How to make time for your kids when you’re always busy

Busy parents are always looking for ways to make more time for their kids. But it can be hard to find the time when you’re always rushing from one task to the next. Here are some great parenting hacks that will help you make the most of your time, even when you’re short on hours.

It's a common misconception that parents who work outside the home are less present with their children than those who stay at home. In fact, it is possible to be a great parent even if you're always busy! It takes some work, but here are our top parenting hacks that will help you make the most of your time, even when you’re short on hours.

Make a schedule

It may seem obvious, but the best way to improve your time management is to know what you’re doing at any given moment. Sit down with your partner and decide on a schedule that allows everyone in the family some free time while still preventing major clashes between work, scheduled activities, and family responsibilities. Weekends are the perfect time for this kind of schedule planning.

We all know that children love to make plans, but it’s not easy for parents to do the same. You can get around this by preparing a grocery list with your child ahead of time, then asking them to help you shop. This way, you’ll find out what they want without spending time running around the supermarket. And they’ll enjoy helping out and learning about healthy food choices.

Keep technology in check

Your kids may love all kinds of gadgets, but you should keep them to a minimum while you’re spending time with your children. It’s not that these devices are bad for kids, but they can be distracting and time-consuming. When you’re with your children, try to use this time for quality interaction instead of checking your phone or browsing the web. You can still make an agreement with your kids that allows for some limited usage in certain situations (such as one hour per day).

Doing chores together

Schedules can help you easily plan time for chores. If you want to make the most of your free time, try doing all kinds of daily tasks with your kids – from cleaning and tidying up to doing the dishes. This is a great way to spend some quality time together without spending money on expensive babysitters or family outings.

Take advantage of nap time

If you have a baby or toddler, don’t worry – they will probably sleep through the day. With an infant, you can plan some free time during naptime (or even sleeping at night). If your child is sleeping less overall as s/he grows older, try to take some quiet time for yourself while they nap. This way, you can recharge your batteries even when there are no spare hours in the day.

Meeting with family or babysitters before work

It’s great to have some time to eat breakfast and get ready for work without rushing around. If possible, try to schedule a meeting with your husband/wife or caregiver during this time, so you can share any important information or tasks that need to be completed before you leave. Planning ahead will help everyone know what to do when they wake up in the morning.

If possible, try to schedule a meeting with your husband/wife or caregiver during this time, so you can share any important information or tasks that need to be completed before you leave. Planning ahead will help everyone know what to do when they wake up in the morning.

Set priorities

Instead of feeling like you’re in a never-ending rush, try looking at your schedule in the long term. Maybe it’s time to ask yourself what really matters when it comes to family responsibilities (from laundry to bills). If you realize certain tasks aren’t high priority, don’t let them control your schedule. Try delegating or getting help from a family member to free up some time for important things – like cooking a healthy meal together.

If you have the luxury of an extra parent at home, try not to shoulder all the parenting responsibilities yourself – especially if you also have a demanding career. Ask your partner to take over for a few days or weeks so you can have some time off to recharge. Or, if you’re willing to be flexible with your working hours, try swapping shifts with other parents at work so everyone gets some time to themselves.

That being said, parenting is not an easy job – even when you’re well-rested and have a lot of free time. The key is to be flexible, plan ahead, and prioritize what matters most from day to day. You can also talk to your manager or human resources department at work if you need some recommendations for a more manageable schedule.

Remember – you don’t have to be a super-parent

Even if you’re extremely busy, it’s still possible to be a great parent and lead a happy life. Try not to stress yourself out and focus on the most important things – like your child’s school performance and overall well-being. Finding time for your family can be challenging – but it’s also a great feeling to find a balance between life and work.

Don’t forget: you can also hire a trusted nanny or babysitter to give you and your spouse some time apart. And remember – all parents deserve some downtime for themselves, too!

Get organized

If you really want to make the most of your free time, try to get organized. Set up a calendar on your phone or computer that alerts you to upcoming events and activities. If there are chores that need doing urgently, mark them down in advance so they don’t interfere with date night or socializing with friends. Being more efficient with your schedule will help you be a great parent without becoming overwhelmed.

As you get more organized, try to cut back on unnecessary activities. Some parenting experts recommend limiting TV time and screen time for children once they turn two years old – so consider setting some limits or getting rid of devices altogether. You might even consider giving up your own phone if you can’t be trusted to use it responsibly!

If you’re looking for some small changes that can make a big difference, try eating more meals together as a family. Saying no to one (or two) takeout dinners per week will give you more time to sit down and enjoy each other’s company – which is a priceless feeling.

In short, being a great parent is about setting goals and priorities – and sticking to them. Being well organized will also help you find time for your family without going crazy. And remember: parenting isn’t easy at the best of times, so try not to get overwhelmed by what you have to do or give up on your career.

