Having children messes with your schedule – big time. You are no longer in control of your own day. Parents of children who have special needs not only have hectic schedules, but even more tasks to squeeze into their day. Staying organized and managing our time is tough, but there are steps to take that will make it easier.
Checklist
For me what helps the most is making a list for the day. Without a list, I am pretty much useless. My day goes by a lot faster and is much smoother when I have a list of tasks to check off. And at the end of the day, I feel good about what I’ve accomplished. Plus, I have proof of what I did all day to show my husband when he gets home!
A Place for Everything
I have found life to be much easier when everything is in its correct home. It saves a lot of time and frustration when you can get what you need when you need it. For example – insurance papers in a file organized by date. The same goes for school papers and taxes as well. Plus, it’s a good idea to keep all of your child’s treatments and medications in the same cabinet or closet. I love having a three ring binder of my daughter’s medical papers from doctors and the insurance company. With everything in its rightful place, I have it when I need it.
Use Your Time Wisely
Now that I have two kids, I don’t like leaving them alone to go down to the basement to do the laundry. The oldest is two and I don’t trust her with her one-month-old sister. Therefore, when my oldest is in her chair, bed or The Vest she wears for treatments, I run downstairs and get the clothes washed.
Full Hands In, Full Hands Out
This restaurant language translates nicely to the parenting world. When I head downstairs to the basement, I take something with me like the recycling from breakfast. When I come back up, I bring laundry or more paper towels. When I head to the kids’ room to get a new outfit or a book, I bring some toys with me to put away.
Upgrade Your Calendar
If you’re like me, the calendar is your best friend. Color-code yours by categories such as child, doctor’s appointments, school events, etc. Invite technology into your life too. It comes with great benefits. A more modern cell phone will come with a calendar that will remind you of your appointments. This has been so handy. Plus, when scheduling appointments with doctors I immediately put the appointment into my phone and therefore don’t have to go searching for the little reminder card they give you.