How Do You Balance Work and Family Time?

[leogrant12]

I’ve been wondering how other parents manage to balance work responsibilities with spending quality time with their families. It often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day between jobs, school runs, cooking, and trying to have a bit of personal time, it can get overwhelming.
Some people say having a strict schedule helps, while others prefer to go with the flow and adjust daily. Personally, I try to set aside at least one hour in the evening just for family activities, no phones or work emails.
I’d love to hear how others manage this balance. Do you follow a routine, or do you take it day by day?

100% a routine. We have a routine for the week so know who is where when, who is picking up who and going where. We schedule personal time in for DH and Me (our gym time) so that we both get a few classes a week. I pre-planned food for the week so I don't have to think about it on a daily basis.

Weeks we don't follow it are chaotic and things get dropped.

Weekends are where we schedule quality family time. Usually sat and sun afternoons. Although I get about half hour with DS every day (outside of homework and dinner time) and an hour with DD a few times a week when DS is activities.