Schedules, schedules, schedules. Go, go, go. We’re just starting the season of life with school, sports practices, and play dates. Being on time to activities and using time efficiently is important in our everyday lives. We have alarms to wake up us and clocks to keep us in check.
But I have found that a timer is a great addition to keeping us punctual and productive.
A timer is a visual reminder of how long you have to complete a task. I’m a visual learner. If I can see it, I will remember it. Here are some ways a timer has helped save my sanity at home, and as facilitated better time management with my family.
With My Kids
Getting Ready: My oldest has quite the competitive edge. Timing how fast he can get ready really motivates him. Whether it’s getting dressed for school or putting on PJs, he loves to try and ‘beat his time.’
Cleaning Up: Let’s face it- motivating kids to clean up is like pulling teeth. Looking at the disastrous playroom would make anyone run. But I’ve found if I set a timer for three or five minutes, a lot is accomplished! It may not look perfect, but it’s better than how it was found, and I’m good with that. I have also found cute ‘clean up’ songs on YouTube (Momo-free channels!) that the kids love to listen to while they pick up. Once the songs are finished, the picking up is done too!
Screen Time: The kids’ tablets have timers on them, but sometimes I need a reminder too. I’ll set a timer on my phone or Alexa, which lets me know how much time is left for them. It also allows me to give them a ‘heads up’ that their game or TV time is ending soon.
Sharing: With a four and two year old at home, it’s unavoidable that squabbling over toys will occur. Yes, there are two PJ Mask cars, but everyone wants the blue one. Setting a timer is a great visual reminder to the kids how long they have to play with the toy before it’s someone else’s turn.
With My Husband
Time to Leave: I don’t know how many times I’ll remind the family when we have to leave to go somewhere. Yet, we’re still racing to get out the door. Or the times my husband has started some project ten minutes before we need to leave. Can we replace the air filters after the basketball game?? I’ve found if I tell him when we need to leave and then set a timer, we are less rushed. The visual reminder also allows me to give everyone a ‘five minutes warning’ that we’re leaving!
With Myself
Picking Up: After a day (or just the morning!) of entertaining the kids, my house can look like an atomic bomb hit. I can’t stand my house messy, but by nap time, let alone bedtime, I’m exhausted. I’ve started using a timer as motivation. I set it for ten or fifteen minutes and get to work. No phone, no distractions, just pick up and put away as much as I can. After the time goes off, I decide if I want to continue. Most of the time I don’t, sometimes some motivation kicks in and I’ll continue for another ten minutes. Regardless, the house still looks 100 times better than it did before!
Cooking: The recipe calls for the veggies to sauté for six minutes, but suddenly the kids are screaming, the dog needs to be let out, now someone’s ringing the doorbell! At this point I have no idea how long they’ve been cooking. Enter the timer. I seriously will set the timer four and five times while I’m stove-cooking. I can be semi-distracted by what’s going on around me while still assuring dinner isn’t burning!
Screen Time: After a long day, I like veg out on my phone. But a few minutes of innocent scrolling can turn into an hour! I’ll set a phone timer and Instagram away. This allows me to zone out and enjoy some social media time without it becoming excessive.
No one likes being a slave to time. It can get exhausting to always be on the go and always making sure you’re prompt. Using a timer allows me to use my time wisely and be more punctual, all while having a quiet, visual reminder in the background.
