3 Ways a Timer Saves My Sanity

You’ve been there. The house is a mess, and someone is coming over last minute to drop off a deer camera/bulletproof vest/chainsaw to your husband. Or a movie or book they borrowed, or want to see your kiddos. And the house? It needs some serious attention STAT. But how do you round up the troops?

Or, maybe you are at the local park, pool, or Chick-fil-A play area. You need to gather your children, your sweet tea, and your sanity quickly and with the path of least resistance. Instead of yelling “GUYS! LET’S GOOO!” fifty-five times in your best Southern accent, try setting your phone alarm.

Seriously? An alarm? Here are three ways a timer, both at home and in public, saves my sanity:

1. Room-time: When our kids have their daily room-time, usually it is between the hours of 1pm and 2pm. Room-time gives me an hour block to work on the blog, newspaper column, check emails, enjoy coffee without interruption, throw in a load of laundry, etc. You get the idea. I set the timer for one hour and they play in the bedroom. When the timer goes off, they know that is their signal to pick up the toys, then come and find me once the room is clean. This eliminates the “Are we done yet?” and the “Guys, I said to pick up!!” Timer dings, they know what to do. I have used this since Eden was 15 months old and it has made for a happy playtime.

2. Five Minute Quick Clean: I have this thing about toys being all over the house. It drives me crazy! So, when I see that there are random toys, books, etc. laying in rooms where they do not belong, I will, at random, initiate a “Five Minute Quick Clean!!” and set the timer for five minutes. The kids love to “beat the timer,” running around like crazy, scooping up toys and putting them where they belong. When five minutes are up and the timer goes off, they are super pleased with their hard labor, and we have a clean home once again. I also use this as a self-motivator for folding laundry, etc. I give myself an allotted time, dive into the chore, then move on once that time is up. And no, I do not give myself a sticker when it goes off. But sometimes a Junior Mint or two…

3. Park/Playground: So, no I don’t take an egg timer with me to the park or playground. What I do, however, is set my phone alarm for the desired “leave time.” I always give them a five minute warning, so that when they hear the phone, they know it is time to stop playing and head for the van. That way, I’m not yelling “COME ON!!” a billion times, and they aren’t begging to slide “one more time,” although both of those still happen on occasion. Phone alarm rings, the kids say their farewells to their friends, and we hit the dusty trail.

So, yes, this little timer has been a dear friend of mine for many years. What “tools of the trade” do you use in your home to create a more peaceful atmosphere?

(PS: How we get the kids to sit still during mealtimes is (here) ).