Quality Time in the Back-to-School Chaos | Tidy Thursday

Welcome to Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April shares tips on how to streamline the craziness of the back-to-school routine. Thanks, April!

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Organizing at Back-to-School

By April Welch  

 

 

Streamlining life in the fall can seem a little ... well ... crazy!   

I mean really, how do you streamline when your schedule has absolutely NO holes in it???

Ah-ha!

I have some tips! {you knew I would!}

I loved Tuesday's post about Healthy Snacks for those busy kiddos in your life ~ but I wanted to shift the focus a bit to the big picture. 

Making the best choices with the time you have.

So, here was my afternoon yesterday {no, I'm not making this up!}

1. Pick kids up from school
2. Take both kids to dentist appt {1 hr}
3. Take the Pipsqueak to his annual check up {1 hr}
4. Drop Pipsqueak off at football practice {2 hrs}
5. Bring Teenager home
6. Remind Teenager about homework & chores
7. Get dinner started
8. Pick up Pipsqueak from practice
9. Eat dinner {@ 8pm ... ugghh}
10. Spend quality time together as a family

Now, I'm sure you can see there really wasn't any time right? We ran from one thing to another {to another}. And what I didn't list was the unpredictables. Like between 2 & 3 chatting with my girlfriend {& secretary} at the Dentist's office or running into another one of my girlfriends between 4 & 5. Or about the #GNO I attended on Twitter during 6 & 7? I'm gonna call this multi-tasking at it's best!

Another thing to note? I was smiling, laughing & generally in a good mood during it all. How? {you might be wondering?} Easy. I knew it was coming!

The best strategy I can teach any of my clients this time of year is to survey "what's next". Whether you're looking at tomorrow, the whole week or just the weekend plans you can easily prepare yourself {& the rest of your co-habitants} for the chaos.

Here's how I did it:

• I ran to the store the night before, when things were a little calmer, grabbed snacks like pretzels ~ bananas ~ peanuts {all things I knew I would eat too}.

• When I dropped everyone off at school in the morning I reminded them we were on a "go-go-go" schedule this afternoon, so come straight to the car after school was out.

• Before I picked them up I wrapped up what needed my attention for the next few hours & met the kiddos in the parking lot ready to give them my undivided attention for the ride {with healthy snacks in tow}.

• I had a few blog posts to read on my phone {using Read It Later}, but knew it was pretty unlikely I would need them since one of my close friends is the secretary & we would probably chat the entire time {& we did}

• I chatted with the Teenager during the Pipsqueak's annual appointment

• I ran into another close girlfriend in the parking lot during football practice drop off & chatted about game schedules for her kids.

• Then, right there in the parking lot, bumped into my neighbor & requested he bring the Pipsqueak home from practice. {what great Karma!!}

• I didn't really have a plan for dinner {since we all know I can burn water & Fire Dad was on shift} but I did manage to create a healthy meal with tortillas, salad, shredded cheese, a can of tuna & some dressing {yum-yum}

• And finally, when everyone was home we cuddled in front of some new prime-time shows {thank goodness for the DVR!}.

Phew!

So, why share all that with you? Now you'll be on the same page when I tell you that ~ I had quality girl time, kid time & I felt guilt free when we settled in to relax.

Yea, the afternoon was crazy. But I approached it with an understanding of the chaos & was able to roll with the punches.

Why don't you give it try & let me know how it goes!

Keepin' it Tidy,

April

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April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.

While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter

Comments

[Susan]

For me the key is finding time for "undivided attention" for the kids. I've gotta lay off the multi-tasking! Thx for the tips!

Susan