Written by Adrienne Vincenti, AMFT
Managing your time effectively as parents can be challenging, especially when you have a child who is neurodivergent. It can be really frustrating when it feels like there’s never enough time to get everything done. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize and focus on what’s most important. Setting realistic goals and breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can help. And don't forget to take breaks and take care of yourself too!
Here are some tips to help you manage your time without feeling overwhelmed.
Plan ahead:
Create a list of evening tasks, such as preparing lunches, showering, organizing your child’s backpack, and laying out clothes. Begin by breaking these tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to boost your child’s sense of accomplishment.
Set realistic expectations:
What holds the most importance? Ensuring your child is dressed, has brushed their teeth, and has eaten breakfast. Over time, these steps will become second nature, enabling you to integrate additional tasks into your morning routine.
Visual Prompts:
Visual support can involve images depicting desired behaviors, such as a child folding clothes and placing them in a drawer.
Establish motivating rewards:
Keep it simple! The goal could be that my child does two tasks with minimal prompts and earns 15 minutes of extra screen time or a movie night.
Remain calm:
Give yourself a time-out. As parents, we sometimes need a short break to calm down, breathe, and reset.
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