Sharon Bradley is a very busy mother of four children starting from preschool age up to middle school. Sharon has great time management skills as she is always available to volunteer at her children’s school events, keep the PTA accounting books and her household finances in balance, and raise with her husband four wonderful children with academic honors. Let’s take a closer look in the Bradley’s day-to-day life…

                Sharon, in your perspective do families of the 21^st century make a lot of sacrifices or compromises, either personal or professional to provide the best family environment for their children?

It varies from family to family. I would like to think I’m providing a good environment but try not to consider it a sacrifice. I guess my professional sacrifice was a 21-year career, but I believe I’m happier staying at home with the children than I was working (after the kids were born). The obvious personal sacrifices just come with being a mom – minimal sleep, 24 hr maid & cook, minimal adult interaction, few new clothes, and of course my favorites – sagging breasts and flabby tummy!

           What is the most important aspect in your life?

Keeping my household running, and doing my best to set a Christian example for my children. I want them to always feel loved and secure, and to have a personal relationship with Christ.

           How do you balance the fine line between business and family?

The only real “business” responsibilities I have right now are PTA and managing the household finances. I try to work on these things after the children are in bed.

Do you have your own household to-do list?

Not really. It’s all in my head, haunting my every waking moment. I DO make a list on days that I have 4 or more errands, just to keep me on track.

              What is your typical weekday/weekend look like?

Weekdays:  Up at 6:00 am, shower & dress, wake first 2 children at 6:30, fix their breakfast and lay out their clothes, fix 4 lunches, wake second 2 children, drive first 2 to school, fix breakfast/clothes for 2^nd 2 children, drive middle schooler to school, drive preschooler to school, run errands, pick up preschooler at 1:00 pm, meet elementary bus at 2:30 pm, fix snack and start homework, middle school bus arrives at 4:00 pm, get ready for evening sports, piano, or church, drive to evening activity(ies), squeeze in dinner somewhere, baths for 4, organize backpacks, get everyone into bed, clean kitchen & do laundry, PTA accounting, pay bills & balance checkbook, 30 minutes of TV, and to bed!

Weekends: Sleep as late as possible, but church starts at 9:15 am on Sundays. Run errands that involve only some of the children (ex: shopping for the girls’ clothes) while my husband baby-sits the rest.  Attend kids’ activities and do things around the house that require my husband’s help.    

Do you have some examples of your most critical survivor practices at home?

*Family Calendar, with a column for each member.

*Complete as many errands as possible from 9:30 – 12:30 on Mon, Tuesday, and Thursday which is the time period that all my children are in school/preschool.

*Throw away as many pieces of paper as possible (unnecessary mail, notes from school, etc.) as soon as they enter the house and organize the remaining clutter as quickly as possible.   

Sharon, thank you for sharing with Goneis Family your personal perspective on how-to manage a busy household.

Thank you, Dina. It was my pleasure.