Thread: How do you do it all?

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I work full time and have two kids (three if you count my husband) and a dog. I know I am not the only working mother out there. My question is how does everyone else get everything done? Am I just not organized? I am getting so frustrated. There is so much I want to do and the only time I really get anything done is when we have our monthly make & take meetings. After our meeting is over my project usually just sets there until the next month.

If I work on Halloween projects the laundry doesn't get done or the house doesn't get cleaned. If I keep up with housework the Halloween props never get finished. It is a vicious cycle! Birthday parties to attend or to give, school functions, sports, grocery shopping all get in the way of Halloweening.

I see so many great props being created and I know I could create a lot of nice props...I just need to find the time! I actually thought I had great time management skills until I really started getting into Halloween as a hobby!

there is never enough time !!!!!!

This is what I do: Do a top to bottom cleaning of the house one week ( a little bit each night since I work all day and don't get home till after 6pm) and then the next week, spend an hour a night on one of my projects.

Or, I'll work on a project for a whole weekend.

Honestly, the one (or even half) hour a night for a week, works great =)

You need to be really organized to get the most benefit out of your available time. You need tools standing by, ready to go. Once you're organized, you'd be amazed at what you can accomplish in a short time.
Also you can set aside a block of, say, 2 hours each week dedicated to working on props.

Or you can be like me and simply shun television.

Two things make it easier: a DVR and little girls.

Our girls have a bedtime of 7ish. So, everyone gets home from school and work, we have family time, do homework, make dinner, etc. We are usually at the dinner table around 6:15pm. We have dinner as a family, then the younger girls take a bath while our older daughter helps clean up. After bath time, it's pajamas and story time, after that, it's lights out!

My wife and I record our shows on the DVR, and watch them when we can. It's great because we can set the recorder a week or two in advance, and watch when we have time.

Now, how do I fit in projects? After the girls are in bed, I get my projects out. If it's a small project, I just carry it around on my project board, and use the coffee table to do my work (while watching tv). If it's a big project, then I'm out in the garage listening to the radio.

On the weekends, I sometimes get up early (before the girls) and go out to the garage to get some work done. Usually its things like adding a coat of paint or sealent. I have about an hour to get something done, then set the girls up with breakfast and disney channel.

The other prong of my approach is having fun projects that my daughters can help me with. Why make one paper mache pumpkin when I my little helpers can triple the work output!

No time is the story of my whole life. I have so many hobbies that i enjoy but halloween is my driving force. I make time no matter what because it is my obsession and my true passion. I agree with all the rest, just try to devote a certain amount that you are comfortable with and work away.The being organized comment is dead on, you have to have all your tools and supplies ready. As i am working i keep a supply journal with me and when i am running low on a supply or think of something i need for a prop i make a note so i can pick it up. Just keep at it and never stop and you will succeed.

Originally Posted by kprimm

The being organized comment is dead on, you have to have all your tools and supplies ready. As i am working i keep a supply journal with me and when i am running low on a supply or think of something i need for a prop i make a note so i can pick it up. Just keep at it and never stop and you will succeed.

That's a really good idea. Thanks!

My biggest problem is trying to decide what project to do? The more time I spend on this site, the more things I really want to do or try. It's getting very difficult for me to decide WHAT I want to do next.

the more time I spend on this site, the more things I really want to do or try

isn't that the truth!! LOL Every time I see a great prop or project, I add it to the " I want one of those!!" list!!
I never seem to have enough time either, but I know I am not the most organized person in the world!

Plan 100, actually accompish 10. That seems to be my strategy!

Plan for your theme, show, or haunt, to not require every little prop that you would like. Nobody else knows that you just didn't have time to get all those bats, jack o lanterns, spiders, or whatever made in time. They don't know what you had envisioned in your head.
It's hard to find time to finish all that you want, but the good side is that others see what you did get done, not what you wanted to get done.

Keep plugging away at 'em!