How to schedule your life and have quality family times.

Cooking meals, doing laundry, and going to work are all essential, but they often mean less time for parents to spend with those they love most.

A recent survey showed that women spend only slightly more time on household chores than men do, which shows that all parents are pulled in many directions.

"Certainly work, marriage, kids, and feeding the family are all high priorities, but there are healthy approaches to all of these that don't require moms to feel so out of control”.

Follow these simple steps to schedule your life.

Know Yourself and Your Priorities First

When you give up trying to be perfect, you create more time. "Stop comparing yourself to the mythical supermom who has it all together at work and at home -- she doesn't exist,”. Figure out what your priorities are and pursue those." Each person's priorities are different. Do the things that help you feel happy or less stressed. If you feel calmer with no papers on the dining room table, involve the kids in helping you clear it off. If you can live with a few stray papers and would prefer to cook with the kids and try a new recipe, do that instead. " Instead of changing who you are to match the task, change the task to match your lifestyle. Spend time on what's important to you and not the otherwise."

Make Over Your To-Do List To Work

Divide your to-do list into three categories: Don't, Delegate, and Do. "There's always one thing on your to-do list you know you're not going to do. Cross it off. "Go through each item and ask yourself, 'What happens if I don't do this?' If you're doing a task out of guilt or habit, move it to the Don't section." Decide if someone else can do the tasks in the Delegate column. Could a spouse, any of the children handle something? For the items that must get done, draw or put stickers of a happy face next to the things you like to do, a pound sign by items that save or make money, and a clock next to tasks that will save time later, these symbols will remind you why these things matter.

Why not rely on Technology?

Sign up for text alerts, school or city e-mail; or you'll get updates about snow days or transportation delays, so you can prepare and plan for them. One-stop shopping places such as the major supermarket like Tesco, Asda, Iceland, Aldi, Lidl allows you to save time and money by purchasing groceries and drugstore staples at the same time. To avoid scheduling conflicts and determine free time, program important dates – like business trips, school holidays, field trips and parent -teacher meetings -- into the calendar on your smartphone. Download an app that will sync the entire family's calendar across different phones to make it easy and preplanned.

Use What You've Got To Get What You Want.

Take advantage of every existing resource. Find out if your dry cleaner can pick up and deliver clothes or laundry service fits into your budget and if not, you can do them yourself in the weekend and get your spouse and children to help. If friends or family members offer to help out, take them up on it -- and don't be shy in reaching out first for help. Assign specific tasks, like yard work or garage clean-out. Remember not to take too much advantage of one person's generosity, and don't forget to offer an incentive or a thank you, like a dinner invitation or a special IOU for the job well done.

More Involvement for the children

You may be able to fold clothes and set the table faster than a 4-year-old can, but when you include the children, you turn chores into bonding time while teaching valuable skills. "The job of a mother isn't to be a personal boss". A mother's job is to teach a child to become independent." Even a small child can put toys in a basket. Invent a family clean-up game, where adults and kids compete to see who can get the most done the fastest or make up a family song to sing while you work together routinely.

Why not reduce Time-Wasters?

If you spend hours each month looking for lost shoes or keys, create an organized system so that everyday items for each family member have a regular place. Set up hooks or a small basket near the door for house keys and coats. Give each person a cubby by the door with his or her name on it to hold coats or rain boots. To prevent morning stress, do a last-minute check before bedtime to ensure that the next day's clothes and shoes are accessible. If you have to check work or personal e-mail, catch up on messages before the children wake up in the morning or after their bedtime. The same goes for talking on the phone -- wait until the children are in bed before making or taking any missed call.

Good Idea to Double Up Dinner

If you're making jacket potatoes or tuwo (African food) etc, double the recipe and freeze one for later in the week. Steam extra vegetables and put them in the fridge to drop in a pasta salad the next day. Look online for recipes that are easy and family-friendly. Get creative by turning your leftover into a sandwich for tomorrow's lunch or mix extra fruit salad with cereal and yogurt for breakfast. Keep the freezer stocked with frozen veggies and fruits; they can save you from a last-minute dash to the grocery store if you've forgotten a side dish or dessert. It's also okay to give yourself a break once a while by keeping a couple of frozen pizzas or garlic breads on hand for those evenings when you need to stay late at work and don't have time to cook that can come in handy for the family.

Good Idea to try Creating New Traditions

Don't wait for holidays or vacations to connect with family and friends. Friday prayers, or game night, Saturday barbeque or park, Sunday breakfast, weekend shopping, or gardening can bring the family and friends together. "Most family dine out on weekend night each week, "Try not to schedule outside activities because it's sacred family time." Whatever tradition you choose be it White, Black, Asian, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh or even none religious etc make sure everyone, including extended family, honours a set time. Everyone should show up and be clear. No texting, no Instagram, no Facebook, and no TV etc. "Try not to allow your schedule run you," "Make sure you enjoy each other to the fullest."