Managing Your Time: You Can be a Great Mom and a Top Student

As a parent, you are fully aware that children and productivity don’t exactly mix. If the Covid pandemic taught us anything, it’s that time management skills are essential. Maintaining a healthy balance between children and chores is challenging enough so earning a degree remotely may seem like an impossibility. Along with routine chores like cleaning, sweeping, and picking up belongings and toys, there are lots of enjoyable and frequently overlooked activities that can help move you one step closer to obtaining an online degree.

Draw on Your Resources

Make sure your family and friends are on your side. Ask your partner, older child, or mother-in-law to watch the children while you study. Cash in on all favors due. Think about hiring an hourly babysitter if this is financially feasible so you may devote a portion of the day to studying. 

If you have young children, give your studies your full focus during their nap times. You can opt to get the bulk of your work done after the children have gone to bed or before they wake up for the day. Be prepared: keep everything they need close at hand. This may include diapers, a change of clothes, favorite toys, and a variety of snacks (for you and your child). 

Incentives

Create an agenda with goals for your children to keep them occupied while you study. Make a list of activities for them to do. This can include domestic duties and their homework. Chores that can take a longer period can be things like washing windows and mirrors. If they are older, they could even make homemade detergents. You could ask them to put the pantry in order. 

Create a straightforward instruction sheet with straightforward directions. Another chore that can take some time is cleaning and restocking the spice jars. Offer reward incentives if they remain silent for a predetermined period or complete a certain number of activities. After dinner, ice cream or the opportunity to watch their favorite TV show or movie could serve as this reward. You can be a little more lenient when it comes to screen time if this helps you concentrate on your work. 

Include the Children

Establish clear boundaries. Explain to your children that even though you are at home, you need a specific amount of uninterrupted study time. If you are a nurse, remind them of the added benefits that will be available once you obtain your masters in nursing leadership. If you are a teacher, explain the benefits of you obtaining a master’s degree in education. They’ll be more likely to respect such boundaries if they know what to anticipate.

You could assign your children the task of making dinner once a week. They could use your favorite cookbook or browse a kid-friendly recipe website. Print their chosen recipes and let it be a family vote to decide on entrée, main dish, and dessert. They could even be assigned the task of creating the weekly shopping list. 

If you manage your time well, you will find that you can be a great mom and a top student.