<![CDATA[Time Management - How do u parents deal with it?]]>Hi I am new here! So glad to hv found this forum, becos it suits me the best, and answers most of my stressful problems.

I hv a 4 & a half daughter, am a working mother and hv no maid. Wun consider one until i hv my 2nd child. ANyway, here i am, asking u folks, how do u manage your time? As in how do u juggle work, family(hubby & kids), friends, fitness or beauty at the same time?
My main concern is of cos my daughter's education. I find tat I do not hv any time to coach her with her studies. My MIL takes care of her but my MIL is not educated, so she only speaks Mandarin. As a result, everyday after school, my daughter does nothing but play with her nieces and watch cartoons. There is no one to sit down with her to study. And when I am off work, by the time I go and fetch her back fr there, it would be 9 plus already, which means nearly her bed time. So where do I find the time to coach her in her studies? I hv tried to give her homework to do in the day, she did the first few times, but then later i found out it was the maid (not mine) who did it for her. I'm so frustrated. :stupid:
Anyone got any advice? I planning to send her to some evening classes, but tat would also mean i hv to rush back fr work to fetch her to the class.

Anyone can help this busy mummy here? :?

Thanks in advance~

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/4144/time-management-how-do-u-parents-deal-with-itRSS for NodeTue, 28 Apr 2026 10:15:40 GMTWed, 15 Jul 2009 10:06:38 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Fri, 21 May 2010 22:46:44 GMT]]>

mumma_bear:
I salute you, schellen, on being so disciplined in following your daily priorities. Good Time Management really is sometimes difficult to implement. I'm a working mom too, but I'm lucky to have worked from home. It definitely gives me time to tend to my son more than working far from home...I hope anybody who's having time management problems get to settle on the best solution soon.

Hi! I quit my job last Nov to be a SAHM. I gave birth to DD2 last Dec so that made us decide once and for all. DD1 still has a schedule to follow at home but not as hectic as before. Thank goodness she has 2 late days in school and she is more independent, responsible and reliable now.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/191168https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/191168Fri, 21 May 2010 22:46:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Fri, 21 May 2010 12:56:44 GMT]]>

schellen:
My DH and I work full-time. We both end at 6 so my mom helps to pick up my DD (7 yo) from After School Care and give her dinner. We meet my mom at the MRT station at 7pm and on the way home, we may run errands so we may get home close to 8pm. When we get home, DD knows what she has to do: shower, pack bag, do homework (if any), revise for spelling/tingxie (a day before), do music theory homework and practise playing the piano.

Meanwhile, DH quickly feeds his pet fishes and showers so that he can supervise/help DD. He eats dinner after 9pm sometimes. I rush through my chores, eat my dinner quickly (I cannot eat late or else I will get gastric/headache, etc.) and shower. Then, I take over from/join DH. By then, it is usually about 9pm.
DD still needs to be \"hurried\" since she loves to dally. We remind her that she will lose her playtime or have a shorter storytime if she \"wastes\" too much time. Usually, she \"makes it\" and requests for PC/TV/game time by herself or with us. This can take 10-45 minutes, depending on how much time is left and whether the following day is a school day.
Before bedtime, we take turns to read to her. After that, DH has his PC time (and sometimes, dinner time!) while I deal with the rest of my chores like laundry. I leave major chores like ironing and scrubbing to the weekends.
On Saturdays, DD goes for piano and ballet with my MIL. She spends Sundays with my ILs and/or my parents. This works for all of us since they hardly see her and we need the time to clean the house, rest and catch up with friends.
Our schedule is still being fine-tuned to be more efficient as we feel that DD deserves to spend more time relaxing after she gets home. (She does assessment books and homework at After School Care.) Our schedule means DH and me will only spend time together after our DD goes to bed. It is hectic on weekdays but there isn't much we can do about it as we live in such a demanding society.
I salute you, schellen, on being so disciplined in following your daily priorities. Good Time Management really is sometimes difficult to implement. I'm a working mom too, but I'm lucky to have worked from home. It definitely gives me time to tend to my son more than working far from home...I hope anybody who's having time management problems get to settle on the best solution soon.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/190822https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/190822Fri, 21 May 2010 12:56:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Sat, 15 May 2010 23:33:04 GMT]]>

Luvkid:
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.

😒 There is change of management in my office, there is going to be a BIG REFORM though there is only 2 existing staffs. We are like being \"sold\" together with the company to a new owner-MY CURRENT BOSS.....The previous boss worth the retirement now as he has been wanting to do so 3 years ago. After several interviews, he finally found a suitable & capable buyer to buy over the company business and the 2 staffs......(my colleague and myself) As promise made to my previous boss, i will stay as long as the new boss is not being nasty.....My only hope is that he must be understanding towards our issues with kids.....


1st reformation-We must strive together, we must have the drive....ok, i will, i will.......


2nd reformation-Change of working hours 😒 Starts 15 mins earlier and ends 1/2 hour later, so my knock off time will be 5.30pm, instead of 5pm......He wants us to extend our lunch hour to 1 hour, instead of 1/2 hour, so overall we work extra of 15 mins :roll: All these wef July. But in order to adjust, we are already trying out.....


3rd reformation-................things about business operation blah blah blah.....


With changes of the above, my time alone (short/brisk walk) will be no more 😞 But luckily DH knock off time has brought forward 1/2 hour earlier, so he can fetch me somewhere near my work place and we fetch DS2 together by 6.15pm, and see who to fix dinner and who to fetch DS1 (school ends at 6.30pm for him), we will arrange this last minute. However if DH needs to OT (which is very unusual, i will have to handle alone.....fetching 2 kid here & there.....)


