This post is the fourth in a five part series about time management for parents of kids with special needs. All the strategies and tips have provided by DifferentDream.com guest bloggers. (For Melissa Gamble’s tips in Part 1, click here. For Amy Stout’s strategies, click here for Part 2 and here for Part 3.) Today’s tips come from time management mavens Rebekah Benimoff and Laurie Wallin. Here’s what they have to say about managing your time.

Rebekah Benimoff’s Time Management Tips

One of Rebekah’s sons had juvenile diabetes, the other has sensory issues, and her husband is a war veteran dealing with a traumatic brain injury. The two phone tricks she uses to stay ahead of their needs can be adapted for many other situations:

• Set timers and also reminder alerts on your phone for checking blood glucose levels and when to change out insulin pump sets.
• Set an alert for an hour or two before, and then 30 minutes so you can plan ahead as needed.

Laurie Wallin’s Time Management Tips

Two of Laurie Wallin’s four daughters deal with mental illness. She says she employs these practical suggestions to manage her time:

• Get enough sleep: Parents manage time better and have a better attitude when they’re rested. For us, it meant having family come stay with us a few days a month, swapping childcare with a friend, or at times hiring in-home help so I could nap.
• Plan the night before: If we go into the day with the list and the items we need already prepped, we’re ready to get things done as moments of opportunity open during the day.
• Organize the essentials: Save time looking for misplaced keys by installing a hook for them on the wall by the garage. Have an expandable file folder with slots for each day of the month. File bills and other mail to follow up under the day it’s due.

Laurie adds that life with special needs creates chaos naturally. Organized chaos helps parents spend time on what matters.

How Do You Keep from Losing Your Mind?

Have you noticed how many people are using smart phone technology for time management purposes? Have any of you discovered good apps to pass along? If so, leave a comment about them or any other time savers you use. Come back next week for the last post in the series about how to manage your time without losing your mind.

Managing Your Time Without Losing Your Mind: Part 1
Managing Your Time Without Losing Your Mind: Part 2
Managing Your Time Without Losing Your Mind: Part 3
Managing Your Time Without Losing Your Mind: Part 5

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