I woke up late, bummed I hadn’t gotten a jump on the kids’ day off. I wandered down the hall into their rooms, kissed their cheeks, and told them to get up. They both stirred, but I didn’t feel too hopeful. Downstairs, I ate a bowl of cereal and checked the clock. It’d be lunchtime soon! Where were they? When they finally arrived, they wanted to know: “What’s there to eat? Can we watch TV?” It wasn’t how I wanted the day to go.
Rather than letting the day turn into a free-for-all with limitless screen time and kids still in PJs at dinner, I knew I needed to make some changes. Having a relaxing day at home every now and then is essential. But when a long weekend or school break stretches before you, it’s good to have an idea of what you want to accomplish with or without the kids. Incorporating these 5 ways to have a more productive day can lay the groundwork for years to come.
1. Plan ahead.
“Kids, we’re going to get up by 9 tomorrow,” I said one evening. I wanted to establish some structure to the following morning. After that, I’d let them know whether it’d be a morning of chores and music practice or time to watch cartoons.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that “like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar.” When they’re not in school, it helps to give kids a plan so they know what to expect. It’ll help you too!
Giving kids responsibilities teaches them self-reliance. Click To Tweet2. Delegate responsibilities.
Giving kids responsibilities teaches them self-reliance. Every year, as they get older, you can give them a little more. For example, last year, my daughter relied on me to strip and make her bed, but this year, she can do it by herself. Your child may balk at first when you give more responsibilities, but once she learns her capabilities, she’ll feel a sense of ownership of what she can do without you.
3. Set rules and boundaries.
The other day, my son swept the Risk board with his arm, knocking all the little pieces to the floor. He’d just realized his sister was about to conquer the world. Naturally, my daughter burst into tears because her victory had been ruined. My son had lost control, and when I told him he couldn’t play Minecraft later on, he understood why.
Having a more productive day is easier when kids know you’re going to follow through with consequences to the rules and boundaries you’ve set up.
4. Incorporate downtime.
If I don’t want to crash on the couch by 7 because I’ve been pulled in every direction during the day, I need to ensure my kids and I all have downtime. Downtime is good for the brain. Organizational psychologist Melissa Doman says that the brain is like a machine that, without downtime, can break down. Our brains “need moments of quiet” so they can “run efficiently” when they’re at work. Maybe that means the kids take a nap or read while you knit on the couch or read a book. Whatever it takes to switch gears so your brain can rest will help restore your energy and creative juices for the rest of the day.
5. Celebrate earned rewards and privileges.
Last summer, I had my kids do math, spelling, cursive practice, and journal writing before they could play. Some mornings, we all sat outside under a shady tree and worked. If I wanted a productive day, I needed them to do school work before they played. But once they’d checked off all their required assignments, they had the joy of hopping on their bikes or running through the sprinkler.
When kids are rewarded with free time to play outside, to watch TV, or to invite a friend over, they learn the value of hard work and the satisfaction of earning a privilege after a productive morning of work. Bonus for me: better behavior in the process!
What are some strategies you use for a productive day?
