How Do You Find Time???

I make a schedule every sunday of things that need to be done and one of those things is quality time with my son. I sometimes get behind on the house work, but I think my son is more important than vacuuming.

Congratulations...you are doing more than a lot of moms in your position. Give yourself credit.

She loves to hear your voice...it doesn't matter if you are reading a cartoon or your homework book...read out loud to her. You will be studying and you will actually retain more from your books if you read them out loud. You can make silly voices while you read, she won't care what the words are..it is the attention she will love.

I do this with my grandkids while I study my marketing or martial arts books. I read to them while they are going off to sleep. Just think of the knowledge they will have. I also let them read their books to me while I'm reading mine. We take turns reading out loud and reading quietly, although this concept is lost on the 2 year old.

Good Luck and Have Fun,
B.

I know this is cliche, but it is not necessarily the quantity of time, but the quality of time you spend with your daughter. Whenever you do have any time, make the most of it and let her know that she is special and loved. Even if you are doing household chores, have her help you. My 3 year old daughter loves helping mommy because it is one of the many ways we spend time.

Hi M.,
I give you all the credit in the world for what you are doing, I've been in your position and its not easy. When my oldest was little ( she is now 13) I was a single parent. These are a few of the things that I did, first I had to realize that the quality of time was more important than the quantity in the situation I was in. When she was a baby I didn't work on weekends so on Sat. I did all of my housework, shopping, anything I had to take care of and saved sundays for time with her. When she was a little bigger I had a job that sometimes I had to work weekends or nights so then I had to make adjustments. I would make sure that we had our certain times that it was just "us". During this time she would be the center of my attention, I wouldn't have other people around, no phone, etc.....even if it was an hour 3 times a week, during that time she got my full attention.Being a single parent sometimes you have to make more effort than others to have that quality time since you're doing everything on your own there doesn't seem to be any free time. One thing I thought is maybe you could get coloring books or magna doodles and have her sit down with you while you do homework and tell her she is doing homework with you. Try not to let yourself feel guilty (which we all do as parents) because your situation won't be this hard forever and you are doing what you have to for her to have a good life. Good luck, keep going and if you keep smiling your daughter will too.

Congrats on continuing your education while being a full time/part-time mom. I felt the same way you did because I still have a full time and part-time job. The only thing I didn't have is school. So what I would do (knowing I was tired after work)was give my daughter a bath and play with her while she was in the tub (splashing is always fun) and afterwards find a fun book to read or look at or find some cartoon to enjoy with her while she is on her way to sleep. I know it's rough and you may feel guilty but any extra time you can find will be ok with her I'm sure. you can also try letting her color while you are doing your homework.

First I want to say good job...! Working and going to school can be tough, I know! I was going to school part time as well and work but I did havemy boyfried helping with the kids while I studied or at least tried to then I got my three neices to raise and had to drop school for a while the baby was 3 months then and how she is almost a year, big change from my youngest being 8. what I tried to do was study while they napped or I put them in the room with and put on their fav shows...I know it is hard for you but hang in there, school wont last for ever. Also I use to try to do my studying on breaks at work and lunch, or after I put the baby down for the night so I had more time with them....just keep you head up, you are on the right track.

First let me start off saying that I commend you as a women for being sooo determined. Hang in there no matter what. My advise to you would also be to create a schedule and stick to it!!! I know easier said than done but it's worth it. These are the most important years of your child life! I'm am speakin from experience!! I have a seven year old and a 6 month old and time managment has been very difficult. I find that its fun to incorporate the little ones into your daily routine when possible. Good luck!!!!

It's a difficult balancing act M.. Especially when you are a single mom, trying to find the right balance can seem overwhelming at times. Time for your child, time for work, time for school, and maybe, just maybe, some time left for you. Sometimes you just have to put aside things that you think are the priority at that moment, to sit down with your child and give her the attention she needs and deserves. Even if it's just reading a book, or coloring with her for a few minutes, she will love every bit of attention you give her. One thing I do, is when I am using my laptop, I sit in the livingroom, and my daughter cuddles with me while I'm typing away. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what I'm doing, that she starts making very loud demands for attention - that's when I know it's time to just put the laptop aside, and give her the attention she is seeking.

No one said parenting would be easy......kudos to my mom for raising 5 of us!!

Hello M.,

I would just like to say I take my hat off to you because alot of women do not take the time to better themselves. I just want to let you know that I understand what you are going through given the fact that last year I was in the same predicament with my five year old son then four years old. I was also a single parent working two jobs never seeming to find the precious time that we as mothers love to give our children.It took alot out of me to be away from him so much but I knew that it had to be done in order to provide a home for him. What I tried to do when I came home, I would read him a story and play with him as much as I could. Every now and again I would just take a day off to spend the day with him. Always let her know that she is the most important thing and that you are doing these things for her so that she can have a better life. Our children don't always understand why things are the way that they are but we as parents have to give them that reassurance. Hang in there things will get better and as long as you continue to show her that unconditional love she will be fine.