New Year's resolutions are popular. But for most of us with school age children, isn't the beginning of school year really the time to make resolutions? After summer vacation, as we prepare for the new school year, it's a great opportunity to set life in order. So as you're thinking about your back-to-school checklist, why not think a little bigger and plan out the entire school year to the extent you can? That way, you really establish patterns and expectations for this year and next - at least until end of school year. As the summer winds down, your first thought is probably about shopping for clothes, accessories, and school supplies - we've got those checklists here. But we've got much more than that. Read on. Clothing & Accessories - Shoes, Boots
- Socks
- Underwear
- Shorts, pants, skirts
- Shirts, blouses, T-shirts
- Sweats
- Sweater, cardigan
- Raincoat, coat
- Uniforms
- Backpack
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses
School Supplies - Lunch box, thermos
- Pens, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, Hi-Liter
- Erasers, white out
- Geometry set, school box
- Paper, computer paper, construction paper, post-its
- Paper punch, paper clips, staples
- School box, rulers, scissors, rubber bands
- Poster board
- Binders, folders, dividers
- Book socks
Gadgets - Calculator
- Cell phone
- iPod
- Laptop
Sports - Track suit
- Sport-specific gear: baseball bat, soccer shoes, etc.
Now that we've taken care of the shopping lists, let's spend a little time thinking about our plan for the coming year. Below you'll find a list of various items relating to family living that will have an impact on your time and schedule. This is where the "resolutions" come in. Think about your family's goals for the coming year and write them down. They could be things like losing weight, having time for yourself, having more quality time with your family, taking better care of your older relatives, paying down debt, winning a championship, and so on. Whatever your goal, here's the chance to "plan it in" to the school year. Life has a way of taking its own course despite your goals. As you're thinking through these items, it's a good idea to start planning for these activities on your calendar. You could do your planning on a paper calendar or day planner, or you could use a computer program like the one my company, Mediabee, makes. Another advantage of this approach is, as you think through all the essential activities and account for your goals in your schedule, you might find that you're not overscheduling your family with activities that don't contribute to meeting your family's goals. Chores - Pet care
- Elder care
- Medication
- Shopping
- Cooking
- Room care - straighten out, trash
- Home care - cleaning, gardening, yard
- Kitchen care - dishes, cooking
School-Related - Homework
- Open House
- PTO/PTA Meetings
Extra-Curricular Activities - Birthday parties
- Playdates
- Music, Dance
- Volunteering
- Clubs
- Scouts
- Discussion/support groups
- Church
Diet & Nutrition - Meal planning
- School lunches
- Snacks
Health & Fitness - Exercise
- Weight management
- Vaccinations
- Eye & ear exams
- Physical checkup
- Doctor and dentist appointments
Automotive - Car maintenance
- Inspection
- Registration
- Driver's License
Finances - Paychecks
- Bills
- Budget
- Savings
- Retirement plan
- Income tax
- Property tax
Insurance - Health
- Life
- Home
- Car & boat
- Disability
- Dental
Home Care - Fall & Spring cleanup
- Gutters
- Roof & Chimney
- Carpets
- Windows
- Exterior
- Sealcoating
- Repairs
Career
Vacation & Leisure - Eating out
- Museums & Parks
- Winter Break
- Spring Break
- Weekend trips
- Vacation
- Me Time
- Family Time
Entertainment
Birthdays & Anniversaries - Gifts
- Greeting cards
- Parties
Other Special Needs You might think, am I overdoing this? Does this take the fun out of life? What about being spontaneous? I think we're all guilty of being a bit too spontaneous with our lives. It's no coincidence that we end up making the same New Year's resolutions every year. Let this new school year be different! Shoot for meeting as many goals as you can, and may be you will meet a few after all. Good luck! 2006 by Saro Saravanan. |
