Back to School Part 2

Back to School Part 2

This is the last of a four part series on Back to School. The last two weeks at www.TimerDiet.com/blog there were two blogs, one on nutrition and exercise and the other on cooking focused on Back to School. Last week on TimerOrganizer the focus was on organizing schedules for the family and chores for the kids. This week we are going to talk about teaching kids on how to organize their time and the concept of goals. 

Children Do Have a Concept of Time

Kids Understand Time

When my daughters were growing up I used to be amazed at their ability to have, what I thought to be, adult conversations and concepts. Then I had grandchildren and again amazed, and as I should be. But really all children have an amazing ability to understand what would seem to be adult concepts. My youngest grandson when he was three years old shared some great words of wisdom with me.

I was fiddling with his car seat and the complexities of trying to get the straps just right. He guided me through the process and with his help we were successful in getting him strapped in. Then he said something that I will never forget. He said, “You did it! It just takes a little practice.” Wow at three years old he gave me words of encouragement and then some instruction to boot! Keep practicing Grandma!

Goal Setting

Kids are Wise Beyond Their Years

Ask your children what they want to accomplish each day. What are their long term goals? Do they have dreams? What can be done now and through the coming years to make those dreams come true? Ask them. I personally think all children should be doing something outside of school and the home that interests them. When my girls were pre-school they loved gymnastics and roller skating. They also let me know when they were ready to move on to something new. They both ended up as cheerleaders at a very young age (grade school) all the way up to high school, until…my youngest daughter came to me.

Kids Can Make Great Decisions

Graduating into Adulthood is the Goal!

She was in what turned out to be her final year of high school and first year of college (but neither of us knew this at the time of our conversation.) Her oldest sister had graduated the year before and it was summer and time to begin the cheerleading practice for the next school year and she was exhausted. She just wanted to stop before she got started in the middle of the summer with practices and fund raising and then all of the school events. I told her the choice was hers and I asked her what she was going to do with all that extra time. That’s when the wheels started turning and she decided to graduate high school early by taking a full-load at high school and attending community college. It was the best decision for her! And it was her decision. She went on to graduate at the state university in three years. So within six years she began high school and graduated college with a bachelor’s degree.

So as this school year starts, ask your children what their goals are for the year. What do they want to do? Who do they want to become? What are their plans? Ask them, “How can I help you?” I bet they have an answer!

Sherri Sue Fisher, author of TimerDiet and recently released TimerOrganizer

www.timerorganizer.com

www.timerdiet.com