What if we stopped managing our kids’ time for them—and started helping them take ownership of it instead?
Time management isn’t just about staying on schedule or getting homework done on time. It’s about helping kids grow in self-awareness, align their actions with their goals, and build independence that will serve them for life.
In this post, we’re exploring how to guide kids of all ages in making intentional decisions about how they spend their time—whether it’s wide-open summer days or packed school-year schedules.
Time Isn’t Just About Tasks—It’s About Choices
A lot of kids don’t naturally understand that time is limited. That’s normal. But part of growing up is learning that how we spend our time reflects what matters to us.
One of the most powerful ways to help kids build this awareness is with a simple, reflective question:
“What do you want to get out of this day?”
When they’re bored or unsure of what to do, that’s your moment. Instead of rushing to fill the space for them, try prompting reflection and helping them think about what they value. Summer is the perfect playground for this kind of learning—fewer routines, more freedom, and endless opportunities for kids to take the lead.
And for younger kids, that might look like guiding them through small choices:
“We have time to do one thing before dinner. What do you want it to be?”
These small conversations are powerful practice. They help kids start seeing time as something they can use intentionally, not just something that happens to them.
Helping Kids Align Time With Their Goals
This episode also ties in closely with themes from Episode 5, where we explored intrinsic motivation. When kids are connected to why they care about something, managing their time becomes a tool—not a chore.
Try asking questions like:
- “What do you hope to accomplish this year?”
- “What’s something you want to improve at?”
- “What’s important to you this fall?”
Then, when a free moment pops up, gently connect the dots:
“I remember you said you wanted to get better at drawing—do you want to work on your comic?”
If they say yes, great! If not, that’s okay too. It’s about planting seeds, not controlling their every move.
Sometimes, kids won’t reach their goals—and that’s okay. It becomes a chance for reflection:
“How do you think your choices this summer played into how things turned out?”
This kind of reflection builds resilience, responsibility, and the ability to adjust priorities—a skillset that serves them well far beyond childhood.
A Real Story of Time, Consequences, and Growth
In this episode, I brought on two very special guests: my younger brother Luke, and our dad, Mike.
Luke is now a college athlete and business major—but his freshman year didn’t start off smoothly. Between a heavy course load and his commitment to basketball, Luke struggled to manage his time and ended up ineligible after his first semester.
The conversation we shared in this episode is an honest look at what happens when kids experience natural consequences—and what it looks like to support them, not rescue them.
Luke shared how he learned to take ownership of his time by making real changes: lightening his class load, choosing classes that fit his learning style, and building in structure and goals to stay on track. Our dad talked about the tension of knowing when to step in—and when to let your kids feel the full weight of their decisions.
“Could we have micromanaged him through that semester? Yes. But he wouldn’t be who he is today if we had.”
Their story is a powerful reminder that the most lasting lessons often come from failure—not because we saved our kids from it, but because we let them walk through it with our support.
Let Them Try. Let Them Miss. Be There to Talk Through It.
Here’s what I hope you take away from this episode:
- You don’t need to fill every moment or manage your child’s time for them.
- Wide-open windows—like summer or weekends—are opportunities to build life skills.
- Time management is really about self-management: setting priorities, making choices, and learning from the outcomes.
When kids run out of time, fall short, or feel disappointed, we don’t need to shame or fix. We guide, reflect, and support. That’s where growth happens.
Try These Conversation Starters This Week:
- “What’s one thing you don’t want to miss out on this week?”
- “If you had an extra hour today, how would you use it?”
- “What’s something you wish you had more time for? What might help?”
And when your child says, “I’m bored,” try asking:
“What’s something you’ve been wanting to try?”
“How do you want to feel at the end of today?”
These questions help shift their mindset from passive to purposeful—one small decision at a time.
Thanks so much for reading! If this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you’d share it with a friend or post about it on Instagram. Your support helps more families find the show—and grow through these conversations together.
🎧 Listen to Episode 8: Time Management – Helping Kids Take Ownership of Their Time and Priorities on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Until next time, thanks for being here!
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