Time Management: Step 3 The Final Step

Now that your child has developed their "To Do" List and balanced their Time Budget, it is time to put their schedule down on paper. If you find that your child is resistant to completing this step, use an example from your own life when you forgot to do something important because you hadn't written it down.  This example will be much more effective if it involved them.  Maybe a time that you forgot to pick them up. 

The format is not important.  It could be as complicated as a detailed outline or calendar that many computers or phones have, or as simple as a list of activities needing done during the day.  If you go with the list, you might also use a calendar to list those things that you deadlines or activities that are scheduled for a later date.

Time Management: Step 2

Step 2 to teaching your child to manage theirr time is "balancing the time budget".  Just like money, time needs to be balanced.  There are twenty-four hours in a day, never any more.  Your child will need to learn how to balnce there day in order to fit in all the things they want to do.  Their budget will cover the entire twenty-four hours because they have included the necessities of life (sleep, eating and cleanliness) on their list of things to do.

Begin by having your child assign times for each of the things on the list that they developed in step 1.  They may need to do this for each of the days of the week, as their activities may not always be the same.  Add up the amount of time needed to do all the things listed.  If the amount of time required comes in under 24 hours, they're done.  If the time comes in over twenty-four hours, they will need to revisit their list and cut back on or eliminate certain activities in order to fit the twenty-four hour time allotment.  Many children will try to cut back on sleep, but this is not a good idea as someone who is sleep deprived is less efficient and will take more time to do things.  This may be a good lesson for adults to learn as well.

Time Management: Step 1

Help your child to develop a list of their "Have to Do's", "Want to Do's" and the "Things I Need to Do to Get Me Where I Want to Be in the Future" (goals).  Make sure that they include sleeping, eating and personal hygiene on their "Have to Do's" list.

It May Be More Important Than Every to Teach Our Children about Time and Money Management

Given the world's bleak financial outlook and employer's expectation of increased productivity, teaching our children about time and money management may be more important than ever.  Even if you find that you are anything like me, and find yourself falling short on your own skills in these two areas, you still can teach your children a better way.  You may find that by teaching your children these skills, you may improve your own skills.  Keep in mind the best way of teaching children lessons is to be a good role model.  Children do not always listen to what we say, but they are always attentive to what we are doing.

This series will include ideas on how to teach these skills to your children, as well as some fun activities to help your child put these skills to use.