how do you manage your time?

@Bujoyseth (1684)
Philippines
July 31, 2007 8:45pm CST
how do you manage your time? as a mother of two, it's difficult to do things at the same time.. we live with my grandma right now and i'm the one doing all the chores at home.. my grandma lives alone that's why she wanted us to live with her, with my husband and two kids.. the problem is, i do the cooking, washing, cleaning, marketing and of course, at the same time, i have to see after my baby, have him take a bath, feed him and everything.... i just can't handle things properly... i'm thinking, what if i get the job soon? get a nanny? well, what do you think? help Please! how about you, how do you manage your time?
1 person likes this
23 responses
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
1 Aug 07
I am a mother of four and I just find there is never enough hours in a day to get everything done. If you want to get a job and hire a nanny, then I think you should go for it. Just make sure that is what you want to do before doing it.
1 person likes this
@fly_shay (333)
• Philippines
9 Aug 07
I'm a wife but I don't have kids yet.But just the same,I'm very busy that there is not enough hours for me to get it all done.That's because I'm working too...I have this attitude that I want things to be in the right place.What I usually do is list down things that need to be done so i'm guided.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
2 Aug 07
Sounds like you need some help- Have you husband help with the household chores and taking care of the baby- It’s nice that you can live with your gram- Nice for both of you- and your kids- spending time with gram is fun- I have only 1 child so there are 3 of us- but I also work full time outside of the house- and I do the chores (my daughter now helps – she is 10) and run her all around for this , that and the other thing! It’s hard but it’s worth it- Just try to be more organized- and remember to get your “me” time!
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
3 Aug 07
I understand your grandma lives with you. However, you only say you need to look after your baby and attend to the household chores. Do you have to look after your grandma too? Are you thinking of getting a job just to avoid the duties? If so, then who is going to look after your baby? A nanny? Wouldn't it be better if you look after the child yourself and get domestic help to help out with the household chores? Or plan the household chores over the week so that you need not do the same chores daily?
@Madona1 (2096)
• Gibraltar
2 Aug 07
Fortunately I have passed the difficult stage as my only girl will be 9 years old in 4 weeks time. I am a full time working mother and manage to clean, shopping and cook. Since my work is much closed to where we live, so I can shop or clean a bit in my lunch hour daily. After work, I can cook and spend about 1 or 2 hours to help my daughter’ homework and play for fun. On my days off, I will meet up with friends or shop in the department store. LOL
@dbhattji (2506)
• India
6 Aug 07
Time management is a big problem and we all have just 24 hours in a day so I decide my priorities every day and give up things that can wait for another day.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Aug 07
It is always nice to live with some one to help them out and yourselfs but even if you didnt live with her and was in your own place you would still have this all to do anyway. When I was younger I got it all done but I didnt work outside the home till kids got big and gone. Y a do what ya have to do and things that dont get done wil take care of it tomorrow and hubby can help too!
• United States
1 Aug 07
I think it will be good for you to go out and experience the outside job and making money. I think after a while you will see which one you like better. I think you will choose to be a housewife. Working outside is more stressfull then the workload at home. You will still be expected to take care of your baby and also do the house chores. Nanny and a maid will cost you more then you will probably make. But If I were you I will go out and experience the working world so I don't feel depressed about being stuck at home and doing everything. I think if you work outside your husband will start helping you with house chores. so give it a try.
• United States
1 Aug 07
I usually try to make a schedule for everyday and follow it as best as I can.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
1 Aug 07
Sometimes it's overwhelming and even though I just take care of my son and husband, it still requires alot of my attention and time. I just make do. I use to clean up daily but now do it every second or third day. I don't put too much pressure on myself to keep the house clean as my priority is my son and husband. If it helps you how about scheduling your cleaning days. Like Mondays I do all my main washing like sheets and towels and stuff. On Tuesday I clean the kitchen. Wednesdays are usually my break days. Thursday I do the lounge and dining areas. Either Fridays or leave it till Monday to do the bedrooms since that is the day I take the sheets off the bed. In the weekends it is spent with my family. The house gets messy but I know eventually it will get tidied up. I changed my attitude because I hurt my lower back and from then on i don't do too much at one time. Good luck my friend. Just try to prioritise what needs to be done each day.
