It is the beginning of the school year, a time when moms, dads, parents are not only getting back to school ready but trying to manage all of the after school activities. If you are like me, you need a spreadsheet to map out who is available at what time to do what activity. THEN, once the sign ups are complete, you now need to map out who is going to take what child, where, because you can not be in 3 places at once. It is a mental load that is overwhelming and draining. While you and I stress over the sign ups and the logistics, we need to teach our kids how to manage their own activities – this will alleviate some of the pressures from YOU. After I completed all of the sign ups for my kids I created a weekly calendar for each of them. This does not only serve as a reminder for me but builds the executive functions for them.
The weekly planner serves a few purposes:
- Time Management
- My boys see their after school activities and begin to manage their time more wisely. Activity directly from school? They will pack a snack because they won’t be stopping off at home first. Activities going to have them out later? They will make sure their homework is complete prior to leaving. *Parents please note that once you have made this chart (or you can order a personalized one from my site) you have to take the time to go through it with your kids. Give guiding questions that have THEM think about the timing. “Hey, I noticed that band practice is right after school, do you think you might get hungry?” Have THEM come to the realization that packing a snack will be needed.
- Organizat
ion/Planning
- Part of the routine that we have set up is packing the night before. With having the visual cue of the activity and thelist of what they need on the board it allows them to pack up the night before and put it in a designated location for the morning. This will save you many yells up the stairs of “You have soccer today, did you pack your cleats?!” – your mornings will become more relaxed because they, and you, are more prepared.
- Task Initiation
- As part of their routine they have to consult the board to mark off their completed chores which is allowing them to see what task comes next and to engage in starting that task with less and less adult support. Initially you will need to walk them through the process step by step. “
Great work cleaning up, let’s go to the chart and mark it off!” Once the boys complete all of the chores I then make a point to show me marking off the day of the week with my initials taking notice of the completed work.
- As part of their routine they have to consult the board to mark off their completed chores which is allowing them to see what task comes next and to engage in starting that task with less and less adult support. Initially you will need to walk them through the process step by step. “
- Self Monitoring
- With the visual guide they are able to see what they have set out for them to accomplish and how they are doing with completing those tasks. The will begin to learn that the faster they get things done, the more “free play” time they have before they have to take off for school. It provides a natural consequence. You didn’t complete in a timely manner so you ran out of time to do the earned ipad time or free play. **NOTE: if you notice iPad time is 10 minutes. that is IT for the morning. There is a SLIGHT chance they can earn 10 minutes in the afternoon – but THAT. IS. IT. The impact on screens and the rise of ADHD is becoming more and more prevalent – more on that another time. If you are thinking, Dani you are NUTS, they will never let me dial down the screens, I will refer you over to Alanna Gallo founder of Play. Learn. Thrive. who will show you all of the opportunities for your kids to play around your home. https://playlearnthrive.com/about/
- Prioritizing
- Because they are learning about time, and planning they will begin to learn to prioritize. What has the most immediate need to be done and what can wait. The boys started learning that taking care of the dogs is becoming more of a priority. Just this morning they were trying to sit and eat their breakfast as the 3 dogs barked at them. My oldest then remarked, on his own, I think its best if I feed them first so they will leave me alone. Planned chore and natural consequence yielded the way to them prioritizing what needs to be done first.
If you are interested in your own custom weekly schedule, please reach out as they are made by hand to order. Please email dani@theaveragemomct.com
