4 Steps to calm your schedule chaos

I heard a friend asking, “Why does a day have to have only 24 hours?” while looking at the piles
of unchecked reports on her table. So many of us share her sentiments, especially since a
majority of the population devote the biggest chunk of their day to work. When everyday is like
a Cirque du Soleil balancing act for work, health, and social life, it’s always great to be reminded
to protect the absolutely necessary FAMILY TIME that seems to keep us sane and smiling.
Can’t find enough time to spend with the family? Consider these tips that will help you
minimize busy schedules and create more family bonding moments:

1. Put a cap on overtime.

Trapped under a pile of pending items at work? Remember to manage time wisely by focusing
on a plan and scheduling everything – yes, even family time! Keep track of how often and how
long you do overtime at work and set a limit. Remember, there were no deathbed regrets
about “not having worked more”, so kick up your heels and go home!

As a public school teacher and a mom, Eunice Gillana keeps her eye on both roles, knowing
where her priority lies. “Amid my busy schedule and not to mention that Saturdays and
Sundays are sometimes scheduled for seminars, I [just make] sure that after 5:00 p.m., all
school work must be left behind, and I have to transform from a teacher to a mommy.”
She adds, “I make sure that I am the one who is assisting my kids in making their assignments
and clarifying lessons if they didn’t get it, asking them what happened in school, and making
sure that they open up their secrets to me even their crushes. In these little conversations, we
bond as a family.”

2. Make your ‘power routine’.

Set mother-and-daughter-dates every mid-week and “spouse time” every Fridays, and never
forget about it. It doesn’t need to be expensive. It could be as simple as a walk in the park and
dinner out with your hubby/wifey or a red velvet cupcake bakefest with your eldest. Just
remember to set a doable frequency. Set realistic and doable schedules for time with the fam
bam. Even the corporate mantra of having S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic
and timely) goals applies to family targets too. Keep these in mind when planning your soon-to-
be family tradition.

3. Mobilize the family ‘volunteers’.

Have everyone post their weekly schedule on the fridge so you can compare each other’s
schedule. While everyone may have a lot on her plate, there are definitely times when ate or
kuya can take charge and fill in for you when you’re up to your neck with errands. For example,
if your spouse has lighter Tuesdays, he could be the one to do the groceries and pay some bills.
Knowing what everyone is doing during the week could also make it easier for the family to
support one another.

Mailyn Baring, a mom of two kids and a quality control officer, works on a night shift with a
minimum of 38 hours per week. With her gruelling schedule, her priorities remain crystal clear.
She says, “As a mom, my family is always my priority. I would attend the school activities of my
kids, and I make sure that I am always with them when they are sick. Balancing schedules are
never easy. That’s why I and my husband would observe work shifts to comply [with] our duty
as parents and be there to guide them.”

4. Save those dates!

Time for family does not just mean out-of-town trips or dinner dates. Family time would also
mean being physically present in personal milestones and achievements. Kids’ recognition
ceremonies, piano recitals, grand reunions, and birthdays are just some of these.   Block these
dates in advance and apply for leave way ahead to avoid backing out at the last minute because
of your workload.

When you look back at life, you won’t really remember your corporate career highlights or how
you got your boss’ approval, it’ll really be about the family moments that seem to be etched in
gold. Let’s bring back the luxury of “wasting time” with our family. It’s a way to raise a healthy
and happy home where everyone feels loved, listened to, and cherished.