Back to School Balance
Busy. Hurried. Overwhelmed.
If you have kids and those sentiments sound familiar, you’re not alone — more than 80 percent of parents say they frequently feel rushed. Between jobs, school, homework, sports, and more, these five tweaks can help you strike a better balance as you try to juggle it all.
- Master the slow cooker. Prep and refrigerate ingredients the night before, stir them in your slow cooker in the a.m., and hit “start." Dinner will be waiting when the day's done.
- Create lunch lists. Sit with your kids and make a list of proteins, grains, fruits, veggies, and snacks they enjoy. Use the list to streamline lunch-packing and send a balanced meal.
- Tackle chores together. Involve your family in washing dishes or tidying the house on weekends. You’ll knock these chores out more quickly and free up time for other activities.
- Seize the night. Before the morning gets going, take some time to prep what you can the night before, such as packing backpacks and laying out clothes for yourself and your kids.
- Let something go. You might make it to the grocery store tonight, but laundry will have to wait until tomorrow. Maintaining realistic expectations is key for managing a hectic schedule.
