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Time management for parents
MIkael Lindberg | Oct 10 2007
The excellent news that Merlin is joining the parent flock prompted me to write this post. I became a parent about a year ago and I've been battling the "loss" of about 8-16 hours of every day to parenting and the unpredictability element that babies bring to your schedule. I'm interested in hearing what other parents have done in order to keep a grip on their schedule and their lives. For me, the most extreme effect was that I decided to change jobs in order to do something I really like, despite having to take a 50% pay cut. I just can't afford to waste hours doing things that doesn't make me happy. I've also taken a few hints from Merlin and now carry a small note pad (sort of a hipster PDA) in my pocket at all times for capture purposes. I think my previous attempts at GTD has failed just because I havn't needed it enough. Now, I can't survive without it. As for handling the unpredictability element of children, my wife and I have a system where we try to never replan the current day schedule but instead handle exceptions as far into the future as possible. This keeps our schedules reasonably stable. What are your experiences? 58 Comments
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routine & consistencySubmitted by terrence p on October 11, 2007 - 11:18am.
Baby?! I must've missed that post. Many blessings sent your way Mr. Merlin & Madeline. There's no better complement to a happy marriage. I adopted a Merlinesque GTD system between the arrivals of 3 year old James and 5 month old Eloise. I can't reinforce the sleep advice enough and I won't repeat it. But I'll give you all out there an Amen! As for kids and time management go, after the initial shock wears off, parents & children will benefit greatly from routine. I hate to equate children and pets, but if you want to live sanely with an equally sane pet, you have to have consistency in you life. Developing a modest routine plan with one's partner has been key to my marriage & fatherhood. Within the routine I've discovered when I can work the GTD mojo full tilt and then shut it off when it is time to help get dinner ready. » POSTED IN:
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