Delegate tasks where possible

It’s not easy to find time for your kids when you work long hours. But the secret is to get organized and delegate tasks wherever possible. If you have older children, try asking them to take over some chores at home so you can take care of the little ones. Or if there are other parents around who can help, try swapping childcare details with them.

If you don’t have any other parents around, hire a babysitter for the day and go out on your own. Go to the movies or treat yourself to a spa session: you deserve it! And when you get home, make sure to spend some quality time with your kids and tell them how much you love them.

Be flexible

Parenting can be very rewarding – but it’s also challenging. If you want to do a good job as a parent, try to be as flexible as possible with your work schedule and other commitments. You don’t have to manage everything perfectly: just try to prioritize the tasks that matter most and say no whenever possible.

Remember that your kids only get one chance to grow up with you – so don’t feel obliged to do too many things just because it seems like the “right thing”. Do what you can and follow your instincts: everything else will fall into place eventually.

And if all else fails, try not to worry. Being a great parent doesn’t mean doing every single thing “right”: it’s about showing your children that you love them and setting an example for what a good life looks like. And in the end, that’s all that really matters!

Take advantage of technology

One of the best things about modern life is how easy it is to stay connected. There are countless parenting apps, online resources and forums that can give you valuable insights into raising children – so don’t be afraid to take advantage of them.

You might be surprised at how much support there is out there for parents who work long hours. There are websites dedicated specifically to the challenge of working while raising children, and experts who can simplify even the most daunting parenting tasks. And if all else fails, there’s nothing like a good old Google search to give you insights into just about anything…

If you try a few different resources and stay in touch with other parents, it won’t be long before you find your rhythm. The important thing is to get organized and use the time you do have with your kids wisely. Building memories through fun moments together will pay off in the end – so don’t forget to take a few minutes out of each day for quality time.

But technology is not only good to get parenting tips from other working moms. You can use it to stay connected with your kids all day, between meetings, during your lunch break or if you have a few minutes to spare between appointments.

Try to answer their texts, calls or emails every time they reach out, and you will see that everything will be just fine.

Facetime, Skype, Whatsapp, all these amazing apps can support you, in case you have long working hours and your kids want to say hello or see how you are. Tell them what you actually do in a day or in a meeting so they know the answer if they ask why you haven’t been answering their messages earlier.

And don’t be afraid to use technology in favor of your kids and not just for work: read a book with them, show them how you cook dinner, even take them outside and sit together on a bench while looking at the clouds or watching cars passing by. You will be surprised how much your children want to share their day with you and how easy it can be to make them happy with a simple phone call or a short video chat session.

Be proactive when it comes to homework

Despite being fully aware of how hard it is for parents who work long hours to manage homework, teachers can still find it challenging to give kids enough attention during the day. So if you have a child in school and you work long hours, remember that it’s up to you to take an active role in their education.

For example: if your child’s school asks kids to read a book and then prepare a written report about it, don’t just let the teacher handle it all. It might be natural for other parents who have more time on their hands, but since you are very busy there are good chances that this will get lost in the shuffle.

The solution? Just reach out to your kids’ teachers and let them know how demanding your schedule is – then ask what you can do to help. In most cases, they will be more than happy to provide with all the information your child needs, as long as you’re willing to be proactive about it.

You can even offer to come in and read the book together with your kids – or ask them to show you a few short videos online so that they can narrate what happens next. After all, there are no shortcuts when it comes to making learning fun – and your kids will remember everything they learn from you.

With a little effort, even parents who work long hours can have a good relationship with their kids – just by being there for them when it matters most. So don’t be afraid to ask your teachers or work colleagues for help if things get tough – after all, isn’t being a good parent the best business strategy of all?

Make time for yourself too

No matter how busy you are, don’t forget that you need time for yourself too. When your kids see that you take care of yourself, they will follow suit and find ways to relax on their own as well.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go out every night or splash money on fancy pampering sessions – as long as you put some time and effort into making yourself feel good, it’s alright.

For example schedule a doctor’s appointment every now and then so that your doctor can give your children their vaccines, or set up a dentist visit right after school so they can get their teeth checked before going to bed.

Even with a busy schedule, you don’t always need to hire extra help – at least not right away. Simply doing things yourself can make all the difference in how your kids see their responsibilities and why they should care about keeping themselves healthy.

Build your children’s independence and self-reliance skills by taking the time to be there for them during the day. Go outside with them or read a book together – that could be all it takes.

What are your tricks and tips for being a good parent even if you have long working hours?

Final Thoughts

Be honest, firm and consistent with your children, don't try to be the friend rather than the parent.

It's hard for parents who work long hours to manage homework so if you have a child in school and you work long hours, take an active role in their education. You can ask your kids' teachers or work colleagues for help. You can even go in and read the book or ask them to show you short videos so that they can narrate what happens next. Sometimes grandparents are good helpers too.

What are your experiences getting family life, parenting and your career to work together? Share your ideas in the comment section.