Time management
By shawnasie
@shawnasie (389)
United States
September 10, 2007 10:57am CST
I have 3 kids, schoolwork and house to take care of. However, I would love to start crocheting more as I haven't picked up a crochet hook in months. I just can't seem to find the time. My kids are 1, 2 1/2 and 4 1/2. I definitely have my hands full and all of them are home with me every day. I could use some time management tips from anyone and everyone.
On a usual day I wake up around 7:30 with the kids. I spend some ime on the computer until my youngest lays down for a nap (usually around 10). I then take my shower and perform my after-shower routine. (usually takes an hour). I then play with the kids some and prepare lunch for all of them. After lunch I clean dishes and do other household things. I start preparing for dinner around 4 and we have dinner between 5 and 5:30. I then spend time with my hubby and perform bedtime tasks with the kids. The kids are usually in bed by 8. After they are in bed I start my schoolwork on the nights I have some due. If I doon't have schoolwork to do I clean up the kitchen and get to bed about 11 every night. Sometimes this routine changes, but it is consistent on most days.
If anyone figures out how I can adjust my schedule to include crocheting for about a half hour to an hour every day that would be great.
2 people like this
3 responses
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
10 Sep 07
Hi shawnasie~ I have 4 children and can tell you it is very hard to manage time when they are young. I would suggest that maybe you get up earlier, then you can get your shower done before the kids get up. That gets you some free time when your son is naping in the morning. Don't your other children nap in the afternoon? I always had my children lay down after lunch. If they didn't nap, I would put a video in for them and have it rest time. This can free up some time for you to regroup. I needed that time to focus and get some energy back.
Also, does your hubby help with the bedtime tasks? This helped in my house. I would do the dishes after dinner and he would give the kids their baths and get them ready for bed.
@shawnasie (389)
• United States
12 Sep 07
I can't really wake up any earlier because I need my 8 hours of sleep. If I go more than 2 days without those 8 hours each night, I get sick. My body just won't do it. My children do nap in the afternoon, but I can't seem to get them all to lay down at the same time. If 1 or 2 of them is up, they are constantly bothering me. It's like they get bored too easily and quickly. I try to regroup for at least 10 minutes in the afternoon though. If I sit longer than that, it is difficult for me to get up and clean.
As for my hubby, no he doesn't help with the bedtime routine. I have tried to get him to help, but it seems like to big of a chore for him. I know it would help immensely if he did help, but he doesn't seem to understand that. He is one of those men who believes raising the kids is the woman's job. It's kind of irritating sometimes and I have gotten on his case about it. He is gradually changing, but it is a very SLOW process!
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
12 Sep 07
Sounds like you need to change the routine of your childrens nap times first. Make them all nap at the same time. It is crazy for you to have 3 children and they all nap at different times. If the little one usually naps a bit earlier than the other 2, keep him up a little longer and then put them all down together. You will probably have a hard time changing their routine, but once they get into a new one, your life will be so much easier. I have watched 7 kids in my daycare and they all nap at the same time. The don't like it, but they eventually learn that this is when nap time is every day and that it that!
You have to let your husband know you need his help with the kids in the evenings. It will bring him closer to them in the process. As you said, it is a slow process, but in time if he is willing to help even a little bit, you will feel much better.
2 people like this
@shawnasie (389)
• United States
15 Sep 07
Thanks for all the additional advice. I will work on getting the kids to nap at the same time as well as ask for more help from my husband. I just wish he would offer to help more or at least not give me attitude if I ask for help. He seems to think that bringing in the money excuses him from helping around the house.
1 person likes this
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
10 Sep 07
My schedule isn't quite as packed as yours as, but I do know that for me, it's often a matter of making a choice to step away from the computer and work on my crochet projects. It helps when my fiance wants to watch a movie, because then I am likely to sit on the couch beside him and crochet, rather than sit across the room on the computer. So maybe that is something you could do as well? Crochet instead of using the computer?
3 people like this
@shawnasie (389)
• United States
12 Sep 07
Getting away from the computer is going to be tough for me. I think I may be addicted! I spend time connecting with friends and family and doing schoolwork. I have cut down on my time spent on it though. I think I may start crocheting more when watching tv with my hubby though. Thanks for the tip.
1 person likes this
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
16 Sep 07
I know that having kids can be a time consuming. I have 5, although mine are older. Sometimes we have to squeeze things in wherever we can. Is it possible that you could fit in ten minutes or so at a time two or three times between some of your other activities? If not, you might be able to cut out a bit of your computer time or something. Since there is only so much time in the day, you have to figure out where your priorities lie, and unless there are two activities that you can do at the same time, you may have to give up a bit of time with one to make room for time with the other.
2 people like this
@shawnasie (389)
• United States
16 Sep 07
I have been able to get a little crocheting in at times recently. I have been combining it with the few hours of t.v. watching time I get in the afternoon (when I get it!) I have also cut down the time I spend on other frivolous things. I am getting a little better with my time. Thanks for the advice.
1 person likes this
