Thanks Marion G. for the great question.
Getting organized can feel like a job and a half itself at the best of times. Factor in children and their constantly changing needs and schedules and you've got a full time job just getting organized the things you need to organize!
A couple of quick tips:
1) Try and organize in advance of the event or situation that needs to be planned. For example try to organize for the first day/or week of school a week in advance. Waiting until the night before doesn't leave time for last-minute situations such as supplies that haven't been bought but all the stores are closed.
2) Choose your best time of day. Are you a morning person? Or does everyone in the household know better than to approach you before you've had your second cup of coffee? Working at your optimum time makes the work go faster and you've got more energy to deal with any difficulties that come up.
3) Take charge. Your children may have an idea of how they think things should go but they have less experience than you in many areas and also really, really need your guidance in showing them how to get organized. The better you are at modeling behavior the better they'll be at doing it. You'll be teaching them the skills you're demonstrating.
Children in many cases do as you do, so if you're calm and methodical about organizing and planning they'll follow your lead and be the same way.
Life Skills Exercise For Children - after they're done with the first week of school, or organizing a project or subject or supplies with you, have them write down 3 things that went well or that they're happy about. For the younger children have them color a picture. It could be something like "I like my teacher" or "I had a good time with my friends" or anything else that they can think of. It will teach them to appreciate their daily life moments and can serve as a journal or memory book to keep for the future.
Enjoy and appreciate the day - what 3 things will you be happy about today?
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2 comments:
Excellent article! My biggest problem is my 12-year-old son will watch me do tons of cleaning and organizing, but seldom pitches in unless I outline a particular privilege that will be revoked unless he helps. Then once in a very great while, he'll do something totally out of the blue like put the clean dishes away out of the dishwasher without being asked. Am I getting through to him or are these just lucky quirks???
Hi LD and thanks for your comment. Yes, you are definitely getting through to your son and that's no small thing with a 12 year old boy - pat yourself on the back!
Stay tuned - later in the week I'll post some tips you can try to encourage him to participate more.
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