So I've got a stack of papers to grade which I estimate will take 7 hrs. I want them returned by next Tuesday (last class before Thanksgiving). Where will that 7 hrs come from? I could give up sleep. I could give up TV or night leisure. I could reallocate work hours, so my "research/writing" time goes to teaching. I could keep my kids in daycare longer. I could forgo my already minimal attempts at exercise.
The problem is this is already a packed week, with a pediatrican appt, an extra committee meeting, and a trip to Hip University Town for a reading (mine). All that stuff is already about 7 hrs that will cut into the aforementioned activities. I had a babysitter this afternoon, thinking that I'd get grading done but in actuality I read for class and started making my lecture notes.
In practical terms, I think I will (a) see if I can get a babysitter for next weekend for a few hours (and if not, we're going to implement LG's Burger King plan), (b) keep LG in aftercare for about 30 minutes longer than usual on Tues/Thurs, (c) borrow a bit into writing time, (d) use a bit of my ordinary course prep time for grading and do some at night. Everything gives a little and nothing is sacrificed completely.
And on that note, I need to get LG into bed so I can get on to other things!
What would you give up if you needed to find some extra time?
The problem is this is already a packed week, with a pediatrican appt, an extra committee meeting, and a trip to Hip University Town for a reading (mine). All that stuff is already about 7 hrs that will cut into the aforementioned activities. I had a babysitter this afternoon, thinking that I'd get grading done but in actuality I read for class and started making my lecture notes.
In practical terms, I think I will (a) see if I can get a babysitter for next weekend for a few hours (and if not, we're going to implement LG's Burger King plan), (b) keep LG in aftercare for about 30 minutes longer than usual on Tues/Thurs, (c) borrow a bit into writing time, (d) use a bit of my ordinary course prep time for grading and do some at night. Everything gives a little and nothing is sacrificed completely.
And on that note, I need to get LG into bed so I can get on to other things!
What would you give up if you needed to find some extra time?
Egad. I don't know where I'd find seven hours. Maybe zap Facebook? No more writing? No reading for pleasure? I exercise on Saturday/Sunday mornings by going for a run, but if I give that up, I have to run after my kids instead. I wish you the hours you need!
ReplyDeleteIt's something I'm doing this week, too.
ReplyDeleteThings I can do:
- leave the wriggler in childcare to 6pm (I pay for the block from after school to 6, but usually pick him up at 5).
- take time off work, or at least out of the office.
That's really about it. Because I have shared-care with wrigglers Dad, I get kid-free days each week, and if I really have to I can lean on that. But it's not something I can do a lot of.