5 Tips to Scheduling Work and Family

Posted by Tamara

April 5, 2008

As a mom of four I often get asked, “How do you get it all done?” I assume it means working from home, taking care of the house as well as the kiddos. This is a tough job but as we have heard someones got to do it. So I take this seriously and respond with planning time for everything but keeping it loose.

This can be done by anyone, No Really it can. Making a schedule and I don’t mean it has to be a tight schedule but some sort of a schedule helps keep things in order and your life moving forward.

1. Set Priorities

Make a list of what needs to be done with everything, I call it my weekly brain dump its not really a full brain dump but a what do I want to get done this week in the house no matter what it is or how small it is it gets written down. Then I make a star next to the ones that I need to get done, then a plus sign next to the ones I want to get done. From there I take a colored markers each person in the family has one, and mark who it can be done by. Meaning if I need to get the fridge cleaned out, its a job anyone can do. If its Edit a podcast its either Alin or I can. So I know what I personally have to do. Then sort by deadlines.

This list does include things such as crafts or games with the little two, and running to the market. For me adding these as a top priority it helps keep them in the forefront and not forgotten about.

2 A Posted Family Calender

Every appt, class, after school activity, online activity gets added This way when you are planning on attending a webinar everyone knows that from X-Y you are not available. This also helps keep everyone on the same page for family game evenings or if dad is working late everyone adding their events makes it so there is no surprises for anyone.

3 Multi-tasking

Yes I have been told not to do to much at once. However it is possible. A lot of the courses I take also come with or are on audio, so I load them on my phone plug in the headset and clean away. Doing it this way I am learning and cleaning two things that are usually on my list for the week. Cleaning the bathroom while the kiddos are in the bath that way I am with in arms reach of them and able to clean right there. joining any two projects are a great thing to do. I try to not do to many more then two or three things at once so I can give enough focus and concentration on each.

4 Schedule

I will admit with this I have slacked off my schedule and boy can I feel it when it comes to getting things done. As I mentioned before its a good idea to have one especially when working from home. This helps you and your children who are home with you to know what, when and how long things will take. Set a work time for yourself then give yourself a break. I know one mom who works for 30 minutes then takes 15-20 minutes to spend with her little one. This both things are getting a set time frame of what needs to get done. This also is good for big projects, like working on a new ebook that may take a few hours breaking it up so you can get breaks even if you don’t have any young ones at home can help make it go smoother. Your mind needs a break now and then give it yourself. When creating your schedule make time for you I know I have posted about this before but it is really important to take care of you.

5 Family time

Make sure you make time for the family. If its a movie night, picnic something for everyone in your family to do together. Remember they are the reason your wanting to stay home to see them grow, learn and be there for them, it may take scheduling them in but you will be meeting that want and that in itself can help keep you motivated to keep working and getting everything done.

I have found that these five things working together have made my life alot easier and our household run smoother. I hope these are able to help you with your home and business.

Do you have any other tips? Please share them with us I am always looking for more ideas to help get things in order here.

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