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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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 the small stuff mattersSubmitted by sisyphea on October 22, 2007 - 7:19am.
I'd been an art student, doing my own thing and thinking about Big Stuff, squeezing domestic crap into a saturday morning, ignoring housework and living on one-pot meals. Your Big Ideas mean zilch to babies - they want food, frequently, clean clothes and blankets - often several times a day - All that stuff that used to be relegated to 'when I get around to it' is now the focus of your day. FIRST: get up early, check that baby is safe and sound in their crib (they can cope with a wet nappy for two more minutes) get showered and dressed - even if it is just a quick splash so that you feel human to face the day, even if you haven't slept. THEN you feed and change baby. Then you put a load in the washing machine, and check whatever washing sterilizing system you use if you use pacifiers, pumps, bottles etc. This is also done before bed. Early in the day, figure out what's for dinner and take some steps towards preparing it (baby will be most restless around teatime!) and always have something in the freezer just in case. Babies have small tummies and need night feeds for quite a while, especially on easy-to-digest breast milk. Don't be sucked in by the 'are they sleeping through yet' brigade. » POSTED IN:
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