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Morning Routine
Create a plan together with your kids for waking time, breakfast menus,
shower times, and the time to get out the door. Don’t expect every family
member to fit into the exact same schedule. It comes as no shock to you I’m
sure, but typically most girls need a little more time to get ready, and
boys may want to sleep a little later. Don’t be dogmatic, but rather
pragmatic in discovering a schedule that works for the individuals in the
family. Discuss consequences if they are late or miss breakfast. You may
want to type out a schedule for each family member (or allow them to type it
out) after the meeting and post it in a visible place for the first few
weeks of school. If one routine doesn’t work after a couple of weeks, try a
different one.
Paper Chase
Papers seem to pile up for both mom and kids during the school year, so
explore options for organizing the papers. As a mom, you may find it helpful
to color code your kid’s filing systems. Choose a color for each family
member and then purchase an accordion file for each one. Label the tabs,
homework, invitations, school info, soccer info… Another approach is to
purchase a file box and use color coded files for each child. You may find
it easier just to use a colored file box of each child. Make it a habit to
clean out the files on the last day of every month. For kids, help them
learn a filing system for their work at an early age. Purchase a colorful
file box for their own homework. For younger kids I encourage you to keep a
box for all the school art projects that come home (I know there are some
precious works of art you just can’t part with, so put them all in a big box
for the time being). At the end of the school year, go through the box and
choose several prize drawings, frame one for the hallway or play room. Save
other favorites for a scrapbook, then you may want to gently, lovingly get
rid of the rest.
Homework Success Station
As a parent you must set the tone for homework. Often parents will complain
about homework, and this is the perfect way to raise little complainers and
whiners. If you show excitement about homework then guess what! Your kids
may catch the attitude. Set a doable, practical schedule for each child’s
homework time keeping in mind the after school activities. If at all
possible, give your kids a healthy snack when they get home and allow them
to tell you about their day then jump into homework. Create a special
station to make doing homework a little more intriguing. You may want to
purchase or make a pencil holder, decorate a plastic file case, and create
an index card file for flash cards. As mom, be sure to have all the supplies
they will need on hand (pencils, pens, markers, paper, index cards, etc…).
Decide on a specific area for each child to do their homework. For many kids
it is best if they do not go to their room as it may be a place filled with
distractions and of course out of your sight. The kitchen table may be your
best option. If space is limited, consider a roller cart homework station.
Use a simple plastic three drawer roll cart, put paper in one drawer, pens
and pencils in the other and homework info in the bottom drawer. Then roll
the cart to the kitchen table when it is time for homework and roll it way
when all is done. Let your kids know that you are serious about homework and
want to help them achieve their best in school.
Prayerful Plan
As you choose the kids activities for the after school hours, I want to
encourage you to plan prayerfully and wisely. Don’t do every activity that
comes along. Think deliberately about the interests, gifts and talents of
each child. Don’t make them all do the same thing. They are individuals with
different bents. Please be careful not to overload your schedule or your
kids schedule with unnecessary or fruitless activities just because
“everyone else is doing it.” Ask the Lord to lead you as David did, “Lead me
in the right path, O Lord or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly
what to do and show me which way to turn.” (Psalm 5:8). We may not have
enemies with spears lurking around every corner, but one enemy of the family
is being too busy to relax and enjoy being a family. Seek God’s direction as
you place activities on your plate.
Check out my new
Busy Moms Planner. It has a soft, leathery like cover and is
created with the busy mom in mind with month at a glance and week at a
glance. I’ve added quotes to encourage you for every week starting with Fall
of 2007 and going all the way until the end of 2008.
For more Home and Family articles, please click on the following topics:
Spring into making Every Occasion a Great
Occasion
Winter Wonders
Summer Sensations
Fall Fun
Winter Fun
Ideas of What to do with your Children on
Hot, Potentially Boring Summer Days
Five Easy Ways to Add Pizzazz to Family
Dinnertime
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