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Spring 2008
Volume 5, Number 2 |
Making Time for Yourself
Teresa L. Mareschal, M.A.T.
Human Development Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
636-970-3000
mareschalT@missouri.edu
Have ever felt like
no one in your family appreciates the time you put into caring for
them? Do you wonder where the time goes and wish for more hours to
get things done? Does it feel like you have no time for yourself? I
believe that most days the majority of us would answer yes to all of
these questions.
We all know that there is no way to make the days longer. However,
there are ways we can use our time better and actually find more
time in the day. Here are some tips for managing your time:
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Establish a
plan to help you see all the activities you want to
accomplish. Set priorities according to what needs to be
completed in a day, week or month. Break these jobs into smaller
tasks.
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Make a To Do
list by writing down what you intend to finish in a day and
prioritize this list. Start with the most important item on the
list and complete it before moving on to the next item.
-
Delegate
tasks to the children and other family members, you do not
need to do everything yourself. Understand that your way of
doing things may be different than the way the rest of the
family does them. The benefit to you and the other family
members is that everyone has a role in helping the family
function smoothly.
-
Learn to say
“No” this allows you to have more control over your life and
your time.
Schedule time for fun for yourself and with your family.
If it is on your “To Do” list or calendar, it is more likely to
happen.
Let Children
Help You
Children can learn at an early age
that group living is a cooperative
venture and there are many ways
they can help out.
When you give children a chance
to be useful members of the
family, you are boosting their
self-esteem and helping them
become responsible members of
society.
Remember, most children are
capable of taking on more
responsibility than they are given.
In addition, children learn to be
responsible when those who care
for them set a good example,
expecting them to give as well as
receive and showing them how to
do things for themselves.
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