Time Management - How do u parents deal with it?

[mummy of 2]

Since the kids were born, I have more or less given up watching TV while they are awake. Now the only TV i watch is children’s dvd, and Hong Kong TVB serials when the kids are asleep or taking nap. Also no more mahjong on Friday night/weekends. Only play like two three times a year.

[Luvkid]

mummy of 2:

Since the kids were born, I have more or less given up watching TV while they are awake. Now the only TV i watch is children's dvd, and Hong Kong TVB serials when the kids are asleep or taking nap. Also no more mahjong on Friday night/weekends. Only play like two three times a year.

mummy of 2, u r the good mom here...... :celebrate:

[pinkapple]

Wanta start my 4-year old son on Yamaha Junior music course.


but how to find time to practise on the keyboard/piano daily when we get home around 8pm everyday. still gotta do housework, etc, howta supervise practice?

[fristrom]

I am in a similar situation... my daughter started violin at 3.5 on her request. The first month was a disaster as both of us did not know what to expect. She is 4.5 now and things are running smoother these days i.e. things do get better if you are willing to put the time and effort into it


She is in full-day childcare till 5:30pm and goes to bed at 9pm. On a typical day, I come home ard 7pm and we start practicing around 7:30pm, finish in about 45mins. Apart from practice, she also have homework with note reading etc. As she does not know how to write her A,B,C etc., homework is more a headache so I usually get her to do it on the weekend when we have more time.

My advice are as follows:
- Be clear of your objectives and expectation on why she is attending the class.
- Fixing the number of repetition (e.g. song A 3 times, song B 3 times etc.) is better than fixing period (e.g. 30 mins) as there will be a lot of breaks in between
- Be persistent: there will be days that she does not want to practice and I believe giving in will only makes it harder the next day... having said that, on the days she is tired, I will reduce what she has to practice. If she is sick, there is also no reason to force her either.

Personally, I have no expectation as far as exam and grading is concern. My only requirement is: as long as she is going to class, she has to practice. It is hard work but it is something that I look forward to everyday. Now that she knows a bit more, we can talk about major, minor, arpeggios etc. etc.

In your case, if your son only comes home at 8pm and you still have housework to do, I am not sure whether it is worth the additional stress. There is no \"advantage\" to start playing instrument so young. Anyway, good luck and enjoy your musical journey

[Leia vader]

Plan to shift them to the studyroom for routine studytime, from the living (where the tv is). :siam:


Though expecting alot of distraction and :frustrated: in betw (eg. i want!! i want!! *snatch gorgor's books* etc) will let them study together. hope it works..

[Leia vader]

I just started giving them homework to do (just one page) when i’m at work. With my mom’s help to ensure they finish their homework before rewarding them with computer, tv etc.


Thanks Luvkid for making me ganchiong. LOL

Yup we celebrate their birthdays together every year.

[Luvkid]

Leia vader:

I just started giving them homework to do (just one page) when i'm at work. With my mom's help to ensure they finish their homework before rewarding them with computer, tv etc.


Thanks Luvkid for making me ganchiong. LOL

Yup we celebrate their birthdays together every year.

No huh, Leia vader, i am not ganchioning u... Anyway, u did it and u r on the right track. Continue, u can do it!! :celebrate: BUT, sometimes can \"snake\" a bit, just like me...... :evil:

[mummy of 2]

Luvkid:

mummy of 2:

Since the kids were born, I have more or less given up watching TV while they are awake. Now the only TV i watch is children's dvd, and Hong Kong TVB serials when the kids are asleep or taking nap. Also no more mahjong on Friday night/weekends. Only play like two three times a year.

mummy of 2, u r the good mom here...... :celebrate:

I'm forced to, cos my kids will complain if I even read the papers. They want my company. Sometimes it's nice :love: but other times I feel :frustrated:

[Leia vader]

Luvkid:

Haiz.......it really take effort to manage our time well, especially as being FTWP. :celebrate:


My weekday schedule (not including school holidays nor public holidays):-

After knocking off from work at 5pm (so far so good, has been on the dot :love: DON\"T ENVY ME HUH, my pay is low.... ), if weather permits, i will have a short 15 mins brisk walk (no dress code for my work place, so ususally i put on fitted T shirt with a pair of jeans or pants, and my worth buying pair of \"walking slippers\" :shock: and my bag too) before fetching DS2 (4 yo) from CCC.

Usually reach home by 6.20pm-6.30pm, including DH will be able to fetch DS1 (8 yo) from school. Most of the time he can make it... :love: I will make \"lazy\" soup (dump ingredients like meat, carrot, fish cake/ball, tofu,crab meat, vege....) to go with rice or noodles. Sometimes, i can be lazy and packed food from coffee shop. Will settle DS2 shower time;sometimes NEED to help DS1 in order to get things speed up :!: Will have dinner together at 7-7.15pm, without DH cos he is on diet :?: ????? If dinner finishes early, both DS will have time for TV. DS2 not a TV lover though, just let him be free & easy....DS1,however, will be attracted by the TV,no matter what programme, from chn drama to cartoon, everything also can.

My time with DS1 will start off at 8pm, just sit with him while he does his homework/learn spelling,revision if allow; DS2 still quite clingy to me, he is still having his free & easy time while DH can be there just watching TV :rant: or even sometimes :snooze: :snooze: !!! I will juggle through with DS1 till 9-9.30pm, and there goes his TV time while i have my shower time & watch up the boys' uniform. The rest of the laundry will leave it till weekend.... DS2 will still need the \"full strength\" of milk before bedtime.....

By 10-10.30pm, both boys got to brush teeth and followed by story time. DS2 still needs me to read for him while DS1 will read by himself if he is willing to... Sometimes, i will change story time to play time (not the rough play though....) and 3 of us go :snooze: I used to get up again after they sleep, BUT, my body dun allow me anymore cos no stamina .

At times, I will try to schedule in bicycle ride (15-20 min) instead of TV time, hence, shower time will be swopped with dinner time.

There are times where things dun go this way when DS1 attends his taekwando training on Wed, so on that particular day, his study time will be rushy & shorter. :roll:

My weekend schedule or school/public holiday or friday nite:-

FREE & EASY!!!! RELAX, or else very siong!!! We will try to bring the boys to farm visits, grocery shopping, or even just have car ride-wandering in the car at the less remote place in Singapore.....All of us just :love: & enjoy it!! :celebrate:

I am reading this for inspiration. I too leave on the dot. :love: (by 4! sometimes 5..) and usually home by 6pm :please:

[Luvkid]

Leia vader:

I am reading this for inspiration. I too leave on the dot. :love: (by 4! sometimes 5..) and usually home by 6pm :please:

Wow, knock off at 4, that's pretty much early! Shiok huh? :love: