How can busy professionals help their kids get organized for school?
While my focus in my productivity workshops and keynotes is, obviously, time management for business owners and professionals on the go, there’s one personal topic in particular that comes up often in my one-on-one consulting sessions. That topic is: How do I balance my workload with making sure my children are organized for school and perform well?
Yes, it’s only July, but it’s never too early to start planning and getting organized for school. Anyone with children should be thinking about back to school organization right now.
Our five minute segment on NBC’s San Antonio Living was cut short because of President Obama’s news conference, but we were still able to squeeze in a number of tips. Here’s a text summary of what was planned for discussion in the above video:
How can we get a head start on getting organized for the school year?
Use the mantra: Ready, get SETS, go!
School: Expectations, Time, Space
What do you mean by Expectations?
Goals – What are you hoping to accomplish this year?
Grades, curfews, friends – discuss these now with your kids, instead of waiting for problems to arise.
How can we plan for Time?
Start checking for the information you need: school day schedule, activities, work schedule, study, chores, fun, commute times (carpool?).
Start your school sleep schedule at least one week before school begins.
And then we have Space – is this when we get to go shopping?!?!
Choose a location to set up a study and supply center.
Find out your school requirements and complete a home inventory.
Tax free weekend in Texas is August 8-10, 2014. Plan ahead so you don’t overbuy.
Once you’ve done all of this, then you’re ready to go shopping!
By starting these conversations now, you’ll have an easier time balancing your work schedule and your children’s school activities. Continue these conversations weekly to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. The time you invest in communication will save you from lost time and anxiety during the school year.
Great strategies to head off problems before they arise by breaking down needs and priorities.
Howdy, Jennifer! (Geek Chic Mama) Amen! Life is happier when you plan ahead instead of waiting for the stuff to hit the fan. 😉
So helpful! We’re going back in three weeks, and I need to figure out our weekly schedule so we can start going to bed early.
Excellent, Melissa! Great job planning ahead!