Getting out the door in the morning tips:
-Start your day centered and calm knowing most of the work is already done!
-Read a daily message, either a quote or a page from a book like “Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much” by Anne Wilson Schaef. (I also have quotes in my book! ? ) This gets you in the right mind-set.
-No TV, no newspapers, no mail – do all this later – it only slows you down!
-pack lunches the night before
-set out breakfast plates, bowls, utensils, vitamins, etc the night before. Have the coffee pot on timer. Have your mug ready with sugar in it.
-pack backpacks the night before. leave them by the front door ready to go.
-have kids set out their clothes and shoes the night before.
-keep “emergency” foods in the car, just in case some kid can’t get it together in time to leave: Granola Bars, juice boxes, etc.
Homework tips:
This can be the most stressful thing of all for a family!
-Set aside homework time for EVERYONE. Even if one kid doesn’t have homework, he uses this time to read or study. It preferably should be 4-5 or 4-6 in the hours before dinner, so that after dinner time is down time. But, if there are activities to go to, it may have to be after dinner on some days. Whatever it works out to be, make homework time a scheduled event, and stick to it. Parents can sit with kids and do office work or pay bills or read a magazine, but be available in case anyone has questions or needs help.
-If your child needs help on a regular basis and is not achieving the good grades you know he can, consider hiring a tutor. It is extremely stressful on the parent to try to teach. It can be detrimental to your relationship with your child. Back off and let someone else handle it if you can.
-keep a homework cupboard at home stocked with paper, writing instruments, colored pencils and markers, poster board, glue, stapler, folders, report covers, extra cartridges for the computer, etc. This will save you last minute runs to the store for supplies.
Getting Dinner on the Table tips:
-On high-stress evenings where you are spending more time in the car than the kitchen, plan on take-out.
-Whenever you cook, double the recipe, and freeze whatever is left over for an additional quick meal.
-Keep a stock of staples in the kitchen so you can whip something up on a moment’s notice Spaghetti, sauce, tuna, rice, frozen peas, refrigerator biscuits, etc.
-ask for help. Assign everyone a job. Delegate. It’s not all up to Mom!
Getting Kids to Bed tips:
-it’s all about routine! Follow a regime leading up to bedtime, the warm bath, the brushed teeth, the story, the prayers, the goodnight. For older kids it will vary, but only slightly. Some rules are hard and fast: no phone after 9, no TV after 10. They’ll be so bored that they’ll go to sleep!
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