Relaxed parents = relaxed children?

Good time management in the family not only benefits the parents, it also shapes our children's personalities. It has long been known that babies already perceive the mother's stress level in the womb. Current research has also shown that constant stress in infancy and toddlerhood can affect children into adulthood: the more pressure parents are under in everyday life, the more stress-sensitive your children are.

So just stay relaxed?

Sounds simple enough — until everyday family life with all its big and small hurdles gets in the way. How can you stay calm when the child has a tantrum, the car breaks down, or you have three appointments in a row to get through? All parents are exhausted or completely frazzled now and then. But those who maintain a certain degree of inner calm in everyday life give their children emotional security, regardless of how stressful daily life is at the moment.

What does time management mean for the family?

When people think of optimal time management, many imagine a perfectly planned daily schedule, like top executives of large companies who keep to minute-by-minute appointments. In family life, good time management has a very different meaning. It's less about perfect organization and more about setting priorities. Those who focus on what matters most live together more contentedly. The challenge with this kind of time management is finding a balance between what the individual needs and what the family needs. Parents tend to put their own needs aside for the sake of the family — again and again, until they are exhausted and frustrated. Time management for the family means also making time for yourself and drawing new energy from it.

Everyday stress — is it all a matter of attitude?

Of course, personal stress levels also depend on life circumstances: how large the family is, how old the children are, whether one or both parents work, and so on. To a large extent, everyday stress also depends on one's own behavior. In this way we often get in the way of our own calm.

Trying to do everything at once

Anyone who tries to accomplish too many things at once quickly gets scattered. In the end nothing gets done properly, frustration grows, and as a result you set new goals again. Clear priority lists, for example in the form of to-do lists and a family calendar, can help break the cycle of stress and frantic activity.

Trying to do everything perfectly

Unrealistic demands are a sure source of stress, not only for the individual but also for those around them. Because someone who always wants to do everything perfectly usually expects the same from family members, colleagues, or friends. That is exhausting, and in the end you are rarely satisfied. Better: focus on what is important right now and postpone the rest.

Trying to do everything alone

Those who can't delegate easily become stressed, especially when there is a family and a job to manage. Often it's the perfectionists who prefer to do everything themselves. But: trusting other people is not only good for you, it also saves a lot of energy and time. Children in particular benefit when you give them small everyday tasks from the start. This makes family life more relaxed in the long run.

To-do lists: unbeatable helpers for family time management

A to-do list can help set priorities in everyday life and take on only what you can manage. To do this, design your personal list flexibly: instead of listing everything you want to accomplish in one day, divide the to-dos into

• Fixed appointments

• Urgent tasks

• Things you've always wanted to get done

Fixed appointments are entered directly into the calendar so they are set. For urgent tasks you can also set a day and a specific time period. All other things you do as they fit into everyday life. It is important that you continuously update your list so that you don't lose sight of anything.

Image credits

Mother cares for her daughters and shows the girls how to operate the washing machine © ABCreative - stock.adobe.com