According to a 2009 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both spouses were employed in nearly half of all families, and more than 70 percent of all mothers were either employed or seeking employment. Families Worldwide reports that 83 percent of school-aged kids are involved in extracurricular activities. All of this busyness can bring about chaos, confusion and stress. Time management tools help create balance and order.
Hang a Calendar
Hang up a wall calendar in a central location, such as the kitchen. Everyone can see what is scheduled for the day ahead or find out where another family member is going to be. Girls Health, a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommends writing down everything from school assignments to appointments.
Scholastic, Inc. suggests meeting as a family at the start of each week to go over the calendar together. This enables you to prioritize items, delegate tasks and resolve any schedule conflicts ahead of time.
Post "To Do" Lists
Girls Health suggests using "To Do" lists, as well. Determine what works best for your family. You may wish to hang a universal list on your refrigerator and include a space for the name of the family member responsible for each task. Alternatively, you may wish to create individual lists for each family member that they can carry with them throughout the day, checking off items as they are completed.
Use Cell Phone Apps
The Pew Research Center reports that 95 percent of married couples with children have a cell phone and that 57 percent of school-aged kids have their own phones. Smart phones provide access to time management applications, such as online calendars or reminder services. Even basic phones provide time management tools, such as calendars that inform you of appointments with audible cues, countdown timers, "To Do" lists and alarm clocks.
Cell phone expert Phil Starn of Cellutips recommends setting alarms to remind yourself of deadlines and entering appointments on your cell phone's calendar. Look through the "Tools" or "Applications" menu of your cell phone to learn what time management tools you can enjoy.
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