But guess that dinner time/study time (study time is taken out for these few weeks-Yeah!! :rahrah: ,exams over liao mah πŸ˜‰ )/playtime/housework time πŸ˜› will remain usual till bedtime.....


All the best to myself to adjusting the new boss,but the old environment.... :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/186467https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/186467Sat, 15 May 2010 23:33:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:29:29 GMT]]>

Leia vader:
Heh sidetrack abit. how to \"quote\" ? i seem to get it wrong all the time. :?

:offtopic: Click on Quote on top of the Reply box, drag your mouse to the post u want to quote, highlight the sentence, right click, choose to copy, drag the mouse back to the reply box and right click, choose to paste, click on the Quote on top of the Reply box again. Then post your reply.

Hope my \"teaching\" is clear enuf for you... πŸ˜‰
[quote]Thank you for the support! dont bluff on the kpkb.. [/quote]Hey, really leh, i was :? for the initial time i read it. And i REALLY, REALLY read for 3 times then gotcha leh :please:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150689https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150689Wed, 31 Mar 2010 03:29:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:58:07 GMT]]>U can do it! :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150663https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150663Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:58:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:45:17 GMT]]>

Leia vader:
i tell them its a project. and the rule is to be quiet (pretend u are in a library) and \"concentrate\" during the 5 mins flipping time. when they distract me,. i just ssssshh them. like this: :nunchuk: then they are back to flipping and \"concentrating\" quietly to choose a topic. so i get some peace to read something i see and like quickly too. :lol:

This is a great idea. I'm going to try it πŸ˜„

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150637https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150637Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:45:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:23:50 GMT]]>Thank you for the support! dont bluff on the kpkb..


Heh sidetrack abit. how to \"quote\" ? i seem to get it wrong all the time. :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150608https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150608Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:23:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:17:15 GMT]]>i tell them its a project. and the rule is to be quiet (pretend u are in a library) and \"concentrate\" during the 5 mins flipping time. when they distract me,. i just ssssshh them. like this: :nunchuk: then they are back to flipping and \"concentrating\" quietly to choose a topic. so i get some peace to read something i see and like quickly too. :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150591https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150591Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:17:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:01:41 GMT]]>

Leia vader:
the company i work in promoting work life balance. i using this as a weapon kaopaykaobu to my boss so he now lets me leave at 4 loh. HAHA!

u should say \"cry father cry mother\" instead of kaopaykaobu... :rotflmao: cos the latter description makes me :?
[quote]why not get them involved in the things u like? can try reading the newspaper with them. i am doing that whenever i can. its great! they get to pick any topic they like (after flipping for about 5 mins) and we discuss it. recently, my elder k2 even got a formal award from school for bringing in one of the newspaper articles (which he did with mommy from home) for show & tell to share with his friends. [/quote]This is a great one, Leia vader! :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150570https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150570Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:01:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:07:28 GMT]]>

Leia vader:
Luvkid:

[quote=\"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:

the company i work in promoting work life balance. i using this as a weapon kaopaykaobu to my boss so he now lets me leave at 4 loh. HAHA![/quote]My compnay also promoting work-life balance but it doesn't actually translate into any tangible measures. 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150147https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150147Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:07:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:05:18 GMT]]>

Leia vader:
mummy of 2:

[quote=\"Luvkid\"]
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:

Mummy of 2

why not get them involved in the things u like? can try reading the newspaper with them. i am doing that whenever i can. its great! they get to pick any topic they like (after flipping for about 5 mins) and we discuss it. recently, my elder k2 even got a formal award from school for bringing in one of the newspaper articles (which he did with mommy from home) for show & tell to share with his friends. :celebrate:

i only recently invited friends over for mahjong again 2x a month (when they sleep) :lol:[/quote]Thanks for suggestion. I do ask them to look at the pictures, so I can at least quickly flip and look at the headlines. But it's hard to concentrate when they keep asking me questions.

As for mahjong, not feasible for the time being cos their afternoon nap is too short, and the mahjong room is now occupied by maid, so can't use it at night 😒

Only thing I can do is watch TVB drama serial after they sleep.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150143https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150143Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:05:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:54:32 GMT]]>

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:

the company i work in promoting work life balance. i using this as a weapon kaopaykaobu to my boss so he now lets me leave at 4 loh. HAHA!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150122https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150122Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:54:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:51:30 GMT]]>

mummy of 2:
Luvkid:

[quote=\"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:[/quote]Mummy of 2

why not get them involved in the things u like? can try reading the newspaper with them. i am doing that whenever i can. its great! they get to pick any topic they like (after flipping for about 5 mins) and we discuss it. recently, my elder k2 even got a formal award from school for bringing in one of the newspaper articles (which he did with mommy from home) for show & tell to share with his friends. :celebrate:

i only recently invited friends over for mahjong again 2x a month (when they sleep) :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150119https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150119Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:51:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:34:36 GMT]]>

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:

I will be happy if I can leave office at 6 sharp. Most days, it's impossible. 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150101https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150101Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:34:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:31:01 GMT]]>

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:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150096https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150096Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:31:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:22:47 GMT]]>

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.... πŸ˜› 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... πŸ™ 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!!! πŸ˜› 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:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150086https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150086Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:22:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:09:19 GMT]]>

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:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150060https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150060Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:09:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:50:05 GMT]]>

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... πŸ˜‰ 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:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150042https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/150042Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:50:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:25:43 GMT]]>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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/149563https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/149563Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:25:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:02:08 GMT]]>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.. πŸ™

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/149562https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/149562Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:02:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:50:29 GMT]]>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 πŸ˜„


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

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147976https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147976Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:50:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:12:00 GMT]]>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?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147864https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147864Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:12:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:04:51 GMT]]>

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:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147502https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147502Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:04:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Time Management - How do u parents deal with it? on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:01:25 GMT]]>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.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147493https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147493Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:01:25 GMT