Role Model for Time Management? Umm, Not So Much.

Today’s date: 12/16/11. Date of last blog post: 06/06/11. Yes, you read that correctly. That means it has been six months (and ten days) since I last gave you insightful, witty, and extremely invaluable information for your adventures in parenting. Goodness!  How did you manage to survive?  (Note to self:  find the time to update more regularly!)

I have the best of intentions when it comes to writing this blog.  I actually enjoy writing, and I think it’s important to keep the parents updated on their children’s lives here at school. I have lots of topic ideas, plenty of material on which to report from classroom guidance lessons, and I’m motivated to keep this blog active.  What I do seem to lack, however, is enough time to do so.  (Note to self:  find the time to update more regularly!)

I often hit the ground running as soon as I arrive at school, whether I’m early or just on time, and I keep going until well after the last bus is called.  From speaking with parents, to meeting with children, to bus duty, to wiping tears, to attending morning meetings, and more;  you name it, it’s in my day.  And while I have a daily schedule–all beautifully color-coded, mind you–more often than not, many additional things arise during the day that interfere with my regularly scheduled programming.  When I leave here, I am exhausted, having all but forgotten about my beautiful little blog that hasn’t had a new post in months.  (Note to self:  find the time to update more regularly!)

Now I find myself in DECEMBER, without having blogged even once so far this school year.  (Note to self:  find the time to update more regularly!)  So what’s a girl to do about having poor time management skills?  Why, help parents to help their children develop great time management skills, that’s what!  Here’s an efficient, succinct, bullet list of how to help your children not end up in the same boat as me:

*  Be a good example.  Kids learn from what they see.  Hang your keys up and go through the mail when you get home while your child unpacks her backpack and puts her shoes away.  Write your appointments on the calendar while she checks her agenda book for upcoming projects and tests.  Pack lunches the night before while she picks out her clothes for the next day.  Even small steps can make a big difference with being organized and on time.

*  Follow a routine and schedule.  Kids really do benefit from predictability and structure.  Have before and after school routines (with checklists or visual prompts, if necessary) that are followed regularly.  Color code the calendar, either by activity or child, so your children know where to look and can see what their week looks like.  Ensure that your child knows of any changes in the routine ahead of time, and preview those changes.

* Prioritize activities and tasks.  Work with your child to help her see what needs to be done versus what she may want to get done.  If she has homework, a Girl Scouts meeting, and wants to go to the library, help her see what is going to be realistic for that day.  Can the library wait until tomorrow, when she has no scheduled activity?  Or, is it possible to do the homework at the library, leaving some time to browse before Girl Scouts?  It’s up to you to help her see what is manageable and the least stressful for everyone involved.

*  Leave open time in the schedule.  Kids need time to just be kids!  Let her run in the back yard, read a book, or play a game together.  She (and you) will feel incredibly recharged after some down time, and will have a better mindset when it comes to completing all the items on her to-do list.

As for me, I’m going to try to practice some of these skills myself.  I’m using my planning block to write this post, which has been a nice change for me this morning.  Since I had completed my “Must-Do” list, I was able to pick this from my “May-Do” list.  (Note to self:  use at least one planning block per week to write one of my fabulous blog posts!)  And to make sure I keep to my goal of updating regularly, I am going to check out the following time management resources for kids that I found;  you should, too!

Family Education article                                                 PBS Parents resource guide

Amazon.com list of books                                              PBS Kids video

Feel free to comment or give me feedback–in a timely manner, of course!

~Ms. Moreau