Now that the kids are out of school and summer is just peaking around the corner, busy moms need to find a way to manage themselves and their brood.
According to a research report women in the labor force average 76 hours in total weekly work, which includes 33 hours dedicated to household tasks. The time requirements of household and paid work are complicated and often conflicting. The term "double day" has been used to describe the dual work responsibilities that many women have. Here are some time management strategies all moms can use.
1. Negotiate: For working moms one of the keys is to negotiate with employers about adapting their work routines and work hours to accommodate domestic necessities, sick children or home matters that require their attention. Solutions such as job sharing, telecommuting and results based work are examples.
2. Make Activities Routine: To help keep the family on schedule develop checklists for kids to use as a reminder to get things done. For example a morning chart might include get up, wash face, brush teeth, comb hair, dress, eat breakfast, get school lunch money, get backpack, kiss family good-bye, and catch the bus.
3. Create A Team: Get the kids involved in the house work by making it part of their family job. For example, having the kids help you pick up their toys before lunch/supper will not only get your house clean faster, you are teaching your children good habits and spending time with them all at the same time.
4. Multitask Chores: Arrange errands and chores so that many can be completed simultaneously, thereby eliminating extra trips. Doing the laundry while fixing dinner is one example of multitasking chores. Picking up dry cleaning and doing the grocery shopping while a child takes a music lesson is another.
5. Plan Contingencies: Plan in advance a way to manage family emergencies and unusual circumstances, such as sick children, difficulties with babysitters,or special events (birthdays, overnight trips, etc.). Contingency arrangements replace or change regular schedules. This can include negotiating a change of schedule with your employer or delegating the responsibility to a spouse, an extended family member, or a neighbor.
6. Calendar Everything: Many moms find it useful to keep a central family calendar clearly visible at home. This allows everyone to see what is coming up the next day, week, etc. Consider putting high priority to do's for that day on the calendar as well.
Please note that the information in this article is copyrighted by Karen Leland. If you would like to reprint any of it on your blog or website you are welcome to do so, provided you give credit and a live link back to this posting.
Take our latest poll: What is your most productive time of day? It only takes a minute to answer this one question. Click here to respond.
Karen Leland is author of the recently released books Watercooler Wisdom: How Smart People Prosper In the Face of Conflict, Pressure and Change and Time Management In An Instant:60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. She is the co-creator of a new line of Productivity Pads from Time Tamer™ and the co-founder of Sterling Consulting Group and its subsidiary Sterling Marketing Group. You can follow her on twitter at kfleland. For questions, comments or to book Karen to speak at your next event, please e-mail kleland@scgtraining.com.
*Follow HuffPostLiving on Twitter and become a fan of Huffington Post Living on Facebook*
Follow Karen Leland on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Karenleland
Part of my personal solution to the madness has been to join a gym with childcare. It's a great way to relieve stress and you can get a little personal time for a few hours a week. My kid loves playing with the other kids in the gym as well.