Are you struggling with a busy schedule? This can often cause family problems and unhealthy relationships. Discover our top tips for staying connected with your family when you always go in different directions.
How Busy Schedules Cause Family Problems
It doesn’t matter what age your kids are. Schedules get hectic. When your children are little, it may be balancing daycare, mommy-and-me groups, and work schedules. And as they age, it may be sports, rehearsals, academics, and sleepovers.
While being involved in fun activities and doing basic life things — like going to work — is important, it can create some dissent within family units, and that distance can create real problems.
For example, when you can’t be around your kids as much, you don’t know what they have going on in their life. This can lead to them doing activities you don’t approve of or feeling like they’re growing up without you because you have to work.
There’s certainly no perfect system or schedule that works for every family, but we can offer a few pro tips to help you navigate a hectic lifestyle.
Tips For Handling Busy Schedules
1. Have a Calendar
First, you need to know what’s going on and when. A master family calendar on which you can put every activity is essential for sanity and keeping everything straight.
You can download a digital version on a smart device that everyone who needs it can access, or you can find a large paper or magnetized one for a commonplace in your house, like the kitchen.
A visual representation of your schedule helps you as a parent and can even help you share what’s coming up with your child to prepare them.
In addition, you can utilize this strategy to schedule time together! It may seem crazy to proactively schedule time with the members of your household, but there are seasons of life when this may be necessary to have quality time together.
2. Focus on Quality Time
Speaking of quality time, when you have a busy schedule, quality matters much more than quantity.
Sometimes, you may have time for a story together before bed. Other times, you may have a special snack together before practice or rehearsal. Whatever it is, make it intentional and focus on each other.
This is especially important when it comes to spouses. When you two aren’t connecting, nothing else can function at its best.
We get it. It’s hard to carve out time for each other when your kids are your whole world and demand so much of your time and energy. However, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t be there for your kids if you don’t feel like you’re on the same team.
3. Have a Family Meeting
Family meetings sound bad, but they can be an important tool when you have a busy schedule.
Schedule time to sit down together and talk about what’s important. Please go over the schedule for the week, check in on feelings and emotions, and even make it a point to share things like your highs and lows for the week.
When everyone has a chance to share, be heard, and feel loved, these meetings can keep you all connected and happy.
4. Unplug Together
Screentime isn’t all bad, but sometimes you need to unplug. Find time to put down your devices, turn off the games and TV, and play a game.
Break out the cards, create an obstacle course around the house, or play ball in the yard. Whatever you choose, the important thing is that you’re engaging with each other.
5. Implement a Fun Routine
One of the best ways to stay connected is to do something you all find fun and special together! Whether it’s getting ice cream, watching a movie, baking pizzas in the oven, decorating cookies, or something else, the point is to highlight your week.
Making your Busy Schedule Work for you
There’s no way around it: A busy schedule is challenging. However, when you take the time to check in with each other, clearly understand what’s important and what’s not on the docket, and focus on the quality of the time spent together, you can stay as connected as possible as a family.
This is especially important when it comes to spouses. Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t be a team if you aren’t actively finding time to be together — just the two of you.
We are here for you no matter what is creating your busy schedule this season. Here are eight ways busy dads can unwind.