@lyndee22 (1210)
• Philippines
1 Aug 07
I don't have a kids to attend to. We've been living with my in-laws for 3 years and my daily activities is already a routine to me and done with ease. My body clock is working all the time that I could perform the tasks assigned for the alloted time before going to work. I prepare our breakfast, feed the chickens, gather or harvest vegetables, make the bed, clean the room etc. It's just proper time management and adjusting to the time when necessary.
• Vietnam
1 Aug 07
You should share your work with your family such as your husband and your children. Take good care!
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
1 Aug 07
Why did your grandma wanted you to live with her... so you can help her out... what's your husband doing, ask him to share with him the household chores... your not a slave your a woman, a wife. Is your grandma too old to help you out, talk to her, so she can help. I suggest you do find a job and let other people do the workings for you, its no heroine to do all the dirty jobs. Let your husband and your grandma help you in your never ending work. Relax...
@adrianto (11)
• Indonesia
1 Aug 07
u should sharing ur job with ur husband....
• India
1 Aug 07
In the same boat as you darling! Only difference being that since I am working and staying with my in-laws they look after my son and do the cooking while I am away. We have a maid to do the cleaning and washing. But come October, I am shifting to a flat to be closer to my parents (I am their only child). So after that I will have to do the cooking and house-keeping too! My daily schedule (if it helps in providing you with mental comfort) Wake up at 5:15am Prepare son for school (the school bus comes at 6 am) 6am – 8am (free) Prepare for office till 9:45am(tiffin, dress, breakfast for hubby, etc etc.) 10am – 6pm office 6:30 home (take bath, refresh) 7pm-10pm (teach son) 11:30-11:45 (prepare for dinner, bed, feed son, self, clear table etc) 12-12:30 (go to blissful sleep) Those two hours free that I have in the morning, will be spent on cooking once I start living separately. As for maid, I will have one there too, but maids are very unpredictable these days. So the days they don’t turn up, I’ll have to do the housekeeping too. But I’ll tell you something, its more difficult to be a stay-at-home-mom than a working mom. The change in atmosphere that the office provides, is a great escape route to me. I would feel breathless if I had to spend the entire day at home, doing nothing else. But coming back to your problem, I genuinely think you should hire a help- at least part time to do the cleaning and washing. After a few years, so much hard work will start telling on your health and then who will look after your family?
@miryam (6505)
• Italy
1 Aug 07
i not do a proget i live day foe day......... accepr the desteni and i hope in better.......but not pretender more..........bye myry
• Philippines
1 Aug 07
Me, during weekdays my time is spend for my job only. If i have time during the night, i do spend it with me,like having updated on tv programs,watching it. Or i spend my time talking with my friends,or a member of a family. but during weekends,if have planned to go out, i go, but when i have no plans, i help my mother for household chores.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
1 Aug 07
wow that sounds like a lot to do. it's amazing that you can carve out time to do mylotting too! i guess you have to weight the total cost adn benefit. personally i think it's great to find a job, but also your kids would definitely appreciate having you around... perhaps you are feeling like you need a change? in that case you can try finding a reliable nanny, but from what I've heard mums have found that it's not easy finding the right one. all the best!
• Philippines
1 Aug 07
Hi... I have a Job right now... Living alone and trying to do everything on my own also.. But Im alone so theres not too much of work though its still hard to do the chores all by myself.. In your case, when you get the Job then the best thing for you to do is to get a nanny.. You are lucky that your grandma lets you live with her, at least you dont have to pay for a rent or to buy your own house as of now right? Thats a good thing.. And you are doing it right as of now that you dont have a work yet,... you must attend all chores because there is no one to rely on your house but you,... Maybe your husband can help you sometimes... Take care and when you got the job get a nanny! :D:D
• United States
1 Aug 07
Having to run a household is tough, no matter who you are. Having the added responsibility of grandma makes it that much harder. I stay at home with my children, as well. It can be so difficult at times. There never seems to be enough time during the day to get all I have to do done. I have learned to do what I can, and not worry about the rest. If you worry about it too much, you'll end up down in a hurry. Would it help to have a schedule? Or to only go to the market once a week? I'm not good with schedules myself, but many people have suggested them to may. They might work for you. My family and I only do errands one day a week. We have to be very organized when we do it, because if we forget anything, we do without it, until the next Friday. Let us know how things go.