A Mom Hack That Changed My Life: Embracing “Free Time”
I’m about to share a little secret that transformed my mom life. And yes, I know that sounds dramatic, but I promise you—it’s the real deal. Last summer, I discovered the magic of a simple phrase: “Free Time.” If you’re a teacher, this phrase will help you too.
Those two little words hold so much power! I can tell my kids, “You have 10 minutes of free time,” and off they go. I’m not always sure what they’re up to, but I do know they’re happy, engaged, and enjoying themselves! As the summer days rolled on and our schedules relaxed, those free time slots got longer and longer. 😉
Why “Free Time” Works
Here’s the thing: kids are naturally more spontaneous than adults. If you schedule their day, add free time to the schedule. They love to know and plan for their unstructured time too. They may be working on a big project, want to finish a book, or play outside again. You won’t regret it!They thrive on the freedom to explore and do what they love.
So, if you’re planning out their day, be sure to add some “Free Time” into the mix.
Want to Make It Even Easier?
I’ve found a little tool that makes managing free time even easier: the Time Timer. It’s a game-changer! Teachers and parents everywhere swear by it, and now I do too. Not only do I use it for Free Time and Quiet Time, I also keep one next to the laptop for computer time. It’s silent, visual, and helps kids see exactly how much time they have left. When the time’s up, there’s just a quiet little beep—no jarring alarms here. It’s perfect.
Give it a try, and let me know how it goes. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it might just be the summer hack you didn’t know you needed!
Looking for More?
If you’re ready to add a bit more structure alongside “free time,” check out the links below for more ideas on keeping your kiddos engaged and happy.
If you’re looking for a bit more than “Free Time” to add to your schedule, check out the links below:
- Summer Points – How to motivate your child throughout the summer.
- Life Skills – The things they don’t teach in school, ages 2-18.
- DIY Summer School
- “Earning Technology Time Chart”
- Printable Summer Schedule
Kristen is the writer and creator behind Little Reading Room. The website originally started in 2011 as a way to share Summer Learning and enrichment ideas. First it started with Summer Points and Life Skills. Now it’s moved onto even more. All of these activities have similar characteristics, the main theme being to Make Summer Count! She is an Elementary Reading Specialist and the mother of 2 boys!
Follow Kristen on Facebook, Pinterest, and Little Reading Room.
Free Time is the Promised Land of every kid. Knowing that their schedule will include a nice amount of free time to play, read, or even sleep makes them more productive during the entire day.
I really enjoyed your time timer tip Kristen. I think I’ll give it a shot. It seems like the Pomodoro technique for kids. What do you think?