Originally Posted on August 11, 2013 by Margaret Webb
Back to school time is a lot like New Years, don’t you think?
A time filled with new possibilities.
A time to make positive changes.
A time to show up as the person you want to be – the real YOU.
A time filled with the desire that this will be the year where things are better, calmer, more laughter, more memories created.
If you are anything like me, you feel this way each year and yet each year things happen, life starts moving fast and before you know it you’re back into the same rhythm, just reacting to whatever is thrown your way and not feeling too great about it. Well, my friends, let’s do something about that! Let’s make this the year where we really have what we want. Who’s with me?
Back To School=New Years!!
Let’s start! Think back to last year.
What worked for you and your family?
• Did you have any routines, systems, strategies or schedules that helped you stay on top of things?
• Did you ask for the help that you needed?
• How did you set yourself up for success?
What did not work?
• What were the times you dreaded?
• Did you say “yes” too often and “no” not enough?
• Did you over schedule yourself and your children?
• Did you not take time to plan?
• Did you try to do everything yourself without asking for what you wanted and needed from your family?
• Were there any patterns that you notice when you think back?
*For me, it was always times when I got sucked into the computer before tending to the necessary things and then had to run around in order to get out of the door on time.
What can you do differently this year to move towards what it is that you want for you and your family?
• What are some routines or strategies that you can implement to help you create the feeling state that you want for your home and family life?
• What can you do to be proactive about the times that tend to be challenging?
• How can you better experiences that you have to do as a parent?
Involve your children and partners in this and be honest, telling them you want this year to run smoothly and brainstorm together how they can help make this happen, divide responsibilities up front so that every one knows and is clear on expectations. Also make it clear that if they need help or are stuck, to ask for help!!
So what does this really look like for a real person?
This may look like:
• lunches and snacks prepped or made
• backpacks with completed homework in them before bedtime
• clothes and uniforms set out
• shoes and keys in a place where they can be found
• notes from school read and any response or action needed done at night
These are common parental frustrations because we just want things to run as smoothly as possible so we can all get out of the house without yelling or sweating, drop the kids off and not spend the next hour feeling bad about the morning. It doesn’t have to be stressful and we can take the lead, we just have to be able to notice what’s working, what’s not working so that we can do different to create a different outcome.
This Back To School New Years isn’t just about the kids!
This may also be the hope for all that YOU would love to do now that you have less people in your house or my personal favorite, having the house to myself!
Take some time now to make a running list of all of the things that you’ve wanted to do around the house, for yourself or for your business over the summer but put off because there were other things to do and people to care for.
This list will come in handy on those days where you’ve got a wide open schedule and your brain freezes as to what to do. (I’m totally doing this and will post a picture because I get brain freeze ALL of the time!!)
No matter how big or how small, put it down.
• Organizing
• Cleaning
• Dreaming
• Planning
• Writing
• Painting
• Sewing
• Running
• Playing tennis
• Volunteering
• Napping
• Gardening
• Yoga
• Catching up with friends
Whatever makes your heart sing or would make you feel good to have completed, write it down.
This is an exciting time of year for everyone. My favorite back to school movie is Dead Poets Society because it just makes me feel like I can do anything and be my true self. Carpe Diem people!! Let’s seize this time of year and create lives filled with more joy, more laughter, more memories!
If you need help or get stuck once school starts, get on my schedule and I’ll help you out!!
xoxo
Margaret
Back to school time is a lot like New Years, don’t you think?
A time filled with new possibilities.
A time to make positive changes.
A time to show up as the person you want to be – the real YOU.
A time filled with the desire that this will be the year where things are better, calmer, more laughter, more memories created.
If you are anything like me, you feel this way each year and yet each year things happen, life starts moving fast and before you know it you’re back into the same rhythm, just reacting to whatever is thrown your way and not feeling too great about it. Well, my friends, let’s do something about that! Let’s make this the year where we really have what we want. Who’s with me?
Back To School=New Years!!
Let’s start! Think back to last year.
What worked for you and your family?
• Did you have any routines, systems, strategies or schedules that helped you stay on top of things?
• Did you ask for the help that you needed?
• How did you set yourself up for success?
What did not work?
• What were the times you dreaded?
• Did you say “yes” too often and “no” not enough?
• Did you over schedule yourself and your children?
• Did you not take time to plan?
• Did you try to do everything yourself without asking for what you wanted and needed from your family?
• Were there any patterns that you notice when you think back?
*For me, it was always times when I got sucked into the computer before tending to the necessary things and then had to run around in order to get out of the door on time.
What can you do differently this year to move towards what it is that you want for you and your family?
• What are some routines or strategies that you can implement to help you create the feeling state that you want for your home and family life?
• What can you do to be proactive about the times that tend to be challenging?
• How can you better experiences that you have to do as a parent?
Involve your children and partners in this and be honest, telling them you want this year to run smoothly and brainstorm together how they can help make this happen, divide responsibilities up front so that every one knows and is clear on expectations. Also make it clear that if they need help or are stuck, to ask for help!!
So what does this really look like for a real person?
This may look like:
• lunches and snacks prepped or made
• backpacks with completed homework in them before bedtime
• clothes and uniforms set out
• shoes and keys in a place where they can be found
• notes from school read and any response or action needed done at night
These are common parental frustrations because we just want things to run as smoothly as possible so we can all get out of the house without yelling or sweating, drop the kids off and not spend the next hour feeling bad about the morning. It doesn’t have to be stressful and we can take the lead, we just have to be able to notice what’s working, what’s not working so that we can do different to create a different outcome.
This Back To School New Years isn’t just about the kids!
This may also be the hope for all that YOU would love to do now that you have less people in your house or my personal favorite, having the house to myself!
Take some time now to make a running list of all of the things that you’ve wanted to do around the house, for yourself or for your business over the summer but put off because there were other things to do and people to care for.
This list will come in handy on those days where you’ve got a wide open schedule and your brain freezes as to what to do. (I’m totally doing this and will post a picture because I get brain freeze ALL of the time!!)
No matter how big or how small, put it down.
• Organizing
• Cleaning
• Dreaming
• Planning
• Writing
• Painting
• Sewing
• Running
• Playing tennis
• Volunteering
• Napping
• Gardening
• Yoga
• Catching up with friends
Whatever makes your heart sing or would make you feel good to have completed, write it down.
This is an exciting time of year for everyone. My favorite back to school movie is Dead Poets Society because it just makes me feel like I can do anything and be my true self. Carpe Diem people!! Let’s seize this time of year and create lives filled with more joy, more laughter, more memories!
If you need help or get stuck once school starts, get on my schedule and I’ll help you out!!
xoxo
Margaret
