We live in a fast-paced world full of activities. It may seem difficult for parents to juggle everything else they have to do, including taking care of their kids. Very few parents have mastered the art of multitasking, which leaves the question, “How much can you take on as a parent?” “How can you get everything done?” 

It is an undeniable fact that parenting requires time and dedication. Coupled with the fact that you may have an active schedule, it may be challenging. Intentional parenting requires that you spend quality time with your kids.  You must acquire the skills to help you maintain balance in your activities and your relationship with your kids.

Reasons Why You Need To Create Time For Your Kids

It helps you to know your kids better: 

The best way to know your kids is to spend quality time with them. No matter how little time you have with your children, you are developing a relationship with them. You need to know that you can spend time with your kids doing simple activities like seeing a movie, eating dinner, reading a book, and taking a walk with them. It is not the number of hours that count but the quality of your time with them.

It boosts their self-esteem: 

On the surface, it may seem like spending time with your kids is not a big deal, but it is. The more you spend time with your kids doing fun activities, the more they learn social skills that will help them relate with their peers. Kids become more confident and self-assured when they spend quality time with their parents.

It improves your kids' mood: 

Kids are happier when they spend time with their parents doing all the fun stuff. Kids value the time spent with family members, and it helps improve their attitude toward issues that may arise in their interaction with their peers.

It improves mental health: 

Spending time with family members helps improve kids' mental health. There is a reduced likelihood that kids will engage in societal vices when they spend more time bonding with family members.  They are less likely to be depressed. 

Kids are better behaved: 

Spending more time with your kids ensures they develop a strong emotional connection with you.  The emotional connection developed within the context of family, in turn helps them to learn how to conduct themselves. The lessons they learn within the family are then employed in everyday life.

It promotes their interest in academics and academic performance: 

A closely knit family will naturally produce kids that are interested in their academics. Knowing that they have a support system in the form of their family encourages them to strive for excellence in their academics.

Ten Tips To Help You Create Time For Your Kids

Prioritize:  

You must choose what’s more important for you. This will enable you to channel your energy toward the necessary things. Prioritizing prevents you from burning out.  You must learn to filter your activities through the lens of what’s more important to you and your family. You must remember that saying yes to an activity inevitably means you are saying no to another activity. You can’t be everywhere at the same time. Prioritizing ensures that you have enough on your plate to keep you active and not too much to drain you. Whenever you are presented with options, you have to choose wisely.

Be organized: 

Nobody is asking you to be perfect, but it will be much easier for you if you run an organized home. You must set up structures to ensure that you and the kids don’t spend much time searching for things. Structures will help your household function smoothly. For example, you should have places in the house where you keep your shoes and clothes you are to use for the next day. You don’t have to wait until the next day to pick the clothes you need. Teach kids to be responsible by ensuring they return things to where they took them. Teach them to clean up after themselves. Things like matchboxes, purses, and school bags should be kept in the appropriate places, so you don’t have to look for them when you need them.  Being organized ensures you don’t have to stress over little things, especially when you are hard-pressed for time.

Learn to delegate responsibilities: 

You must understand that there’s only so much you can do as a human being and as a parent. You can’t do everything by yourself; that’s why you must learn to delegate responsibilities to your kids.  As soon as kids are old enough to do house chores or run certain errands, you must not hesitate to give them responsibilities. They should be made to arrange their stuff, do the dishes, assist in the kitchen, sweep, and help with anything they can do easily around the house. You can draw up a schedule that contains their responsibilities in the home. It may take a while for kids to get with the program, but you have to be patient with them. Keep reminding them of their responsibilities; soon enough, you wouldn’t need to remind them anymore. Delegating responsibilities to kids helps groom them to become responsible adults in the future. If you need help with the baby, you could employ a nanny who could assist you. You could also ask for the help of your spouse when you feel overwhelmed. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It is human to ask for help.

Create household routines: 

Setting routines is an effective way to run your household. You must set routines as early as possible. This will ensure that kids adapt to it quickly.  You also need to be consistent with the routines you have set. Routines are a sure way to manage time.

Keep a to-do list: 

Keeping a handy to-do list is necessary, especially if you have a lot to do. Sometimes, you may end up not doing some important things because you forgot. Life is full of activities, and keeping a to-do list helps us to be in control. Immediately you think of something important you have to do, add it to your to-do list. However, you must ensure that you follow your to-do list. Keep track of your activities by constantly checking your to-do list and ticking the activities you have done. To make it easier for you, you can draft activities involving your kids. For example, you can include dishwashing in your to-do list and get your kids involved in rinsing and arranging the plates while you wash.  It’s not enough to hope; you have to create the time to do it.

Make the internet your friend: 

We live in a digital world, and everything these days seems automated. For example, it is easier to shop just by going online. You can also pay bills online these days. As a parent, you may have to check the internet for specific details on where you want to shop. This will help you know exactly where to go for the stuff you need. Shopping online creates an opportunity for you to spend more time with your kids instead of going through the hassle of moving from one shop to another. It helps you kill two birds with one stone. You will have enough time to bond with your kids, and your shopping will be easier.

Learn to multi-task: 

Multi-tasking is an important skill, especially if you have a lot on your plate. You can get to do two activities all at once. For example, you could help your kids with homework while you go through your schedule for the next day. You could also pick up calls while doing household chores. There may never be the perfect time for you to do certain activities, but with multi-tasking, you can get more things done quickly.

Do a time check: 

If you notice that you are always overwhelmed by activities, you have to take a step back and re-access how you spend your time. There’s a possibility that you are taking so much more than you can handle. You may need to drop some activities to create more time for you and your kids. Make sure you go through your schedule and eliminate activities that aren’t important.

Plan some fun activities with the kids: 

Your kids don’t only need you to be present, they also need you to have fun with them. Having fun with kids helps to build a deeper connection with them.  You must learn to enjoy the moment with your kids. You could plan a picnic in the backyard with them. You could go jogging or play some sports with them. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate but make it fun.

Prepare and eat meals with your kids:  

If you discover you don’t have enough time to spend with your kids or you're constantly in a hurry to get into one activity or the other, you must ensure that you get kids involved in preparing meals. While at it, you can hold conversations with them in the kitchen. At the table, you can ask how their day went. You could make it easier for them by first telling them about yours, especially if your kids are reserved. 

Conclusion

As a parent, you must always be actively involved in your kids' lives. Your kids are your responsibility, and you must make sure you are available when they need you. Don’t allow activities to create distance between you and your kids. You may have a lot to do, but you can work around your activities to create time for your kids. You must remember that it’s not the quantity of time you spend with your kids that matters but the quality of time. Be intentional about spending time with your kids today.