Let’s face it: as your children get older, their schedules get busier. Not only do your kids have school, they also have homework and extracurricular commitments. Add these on top of your already busy schedule, and you’ll feel as if you don’t have time to breathe! You’re probably in charge of checking homework, providing transportation to games and practices, preparing dinner, and keeping the house in order. If that sounds familiar, you probably need a little help balancing your home life with your kids’ sports schedule.
Cook Ahead
Practices and games can go late, which means the last thing you want to do when you get home is cook. You’re tired, and you probably want to spend some quality time with your family—not the stove. Instead of stressing about what you’ll have for dinner, make your meals ahead of time. You can do this over the weekend, cooking enough freezer meals to get you through the week. You can also throw together a Crock-Pot meal in the morning so that it’s ready by the time you get home in the evening.
Write It Out
Map out what your week will look like, including game times, dinner schedules, and any extra appointments or responsibilities. By mapping out your week on paper, you’ll be able to see what you need to do each day. This will help you better prepare for those events so that you don’t waste your valuable time scrambling.
Don’t Overcommit
If you’ve written out your week’s schedule and you notice overlapping or back-to-back events, you might have overcommitted. It can be hard to say no, but your family needs breathing room. Keep that in mind when signing up for sports and try not to overcommit yourself or your kids.
Enlist Help
Even the most organized parents feel overwhelmed sometimes. Don’t be afraid to enlist some help. Ask your spouse or another family member to help provide transportation or make dinner. By enlisting help, you’ll save time during the busy sports season, which allows you to focus more time on your family.
If your kids are in sports, you know what a huge commitment it is. What are your best tips for balancing your home life with sports?
