Enough Already by Peter Walsh

Author:Peter Walsh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Let the answers to these questions set your plan. Know that if you accomplish everything in your plan, you’ll be satisfied with the day.

Stick to your guns

Don’t let your child make decisions for you. Have your goals for the day in mind as you give your child structured options. Children grow increasingly independent every year of their lives, and you want them to keep growing and making choices. As they grow up, welcome their input in setting family goals. But don’t let their whims and demands overrule you. You’re the parent. Modeling the value and importance of a plan is a component of being organized. Talk to your child about what you have in mind and what you need to accomplish. Make wise choices and teach your children how to do the same.

Keep a calendar

If you feel like your life is a juggling act, the easiest way to keep all the balls in the air is to get serious about keeping your calendar. If you have two activities at once, specify which family members are going to which. This allows you and your partner to know who is doing what and allows you to organize your needs far in advance. Your children can use the calendar to easily find out what the week ahead holds for all of you. Encourage your children to add to the calendar from the day they say, “Let’s———today,” and when those “save the date” notes start coming in from school, you’ll be glad they know what the calendar is for. By having well-ordered and logical systems in your home, you can teach kids the value and importance of a timetable and being organized. Place a notice board and calendar at their eye level. Use both and encourage them to do the same.

Implement routines

It’s simple math: The more efficient you are, the more time you have. A little organization will go a long way to help streamline household routines. You should always shop with a list and plan meals for a week; that way you know what you need and what you are eating every night. You will be amazed at how this reduces stress and actually frees up time for you. If you buy the same basics over and over again, then type up a shopping list that you simply modify each week. If you have young children, keep a diaper bag ready to go. Clean it out and restock it each night and you’ll find it much easier to get out the door in the morning. At night, while you’re preparing dinner or your partner is doing the dishes, keep each other company by precutting snack foods and packing lunches.

Enlist help

Your kids are the cheapest labor around. Don’t get me wrong, there are laws about this, but as my grandmother used to say, “Why buy the cow when you’re getting the milk for free?” When it comes to doing things for the family—folding laundry, packing lunches, washing the car—your children are often excited to help (or “help,” as the case may be).

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