Time use satisfaction is key to managing stress

Caring for children puts huge demands on a parents’ time. It is common not to feel satisfied and self-criticise your own use of time. Juggling paid work, keeping the household chores in check and trying to be readily available for your children is a common source of stress. When I complete a time-use analysis with mothers, the most common observations are: underestimating the time it takes to complete tasks and undervaluing time for self.

The first step is letting go of striving for perfection. There is only so much time in the day. 

Seek out support and accept offers to help with the kids or out sourcing the cleaning (whether paid or helpful friends or family). We need to accept that we cannot do it all. The only way to save time is to prioritise and delegate.

Learn to say no when you are at capacity. Your self-talk maybe that you are being selfish or not coping but saying no is the only way to stay on top of your workload.

Get organised about what needs to be done and schedule what you can do and who will do everything else. For example if you want to prioritise exercise, it takes planning. Ensuring the kids are cared for at these times will free up your time and motivate you for that early morning gym session or an evening walk.

Focus on being efficient with your time. Ask yourself what tasks are essential and what can wait. A great example given to me was when there were dishes to be done put on the kettle. The time it takes to boil, brew the tea and cool down ready to drink is 9 times out of ten enough to clear the dirty dishes. The reward of savouring a cup of tea allows you the thought-provoking time to organise the rest of your day.