Time management is something we all struggle with especially teaching it to our kids. I feel like I spend so much time on getting my kids ready for bed or ready to leave when we have someplace to be. I am hovering around all of them because they won't stay on task otherwise. This is really bothering me that for as independent as they are, they can not accomplish getting ready in a timely manner without me telling them step by step what to do.
Bath was of particular problem. If we have no where to be, and you just need a bath, then by all means-I let my oldest sit in a bubble bath for as long as she would like (sometimes this is an hour!) But when it keeps getting closer and closer to bedtime, or we are late for an appointment, I need her to stay on track!
I have come to the realization that the kids are not doing this to be slow, and when I say "Hurry up, you have been in there for a half an hour and still have not washed your hair" I am suspecting that sounds like nothing but noise and has no meaning.
So, in an effort to prevent yelling and fighting over this, and to teach time management skills, I bought a fancy timer. We sat and had discussion about what we thought was a reasonable amount of time for simple tasks such as taking a bath or shower, and brushing hair and teeth etc, etc.
We agreed upon 15 minutes for a bath or shower. This timer has worked wonders in our home! They set the timer and can watch it while they are in the bath. Sometimes, when they get distracted with playing or relaxing in the bath the time flies by, the timer dings and much to their surprise, without me having to say a word, they realize that they have really wasted time!
Now, while the timer has it's perks, I have to be careful not to abuse this tool. This tool is here to help us all learn time management, not so that I can micro-manage everything they do. We as adults, don't appreciate being micro-managed, so I try to avoid doing this to my kids. Sometimes, it's OK to stray from the rules of the timer. Yes, take a shower for 20 minutes if you want, but remember, when it is near bedtime or we have somewhere to be, you really should think about how much time you spend!
An added bonus: When all 5 of us need a shower, the timer is REALLY helpful as we all compete to see who can take the quickest shower!
Math Lesson: We have been able to get Math story problems out of the deal! If you set the timer for 15 minutes, and you get out before if goes off and the timer reads 7 minutes, 39 seconds, how long were you in the shower?
Sustainability Tip: While discussing how much time it takes to bathe, you can also discuss how much water you think is necessary. Again, don't helicopter parent and say you only need x amount of water. Instead, present them with the facts explaining that water doesn't magically appear and that it is one of Earth's resources. Explain how it gets to our house and that it is not free. (If you don't know all the facts of water, or how to present them then watch a documentary or get a book-viola-there is a homeschool lesson!) Then, ask what they feel is an appropriate amount of water is to fill the bathtub with. You might give a suggestion, or let them know what works well for you, but keep it as a suggestion. Some people may just like more water to splash around in
It's all in our approach, I have learned. Instead of me shouting to hurry up and get out and ask what in the heck takes them so long, all I have to say is "Did you set your timer?"
Bath was of particular problem. If we have no where to be, and you just need a bath, then by all means-I let my oldest sit in a bubble bath for as long as she would like (sometimes this is an hour!) But when it keeps getting closer and closer to bedtime, or we are late for an appointment, I need her to stay on track!
I have come to the realization that the kids are not doing this to be slow, and when I say "Hurry up, you have been in there for a half an hour and still have not washed your hair" I am suspecting that sounds like nothing but noise and has no meaning.
So, in an effort to prevent yelling and fighting over this, and to teach time management skills, I bought a fancy timer. We sat and had discussion about what we thought was a reasonable amount of time for simple tasks such as taking a bath or shower, and brushing hair and teeth etc, etc.
We agreed upon 15 minutes for a bath or shower. This timer has worked wonders in our home! They set the timer and can watch it while they are in the bath. Sometimes, when they get distracted with playing or relaxing in the bath the time flies by, the timer dings and much to their surprise, without me having to say a word, they realize that they have really wasted time!
Now, while the timer has it's perks, I have to be careful not to abuse this tool. This tool is here to help us all learn time management, not so that I can micro-manage everything they do. We as adults, don't appreciate being micro-managed, so I try to avoid doing this to my kids. Sometimes, it's OK to stray from the rules of the timer. Yes, take a shower for 20 minutes if you want, but remember, when it is near bedtime or we have somewhere to be, you really should think about how much time you spend!
An added bonus: When all 5 of us need a shower, the timer is REALLY helpful as we all compete to see who can take the quickest shower!
Math Lesson: We have been able to get Math story problems out of the deal! If you set the timer for 15 minutes, and you get out before if goes off and the timer reads 7 minutes, 39 seconds, how long were you in the shower?
Sustainability Tip: While discussing how much time it takes to bathe, you can also discuss how much water you think is necessary. Again, don't helicopter parent and say you only need x amount of water. Instead, present them with the facts explaining that water doesn't magically appear and that it is one of Earth's resources. Explain how it gets to our house and that it is not free. (If you don't know all the facts of water, or how to present them then watch a documentary or get a book-viola-there is a homeschool lesson!) Then, ask what they feel is an appropriate amount of water is to fill the bathtub with. You might give a suggestion, or let them know what works well for you, but keep it as a suggestion. Some people may just like more water to splash around in
It's all in our approach, I have learned. Instead of me shouting to hurry up and get out and ask what in the heck takes them so long, all I have to say is "Did you set your timer?"
Basic function skills skills take a long time to fully develop, so it is important to provide children with a solid foundation along the way. Time management is one such skill which should taught from their childhood itself.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that parents should use some application to give essential time management training for their kids. Personally, I have been using one such application namely Replicon's time recording software ( http://www.replicon.com/olp/online-time-recording-software.aspx ). It has user-friendly features which helps the kids to understand more easily.