Balancing School, Training, and Family Commitments: The Importance of Time Management
By:
Dr. Natalie Flatt (nee McCabe), East Sandringham JFC Chief Mental Health Officer and Mum of 2 Zebbies 🦓 🦓
Juggling school responsibilities, sports training, and family commitments can sometimes feel like trying to make a come back in the last Qtr from 60 points down. Mastering the art of time management (I mean, haven’t we all!?) is key to maintaining balance and achieving success both on and off the field.
Understanding your Priorities:
First and foremost, it’s essential for kids to understand their priorities. While excelling in sports is undoubtedly important, so too is academic achievement and maintaining healthy family relationships. By recognising the value of each aspect of their lives, athletes can better allocate their time and energy accordingly.
Creating a Schedule:
One effective strategy for managing multiple commitments is to create a schedule or timetable. Encourage your child to map out their weekly activities, including school classes, training sessions, homework time, and family outings. By visualising their commitments, they can identify potential conflicts and plan accordingly. A simple wall calendar can be quite effective at achieving this.
Setting Realistic Goals:
Setting realistic and achievable goals is another critical component of effective time management. Encourage athletes to set both short-term and long-term goals related to their sports performance, academic success, and personal growth. Breaking larger goals down into smaller, actionable steps can help athletes stay focused and motivated.
Prioritising Tasks:
With a busy schedule, it’s essential for kids to prioritise their tasks effectively. Encourage them to tackle the most important or time-sensitive tasks first, such as completing homework assignments or attending training sessions. By prioritising tasks based on their importance and urgency, kids can make the most of their available time. Great skill to master and they can treat it like a workplace! Have a listen to a great podcast form my mate Tom Bosna (there may also be a some tips for you to take away from!) https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/ep122-mastering-time-management-with-andrew-hartman/id1532493952?i=1000651834957
Maintaining Balance:
While dedication to sports is admirable, it’s crucial for young athletes to maintain a healthy balance in their lives. Encourage them to carve out time for relaxation, socialising with friends, and pursuing other interests outside of sports.
A well-rounded lifestyle not only promotes overall well-being but also prevents burnout and exhaustion.
Communicating with Coaches and Teachers:
Open communication with Coaches and Teachers is essential for children navigating a busy schedule. Encourage athletes to communicate any scheduling conflicts or academic concerns with their Coaches and Teachers proactively. This allows for greater flexibility and understanding when it comes to balancing sports and school commitments.
Seeking Support:
Finally, remind your child that it’s okay to ask for help when needed. Whether it’s seeking assistance from Coaches, Teachers, or family members, support is readily available to help children who may begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious about their schedules. Starting a simple conversation can lead to some amazing benefits.
Mastering the art of time management early is such a great life skill; children can excel both on the field and in the classroom while maintaining strong family relationships.
We CAN have it all. Just at certain times of the day and week.