Need more TIME!

[dizzy_dave]

I’m a 32 year old married, Father of 4. How do I juggle Job, prayer and Family, I work 8 am- 5pm by the time I get home and eat supper it’s 6:30pm then time to get kids to bed and do housework, I’m having a hard time fitting it all in, someone always seems to get shorted with my time, any suggestions? I suppose getting off the computer now would help. Thanks.

 

[kristalyn]

Hey Dave!

I am 34 years old, fulltime teacher, married mom to 5. My dh is also 34, works fulltime (an hour and a half away from home!), and is (obviously) a dad to 5.

Here’s my quick thoughts!!

There are only 24 hours in a day. Can’t change that. What you do with them is what matters.

1. Make sure your priorities are straight ALL THE TIME. God first. Absolutely. Your wife and kids are second. Far distant from that is work and anything else. ALWAYS keep those in line.

That means you have to make time in your day for God. Get up 20 minutes earlier to pray that HE guides you and protects you and your precious family in all that you do. Subscribe to the Magnificat to help you pray, or just get down on your knees and pray hard. Every day!!

1. Can you get to mass during the day? Ever? My dh goes to daily mass on his lunch hour at least once a week, frequently more. It means he doesn’t eat sometimes, but he’s glad to sacrifice for Him who gives us all things.
2. Let everything flow from that. Leave work on time, and go home. Help with dinner. Spend time with your kids. Good time isn’t always equal.

My dh is not here tonight. Our 15 year old son’s heart got broken as his first-ever girlfriend dumped him today. So dh got home and took the two boys out to mini-golf and talk. Our three girls are at home with me, and of course would love to spend time with dad tonight, but it’s far more important tonight that the boys–and the one in particular–get him to themselves.

That doesn’t mean he’s shorting anyone. He’s being an excellent father to a child in need.

When the girls need him, he’s there for them too.

Always keep this in mind and action:

God first.

Family second.

Everything else doesn’t even matter.

God bless you!!

~K

 

[retina_md]

dizzy_dave:

I’m a 32 year old married, Father of 4. How do I juggle Job, prayer and Family, I work 8 am- 5pm by the time I get home and eat supper it’s 6:30pm then time to get kids to bed and do housework, I’m having a hard time fitting it all in, someone always seems to get shorted with my time, any suggestions? I suppose getting off the computer now would help. Thanks.

Get up about 30-40 minutes earlier each day and regularly pray and read. The rest of the day will take care of itself.

 

[Mistermerlin]

Just a suggestion regarding your prayer life… turning the radio off during your commute and praying the rosary has a tremendously calming effect.

And Mary will definitely intercede for you…but, then again, you already knew that.

 

[condan]

Less sleep. Until I got sick, I was in the shower by 4:15 in the morning and in bed around 10 at night or later.

My motto is: “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

 

[Anonymous]

dizzy_dave:

I’m a 32 year old married, Father of 4. How do I juggle Job, prayer and Family, I work 8 am- 5pm by the time I get home and eat supper it’s 6:30pm then time to get kids to bed and do housework, I’m having a hard time fitting it all in, someone always seems to get shorted with my time, any suggestions? I suppose getting off the computer now would help. Thanks.

Hire a sitter and take your wife out for an evening of dinner and dancing.

Peace

 

[Dr.Colossus]

dizzy_dave:

I’m a 32 year old married, Father of 4. How do I juggle Job, prayer and Family, I work 8 am- 5pm by the time I get home and eat supper it’s 6:30pm then time to get kids to bed and do housework, I’m having a hard time fitting it all in, someone always seems to get shorted with my time, any suggestions? I suppose getting off the computer now would help. Thanks.

When I was growing up, my family was often on a busy schedule. During the week, we would eat dinner together (my dad always made a point of it), but not much else. The weekends, though, were different. Saturday was the day when we did household chores. Sunday was known as “family day”. We went to Church together, usually attempted to do something somewhat fun (went to the movies, or a park or something) and then went out for dinner. There is only so much time each day/week, and we realized that…that’s what made it so much more enjoyable to be together on the weekends.

 

[Grayton]

I have never had “enough time” since the day my second child was born. Things are always hectic; I just do the best I can. That means making time for prayer and occasional daily Mass, and a little R&R, even if something else doesn’t get accomplished.

But when the pressure really gets heavy, I go to St. Joseph, and he never fails. He knows what it is like. He had to work hard, and even uproot himself and start over in a foreign land for the sake of his family. When my schedule gets way too crowded, I ask St. Joseph to help, and inevitably, something gets cancelled or re-scheduled.

 

[Anonymous]

Anonymous:

Hire a sitter and take your wife out for an evening of dinner and dancing.

Peace

Ah. Here’s the thread. I had a few thoughts to add. It sounds like monotony has got you down. Breaking it with a night out will do you a world of good. In fact, I think we need to plan a night out ourselves!

 

[Anonymous]

Anonymous:

Hire a sitter and take your wife out for an evening of dinner and dancing.

I wanted to add to this thought now that I have a bit more time myself. Take a breather. A night out could give you a chance to do so. If you don’t take time for yourself, you are shortchanging the important people in your life because you are not at your best.

My folks had four children and jobs etc. They always made time for themselves and I really admire them for that. Now that their kids are gone, they still have the strong foundation of their marriage. It really makes sense.

When it gets really hectic remember, “This too shall pass.”
Peace