Children often look up to their parents as role models and sometimes, even superheroes. With all the multitasking parents have to do, the title is well-deserved. On top of juggling everyday duties like work and chores, parents have to find time to manage their children’s schedules. This means keeping track of their homework, managing their co-curricular activities, setting aside time to bond with them, all while rushing for work deadlines and getting dinner on the table.

It might feel like there are simply not enough hours in a day but sometimes, it will be good to pause and remind yourself that it is impossible to do everything all at once. We all aspire to be the perfect Mum or Dad in our children’s lives but sometimes, all they want is to spend more time with us. Here are 3 tips to help you manage your time better so you can achieve more:

1. Choose the right battles

Be extremely selective with what you should give your time to. Learn to say no to things that fall outside of your priorities and do not add value to you or your children’s time. Like it or not, your children’s time represents your time as well — after all, you will have to be the one to prepare them for every event and drive them to and fro — so be wise about how it is spent as well. Sacrifices made could cause distress to both you and your children in the long run. Sometimes, the opportunity costs aren’t that worth it.

2. Keep track of time with a timer

We’ve all taken a 15-minute social media break which ended up extending to an hour. Things such as clearing your inbox, packing the house, scrolling social media and more can eat up oodles of time without you even noticing. This leaves you with less time to complete the more urgent tasks at hand and adds unnecessary stress to your day. Keep yourself in check by setting a timer for each task and stick to it when the timer rings. This way, you can complete your to-do list on time and enjoy more time with the family. Teach your children to observe the clock too, this habit will stay with them for years to come and make them more conscientious of their tasks and promotes good habits and behaviour.

3. De-stress and recharge

Take a break! You deserve it! Even a battery needs recharging sometimes. Breaking down isn’t an option for busy mums and dads, but taking a break once in a while will recharge you for the longer journey ahead. Paint, jog, go for a spin class or simply, taking a nap. When you take care of yourself, you are happier and your children will enjoy time with you even more.

Rest doesn’t have to only take place away from your children. Studies have shown that spending time with family can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a healthier lifestyle and even, lengthen your life!

Hat’s off to all the parents out there, being a parent is no easy task. There will always be unexpected things that crop up and make your schedule go haywire. But remember, all you can do is your best. Give your children the best of yourself, not the rest of yourself!