How to Make Space for Family Time in a Busy Schedule
When you’re constantly busy, making time for family, friends and yourself can seem impossible. However, you can do many little things that mean a lot to your loved ones. Here’s how to prioritize family time despite a packed schedule.
Work a Set Schedule
Organize your schedule for the week before it begins. This will give you an estimate of the free time you will have for your family. Everyone has obligations, but overdoing things leaves you with less time for loved ones and could lead to burnout.
Sometimes work tends to bleed into your free time and you need to answer emails and calls. Do this when your kids do homework or while your parents eat dinner before meeting up. Keep the time you have set aside a priority, just like you do for work.
Plan Family Time
You may be the busiest person in your family, but everyone has tasks to complete daily. Keep your loved ones in the loop and figure out how to merge schedules. When doing so, set aside time for family activities. Making plans in advance gives everyone time to clear their schedules for each other. Perhaps that means a regular Friday movie night, a Saturday at the park or regular mealtimes. Put these things on a calendar everyone can access, having something to look forward to.
Share Your Interests
Many parents struggle to find time to practice their own hobbies and interests when juggling other responsibilities. However, you don’t have to choose between me-time and family time. Why not combine them by introducing your kids or spouse to your favorite activities?
If you’re an avid reader, try to find a book that interests everyone, including you, to read at bedtime. Maybe you or your husband like to golf – children as young as 2 years old can start learning sports at a basic level. Showing your kids what your passions are may inspire them to follow in your footsteps and strengthen your bond even more.
Turn Chores Into Games
Chores should be planned separately from family time. However, you can work on them together and even turn them into a game. Play basketball by tossing clothes into the hamper, do stretches or exercises between activities, or turn on some music and dance while doing the dishes.
All this can serve as a warm-up for scheduled fun family time. It can even play into something you all decide to do together. The stretches may turn into a yoga session or listening to music might turn into karaoke. The options are nearly endless.
Have Weekly Family Dinners
Everyone loves a delicious dinner after a long day, and it’s best if the whole family is there. Even doing this one day a week will make a huge difference.
Mealtime is the perfect opportunity to discuss what is happening in everyone's lives. You can take it a step further and get everyone involved with cooking. Teamwork can help build communication skills while bonding with each other.
Do Something Simple
Family time does not have to be some extravagant plan. Sitting down and enjoying a show together or even doing separate tasks in the same room can be fulfilling. Simple moments together, like listening to music or watching a movie, are enough to get in the time you want to feel close to your family. Sometimes the best memories are made in the simplest of ways.
Make Time for Each Other
It is just as essential to make time for family as for work and yourself. These relationships are necessary for your support system and keep you happy throughout the busiest of days. It is an excellent reminder of why you work so hard in the first place. Spend time together to strengthen your bond, celebrate your achievements and create lasting memories.
Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She has a passion for writing about ways to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life, especially for new moms.
