BUSY BODIES

By Connie Byers

There’s nothing like the first day you see school supplies starting to arrive on the shelves to remind you that backto-school season is just around the corner. It’s a time that ushers in major changes in family routines, and it can be hard to balance for some. There are homework deadlines, an onslaught of appointments, after-school activities, sports practice schedules and school events, all of which may have to be managed while keeping up with a work schedule too. If you’re managing a jampacked on-the-go schedule, here are some helpful tips for balancing busy schedules.

Set Limits

Sure, one kid wants to be in basketball, baseball, football and track this year, while the other would like to do band, chorus and ballet. But if you’re a working parent with limited time, you’ll need to decide what’s realistically manageable for them and you. Otherwise, you could spend every day running through a drive-through and tossing a burger into the backseat as you rush to make practices on time instead of providing healthy meals.

K.I.S.S.

“Keep it Simple Silly” research shows that when we are required to make too many decisions, our productivity decreases. Reduce the brain drain by finding areas where decisions can be minimized. For example, plan out meals in advance so you won’t be asking yourself, “What am I going to do about dinner?” every night. President Obama once said that he only wore blue or grey suits so that he didn’t have to think about what to wear each day. When schedules are tight, the things you don’t have to think about can make all the difference.

Write It Down

Practice times. Doctors appointments. PTA meetings. Work deadlines. It can be next to impossible to remember all of the appointments and deadlines you have—and that’s where a written calendar comes in. Try a shared family calendar that keeps track of everyone’s activities so that everyone knows what’s going on. Keep it where everyone has access to it and refer to it daily; this will help you plan ahead and stay on top of things without getting overwhelmed—or forgetting about tomorrow’s school bake sale and that big meeting you have at work.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT “ME”

If you aren’t getting enough sleep, exercise, downtime and balanced nutrition, you won’t be able to manage your busy schedule. Yes, it’s great when you accomplish everything on your list, but if you aren’t taking time for yourself, you’ll burn out before you know it. Make sure to find time for friends and schedule time with your partner as well. Taking time for yourself can do wonders for your work-life balance, creativity and overall well-being.

An Apple A Day

Good nutrition is vital to keeping your body in peak condition to handle that busy schedule. Without it, you’ll be susceptible to illness and injury, both of which can bring everything to a halt. Meal prepping lunches can help you avoid the urge to grab takeout. When packing the kid’s lunches, pack some healthy snacks for yourself for the day too.

Get Your Steps In

Don’t have time for the gym? Don’t worry. Make a plan to park farther away at each stop you make to get in those extra steps while you check off the to-do list. Instead of sitting in the waiting room, check-in and walk around the building while you wait. Find small ways to get in extra movement each day to keep your mind and body active.

Be Prepared

There’s nothing harder than trying to get organized after school has started. Get your school supply lists in advance whenever possible, and get everything purchased early. Inevitably, one specific brush your kid needs for art class will be sold out. Shopping early will ensure you’re not scrambling to find one at the last minute.

Beyond school supplies, get the house prepared and organized too. Go through the kid’s clothes and have them try everything on. Items that have been outgrown can be cleared out and donated. Have your kids clean their rooms and decide on designated study areas for when school starts. It’s easier to keep your mental house in order if your physical house is already in order.

Ask For Help

Organizing, planning, scheduling and doing can all get overwhelming. Before you reach the breaking point, ask for help. Have your spouse or co-parent do some of the shopping, organizing or chauffeuring. Ask family or friends if they can pitch in when you have work tasks to power through. Talk to other parents at your kid’s school and activities. See if a carpool can be arranged to get everyone where they need to go and reduce the load on all of you.

Warning Signs Of Burnout

Dozing off at work, struggling to stay focused, becoming irritated easily and relying on excessive amounts of caffeine to stay awake are all warning signs that you have taken on more than you can handle.

Don’t ignore the warning. Reassess your schedule and your capabilities, and determine what can be cut back, what can be rearranged, and what you can delegate. Take the time you need to regroup and get back on track. High-stress levels can lead to illness just as easily as low nutrition levels. Finding ways to manage and reduce stress, and life will be easier.