossword, or a jigsaw puzzle with the other. So find out what your children love to do and schedule personal time with them. It's important that they have all of you and know that you're there and know that you love them and vice versa. I think it's great family time, and also individual time is very important.
How do I make time to do chores and errands as a single parent?
Well, sometimes the most important thing to do is just spend a Saturday doing the errands that you haven't been able to do during the week. Or have someone else pickup your child from school so that you can if you are leaving work to do some errands. You know again it's being creative. You're the mother of reinvention. You're reinventing yourself, you're more creative and you get to create a schedule that works for you.
How do I make time to cook for my child as a single parent?
You know cooking for your children can be fun. It does not have to be a chore. I mean, I used to joke when I looked at Sam. I mean, 'Do I have to feed you too'. It's like I'm doing everything else. But it can be fun. You know, maybe once a week you can bring home a special meal that's inexpensive, a take-out or you can create a menu and cook a meal with them. Maybe, each child would be responsible for one thing. One sets the table, and the others have different jobs, probably depending on their age. You can make him more fun. Another thing that I think is really good to do, is, one night you make the week's meals. You put it in a Tupperware, so that you already have it ready so you don't have to cook every single night. Then, really have fun with it making your meals ahead of time.
How do I make time for myself as a single parent?
As a single parent we have to be really creative with time. We need to make sure that we have time to read magazines if we wanted, to make sure we have time to do the things we did before, so we don't feel ripped off or angry about all of the limits we have now. You can set up little rituals around the house. You can set up a ritual where mommy takes a bath at 8:00, where she can read magazines, light a candle, or take some time for herself. While mommy's doing that, you go and read a book or you watch your favorite program. There's little rituals you can create which actually make it a lot more fun for the whole family, and you get to actually take care of yourself as well.
