Where did time fly ???!!!
Every parent feels like they have been shortchanged where time is concerned. There is never enough time.Spoiler alert! There will never be enough time. We just need to prioritize and create time for the things we believe to be non-negotiable.
So, let’s ask ourselves some pertinent questions:
1. What do I really want for myself and for my child?
2. Are my boundaries in place and secure?
And now, if those are in order, we can ‘DIP’ into using one or more of the strategies suggested below ~
D- Delegate.
Now that you know what is non-negotiable, you have identified tasks that are negotiable too, right? So, begin to delegate chores. Find ways where others can assist. Perhaps the task may not be done to perfection or the exact same way you would prefer. Besides, the ways they do assist may seem very trivial and small, yet by allowing them to help you are opening avenues that didn’t exist earlier –
a) They see the kind of work that exists! They see the kind of work you do, which perhaps is taken for granted. They realize that small gestures go a long way in building the grande finale. There is new-found respect.
b) You are setting a precedence. They feel their efforts will be accepted. As a result, they will help out further in other areas too. So, win-win, right?
c) You build a bond which is of empathy and action stemming from understanding as against making a sterile list of chores that need to be done.
I – Incorporate.
Incorporate creativity into your day such that your child and you can still have time together. The best way is to mirror tasks. When I sit with my assignments, my child sits in the same room with his homework or art or lego. We are silently doing our work but together. We have a timer that goes off to signal a stretch / tickle or hug break. And we have an alarm going off to signal the end of work. Do things with your child too. You could even let your child choose the kind of fun time. Set the timer. Dive into it together till the timer goes off. You could always go longer.
P – Purge and Plan.
Purge your day and de-clutter everything – tasks, things, thoughts… simplify everything. Plan your day. You will never have time if you don’t make the time. You need to create a slot for the task you want in your schedule. If you want to get rid of the overwhelming feeling of so much to be done and such little time at hand, purge your day of the unnecessary chores. Perhaps you may need to purge the toxic people who drain your energy and leave you emotionally and mentally exhausted. If you want more me-time, plan it. If you want time with your child, plan it.
Nothing is impossible. Each morning is a gift, an opportunity to begin anew. DIP into your day with positivity.
Keep the faith.
Me for the things to be done. Time seems to fly. Tasks seem to pile up to the ceiling.