OnTime )
A TimeFinder Publication September 2007
in this issue
  • Back to School
  • Just On Time!
  • One Final Time Thought!

    		•

    Friends,

    Recently, I was interviewed by Mark Ockerbloom, news anchor on Fox 25 News. I provided tips for moms and dads as the kids to go back to school and schedules become more hectic.

    In the short segment during their telecast, I was able to provide a few helpful suggestions. I thought I would share some ideas with you as a follow up to the broadcast.

    Wishing you a colorful Autumn!

    Warmly,


    Mitzi

    		Back to School

    With school just underway, it's a great time to get the school year off to an organized start. Even though no family is the same and each day is different, there are some solid organizational foundations, when put into place and adjusted as necessary, can make for more tranquil, less harried days for families.

    Plan

  • Use a large monthly calendar that is easily accessible to all members of the family.
  • Write all commitments down on the calendar, as far out into the future as you have information. Include: who is picking up and dropping of whom, key homework assignments (projects, book reports, etc.), picture day, extra-curricular, doctor appointments, etc.

    Communicate

  • Schedule time on a weekly basis for all family members to review their schedules (including school assignments).
  • Gain consensus from everyone that they understand the schedule.
  • After reviewing the kids' schedules, parents should talk to reconfirm their roles in the arrangements. Have your planner, laptop with whatever calendar software you use, i.e. Outlook, Lotus Notes, or printed pages of your calendars at hand.

    Routine

  • As a foundation for creating a routine, ask, "What worked last school year and what didn't work?" Even ask, "What worked last week and what isn't working?"
  • Come up with some alternative solutions to what didn't work.
  • Sit down with your kids and get their input on a viable morning routine.
  • Do the same for after school as well. As part of the routine, include taking out clothes to be worn the next day.
  • Write it down!
  • After implementation of the routine, revisit it in a week to see what's working and what's not and make adjustments

    Routine works!

    School Papers

  • Set up a place for backpacks and books and school papers to go upon arriving home, other than countertops & floors
  • Have a place set up for completed homework to go, so it's ready for school the next day. (Check out IKEA, Target or the Container Store for bins, buckets, baskets, shelves, cubbies, etc.).
  • Follow through on making this part of the after school ritual.

    Visit our web store and check out our Schoolfolio. This is the time to start putting away school papers, artwork and projects that you plan to keep. The Schoolfolio is perfect for those "keepers."

    Lunch

  • Have your child/children review school lunch menus in advance, marking which days they will buy school lunch.
  • Create, with your kids, a master lunch menu for days they will be bringing lunch from home. If they bring daily snacks to school, do the same thing.

    Note: Be realistic as to how far in advance you can make lunches. If you choose to do it in the morning, right before school, do it, but make sure time built into the morning routine to get it done.

    Deciding what to make for lunch or dinner can be more difficult than the actual preparation. It's helpful to plan the menus ahead of time.

    Consistency

  • Be consistent in planning, communicating and making the routine...routine.

    		• Just On Time!

  • Recent and upcoming Speaking Engagements
    Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA)
    National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)
    Optical Society of America (OSA)
    MassAging
    EWomen Network
    Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
    Information Technology Training Conference (ITTC 07)

  • Transition Coaching

    • The preparation to take maternity leave, personal/family leave or a sabbatical can be overwhelming and stressful. Moreover, a successful reentry back into the workplace after an extended absence is as important as being ready to leave.

    The goal of Transition Coaching is simple: Ease the transition of an individual prior to and/or upon return from a leave of absence

    To learn more about our Transition Coaching, just call or email me.

  • Web Store

    • TimeFinder's web store is chock-full of organizing products for your home or office. Visit our web site to see what's available! Click on WebStore at www.TimeFinder.net

  • Schoolfolio

    • What do you do with your child's school work and art projects? Now, you can have an attractive, fun storage container to hold all those precious projects and school work. Click on Schoolfolio when you visit our online web store.

  • Looking for Advice?

    If you have questions or situations you are willing to share (in confidence), please send them along. Email your questions about productivity, clutter, balance, accomplishing goals and projects, delegating, meeting management gone awry, etc. to Mitzi@TimeFinder.net

    		• One Final Time Thought!

    Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum

    Mr. Fulghum is the author of ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN


    phone: 781-444-3220

    Forward email

    This email was sent to eliot@lachancecom.com, by mitzi@timefinder.net

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