Ah, kids. Aren't they wonderful? I think if anyone wants to get a real understanding and appreciation of effective time management they need to have a few of these little creatures. Kids are notorious for wasting your time because they always want you to do their stuff.
This is fresh on my mind because only 10 minutes ago my 14 year-old came to me wanting me to sew a button on her vest for her. Of course I looked at her like she's crazy simply because she is. There was a reason I taught her years ago to do this little chore; because it's something she'll need to know in life. The alternative would be for her to show up at a drycleaners and ask them to sew it on. I can just hear the questions-mixed in with the pitiful glances-about what her mother was doing instead of teaching her this stuff.
Now, do you think I wasted my time on this task that was not mine? Nope! I gave her a quick refresher (it has, after all, been at least a couple of months since she had to do this extremely difficult chore) and left her to it. Guess what? It's finished.
I have heard of parents giving their child chores and then ending up doing the chore themselves. And another thing-I'm not at all sure this actually happens but it's been parodied on TV and such for years. Do parents actually do their child's homework? Surely they don't because:
- When did you sign up to take a high school class? You didn't? Then it's not your task, don't do it!
- Do you want to do this work? No? Then it's not your task, don't do it!
- Will this enrich your life (other than get your kid through high school and out the house)-then it's not your task, don't do it!
- You would be interfering with your kid learning about effective time management as it pertains to life and school. So then, it's his task, don't do it!
Kids aren't the only ones that can make effective time management seem like something only comedians talk about. You have to guard yourself against spouses, siblings, friends and bosses are famous for wanting you to do a lot of things they can do themselves. Don't get sucked into doing things they can do or you may start a pattern. Effective time management is something you have to plan for and-once obtained-fight to keep.
I had been a full-time employee and single parent of 4 for years and simply could not have survived without having learned about effective time management. I learned to take each situation, assess its problems and strengths and create strategies and techniques to make the most of my time. This is because I wanted to be (and have been) a soccer, football, band, weightlifting, hockey, basketball, tennis, swimming, and karate mom (usually with a few of the sports going on at the same time). Did I mention I was a single parent at the time with a full-time job? You can do it too.
