Falling into the feeling that there just isn’t enough time in twenty-four hours is easy, and this attitude may be particularly true for parents who are managing multiple schedules. Whether we feel pressed for time or driven by a lack of time, we can find ourselves saying, “Hurry up! We are running out of time!” Such an expression is likely to create frazzled nerves, added stress, and no real time savings.
As an alternative, we can give ourselves more time, make the best possible use of the time we do have, and be thoughtful about our tone of voice when we do get in a time pinch.
The morning routine offers a good example for time management. Kids can choose their clothing the night before they need to put it on, and everyone can wake up early enough to have a few extra minutes, so no one is feeling overly rushed. If you are a person who needs some peace at the beginning of the day, allow yourself just a few minutes of alone time before the kids wake up.
If you feel a sense of urgency sometimes, try to remember that the moment “right now” will roll along more smoothly with your children if you use a calm tone of voice to communicate. A calm voice will promote cooperation and reduce tensions, resulting in time savings.
One last thought: When “Hurry up! We are running out of time!” becomes a common element of your day, it may well be time to step back and reevaluate commitments. More on this topic next week . . .